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When it comes to streaming devices, the one making the biggest splash these days is the NVIDIA Shield TV. Originally released in 2015, then updated for 2019, this media player is unrivaled in the streaming market.

Much like the FireStick or Roku, it plugs into your TV’s HDMI port and plays content from your favorite streaming services like Netflix & Prime Video, along with other apps. But what really gives this player its umph (and higher price point) when compared to other home streaming devices, is its processing power and performance.

The Shield doesn’t look like any streaming player you’ve seen before - and it doesn’t perform like one either. It’s the first of its kind to use AI upscaling, a technology we’ve primarily seen in high-end smart TVs from Samsung, Sony & LG, but now comes in a player at a very reasonable price point.

At three times the price of entry-level 4K HDR streaming players like the Amazon Fire Stick, the Nvidia Shield isn’t cheap, but it’s an incredibly powerful streaming player thanks to its cutting-edge AI upscaling tech and its support for both HDR10 and Dolby Vision content. Video playback is seamless and smooth - exactly the kind of experience you want for your displays.

It uses a new NVIDIA Tegra X1 processor with 256 core GPU & 3 gigs of RAM that deliver exceptional all-around performance. When it comes to digital signage, this player can handle almost any content you throw at it - animations, scrolling ticker feeds, multiple zone layouts, and 4K video.

It utilizes dual-band WiFi technology that delivers a stable connection. And it’s fast - content loads really quickly, which is especially important for displays in customer-facing environments.

And because it was designed for home usage, it’s got a friendly interface, which makes it quick and easy to set up. You only need to connect to digital signage software in the Google Play Store in order to get set up.

A quick TL;DR of the Shield’s advantages for digital signage

- Great performance

- Powerful enough for most content

- Supports multiple zone layouts

- 4K output

- Fast WiFi & Ethernet

- Fast & easy deployment

- Connect via HDMI

- Google play store

The Shield TV line has two models - the cylindrical NVIDIA Shield TV and the sleek, box-shaped Shield TV Pro. Both are pretty similar, though the Pro comes with more storage and RAM than the standard model, and has an entirely different form factor thanks to its redesign.

The Nvidia Shield TV comes in at $149.99 (£129), while the Shield TV Pro will run you $199.99 (£179).

Obviously, that’s a higher price tag than the entry-level 4K video streaming players like the Roku & Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, both of which are available for a third of the price at $49.99 (£49).

There is a major difference in performance and feature set for the price differential, but the Shield is relatively inexpensive when compared to other mid-range digital signage hardware devices.

On its own, the Shield is an incredibly impressive device that takes video streaming to new heights. However, Its real potential is unlocked by pairing your Shield TV to a content management software like Fugo that lets you create unique content playlists, zone your screen, schedule & update content on the fly, connect to apps, and monitor playback - all remotely, from anywhere.

This gives you complete control over what you display and when - allowing you to keep content fresh and relevant to your audience.

The next section will cover how to set up your NVIDIA Shield TV & pair it to Fugo.

Here’s what you’ll need to set up your Shield TV with Fugo:

1.1 Connect your Shield TV to your screen using a high-speed HDMI 2.0 cable

1.2 Connect your Shield TV to an electrical outlet using the power cord. your Shield will automatically turn on when connected to a power source as well as automatically enter sleep mode when not in use.

OPTIONAL: At this point, connect your Shield TV to Ethernet if that’s how you plan to connect to the internet. If you don’t use an Ethernet connection, you can connect to your WiFi network later.

1.3 Turn on your screen and switch to the correct HDMI input.

1.4 Press the Select button to start using your Shield remote—it comes automatically paired.

1.5 Continue through the setup process on screen:

You may see the option to enable Google’s voice assistant. If you’ll be using your TV solely for digital signage purposes, we recommend leaving Google Assistant off.

Once your Shield TV is set up, it’s time to pair it to Fugo!

2.1 If you haven’t already registered on Fugo CMS, you can start your 14-day free trial here.

2.2 Use your remote to navigate to the Google Play Store, search for ‘Fugo Digital Signage Player’ and install our app.

2.3 Launching the app will automatically generate a PIN on the screen.

2.4 After successfully logging into Fugo CMS, you can click Add Screens on the welcome page. Alternatively, you can navigate to the Screens page in the top navigation bar and click Create Screen.

2.5 Enter the PIN from the Fugo player window into the space provided.

2.6 To finish the pairing process, give your screen a name and add a location.

💡 We recommend you name your player something relevant such as 68 Lombard Street or Clapham Coffee Shop. For my example, I’ve named my screen “Fugo HQ.” The address should be your screen’s location.

2.7 Your screen will now be listed on your Screens page:

With your player ready to go, you’re ready to give it something to play!

Fugo allows you to display several types of content:

You can use our Design Studio to create screen-ready content like digital posters & menu boards without having to leave Fugo for a 3rd party tool - learn how here.

When your content is ready to go on screen, you can use our friendly playlist builder to publish your content - learn how here.

Now that you’ve seen how cheap and easy it is to turn any screen into smart digital signage with a Shield TV player, you’re ready to get started! We’re here to answer questions and help you through the setup process, if necessary.

To get started, sign up for a 14-day free trial or get in touch with our support team at support@fugo.ai if you need any help.

Happy publishing!