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Dive into the app store
If all those streaming services aren't enough to keep you entertained you can also dive into the Google Play app store to find a range of TV-friendly apps – including more streaming services and media players like Plex, VLC and Kodi which will play from USB storage or across your network (Kodi isn't blocked here, like it is on Foxtel's streaming box). Meanwhile music fans will enjoy Spotify, TuneIn, Tidal and Google Play Music.
You can also sideload Android apps you've downloaded from the web onto the Shield TV but take care, as it's risky to stray beyond the official Google Play app store.
At $249.95 the Shield TV is more expensive than rival Ultra HD set-top boxes from Telstra, Foxtel and Vodafone. In return Nvidia's box runs the latest Android 8.0 "Oreo" update and packs more grunt, underpinning responsive menus and the extra demands of HDR.
Considering its price tag and the grunt under the bonnet, the Shield TV is perhaps Australia's best alternative to the Apple TV 4K for those who don't live in iCentric homes.
All that grunt even allows the Shield TV to act as a Plex server, with hardware-accelerated transcoding to stream high-def video to devices around your home via 802.11ac Wi-Fi or, better yet, Gigabit Ethernet. You can expand the box's 16GB of onboard storage via the two USB 3.0 ports.
The Australian app store isn't as full as the US one (pictured), but Nvidia has plans to grow it over time.
Photo: SuppliedUnfortunately Australians miss out on the Shield TV Pro which packs a 500GB drive and microSD card slot. The Pro also features an infrared port whereas the Australian Shield TV remote control relies on Bluetooth, which might not work with your universal remote.
Consider the drawbacks
One trade-off compared to local streaming boxes is that the Shield TV lacks a free-to-air television tuner, although many people won't be bothered by this.
More disappointing is that the Shield TV is found wanting when it comes to local catch up TV services. You've got Tenplay and 7Plus, but you won't find 9Now, SBS on Demand, ABC iView or Foxtel Now in the app store. Nvidia says catch up features are a work in progress.
As a consolation you can stream these missing services from a mobile device, using the Shield TV as a Chromecast dongle for sending video to your television.
Meanwhile Vodafone and Foxtel's Android boxes offer Tenplay, 7Plus and ABC iView, while the Telstra TV 2 offers catch up from all five of Australia's free-to-air broadcasters.
Ready player one
The Shield TV is a particularly tempting option for gamers, with a $329.95 gaming edition that throws in a console-style wireless games controller.
Nvidia ensures that there's an impressive range of Android gaming titles, but the Shield TV's real strength is that it can stream games from your PC to your television; think of it like a Chromecast for games.
Gamers can get a controller to match the aesthetics of the box.
Photo: SuppliedThe catch is that your PC needs an Nvidia graphics card and games must be optimised for Nvidia's GameStream. The Shield TV also supports Steam's Big Picture Mode for playing on your television, but your computer still needs an Nvidia graphics card.
So what's the verdict?
If you’re after a powerful box to bring the latest Android TV into your lounge room then Nvidia’s Shield TV is tough to beat. It packs lots of grunt, offers unfettered access to the app store and can do justice to Ultra HD HDR from Netflix and Amazon.
The missing local catch up services are its major shortcoming, along with the relatively high price tag compared to local rival boxes or alternatives like the Chromecast Ultra dongle.
Of course the Shield TV's value for money also depends on the capabilities of your existing home entertainment gear. If you’d use enough of the Shield TV’s features to justify the price, such as the media server and game streaming, then it might be worthy of a spot in your lounge room.