In today's world, where smart homes are becoming increasingly popular, it can be overwhelming to navigate through the vast array of devices available in the market. But fear not! If you're looking for a device that can truly elevate your smart home experience, look no further than the Nvidia Shield TV. This powerful, versatile device not only supports a wide range of streaming services and games, but it can also be integrated seamlessly with your other smart home devices, making it a true standout in the crowded field of smart home gadgets. So, whether you're a tech enthusiast or just someone who wants to take their home entertainment to the next level, the Nvidia Shield TV is definitely worth considering. Read on to find out more about what makes this device so special, and why it might just be the perfect addition to your smart home setup.
How I use my Nvidia Shield TV
The Nvidia Shield TV is definitely one of my top picks among the devices in my smart home setup. If you've been considering adding one to your setup, today might just be the perfect day to make the purchase, since discounts like this one don't come around regularly.
Using Home Assistant, I've set up my Nvidia Shield TV to automatically dim the surrounding lights for a cosy atmosphere whenever I turn it on, and to increase the brightness when I pause a film or show playing on Plex. This helps me avoid stepping on my kids' toys when I need to get up and move around.
What's even more convenient is that the Nvidia Shield TV supports HDMI CEC, which means it can turn on your TV and sound system as well. So, I hardly ever have to touch the remote for my Sony receiver or Samsung television, as the Nvidia remote can control everything.
Nvidia loves the Shield TV as much as we do
Another thing that makes the Nvidia Shield TV stand out is that it is the Android device I have owned with the longest support. The 2017 version that I have is powered by the same SoC as the Nintendo Switch, and it can emulate older consoles with ease. You don't need to worry about storage space for ROMs, either, as the Nvidia Shield TV's storage can be extended using a microSD card. The newer 2019 versions, including the discounted one, use the even more powerful Nvidia Tegra X1+.
With its upgraded SoC, the Nvidia Shield TV can use AI-enhancements to upscale high-definition video to 4K resolution. You might be sceptical about the use of AI, but as Linus from Linus Tech Tips has pointed out, “Nvidia's new AI upscaling tech is not just another silly marketing gimmick with AI slapped on to it. It really does work.”
Conclusion
If you're tired of using your TV's built-in operating system, then the Nvidia Shield TV is the perfect solution. Android TV is lightning-fast, and the upscaling capabilities make your 4K viewing experience even better. Plus, it supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, and can decode or pass-through a Dolby Atmos signal. The 1 GbE port ensures a rock-solid connection, making it the perfect choice for streaming large Blu-ray rips locally. This is especially important, considering that vendors like Sony only add 10/100 Mbps Ethernet to their televisions, which can be quite limiting.
