Is the 4k upscaling a "killer feature" for the Shield TV?

by raptir1

I currently have a Fire TV Stick 4k and a Chromecast Ultra. The Chromecast Ultra came with my Stadia setup and that's all I really use it for (apart from the occasions where I have issues with my Fire TV Stick). I'd like to get and Android TV device to replace both devices for when Stadia is supported.

I was going to pick up the Chromecast with Google TV for free-ish with the Netflix deal, but I saw that the Shield TV has "AI Upscaling" to 4k. Is it a feature that makes the Shield worth the cost? I have a few streaming services that I'm not going to pay for upgrading to 4k.

rumourmaker18

I think it's significantly better than the upscaling I've seen on any TV. It's particularly great for animation.

compubrain3000

It is most definitely a killer feature, especially is you watch live tv or sub-UHD movies. Everything just looks sharper and higher quality. If you have the money just get it, you won't find a better media box anywhere.

xxImNotARobotxx

Bro If you got money and not tight on budget getting a shield TV is best in comparison to any other android box out there.tegra is beast at handling stuff.

And can use Microsoft cloud streaming on shield TV,stadia too.if you have decent pc can use moonlight for it.

Shield TV have more raw power In comparison to others.

So upscaling is like cherry on top with all the other feature

OSUBoglehead

I think my Sony Ah8 does a slightly better to equal job as the shield. I'd actually prefer to turn off the upscaling on shield and hate that you can't. But since it's close enough to my Sony TV, I prefer it's snappier interface and ability to handle atmos sound.

BiggussDikkuss

Depends on how good your own 4K TV is, and if it has it’s own AI Super Resolution upscaling of non 4K content, as discussed here:

https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/92knym43

Such, expensive Premium 4K TV will have dedicated, powerful Picture Processors in them who’s primary job is to make ALL content look as good as possible. And that includes Interlaced TV content that the 2019 Shield‘s cannot AI upscale.

Old and cheap 4K TV‘s that do not have such AI Super Resolution Upscaling will benefit the most with a 2019 Shield TV Pro and also those doing non 4K games streaming.

ShawnDex

"Cyberpunk 2077 on GeForce Now with RTX enabled! "Let's check out Cyberpunk 2077 running on GeForce Now with RTX Ray Tracing enabled! I'll be playing this on my new Nvidia Shield TV Pro and will be maxxing out the graphics settings." Steam version"

Video https://old.reddit.com/r/ShieldAndroidTV/comments/kams2b/cyberpunk_2077_on_geforce_now_with_rtx_enabled/

With AI Upscaling to 4K from 1080P makes huge difference in this game. Stadia works on Shield TV Pro 2019 and those games are also upscale.

Tired8281

Yes. I would have paid a thousand bucks each, for 4K remasters of Deep Space Nine and Voyager, but I got them for $199 when I upgraded my Shield. Actually about $115, since I got an insane deal used back when the pandemic started.

pawdog

Killer? I guess we all have a different idea of what that means but I think it's slightly better than regular upscaling. It doesn't make anything look like real 4k. It adds some sharpness yes, but only in comparison to the normal upscaling.

Bodycount9

The LG OLEDS have the same upscale feature built into the TV so if you have a high end TV you really don't need it on the shield as well.