Nvidia has officially begun rolling out its first major and widely accessible update for the Shield TV in over two years, bringing a host of bug fixes and enhancements to the popular streaming device. Despite it being over five years since the last Shield TV hardware refresh, Nvidia continues to provide strong software support, ensuring that the device remains one of the most reliable and feature-rich streaming platforms available today.
The last major update, which was released in November 2022, was long overdue for a successor, and now Shield Experience 9.2 has arrived. Previously available only to select users through a hotfix program that started in October, the update is now being deployed to all Shield TV devices.
One of the primary focuses of Shield Experience 9.2 is bug fixes, addressing a range of user-reported issues. Among the most notable fixes are improvements to video playback, resolving fast-forward and rewind glitches that had affected certain users. Additionally, a persistent issue where the Shield TV remote would become unresponsive for nearly a minute after waking from sleep has been corrected. Nvidia has also resolved an Apple Music casting issue, ensuring a smoother experience when streaming music through the device.
Beyond bug fixes, the update introduces several new features and capabilities. One of the standout additions is an enhanced match Frame Rate feature, currently in beta, which helps improve the overall smoothness of video playback by dynamically adjusting the frame rate to better align with the original content. Another technical improvement is the ability to clear an HDMI 1.4 flag during a factory reset, which can be useful for troubleshooting compatibility issues with certain displays.
Perhaps the most significant new feature in Shield Experience 9.2 is support for AURO-3D, a cutting-edge audio technology that enables high-resolution immersive sound when connected to a compatible decoder via HDMI. This enhancement is particularly exciting for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts who want a richer and more dynamic surround sound experience.
However, the update is not without its drawbacks. As seen with a previous hotfix release, some users may experience an issue where their Shield TV is removed from the Google Home app after installing the update. Those affected will need to manually re-add their device to Google Home to restore full functionality.
Despite the minor hiccup, the Shield TV continues to hold its place as one of the top Android TV devices on the market. In fact, the 2019 Shield TV and Shield TV Pro are currently available at discounted prices, making them an even more compelling choice for those looking to invest in a powerful and long-supported streaming device.
