By Bill Smith
Publication Date: 2025-11-28 07:05:00
NVIDIA’s Shield TV Pro is a deliberate contrarian to all of the budget-priced streaming sticks and cubes. For those who want the best performance in a streaming device, the Shield Pro delivers where others just perform. Priced at $169.99 (down from $199.99) ahead of Black Friday, recent software updates in February 2025 added Auro-3D audio and new GeForce NOW titles so it stays current.
Hardware is where the Shield Pro shines, with NVIDIA’s Tegra X1+ processor, 3GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage outpacing the A15 chip in the Apple TV 4K and the MediaTek processor in the Roku Ultra. Apps load in seconds, switching between Netflix and Disney+ happens in a snap, without the stutters you see in the Fire TV Cube. Expandable storage via two USB 3.0 ports means you can add external drives for terabytes of local media and turn the device into a full-fledged home server. Connectivity is strong too: Gigabit Ethernet for 4K streams, dual-band Wi-Fi for wireless freedom, and HDMI 2.0b for seamless integration with modern TVs. Bluetooth 5.0 pairs easily with headphones, speakers or controllers and the included remote has backlit buttons and voice control through Google Assistant.
