Nvidia Continues Shield TV Updates; New Hardware Potentially in Development

Nvidia is reaffirming its commitment to the Shield TV, promising ongoing updates and hinting at potential new hardware. Andrew Bell, Nvidia’s representative, shared insights in an interview with ArsTechnica about the efforts to sustain the Shield TV platform.

Nvidia Shield TV: A Brief History

First launched in 2015, the Shield TV has seen impressive longevity in the streaming market. Despite a gap of over five years since the last hardware iteration, Nvidia continues to provide software updates, with the latest release occurring in November 2023.

Bell noted the origins of the Shield project, stating that it was initially developed out of a personal need among Nvidia employees for a high-quality streaming device outside the Apple ecosystem. Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, played a crucial role in bringing the product to consumers, claiming that the company can support the device indefinitely.

Ongoing Support and Updates

• Nvidia maintains production of the Shield TV due to consistent consumer demand.
• Regular software updates ensure compatibility with new technologies.
• The first-generation Shield remains supported even ten years after its launch.

Bell emphasized that Nvidia is not planning to discontinue the Shield project anytime soon. He mentioned that the company is continually experimenting with new ideas, hinting that if an exciting development emerges, Nvidia may pursue it.

Future of the Shield TV

Although there are no confirmed plans for a new Shield TV model, speculation about a sequel remains alive. Bell expressed enthusiasm for the possibility, noting that discussions about future hardware occur frequently within the company.

Potential advancements in a new model could include:

• Improved video technology such as AV1 decoding.
• Support for HDR10+ and enhancements to Dolby Vision.
• A redesign of the remote, possibly removing the current Netflix button.

With the landscape of Android TV and Google TV lacking strong competitors, Nvidia’s potential next steps could significantly impact the streaming market. Enthusiasts and fans of the Shield TV eagerly await what comes next.