Hi there,
Recently bought the 2017 version and I want to know if I am getting nvidia'd by buying the 2017 at the lowest price currently (on sale) because Nvidia is offloading all their older models for a new upcoming one?
Any rumors? Seems like they release a version every 2 years.
Given that the hardware is 3 years old, and the current one is on sale at lowest prices ever ($120-140 depending on outlet), I'd say releasing a new one is a good bet. That said, even the current Shield TV blows away other hardware and has no performance issues at 4K/60Hz, 120Hz (not sure resolution), gets regular updates, etc. so it's still a great buy.
I wouldn't want to spend $200 on a hypothetical new Shield anyway. The price point that got me was the $140 sale with Echo Dot included.
Shield TV arrives tomorrow for me and I almost want to return it already, Mi Box just got a bug fix update and it completely resolved the two issues I was having, it's a great little box for $60.
I think the real question is, when the next Shield TV is released, will it be Tegra X2-based, or will it be Xavier-based?
Here's the real question: what would you want on a new model that's not available on the current model?
Not likely. Nvidia's focus for their SoCs is in automotive, not consumer devices.
I don't see how can be improved, is already a great device, but if I had to ask for something new in 2019 and beyond then it would be a new remote control with real volume buttons instead of the touch slider.
If Nvidia does introduce a new model, I hope they consider keeping the current model of the Shield as a "mid-range" device at a lower price point. Now that there are a couple Android TV options choices at the lower end with the MiBox S & Jetstream, Android TV really needs a solid device in the $100-$120 range. I see the question on here all the time, asking if there are any Android TV devices with better specs / better support than the MiBox but they don't want to spend $179 for a Shield. There's a $120 gap between those two devices, the existing Shield at a lower price could fill that gap quite nicely.
Considering there has been no news of a new model going though certification it's unlikely...
If there will be any new model in their pipeline, I guess we would hear reports about that based on FCC id registration data, at least 1-2 months before arriving to stores.
what could they add that can't already be added with a software update?
If they have a new chip to promote, then they will.
The question is what would warrant the need for a new device?
The Tegra X1 CPU is probably "good enough" for anything you want on AndroidTV. They could, perhaps, add better codec support on a new chip, but I'm pretty sure the Tegra X1 is powerful enough to just decode over software for newer codecs.
The only thing I can see that could be useful is a built-in microphone and speaker to make it into a Google Home device to use when your TV is off.
The 2017 version was the same setup as the 2015 version with a tweaked box no nothing new so imo not a new model just a minor rev, Nvidia also dont have a new chipset built for this work so im my view the price drops are just a thing that happens over time. if you have a need buy one
Not necessary but I would think so, mostly because I can't imagine going another year without a long over due new remote, and would expect them to be released together.
I'd love for them to Fix the color mapping for SDR to HDR... red's still look orange-ish compared to using the 709 colorspace
I wish they had controllers that took batteries. I hate rechargeable controllers.
Not likely. But if they do, I would like to see added :
I would love to have a built in tuner atsc 1.0-3.0 just plug antenna an good to go for over the air channels. And also help google to develop the live channels app
If a 2019 model had a far field microphone and speakers built in so it can operate as a Google Home even when the TV is turned off- I'd pay up to £300 for it.
Honestly I don't feel the need for a new SHIELD TV, I feel the need for more and better softwares for it.
The main pain point for me is Plex, it is pretty crappy and I rely on it for basically everything I watch.
The hardware is more than capable to play any 4K media you throw at it so I don't feel any particular need for better hardware.