The headlining feature of Nvidia's Made to Game event at the GDC a few hours ago was the new SHIELD Android TV console. Remember we were promised, in the GDC teaser, that we would see a new product that would "redefine the future of gaming," and that has been "more than five years in the making". HEXUS readers guessed right; that the main 'Made to game' announcement would be a SHIELD console.
Nvidia's new console runs Google's Android TV OS, the first console to do so, and is Google Cast ready. As a set top box it can deliver 4K video, your music and many apps to your big screen and can be voice-controlled and access Google Voice Search. While it is a powerful Android console in its own right, packing the Tegra X1 processor with 256-core Maxwell GPU with 3GB RAM, users can also enjoy access to Nvidia's subscription-based GRID 'Netflix of games' streaming service "at up to 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second".
Nvidia SHIELD console specs
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Processor |
NVIDIA Tegra X1 processor with 256-core Maxwell GPU with 3GB RAM |
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Video Features |
4K Ultra-HD Ready with 4K playback and capture up to 60 fps (VP9, H265, H264) |
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Audio Features |
7.1 and 5.1 surround sound pass through over HDMI |
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High-resolution audio playback up to 24-bit/192kHz over HDMI and USB |
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High-resolution audio upsample to 24-bit/192hHz over USB |
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Storage1 |
16GB |
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Wireless |
802.11ac 2x2 MIMO 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi |
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Bluetooth 4.1/BLE |
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Interfaces |
Gigabit Ethernet |
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HDMI 2.0 |
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Two USB 3.0 (Type A)2 |
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Micro-USB 2.0 |
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MicroSD slot (supports 128GB cards) |
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IR Receiver (compatible with Logitech Harmony) |
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Gaming Features |
NVIDIA GRID streaming service |
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NVIDIA GameStream™ |
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Weight and Size |
Weight: 23oz / 654g |
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Height: 5.1in / 130mm |
"SHIELD will change the way we enjoy digital entertainment at home," said Jen-Hsun Huang, president and CEO of NVIDIA . "It's an incredibly powerful, efficient and advanced living room entertainment device. It's the best Android TV experience. And it can transform into a serious gaming machine. It's made to game."
If you aren't one for paying subscriptions (GRID streaming is expected to become a paid-for service from this summer) or perhaps your internet might not be up to scratch for smooth 1080p games streaming, Nvidia made some interesting AAA games announcements alongside the SHIELD console launch. Some major games titles being ported to SHIELD include; Crysis 3, Doom 3: BFG EditionT, Resident Evil 5, The Talos Principle, Metal Gear Solid: Revengeance, Limbo, Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. In all "50+ Android titles optimized for SHIELD," will be ready for the console's launch, HEXUS was told in an email.
The new SHIELD console is expected to become available in May with prices starting at $199 with one game controller in the box. Nvidia will make available other SHIELD accessories including a remote control, vertical SHIELD stand and additional controllers ($39.95 per controller).
