Nvidia has issued a rare and exciting update to the Nvidia Shield streaming device, enabling support for gaming at 120 frames per second if you have a compatible monitor.
It’s not a complete facelift, for the Nvidia Shield remains on Android 11, but the Shield Experience Upgrade 9.2.1 (33.2.0.326) also addresses several “quality of life” issues with the devices, Nvidia said.
The update is available for all Nvidia Shield and Nvidia Pro devices, regardless of generation, and though the company says it’s mostly about bug fixes, it’s likely that a good number of users will appreciate the ability to stream games via Nvidia GeForce Now at higher frame rates.
To take advantage of 120Hz gaming at 1080p resolution, you’ll need a monitor or TV that supports the same input over HDMI, and you’ll also need to pay for a GeForce Now Ultimate subscription.
120Hz streaming is limited to 1080p, and if you want to play games in 4K resolution, you’ll have to make do with 60Hz. This limitation is due to the Nvidia Shield’s HDMI 2.0 output. The only way it could support 4K at 120Hz is if it’s fitted with HDMI 2.1 ports, which would only be possible with a newer, updated device.
As for the other updates, these include a fix that should resolve any playback issues with the streaming service Plex, which were previously reported by some users when using AAC 5.1 audio. It also fixes connection issues with third-party remotes, which sometimes went dead after going into standby.
Nvidia said Dolby Vision content stuttering issues that appear when the frame match feature is switched on have also been fixed, and the Shield will stop skipping night mode when DAP is active. The HQS and Maxrate options for USB audio have also been restored, the company said. All told, seven fixes have been implemented.
The update will likely increase optimism that the company may introduce a third-generation Nvidia Shield, with the second-gen model now being six years old. The last new device launched in 2019, replacing the original Nvidia Shield that debuted in 2016, so an update is well overdue.
Nvidia has been accused of neglecting the Shield somewhat, but the upcoming launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 has raised hopes of new hardware, as the device shares many of the same components as the original Switch model. So it would be relatively simple for Nvidia to match those upgrades in a third-generation Shield.
Despite showing its age, the Nvidia Shield is still regarded as one of the best streaming devices available, offering many of the same capabilities as the newer Apple TV 4K and Google Streamer devices.
