**Why Buy the NVIDIA SHIELD?**
The NVIDIA SHIELD has evolved through various forms, including handhelds, tablets, and now a TV box. If you've ever wanted to own an SHIELD, the main reason is likely its ability to stream games and leverage the powerful TX1-based smart features. Before official licensing, many users had to buy overseas versions and "jailbreak" them. It was long rumored that the SHIELD would be available in China, and finally, it's here. The Bank of China pricing seems fair, so I placed my order directly on JD.com.
**Appearance Gallery**
The Bank of China version looks almost identical to the international model, except for the iQiyi logo in the lower right corner of the box. There’s currently no large Pro version available from the bank.
The core selling point of this device is the NVIDIA TX1 processor, which delivers 1 Teraflop of floating-point performance. This makes it ideal for robotics, AI development, and more. While the official price for the development board is $299, the Bank of China model costs only 1499 RMB. That’s a huge incentive for developers and tech enthusiasts. I’ve been considering buying one myself.
**Unboxing**
The package has two layers. The first layer includes the SHIELD unit and the remote control. The second layer contains the power adapter and the gamepad.
The design of the SHIELD is futuristic, with a mix of glossy and matte surfaces, and a subtle green LED strip along the top. The back has several ports: two USB, HDMI, Ethernet, power, and cooling vents.
The remote control has arrow keys on top, with Android back and menu buttons below. It also features a sliding volume bar. The gamepad is unique, with a layout similar to Xbox but with triangular-shaped grips that offer a different feel compared to traditional controllers. The joysticks and buttons are smooth and responsive, reminiscent of an Xbox controller.
**Powering Up**
When powered on, a green light appears at the top. The startup screen displays the NVIDIA and iQiyi logos. You’ll need to log in using an iQiyi account (NVIDIA accounts aren’t supported). After logging in, you get three months of Kiwi VIP membership. However, the app isn’t pre-installed and must be downloaded separately.
The system updates automatically upon first boot, and it’s recommended to watch the user guide video before diving in. Connecting the gamepad and remote requires firmware updates as well.
**Game Experience**
New buyers who activated their SHIELD before March 5, 2018, received a free copy of *Legend of the Five Rings*. The download speed was good, with my 100M fiber connection allowing near-maximum speeds.
The game store isn’t very large, with around 20–30 titles, mostly paid. Prices range from a few dollars to tens. I tried *Legend of the Five Rings* and *Wild Car 8*, both of which ran smoothly, though the graphics felt like they were from an Xbox 360 era. Another free game, *Dungeon Hunter*, kept prompting me about no internet connection, even though my network was stable.
**Game Streaming**
One of the most exciting features is NVIDIA’s Game Streaming. However, getting it to work wasn’t straightforward. Despite being on the same LAN and wired connections, the SHIELD couldn’t find my PC with an NVIDIA 1080TI. After multiple restarts and troubleshooting, I contacted NVIDIA support. Their customer service was excellent—patient, detailed, and helpful. They suggested reinstalling GeForce Experience, disabling firewalls, and closing third-party security software. Eventually, everything worked.
Once paired, all games recognized by GeForce Experience appear on the SHIELD. For example, *Battlefield 1* can be streamed in 4K with HDR support.
**Apps and Media**
The onboard app store is limited, but you can install apps via USB drives. Apps like Galaxy Kiwi and VLC are essential. The TX1 chip handles 4K and Blu-ray decoding effortlessly.
**Summary**
As NVIDIA’s flagship product, the SHIELD has high expectations. With the potential of the TX1, there should be more games and applications in the future.
**Pros:**
- Excellent industrial design for the host, remote, and gamepad.
- Powerful NVIDIA graphics for 4K HDR streaming.
- Strong hardware for local gaming and HD decoding.
- Outstanding customer service from NVIDIA.
**Cons:**
- App and game stores are still underdeveloped.
- The full potential of the TX1 hasn’t been fully realized yet.
Overall, the SHIELD is a great device for gamers and developers alike, especially if you’re looking for a powerful media streamer with future-proof capabilities.
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