Screen-sharing can also be a cumbersome work-around rather than a pleasant user experience. While some Android games can be played via Chromecast, few build in that support.

So what does Android TV via a Shield TV bring to the table that Chromecast can't already do? It can also be controlled via Google Assistant.Īndroid TV via a Shield TV has the same features with better video and audio quality, and a more enjoyable gaming experience When casting from a phone or tablet, Chromecast lets you stream 4K video and music from most of the big-name services, the latest models let you use your phone as a controller when streaming a game to your TV, and you can screenshare your phone or PC browser.

On paper, the Chromecast Ultra offers a lot of Android TV-like features for significantly less cash. There aren't many Android TV set-top boxes that add this useful OS to an existing TV so the main competitor to the Shield TV and TV Pro is probably the $99 Google Chromecast Ultra. While the two biggest players in the TV market (LG and Samsung) do not use Android TV, the Android OS is used with many Sony TVs, as well as HiSense and other smaller players. They also both have built-in Chromecast 4K, which means you can control playback with a phone or tablet. They do still have gaming support, but these newer models focus on giving you a better audiovisual experience thanks to some clever video upscaling and high-definition audio. Unlike their predecessors, these two media boxes don't ship with a Shield game controller, nor are they focused on streaming games from a PC to another screen. Usually, your only option is to buy a TV with Android's OS pre-installed. The Nvidia Shield TV and Shield TV Pro are rare options to add the Android TV operating system (OS) to an existing TV. We did find that the high-definition Dolby Atmos sound delivered an enjoyable experience, even when streaming. While most 4K TVs have built-in video upscaling capable of turning HD content into 4K, both the Shield TVs use an artificial intelligence (AI) method that Nvidia claims keeps extra detail for a more realistic image. The Shield TV and TV Pro are not as cheap as a $99 Chromecast Ultra, but the list of local-multiplayer, kid-friendly games is long and affordable, and the menu system is easy and fast to navigate.

Nvidia shield atmos player