Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Audio / Video
  3. News

Nvidia’s Shield Android TV streaming box gets Netflix in HDR, plus a lot more

By

Nvidia Shield Console
Image used with permission by copyright holder
While a lot of people in the market for a streaming box opt for a Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV device, they are far from the only options available. Nvidia’s Shield Android TV box might not be well-known, but compared to a lot of other streaming boxes, it is positively feature-packed. And with its most recent software update, it just got even better.

The software update brings a ton of features, but the most impressive is the ability to stream HDR video from Netflix. While a relatively small number of TVs currently support HDR from Netflix directly, Nvidia says this update makes the Shield the first streaming box to support Netflix’s HDR content. Shows and movies in HDR might be limited for the time being, but Netflix has said more than 100 hours of HDR content is coming this summer.

Recommended Videos

Netflix isn’t the only streaming service getting a visual upgrade with this new update. YouTube streaming is now available at both 4K resolution and frame rates up to 60 frames per second, and movies and TV series from Vudu are now also streaming at 4K resolution. In terms of audio, the Shield now also supports Dolby Atmos 3D object-based surround sound.

Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming
Check your inbox!
Privacy Policy

As with many other streaming boxes, users have been able to stream from Plex servers to the Shield. Now, thanks to the update, the Plex Media Server software itself can run on the Shield, allowing the small but powerful box to stream your media to the rest of your home.

A number of new apps are now also available on the Shield for the first time. Sports fans now have access to WatchESPN and music lovers now have Spotify, while NBC News helps viewers keep current. More news is on the way with CNNGo, NPR, and ABC News coming soon to Android TV, along with Viacom’s MTV and Comedy Central, plus family programming from Freeform, Disney Channel, Disney Jr., Disney XD, Nick, and others.

More under-the-hood features have also arrived in the form of 4:4:4 color space on supported TVs, the ability to attach an NAS (Network Attached Storage) to the Shield, and the ability to access files and folders on the Shield from a PC.

From the start, Nvidia has aimed its Shield products at gamers, and they haven’t been left out, with Borderlands 2 becoming available on the Shield Android TV startingThursday.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Kris Wouk
Kris Wouk
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…
Android TV finally gets the full Hulu experience, including live TV
Hulu is great, and now it's available on Android TV. Here's how to get it
how to watch hulu on android tv app limitations

It's been a long time coming, but Hulu has just announced that it will be updating its support for Android TV devices to put them on par with platforms like Roku and Apple TV. That means features such as Hulu+Live TV, which had been absent from Android TV since launch, will now work.

The rollout is happening in early August, according to the company's blog post and will hit most of the major Android TV devices, including Sony’s Android TVs, Nvidia Shield TV, Xiaomi Mi Box, and Hisense Android TVs. Previously, these streaming devices were limited to Hulu's "Classic" app, which only supported the most rudimentary Hulu functions, and offered no support for live TV streaming, access to different profiles, or the ability to watch some of the most popular Hulu add-ons, such as HBO and Cinemax. With the update, Android TV users can download and use the most up-to-date Hulu app, giving them parity (finally) with other streaming devices.

Read more
Best subwoofer deals: Up the bass for as low as $50
The Klipsch Reference Series 12 on a shelf.

One of the best subwoofers is a great way to add some base to your home theater, and while such an addition may seem like an expensive one, there are a lot of subwoofer deals out there worth taking a look at. Some of the best TV brands make great complementary audio equipment, and you’ll find brands like Sony LG, and Hisense among the subwoofers currently discounted. If you’re in the midst of putting together a home theater system, we recommend you check out the current TV deals and soundbar deals for some overall savings. You could even shop some Bluetooth speaker deals if your home audio needs aren’t too complex. But if you’re ready to add a subwoofer to the mix, read onward and check out the best subwoofer deals to shop right now.
Dr.J Professional 2.1 channel soundbar with subwoofer system -- $77, was $200

More than just the subwoofer, this surround system includes a versatile soundbar or dual-speaker -- it can be split in half -- offering a versatile audio system. It does featured Bluetooth for wireless connectivity, so you can connect a phone or tablet, for example. You can also plug your TV in via HDMI ARC, optical, or 3.5 mm audio. The 35W bass woofer delivers a nice little kick.

Read more
TCL’s 2024 Dolby Atmos soundbars have room calibration and start at $180
TCL 2024 S Class S45H soundbar.

After a disappointing showing in 2023, when TCL didn't announce any Dolby Atmos soundbars, the company came roaring back at CES 2024 with an entirely new lineup featuring Dolby Atmos on every model -- including a new 7.1.4 Q Class flagship. At this point, we know a lot more about the two new series (S Class and Q Class), including details on a surprise feature: the S Class now offers automatic room calibration via the TCL Home mobile app -- something was previously only available on the Q Class.

The entry-level S45H comes in at $180, while the top-of-the-line Q85H has been priced at $1,000. The two S Class models are available immediately, while the two Q Class soundbars will be released during the summer, but we don't have exact timing.

Read more