The NVIDIA Defend TV household hosts arguably the finest Android TV packing containers available on the market, bringing loads of options and a ridiculously lengthy dedication to software program updates. It’s no surprise that Defend TV packing containers have acquired a vocal following. The final Defend TV merchandise had been launched in 2019, however may NVIDIA launch a brand new product quickly? Right here’s every little thing we learn about a possible new NVIDIA Defend TV and Defend TV Professional.
New NVIDIA Defend TV: At a look
- When is it popping out? There is not any phrase on a brand new NVIDIA Defend TV mannequin, not to mention when it’s going to launch, however we’re hopeful that one will drop in late 2023 or in 2024.
- What’s new? There are not any leaks but, however a brand new NVIDIA Defend TV would possible convey a brand new processor on the very least.
- How a lot will it price? It isn’t clear how a lot a brand new NVIDIA Defend TV will price simply but, however $150 to $300 looks as if a secure wager primarily based on earlier fashions.
Will there be an NVIDIA Defend (2023) or NVIDIA Defend (2024)?
The graphics firm hasn’t confirmed whether or not it’ll launch a brand new NVIDIA Defend 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 Defend TV Professional, “tube,” or one thing altogether totally different, it’s protecting issues tightly underneath wraps.
It’s additionally price noting that the corporate launched Defend 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 advised Android Authority in September 2023 that the corporate had, “nothing new to share nor announce presently,” after we requested about plans for a brand new Defend TV mannequin. That doesn’t essentially imply a brand new mannequin isn’t within the works for a launch sooner or later, nevertheless it strongly suggests you shouldn’t maintain your breath for an imminent launch.
It’s additionally unclear if NVIDIA will proceed the cut 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 Defend TV. In an Android Authority ballot that accrued over 8,000 votes, over 95% of respondents stated they wished NVIDIA to launch a brand new Defend TV mannequin.
What’s the new NVIDIA Defend TV launch date?
- NVIDIA Defend TV (2015): Could 28, 2015
- NVIDIA Defend TV (2017): January 16, 2017
- NVIDIA Defend TV (2019) and Defend 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 motive to those launches exterior of the biennial releases.
What specs and options will a brand new Defend TV have?
The Defend TV line is usually outfitted with Arm-based NVIDIA chips, an intensive record of multimedia options, and a few gaming chops. So, what may a brand new NVIDIA Defend TV convey to the desk?
Design
NVIDIA has caught with the identical elementary design for many of its top-tier Defend TV merchandise, that includes an oblong design with ridges on the highest of the field. The only exception was the vanilla Defend TV (2019), which has a cylindrical design. As a substitute, the NVIDIA Defend Professional carried on with the squared design (as seen above).
It’s possible that NVIDIA may keep on with the boxy design for a brand new Defend 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 Defend TV. In any case, the corporate has used the identical elementary Tegra X1 processor because the first Defend 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 may probably energy the Nintendo Change 2. Nonetheless, it will make sense if a brand new NVIDIA Defend TV or a Defend TV Professional mannequin used this chipset too, seeing as the unique Change and all earlier Defend TV fashions shared the identical primary X1 chip.
There aren’t many particulars about this new processor, nevertheless it feels like the GPU is predicated on NVIDIA’s Ampere structure and will provide 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 out a 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 Defend TV, however a refreshed mannequin would possible acquire 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 Defend TV, however we’d anticipate extra AI options on a brand new Defend TV or Defend TV Professional mannequin. We may completely see NVIDIA implementing AI-based options like stay subtitles and even noise discount for audio/video calls.
One factor we aren’t anticipating is for a refreshed NVIDIA Defend 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 recreation streaming as a substitute.
What’s going to the brand new NVIDIA Defend TV value be?
- NVIDIA Defend TV (2015): $199.99 (16GB), $299.99 (500GB)
- NVIDIA Defend TV (2017): $199.99 (16GB), $299.99 (500GB)
- NVIDIA Defend TV collection (2019): $149.99, $199.99 (Professional)
There’s no phrase on the worth of a brand new NVIDIA Defend TV, however historical past means that ~$200 looks as if a secure wager for the most cost effective mannequin. In truth, the 2019 mannequin was no less than $50 cheaper than earlier gadgets, suggesting that this might probably be a value level too.
In saying so, the 2019 fashions made storage cutbacks, ostensibly to succeed in a extra aggressive value level. So that you most likely shouldn’t maintain your breath for a 500GB mannequin at $200.
Do you have to look forward to a brand new NVIDIA Defend TV?
Merely put, you actually shouldn’t wait round for an NVIDIA Defend 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 Defend TV (2024) mannequin may occur, however once more, that’s pure hypothesis.
In different phrases, you should purchase the present NVIDIA Defend TV mannequin proper now if you’d like a Defend streaming gadget. 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 operating the 32-bit model of Android, which implies you possibly can’t really play any Defend-exclusive video games that had been ported from a console or PC.
These on the hunt for a current Android TV field ought to try 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 also needs to maintain the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K ($139 at Amazon) in thoughts, bringing a small type issue and respectable efficiency. The one actual downsides are the shortage of AirPlay 2 help and the usage of micro-USB connectivity.
New NVIDIA Defend TV: What we wish to see
The NVIDIA Defend TV and Defend 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 Defend 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 protecting its iPhones up to date for that lengthy.
With that in thoughts, our high want is that NVIDIA’s subsequent Defend TV mannequin retains a equally prolonged replace dedication. That approach, the gadget 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 great.
A brand new processor (with cool methods)
NVIDIA has used the Tegra X1 within the Defend 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 right this moment.
Personally, I actually hope a brand new NVIDIA Defend TV mannequin makes use of a brand-new Tegra processor. It may allow snappier efficiency on the whole, 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 Defend TV collection. NVIDIA supplied a gamepad and in addition ported PC and console titles to the platform. These days, the agency is pushing its GeForce Now cloud streaming service.
It’s a protracted shot, however I’d like to see an even bigger give attention to gaming from a brand new NVIDIA Defend TV. Sport streaming is ok should you’re in a supported market with a good web connection, however one thing larger can be cool.
Perhaps NVIDIA may take the Netflix strategy and provide unique Android video games on its service. Or it may take the Steam Deck and Apple strategy by delivering a translation layer for PC video games. It’s a completely loopy concept that requires quite a lot of effort, however one can dream, proper?
