For cord-cutters seeking the ultimate streaming and gaming experience, Nvidia‘s Shield TV devices are top contenders. But the Shield lineup offers two distinct models – the regular Shield TV and the stepped-up Shield TV Pro. As an avid Shield user myself, I‘m often asked – what‘s the real difference between the Shield TV and Pro? Which one is right for you? Here‘s an in-depth look at how these Android TV heavyweights compare.
How the Shield TV Stacks Up to the Shield TV Pro
First, let‘s examine how the core hardware differs between models:
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Processing Power: The Shield TV features Nvidia‘s Tegra X1+ processor with 256 GPU cores, while the Shield TV Pro boasts the more muscular Tegra X2 with twice the number at 512 cores. Benchmarks show the X2 scoring around 25% higher in processing and graphics performance.
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RAM: You get 2 GB of RAM on the Shield TV versus 3 GB on the Pro. That extra gigabyte helps the Pro juggle more apps and gaming workloads.
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Storage: It‘s 16 GB on the Pro and 8 GB on the standard model. Both have a microSD slot for adding more storage.
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Ports: The Shield TV Pro includes two USB 3.0 ports, one of which can charge controllers. It also has a gigabit Ethernet jack. The Shield TV has no USB ports and slower Ethernet.
Clearly the Pro model brings more horsepower and connectivity to the table. But how does this impact real-world usage? Let‘s dig into the key feature differences…
AI Upscaling – Enhancing Lower Res Video on Your 4K TV
A major selling point for Shield TV devices is AI upscaling. This uses Nvidia‘s neural networks to improve HD content on high-res screens. For instance, 1080p video can be upscaled close to 4K quality.
Both models provide upscaling, but the Pro takes it a step further:
- Shield TV: Upscales HD video up to 30 fps
- Shield TV Pro: Upscales HD and 4K video up to 60 fps
So while the Shield TV handles streaming shows fine, the Pro will give you an edge with 4K streams and content with higher frame rates. If you have a large 4K TV, the Pro‘s enhanced upscaling is especially handy.
According to Nvidia, their AI upscaling can make video look up to — and sometimes better than — native 4K quality. In my experience, it works amazingly well. Lower-res YouTube clips are clearer, streaming sports get a boost, and even nicer during gaming thanks to 60 fps on the Pro. It‘s like putting glasses on your TV!
Plex Powerhouse – Streaming Your Media Library
Here‘s a Pro-exclusive feature — it can run a full-fledged Plex Media Server for managing your media library. Why does this matter?
Well, Plex allows you to store all your movies, music, and photos digitally for on-demand streaming. No need for racks of DVDs and CDs! The Shield TV Pro has enough muscle to act as the host server for Plex.
With the Pro on your network, you can:
- Stream your media worldwide to phones, tablets, smart TVs, gaming consoles, etc.
- Sync content for offline viewing
- Get free over-the-air TV via Plex DVR
- Automatically fetch metadata like descriptions and posters
Plus, the Pro‘s ample RAM and Tegra X2 give it an edge when transcoding video into mobile-friendly formats. In Plex streaming tests, the Shield TV Pro outperformed competitors like the Apple TV 4K thanks to superior transcoding.
So if building a unified media platform is your thing, the Pro model is up to the task. The standard Shield TV lacks the storage and horsepower for smooth Plex serving.
Smart Home Warrior – Integrating With SmartThings
Here‘s another advantage of the Shield TV Pro — it integrates directly with Samsung‘s SmartThings ecosystem for controlling smart home devices.
By connecting your SmartThings hub to the Pro, you can:
- Control lights, locks, switches, sensors, and more with your voice
- Create automation routines like dimming lights at night
- View door cameras and security alerts right on your TV
- Have smart devices react to Shield actions like movie playback
This sets the Pro apart from not just the Shield TV, but other streaming devices. For example, you can automatically mute audio when the doorbell rings or have your lights dim when starting a movie. With Google Assistant built-in, voice control becomes even more powerful.
If you already have SmartThings deployed in your home, the Shield TV Pro truly unifies your entertainment center and smart home. Unfortunately the standard Shield TV lacks this integration entirely.
Gaming and Performance – Enjoy Smoother Gameplay
Gaming is central to the Shield TV proposition. Both models give you access to:
- Native Android games: 100s of apps from the Google Play store
- GeForce NOW: Stream AAA PC games like Fortnite or Cyberpunk 2077
- GameStream: Stream games from your own PC
However, the Pro‘s beefier Tegra X2 grants tangible performance benefits:
| Spec | Shield TV | Shield TV Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Native Games Benchmark | 139 fps | 172 fps |
| GeForce NOW Max Resolution | 1080p 60fps | 4K HDR 60fps |
| GameStream Max Resolution | 4K 60fps | 4K 60fps |
As you can see above, the Pro‘s muscle drives higher frame rates across the board for smoother gameplay. Based on my experience, the Pro makes mobile ports like Tomb Raider or Half Life 2 feel more desktop-like. Cloud gaming also benefits – while the standard Shield TV tops out at 1080p, the Pro can handle GeForce NOW in 4K HDR.
So if you‘re keen on Android or cloud gaming, the Pro model is your best bet for maxing out performance. Casual gamers may be fine with the base Shield TV though.
More Ways They Differ – Design, Voice Control, and Expandability
Beyond the big differences above, some other discrepancies to note:
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Design: The Shield TV rocks a new cylindrical design versus the Shield TV Pro‘s old-school angular shape. It‘s really just an aesthetic choice though.
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Google Assistant: Both models feature hands-free Google Assistant for voice commands. However, the Pro‘s faster X2 processor makes voice control snappier.
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Expandable Storage: The Shield TV uses a microSD card slot for extra storage while the Pro has two USB 3.0 ports. So expanding storage is easier on the Pro.
Should You Buy the Shield TV or Shield TV Pro?
Now that you know how Nvidia‘s streaming boxes stack up, which is right for you? Here are the key factors to consider:
Buy the Shield TV If:
- You primarily want to stream shows, movies, YouTube, etc.
- Don‘t care about Plex Media Server capabilities
- You don‘t need SmartThings smart home integration
- Casual gaming is more your style
Buy the Shield TV Pro If:
- You want the best performance possible for gaming and streaming
- Plan to do 4K content streaming
- Want to set up a Plex server to manage your media
- You already use SmartThings in your home
- Need more storage and expansion options
For most buyers, the Shield TV has all the power you need for top-notch streaming and casual gaming at a wallet friendlier $150 price point. But media buffs, smart home owners, and avid gamers can benefit from the Shield TV Pro‘s ample performance and capabilities. At $200, the Pro gives you extra muscle for gaming, better AI upscaling, Plex server hosting, and seamless SmartThings control.
In the end, choose the model aligned with your needs. Either way, both deliver an outstanding Android TV experience unmatched by competitors like Roku or Amazon Fire Stick. You really can‘t go wrong with the Shield TV or Shield TV Pro!
