Nvidia unveiled the 2017 version of its Shield Android TV during CES 2017, and people were quite impressed with the technical specifications of the product. The company even advertised the streaming apparatus as a gamechanger with powerful capabilities.
Critics were also impressed with the Nvidia Shield TV when it came to streaming shows and games, especially with 4K, HDR graphics, as well as its new game controller and remote control. However, the $100 difference between the standard Shield TV and the Pro version may leave interested buyers to question just how huge the difference is between the standard and Pro version.
Both versions are streaming beasts with 4K HRD video capacity, has access to infinite apps and entertainment as well as NVIDIA-powered gaming in the cloud or from your local computer so it may be a tough decision for some. Luckily, Tech Times is here to help you sort it out.
Price
Let's get the expense out of the way. The basic Shield package will cost people $199.99 while the Shield Pro will set you back $299.99. Both packages come with the Shield unit, charger, game controller, and remote control.
That is a $100 difference that is easily justifiable by looking through the technical specifications of the devices in the package so let's take a look at what could tip the scales for you.
Storage
What could be so different between the two Shield devices to warrant a $100 difference, you might ask. Well, one of the biggest factors is the internal storage of the devices. The basic Shield unit has a 16 GB and two USB 3.0 ports and that's about it.
The Shield Pro has a 500 GB internal memory as well as a microSD card slot for memory expansion, which is really good for those who like having their games and content readily available in their device.
There is, however, a trick to expanding the capacity of the standard Shield device which we detailed in a previous Tips & Tricks article.
Size
First off, interested buyers should know that there is quite a difference in size between the two units. The more basic Shield has a 98 mm x 159 mm height and width, 25.93 mm thick and weighs in at 250 grams. The photo below shows the Shield unit's size compared to its accessories.
Remote Control
There are two main differences between the remote controls for the two packages. Basically, the 16 GB Shield package comes with a newly designed remote control without the earphone jack but is equipped with an IR blaster which would allow user to control not only the Shield device but the televisions too. The 500 GB Shield Pro retains the old design so, while it has an earphone jack, it does not have the IR blaster.
Then again, the remote control can be bought separately at $49.99 so it's up to you if you'd rather just buy a new remote control.
Special Features
The "special" features are really just more ports because, with the standard Shield package, users only get 2 USB 3.0 ports and an HDMI port for connecting to the television.
The Shield Pro offers the following ports: HDMI, MicroSD card slot, 2 USB 3.0, 1 Micro-USB 2.0, and an IR receiver that is compatible with Logitech Harmony.
Which should you purchase?
If you want convenience and have enough money to shell out, we suggest going for Shield Pro since it has a lot more to offer. However, if you're the type who doesn't mind doing a little extra work to get more storage, the standard 16 GB Shield package is not a bad choice at all.
