Nvidia Shield TV
Score: 86/100
Minix U8K-Ultra
Score: 88/100Rankings
The MINIX U8K-Ultra is an Android media player delivering true 8K@60Hz playback with AI-enhanced upscaling and Dolby Vision/Atmos support. Its fanless design limits sustained high-load performance and the chassis is bulkier than competing models. Ideal for home-theater enthusiasts seeking 8K capability and ample local storage.
The NVIDIA Shield TV is a premium Android TV streamer that combines a powerful Tegra X1+ processor, AI-upscaling and full Dolby Vision/Atmos support. Its drawbacks are limited internal storage and a micro-USB-only port for accessories. Best suited for gamers and home-theater enthusiasts who value performance over storage capacity.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
2 GB | 8 GBbest | |
8 GB | 128 GBbest | |
1,000 Mbpsbest | 1,000 Mbpsbest | |
| ↓ lower better | — | 10 Wbest |
| ↓ lower better | 249 gbest | 253 g |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Performance(3) | ||
Processor Model | NVIDIA Tegra X1+ (quad-core ARM Cortex-A57 + 256-core Maxwell GPU) | Amlogic S928X-K (Cortex-A76 + Quad-Core Cortex-A55) |
GPU Model | 256-core Maxwell | ARM G57 MC2 |
RAM (GB) | 2 GB | 8 GB |
Storage(1) | ||
Internal Storage (GB) | 8 GB | 128 GB |
Ports(1) | ||
HDMI Version | 2.0b | 2.1 |
Connectivity(1) | ||
Wi‑Fi Standard | 802.11ac | Wi‑Fi 6 |
Audio(1) | ||
Supported Audio Formats | Dolby Atmos, DTS-X, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD | Dolby Atmos, HDMI 2.1, Optical S/PDIF, 3.5 mm jack |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (g) | 249 g | 253 g |
Dimensions (W×H×D) (mm) | 25.4x101.6x152.4 mm mm | 128x28x128 mm mm |
Display(2) | ||
Maximum Video Resolution | 3840x2160 | 8K |
HDR Formats Supported | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers consistently rank the Shield TV as the top Android TV streamer, praising its AI-driven 4K upscaling, powerful Tegra X1+ processor, and robust Dolby Vision/Atmos support.
Everyday users love the device's picture quality, especially the AI upscaling and Dolby Vision/Atmos experience, and they value the smooth cloud-gaming performance. Common frustrations revolve around the small 8 GB storage, occasional Wi-Fi instability, and the remote's missing headphone jack.
Professional reviewers commend the U8K-Ultra for its reliable 8K@60Hz decoding, Dolby Vision/Atmos support, ample RAM and storage, and stable performance, while noting that AI upscaling is helpful but not revolutionary and that the fanless design and larger size are minor drawbacks.
Everyday users consistently praise the flawless high-resolution playback, expandability via USB and micro-SD, and the robust hardware decoder, with occasional concerns about the bulkier chassis and the limited thermal headroom of the fanless design.
“plays PC games on TV brilliantly”
“It does what it says and plays back 8K video... supports HD streaming with all popular apps.”
“Bigger chassis but appreciate the dedicated hardware decoder for modern codecs.”
