The NVIDIA Protect TV household hosts arguably the perfect Android TV packing containers in the marketplace, bringing loads of options and a ridiculously lengthy dedication to software program updates. It’s no surprise that Protect TV packing containers have acquired a vocal following. The final Protect TV merchandise had been launched in 2019, however might NVIDIA launch a brand new product quickly? Right here’s every little thing we learn about a possible new NVIDIA Protect TV and Protect TV Professional.
New NVIDIA Protect TV: At a look
- When is it popping out? There isn’t any phrase on a brand new NVIDIA Protect TV mannequin, not to mention when it’ll launch, however we’re hopeful that one will drop in late 2023 or in 2024.
- What’s new? There are no leaks but, however a brand new NVIDIA Protect TV would seemingly carry a brand new processor on the very least.
- How a lot will it value? It isn’t clear how a lot a brand new NVIDIA Protect TV will value simply but, however $150 to $300 looks as if a protected guess primarily based on earlier fashions.
Will there be an NVIDIA Protect (2023) or NVIDIA Protect (2024)?
The graphics firm hasn’t confirmed whether or not it’ll launch a brand new NVIDIA Protect TV product in any respect, not to mention within the subsequent 18 months. We’ve additionally not seen any leaks by any means. So if the corporate is engaged on a brand new NVIDIA Protect TV Professional, “tube,” or one thing altogether completely different, it’s retaining issues tightly underneath wraps.
It’s additionally price noting that the corporate launched Protect TV merchandise in 2015, 2017, and 2019. You’ll then assume that it will’ve launched new {hardware} in 2021, however that wasn’t the case.
An NVIDIA consultant instructed Android Authority in September 2023 that the corporate had, “nothing new to share nor announce right now,” after we requested about plans for a brand new Protect TV mannequin. That doesn’t essentially imply a brand new mannequin isn’t within the works for a launch in some unspecified time in the future, but it surely strongly suggests you shouldn’t maintain your breath for an imminent launch.
It’s additionally unclear if NVIDIA will proceed the break up between normal (the tube-shaped one) and Professional fashions as we noticed with the 2019 line.
Regardless of the state of affairs, we all know there’s loads of demand for a refreshed Protect TV. In an Android Authority ballot that accrued over 8,000 votes, over 95% of respondents stated they needed NVIDIA to launch a brand new Protect TV mannequin.
What’s the new NVIDIA Protect TV launch date?
- NVIDIA Protect TV (2015): Might 28, 2015
- NVIDIA Protect TV (2017): January 16, 2017
- NVIDIA Protect TV (2019) and Protect TV Professional: October 28, 2019
There’s no launch date for a brand new Android TV field from NVIDIA but, and the corporate hasn’t even acknowledged that any new {hardware} is on the best way.
Taking a look at earlier launch dates doesn’t give us any clues both. There hasn’t been any rhyme and purpose to those launches outdoors of the biennial releases.
What specs and options will a brand new Protect TV have?
The Protect TV line is usually outfitted with Arm-based NVIDIA chips, an in depth checklist of multimedia options, and a few gaming chops. So, what might a brand new NVIDIA Protect TV carry to the desk?
Design
NVIDIA has caught with the identical basic design for many of its top-tier Protect TV merchandise, that includes an oblong design with ridges on the highest of the field. The only real exception was the vanilla Protect TV (2019), which has a cylindrical design. As a substitute, the NVIDIA Protect Professional carried on with the squared design (as seen above).
It’s seemingly that NVIDIA might follow the boxy design for a brand new Protect TV Professional mannequin whereas retaining a tube-like form for a less expensive mannequin.
Specs
One huge query is whether or not we’ll see a brand new chipset within the subsequent NVIDIA Protect TV. In spite of everything, the corporate has used the identical basic Tegra X1 processor because the first Protect TV again in 2015.
There have been rumors and leaks associated to a brand new Tegra chipset (mannequin quantity T239), and it’s believed that this processor might doubtlessly energy the Nintendo Change 2. Nonetheless, it will make sense if a brand new NVIDIA Protect TV or a Protect TV Professional mannequin used this chipset too, seeing as the unique Change and all earlier Protect TV fashions shared the identical fundamental X1 chip.
There aren’t many particulars about this new processor, but it surely seems like the GPU relies on NVIDIA’s Ampere structure and will supply DLSS and ray tracing help. DLSS help can be a cool addition, delivering upscaled resolutions and/or larger body charges in video video games. So that you’d be getting sharper, smoother visuals with no corresponding efficiency penalty related to natively rendering at that decision and body price. In English, meaning better-looking, extra fluid video games with out efficiency struggling.
There’s been no important chatter relating to a brand new NVIDIA Protect TV, however a refreshed mannequin would seemingly achieve a chip improve.
NVIDIA’s clearly emphasised AI tech with its previous couple of generations of RTX graphics playing cards. We beforehand noticed AI-based upscaling for video on the final Protect TV, however we’d count on extra AI options on a brand new Protect TV or Protect TV Professional mannequin. We might completely see NVIDIA implementing AI-based options like reside subtitles and even noise discount for audio/video calls.
One factor we aren’t anticipating is for a refreshed NVIDIA Protect TV is for it to obtain new ports of PC and console video games. The corporate beforehand supplied native Android ports of titles like Metallic Gear Strong HD Assortment, Tomb Raider, and Borderlands, developed by its in-house studio. However NVIDIA confirmed to Android Authority again in 2021 that it ditched ports in favor of providing sport streaming as a substitute.
What’s going to the brand new NVIDIA Protect TV value be?
- NVIDIA Protect TV (2015): $199.99 (16GB), $299.99 (500GB)
- NVIDIA Protect TV (2017): $199.99 (16GB), $299.99 (500GB)
- NVIDIA Protect TV collection (2019): $149.99, $199.99 (Professional)
There’s no phrase on the worth of a brand new NVIDIA Protect TV, however historical past means that ~$200 looks as if a protected guess for the most cost effective mannequin. The truth is, the 2019 mannequin was not less than $50 cheaper than earlier units, suggesting that this might doubtlessly be a value level too.
In saying so, the 2019 fashions made storage cutbacks, ostensibly to achieve a extra aggressive value level. So that you in all probability shouldn’t maintain your breath for a 500GB mannequin at $200.
Must you look forward to a brand new NVIDIA Protect TV?
Merely put, you actually shouldn’t wait round for an NVIDIA Protect TV (2023) mannequin. There aren’t any credible rumors in any respect relating to a brand new mannequin proper now, suggesting that there isn’t something on the playing cards for the ultimate quarter of the yr. A Protect TV (2024) mannequin might occur, however once more, that’s pure hypothesis.
In different phrases, you should purchase the present NVIDIA Protect TV mannequin proper now if you need a Protect streaming machine. It’s price noting that the cheaper mannequin solely has 8GB of storage that quickly fills up, though there’s a microSD card slot. Nonetheless, one draw back to this mannequin for avid gamers is that it’s working the 32-bit model of Android, which suggests you possibly can’t really play any Protect-exclusive video games that had been ported from a console or PC.
These on the hunt for a current Android TV field ought to take a look at the Chromecast with Google TV 4K mannequin ($35.55 at Amazon). It brings a slick UI, Assistant integration, a dinky distant, and a really low cost price ticket. In saying so, it lacks AV1 help (the non-4K mannequin does have AV1 help, bizarrely), whereas storage enlargement requires a USB-C hub. You must also hold the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K ($139 at Amazon) in thoughts, bringing a small type issue and first rate efficiency. The one actual downsides are the shortage of AirPlay 2 help and using micro-USB connectivity.
New NVIDIA Protect TV: What we wish to see
The NVIDIA Protect TV and Protect TV Professional fashions have lengthy been our high suggestions for a extra premium streaming expertise. However there’s nonetheless scope for enhancements, although. Right here’s our wishlist.
Lengthy-term replace help (once more)
All Protect TV fashions are nonetheless getting firmware updates, and it is a monumental achievement when you think about that the primary mannequin was launched again in 2015. Not even Apple is retaining its iPhones up to date for that lengthy.
With that in thoughts, our high want is that NVIDIA’s subsequent Protect TV mannequin retains a equally prolonged replace dedication. That means, the machine continues to obtain new options and helpful enhancements years down the road. These are costly merchandise, however once they final so lengthy, the worth is superb.
A brand new processor (with cool tips)
NVIDIA has used the Tegra X1 within the Protect TV collection since 2015, and it stood out on the time because of nice driver help and a wholesome degree of horsepower. Sadly, the chip is displaying its age at this time.
Personally, I actually hope a brand new NVIDIA Protect TV mannequin makes use of a brand-new Tegra processor. It might allow snappier efficiency typically, much-improved gaming efficiency, and brand-new options.
Other than NVIDIA options like ray tracing and DLSS for super-resolution in video games, AV1 decoding would additionally allow higher-quality video at an inexpensive bit price.
Higher gaming help
Gaming was one of many unique focus areas for the Protect TV collection. NVIDIA supplied a gamepad and likewise ported PC and console titles to the platform. These days, the agency is pushing its GeForce Now cloud streaming service.
It’s an extended shot, however I’d like to see a much bigger give attention to gaming from a brand new NVIDIA Protect TV. Sport streaming is ok in the event you’re in a supported market with a good web connection, however one thing greater can be cool.
Perhaps NVIDIA might take the Netflix method and supply unique Android video games on its service. Or it might take the Steam Deck and Apple method by delivering a translation layer for PC video games. It’s a completely loopy concept that requires a variety of effort, however one can dream, proper?
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