Nvidia 'Shield' Set Top Box: 'World's First 4K Android TV' Targets Gamers As Nvidia Gets Ready To Face Off Against Rivals Including Nintendo, Sony And Microsoft!

Tags: Nvidia; NVIDIA Shield; Android TV; Game Developers Conference 2015; video games; Virtual reality

BY Vinay Patel Mar 05, 2015 09:23 AM EST

Renowned chip component maker Nvidia targets gamers with its own video-game console designed for the living room.

Ace technology company based in Santa Clara, California, NVidia is renowned as manufacturers of graphics processing units (GPUs) and system-on-a-chip units (SOCs) for mobile computing market. The famous chipmaker has built a set-top box based on Google's software and assures it can play any high-end video games.

Sounds exciting, doesn't it?

According to Tech Crunch, Nvidia announced the new product in its Shield lineup Wednesday, March 4. The streaming set-top box is powered by Android TV that's capable of 4K output. CNet noted that the video-game for the living-room will have all the typical luxuries. It does not only stream videos but also plays game and has a controller.

Simply called, "Nvidia Shield," the new gadget seems to lead the Shield lineup that also comprises the Shield Tablet and Shield Portable. In addition, the gadget is powered by the new Tegra X1 processor, which Nvidia debuted at CES this year. According to Tech Crunch, Nvidia Shield is a delivery mechanism for Grid, the streaming game service by Nvidia that offers subscription-based access to top-tier PC games streamed via the cloud in 1080p resolution running at 60 frames per second.

A mix of softwares from Google and Nvidia itself will help the new gadget go toe-to-toe with Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony. For example, Nvidia Shield will use Android TV, which enables tablets as well as games apps to run on a television set. Moreover, CNET noted that the console will also connect to Nvidia's Grid service. According to Nvidia, the combination makes a compelling substitute to current lineup of video game devices.

According to Engadget, Nvidia is calling Shield the "world's first 4K Android TV" as it not only can stream but also locally run 4K content on your 4K television using a state-of-the-art X1 chip, Nvidia's most powerful mobile processor to date.

Nvidia Shield also features voice control, which works both via the Shield's gamepad's mic as well as a separate remote control just like Amazon Fire TV's remote control. Besides the set-top-box capabilities, Nvidia is aiming Shield directly at gamers. The company further claims that the box is 35 times more powerful than the next set-top-box and has a double performance of an Xbox 360.

Nvidia chief executive Jen-Hsun Huang says at least 50 games will be available at launch. The Shield will sell for $199 when it's released in May in the United States. Australian and U.K. details were not available as of this writing.