Nvidia has ruled the high-end streaming box market for years with its Shield TV Pro. Priced between €199 and €219 , this little machine presents itself as a veritable Swiss Army knife for the living room: 4K streaming , cloud gaming , Plex server , retro emulation and even upscaling by artificial intelligence to enhance your content. On paper, it has everything you need to transform any TV into a complete entertainment center.
But here's the thing: its hardware is starting to show its age, and the competition is constantly gaining momentum, often at bargain prices. So, does the Nvidia Shield TV Pro streaming box still deserve its status as a benchmark in 2025, or is it time for it to relinquish its crown? We put it to the test for several weeks to give you an unfiltered verdict.
Table of Contents
A sober design that hides real power
Right out of the box, the Shield TV Pro makes a statement. Its compact body, with its angular, modern lines, exudes a serious look. Unlike the more minimalist tube version, this Pro model features a classic rectangular format, designed to blend effortlessly into a TV stand. The matte black plastic chassis inspires confidence, is robust, well-finished, and, above all, designed to last. Nvidia has integrated an efficient cooling system that allows the device to remain completely silent, even when fully loaded.
At the back, the connectivity immediately reminds us that we are dealing with a premium product. There are two USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI 2.0, a Gigabit Ethernet and a proprietary power supply capable of delivering up to 40W. On the front, three discreet LEDs provide information on the operating status, while large ventilation slots placed underneath ensure optimal air circulation.
The remote control is worth a closer look. Nvidia hasn't gone for the ordinary: its triangular design is surprising at first, but in the hand it proves to be remarkably ergonomic. The backlit buttons provide real comfort in a dark room, and Bluetooth and infrared compatibility allow you to control the Shield, the TV, and a soundbar simultaneously. It features classic navigation controls, a Netflix button, a microphone for voice control, and a well-designed customizable button.
Not everything is perfect, though. The Netflix button, placed right under the thumb, spoils the experience. It's so sensitive that it constantly activates accidentally. More than once, I found myself catapulted to the app mid-stream, and even my cat managed the feat. An annoying detail, especially for a device at this price point.
A heart that still beats strong, but with some limits
Inside the Shield TV Pro, we find the famous Nvidia Tegra X1+ processor, a chip that's already a few years old. It's an evolution of the Tegra X1 that powered the 2015 and 2017 models, equipped with a 256-core GPU, supported by 3 GB of DDR4 RAM and 16 GB of eMMC storage. In 2025, these figures may seem almost anachronistic compared to the standards of more recent premium boxes. Yet, once the device is plugged in and the remote in hand, the magic still happens.
Navigating Android TV 11 is surprisingly fluid. Switching between apps is seamless, menus respond instantly, and even when juggling multiple open apps, the Shield doesn't flinch. It's the kind of experience where you completely forget about technology, everything feels so natural and fast. Several times, I launched heavy apps alongside my streaming sessions, and each time the Shield gave the impression of still having some headroom. The benchmarks confirm this feeling by consistently placing it among the fastest boxes on the market.
But as you dig deeper, the limits eventually become apparent. The 3 GB of RAM does the job very well for most uses, but as soon as you push it a little, especially with more demanding Android games or intensive multitasking, signs of slowdown appear. The 16 GB of storage fills up at lightning speed. A few heavy apps, two or three games, and you find yourself juggling with the free space. It's frustrating for a device of this caliber. Of course, the two USB 3.0 ports allow you to connect an external hard drive or a key to expand the memory, but let's face it: having to bring another peripheral into the living room somewhat ruins the elegance of the whole thing.
In terms of power consumption, the Shield TV Pro remains exemplary. With only 5 to 10 watts on average, you can easily leave it running continuously. It's easy to forget, not only because of its silence, but also because of its energy efficiency. This is perhaps one of its most underestimated assets, but after several weeks of use, I must admit that it's very appreciable to never have to wonder if it's "pumping" too much in the background.
Android TV: A rich ecosystem, but not without compromise
With Android TV 11, the Shield TV Pro is playing on familiar ground. From the very first minutes, we find a familiar and perfectly polished interface. The Home tab displays our favorite apps and recently launched content, Discover takes care of offering personalized recommendations, the Store opens to the purchase and rental of movies, and the Apps section groups together all the installed programs. Everything is navigated with great fluidity and a logic that is immediately obvious. The rich and varied Android TV Play Store gives access to a library of applications much larger than that of tvOS or other competing systems.
The other strength of this Shield is its Google certification. It includes all the essential DRM: Widevine Level 1, Microsoft PlayReady, and even the precious Netflix 4K certification. In practice, this translates into flawless compatibility with Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and YouTube in Ultra HD, as well as with Molotov and MyCanal in Full HD. Integration into the Google ecosystem is natural, with a directly integrated 4K Chromecast and a Google Assistant that is more responsive and versatile than Siri has ever been in the TV box field.
But it's not all rosy. The interface isn't immune to Google's increasingly intrusive practices. The home page permanently displays a large advertising banner at the top of the screen, often for movies or series you don't own. It's impossible to hide it without resorting to complex manipulation. In the long run, this feeling of being constantly targeted becomes a real irritant, especially on a device sold at a high price.
The rich and comprehensive settings menus also suffer from some awkwardness. When you venture into the advanced options, some sections still appear in English. Nothing too complicated, but on a premium product of this caliber, you expect impeccable finishing down to the smallest details.
Fortunately, Nvidia more than compensates with exemplary software support. Few manufacturers are able to update their devices for nearly ten years. 2015 models were still receiving patches in 2025, and the 2019 Pro version continues to be seriously maintained. During our testing period, two updates corrected HDR compatibility issues with LG TVs, proof that Nvidia isn't abandoning its community.
Video streaming: between excellence and technical frustrations
It's undoubtedly in streaming that the Shield TV Pro truly reveals its dual nature. On the one hand, impressive performance makes you want to turn on the TV every night. On the other, there are some technical limitations inherited from its aging hardware, which remind us that even the best machines have their weaknesses.
The first Achilles heel lies in codec support. The Shield natively decodes H.264 and H.265 formats up to 4K at 60 frames per second, covering most current needs, and also handles the VP9 essential for YouTube. But it stops there. No VP9-2, no AV1, and obviously, 8K remains out of reach. In practical terms, this means that some services, like YouTube or Google Play Movies, cannot deliver 4K HDR and are limited to 4K SDR. Frustrating, especially when much cheaper Chinese boxes offer these codecs. The fault lies squarely with the Tegra X1+ SoC, already a simple evolution of an old chip when it was released in 2019.
When it comes to HDR formats, the Shield shows its strengths. It supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, a rarity on Android TV boxes, and it works wonderfully on Netflix or Disney+. However, there's no HDR10+, and Dolby Vision is limited to streaming profiles, with no Profile 7 support for content ripped from 4K Blu-rays. During our dozens of hours of viewing on Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+, the image is superb. Colors pop on the screen, contrasts remain deep, and details are preserved. The Shield never betrays the source and easily competes with native apps on high-end TVs, while often offering a more responsive interface.
Where the Shield TV Pro really stands out is with its AI upscaling . This exclusive feature leverages the Tegra GPU's capabilities to transform lower-definition content into near-4K. The results are stunning. I've tested 90s series on DVD, old movies in 480p, and even IPTV streams in 720p. Each time, the improvement is tangible: edges are sharper, textures finer, and the whole thing gains depth. Of course, this doesn't turn a DVD into a 4K Blu-ray, but on the big screen, the difference compared to traditional TV upscaling is obvious. Not all streams are compatible, but Nvidia continues to improve the algorithm through updates, and for those who like to revisit old content or own a TV with poor upscaling, this feature alone can justify the purchase.
There's one remaining issue for purists, however: frame rate matching . On local players like Kodi or Plex, the device perfectly adjusts the frame rate to the content. But on streaming apps, it's a different story. You have to enable a beta feature, assign it to a button on the remote, and then manually activate it every time you start a video. Even so, it doesn't work with all services. As a result, a movie shot at 24 frames per second may show slight stutters when played on a TV set to 60 Hz. Many viewers won't notice anything, but for movie buffs, fiddling with these settings quickly becomes an annoyance.
IPTV and playlists: an absolute reference
For IPTV playlist enthusiasts, the Shield TV Pro remains a near-unparalleled benchmark. The combination of its power, its AI upscaling, and the TiviMate app available on the Play Store creates a formidable combo. During our tests, channel switching was instantaneous, the interface is remarkably fluid, and the image quality of even modest streams is enhanced by the upscaling.
I spent several evenings testing different IPTV apps with legal and free playlists. No slowdowns, no crashes, and a user experience that is close to that of a traditional high-end television. Even on 720p sports streams, upscaling transforms the image: it becomes sharp, pleasant to watch on a 55-inch 4K screen and retains the necessary detail to follow the action without frustration.
However, there's a caveat: some competing boxes, like the significantly cheaper Mecool KM2 Plus Deluxe, now offer similar IPTV performance. However, they don't benefit from Nvidia's AI upscaling, which remains the real differentiator for fans of clean, detailed images.
Local reading: versatility and solid performance
For those with a personal library of video files, the Nvidia Shield TV Pro streaming box is a formidable performer. I tested playback from a directly connected USB 3.0 hard drive, as well as from a networked NAS via Ethernet and Wi-Fi, and in both cases the results were impeccable.
All my Full HD files played smoothly, including the heaviest Blu-ray remuxes. The same goes for 4K: large H.265 files flowed like magic, with bitrates of up to 50 to 60 Mbps without any slowdown. Only one particularly demanding 8K file showed some artifacts, but this is an extreme scenario that very few consumer devices can handle well.
The richness of the Android TV ecosystem is felt in the playback applications. Kodi works perfectly, in its full and unrestricted version, and we also find VLC, MX Player and the excellent Plex in server mode. This last option transforms the Shield into a true multimedia hub for the whole house, streaming your content to other devices effortlessly. After several weeks juggling between different files and configurations, I was able to note that the Shield maintains a fluidity and stability rare for a multimedia box. It's a real pleasure for users who like to centralize their films and series without compromising on quality.
Audio: Home Theater Excellence
It's perhaps in the audio department that the Shield TV Pro stands out most clearly from its competitors. Where many boxes are content to limit audio transmission or convert everything to LPCM, the Shield offers true full bitstream passthrough. In concrete terms, if you have a compatible soundbar or home theater amplifier, you'll enjoy all audio formats in their entirety, Dolby TrueHD Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X, everything passes without conversion or loss, a luxury rare enough to be highlighted on a TV box.
In our tests with an Atmos soundbar, the experience was simply astounding. The explosions and car chases in Mad Max Fury Road seemed to emerge from the living room, while the orchestral passages in Blade Runner 2049 literally enveloped the room. The immersion was total, and it worked just as well when streaming via Netflix, Disney+, or Prime Video, which use Dolby Digital Plus Atmos, as it did when playing local Blu-ray remuxes.
The Shield isn't limited to mainstream formats. It also handles high-resolution audio up to 32-bit and 48 kHz, perfect for audiophiles equipped with a quality USB DAC. This audio versatility, rare on a box of this price, rivals much more expensive models like the Zidoo Z9X or Z10 Pro. For those looking for a complete home theater experience, the Shield TV Pro truly rules the roost.
Gaming: between ambitions and reality
Nvidia is positioning the Shield TV Pro as a full-fledged home console, but the reality is more nuanced. The device shines in some areas while revealing some limitations that remind us that this is not a next-gen console.
The Shield is most impressive in cloud gaming. GeForce Now, Nvidia's service, performs exemplarily, which is understandable since the device was designed for it. With a solid internet connection, whether fiber or VDSL, you can play PC titles in ultra high definition with imperceptible latency. I spent hours on Cyberpunk 2077, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and Death Stranding without the slightest freeze or drop in quality, and the consistent fluidity made the experience almost indistinguishable from a real PC. The GameStream function also allows you to stream your games from a PC equipped with an Nvidia graphics card directly to your TV. On a local wired network, it's like transforming any screen into an extension of your gaming machine with near-perfect responsiveness.
The Shield also supports Xbox Cloud Gaming via Game Pass and, formerly, Stadia. In our tests, Game Pass proved a little less stable than GeForce Now, with occasional disconnections, but the experience remains largely satisfactory for those who want to play without investing in a super-powerful PC.
For native Android games, the experience is more mixed. The Shield has a few exclusive titles optimized for the Tegra X1+, and they run perfectly. On generic games from the Play Store, the results are frustrating. Controllers aren't always properly recognized, some commands remain stuck on the remote, and the button mapping sometimes becomes chaotic. You can get by with simple games requiring only a D-pad and a button, but for more complex titles, it's a lottery—a shame for a device sold for its gaming capabilities.
Fortunately, emulation more than makes up for this disappointment. The Shield TV Pro proves to be an exceptional machine for retro gaming, comfortably handling consoles up to the GameCube, Dreamcast, PSP, and Nintendo 64 generation. I installed Retroarch, PPSSPP for the PSP, Redream for the Dreamcast, and Dolphin for the GameCube and Wii, and the results are impressive. PSP games run at 4x resolution with some enhanced graphical effects, without the slightest slowdown. God of War: Chains of Olympus, although known to be demanding, remains perfectly fluid. On the Dreamcast and Nintendo 64 side, upscaling and graphic filters pass without a hitch. For the GameCube, some more demanding games show their limits, but the majority of the catalog runs admirably. Thanks to the 64-bit architecture of Android TV 11, we benefit from the latest versions of Dolphin, much more powerful than the old ones.
For retro gaming enthusiasts, the Shield TV Pro transforms any TV into a universal console capable of running decades of video games. Simply connect your favorite controller—whether it's a PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, or Switch Pro—and the adventure can begin immediately.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 absent but solid overall
The Shield TV Pro 2019 is starting to show its age in terms of connectivity, but it's still surprisingly solid. Dual-band 2.4 and 5 GHz AC Wi-Fi with MIMO delivers stable speeds, which I measured between 250 and 300 Mbps on 5 GHz. Enough for smooth 4K streaming and responsive cloud gaming. Granted, Wi-Fi 6 is missing, unlike more recent models like the Mecool KM2 Plus or the Apple TV 4K 2021, but for a box that sits comfortably on its TV stand, this lack is almost unnoticeable.
Bluetooth 5.0 is a real success. During my tests, I connected an Xbox Series controller, AirPods Pro, and a Bluetooth keyboard simultaneously. Everything worked immediately, without any lag or latency, making the Shield feel like it instantly recognizes each device as if it knew exactly what I wanted to connect.
The Gigabit Ethernet port is a boon for cloud gaming or large downloads. Wired connections reach speeds of up to 1000 Mbps, delivering perfect stability and a smooth GeForce Now experience at maximum quality.
And then there are those two USB 3.0 ports, a luxury that's become rare these days. I plugged in a hard drive, a USB flash drive, and even an audio DAC to test playback of the largest files. No slowdowns, no hesitation. It's this kind of detail that reminds us that the Shield isn't just designed for streaming, but also to become the living room's true multimedia hub.
Plex and Media Server: A Single Function
The Shield TV Pro holds a trump card that almost no other TV box can claim: it can act as a Plex server. Most devices are content to act as simple clients, playing content from a server installed elsewhere. Here, the Shield becomes the heart of your entertainment system.
In practice, all you have to do is plug in one or more USB hard drives containing your movies and series, install Plex Media Server from the Play Store, and the magic happens. Your Shield can then stream your content to all the devices in your home, whether TVs, tablets , or smartphones. During our tests, the server ran without a hitch, even with light transcoding. Of course, for very demanding 4K transcoding, the Tegra X1+'s power reaches its limits, but for typical home use with a few simultaneous Full HD streams, everything runs smoothly.
This is exactly the kind of feature that makes the Shield TV Pro a unique device. For those who want to centralize their multimedia setup without investing in a NAS or dedicated server, it instantly becomes indispensable, offering convenience and versatility that no other box on the market can match.
Against the competition: Shield TV Pro vs. Apple TV 4K
Comparing the Shield TV Pro to the Apple TV 4K 2021 is inevitable, as both represent the top of the range of TV boxes, but with radically different philosophies. The Apple TV 4K features a significantly more powerful A12 Bionic chip, 4GB of RAM, and up to 64GB of storage. On paper, it technically crushes the Shield. In everyday practice, this hardware superiority translates mainly into slightly better fluidity and the ability to decode certain recent codecs like VP9-2 or AV1, even if this software decoding remains imperfect at times, with artifacts on certain files.
The Apple TV has the edge in some practical areas. The automatic frame rate adjustment works perfectly across all streaming services, the tvOS interface is sleek and much less intrusive, and the Siri Remote, while not backlit, offers innovative and intuitive touch control.
But where the Shield TV Pro truly shines is in the richness of its Android ecosystem. The apps and customization possibilities are endless, retro emulation is nearly impossible on Apple TV without a complex jailbreak, audio support is comprehensive with passthrough for all movie formats, and connectivity with its USB ports makes it easy to expand storage capacity or add peripherals. Not to mention the Plex server function, a real asset for centralizing your entire media library.
For gamers, the Shield has no competition. GeForce Now, GameStream, and emulation offer an experience that Apple TV simply can't match. Apple Arcade and Shadow only scratch the surface of what Nvidia offers.
For movie buffs, the Shield offers more flexibility and compatibility, although the Apple TV partly compensates with more universal Dolby Vision decoding, including on local files, although HDR metadata isn't always perfectly transmitted.
Ultimately, the choice depends primarily on your ecosystem. If you're already immersed in the Apple universe with iPhone, iPad, and Mac, Apple TV integrates naturally via AirPlay and Continuity. If you prioritize openness, customization, gaming, and reference-level audio, the Shield TV Pro remains a must-have and fully justifies its price.
✔ AI upscaling: truly transforms low-definition content.
✔ Raw power: ensures exemplary fluidity in all circumstances.
✔ Full audio passthrough: all cinema formats without compromise.
✔ Retro emulation: a universal console for decades of gaming.
✔ GeForce Now and GameStream: Cloud gaming as it should be.
✔ The Plex server function: unique on a TV box.
✔ Software monitoring: regular updates since 2015.
✔ USB 3.0 connectivity: expandability and versatility.
✔ The backlit remote control: (except the Netflix button).
✔ The Android TV ecosystem: wealth of applications and customization.
✖ Lack of VP9-2: No 4K HDR on YouTube and Google Play Movies.
✖ Missing codecs: No AV1 codec or 8K (even if anecdotal in 2025).
✖ Limited storage: 16 GB which fills up very quickly.
✖ RAM: 3 GB which is starting to show its limits.
✖ Netflix button misplaced: constantly triggers by mistake.
✖ Advertising: invasive in the Android TV interface.
✖ Manual adjustment: of the display frequency on streaming services.
✖ Recognition issues: controllers on some Android games.
✖ The price: between €199 and €219, it’s a significant investment.
✖ The absence of Wi-Fi 6: (even if little impact in practice).
Verdict: The Shield TV Pro remains relevant in 2025
After several weeks of testing the Nvidia Shield TV Pro 2019 in all its facets, the verdict is clear: it's still an excellent TV box , probably the best under Android TV , but it's no longer the "perfect" machine that some like to imagine. Its hardware is starting to show signs of fatigue compared to 2025 , and much cheaper Chinese boxes like the Mecool KM2 Plus Deluxe or the Ugoos AM6B Plus now offer similar performance in many areas.
So, who is the Shield really for? It's still a must-have for those who want the best Android TV experience without compromise, for those who want to take advantage of AI upscaling to bring old content back to life, for gamers who want to use GeForce Now or dive into retro emulation Plex server , or for lovers of high-fidelity audio with full passthrough. It's also a solid choice for those who want a device with long-term support and regular updates .
On the other hand, it may not be necessary if you're happy with Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube, if 4K HDR on YouTube is a must, if you have no need for gaming or emulation, if 200 euros seems too much, or if you're already firmly established in the Apple , where the Apple TV will fit more naturally.
The Shield TV Pro 2019 is no longer the technological UFO it was when it was released, but it remains a benchmark for intensive and versatile use . Quality streaming, cloud gaming, emulation, media server, cinema audio… it combines all these functions in a single device. This is what makes it strong. Each function can be matched or surpassed individually by newer and sometimes cheaper models, but no box on the market brings together this complete combination in a reliable, integrated and consistent manner.
If you're still unsure, ask yourself this question: are you really going to take advantage of all these possibilities? If the answer is yes , the 200 euros are justified and you won't regret your purchase. If the answer is no, a more affordable alternative will be more than enough.
Personally, I'd be curious to see Nvidia completely overhaul its streaming box in 2025. With updated hardware and the same versatile features, I think other manufacturers could really take a hit and Nvidia would arguably have the best streaming box around.
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