NVIDIA began rolling out SHIELD Experience Upgrade 5.1 on February 17, 2017, to the 2015 and 2017 SHIELD TV models. It added dual-vibration feedback to selected GeForce NOW games when using the newer SHIELD Controller, improved Amazon Video surround-sound behavior and remote responsiveness, added encrypted VP9 with subsampling support, and included general performance and stability work. It was an incremental firmware release—not a new Android TV redesign or a universal rumble upgrade.
Upgrade 5.1 at a glance
| Item | Confirmed detail |
|---|---|
| Release | SHIELD TV Upgrade 5.1 |
| Rollout reported | February 17, 2017 |
| Models named | SHIELD TV (2015) and SHIELD TV (2017) |
| Gaming change | Dual-vibration feedback in selected GeForce NOW titles with the newer SHIELD Controller |
| Amazon Video changes | Surround-sound and remote-control responsiveness enhancements |
| Other changes | Encrypted VP9 with subsampling support, plus performance and stability improvements |
The feature list comes from the contemporaneous announcement at Droid Life. It does not establish a new feature set for every SHIELD device or every game.
What GeForce NOW rumble actually added
Vibration was title-dependent
Upgrade 5.1 extended dual-vibration feedback to selected games streamed through GeForce NOW. NVIDIA’s announcement named Tomb Raider, ABZÛ, and LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens as examples to try. A game had to implement the feature; the update did not make rumble universal across the GeForce NOW catalog.
The controller mattered
The announcement associated the feature with the newer SHIELD Controller. It did not promise equivalent behavior from every Bluetooth or USB gamepad. NVIDIA’s current GeForce NOW requirements list SHIELD, Xbox, and PlayStation controllers, but that modern compatibility list should not be read backward as proof that all of those controllers offered identical rumble behavior on the 2017 release. See NVIDIA’s current requirements.
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#1 Best Overall
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
What users should expect
- Only supported games can send vibration effects.
- Controller connection and compatibility still matter.
- Cloud play can make feedback feel less immediate than local play; no measurement for Upgrade 5.1 was published.
Amazon Video enhancements were focused, not a redesign
Surround-sound behavior
The release description says Amazon Video received surround-sound enhancements. That is most relevant to a SHIELD connected through an AV receiver or soundbar, but the announcement gives no supported-format list, receiver matrix, or regional qualification.
Remote responsiveness
NVIDIA also cited better remote-control responsiveness in the Amazon Video experience. This should be understood as an app-specific navigation or command improvement, not a documented fix for every SHIELD remote, HDMI-CEC handshake, pairing, or lip-sync problem.
Rank #2
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
Upgrade 5.1 was not documented as adding Dolby Atmos, 4K HDR, a redesigned Prime Video interface, or any other later Amazon Video capability.
Encrypted VP9 with subsampling, explained
VP9 is a video codec used by online services. “Encrypted” indicates protected playback, while subsampling describes how color information is stored alongside brightness information. Supporting encrypted VP9 with subsampling can improve compatibility with protected video streams, but the 2017 announcement does not identify an app, resolution, VP9 profile, DRM system, or guaranteed visible quality gain.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #3
- Works with SHIELD TV 2015/2017/2019 models. Requires upgrade to the latest SHIELD Experience.
- Easy to use in the most darkly lit room. Pick up the remote and the buttons will instantly light up.
- Press the microphone button to access the powerful Google Assistant on your Android TV. Search for new movies, TV shows, or YouTube videos, look up stock prices, or check your commute time, all on your SHIELD TV.
- Customize your menu button with more than 25 choices. Launch your favorite app, enable AI upscaling, or mute your sound, or more! Different options can be applied to up to 3 actions: single press, double press, long press.
- Control your home entertainment center with SHIELD Remote’s built in IR blaster. Control volume, power, or input source.
Do not turn this release note into a claim that Upgrade 5.1 alone enabled 4K VP9 in YouTube, Netflix, or Amazon Video. NVIDIA’s current SHIELD TV specifications list VP8, VP9, H.264, HEVC, and other playback support, but those are current product specifications rather than a detailed explanation of the 2017 change.
Which SHIELD devices received it?
The rollout coverage specifically names the 2015 SHIELD TV and 2017 SHIELD TV. It does not establish that the SHIELD Tablet or other NVIDIA hardware received the same package. “Rolling out” also leaves open the possibility that owners saw it at different times; no universal regional schedule was documented.
Rank #4
- 【TV SPECIFICATION】Remote Works with SHIELD TV 2015/2017/2019 all models Streaming Media Player(Base on requires upgrade to the latest SHIELD Experience),compatible models including for 2015 NVIDIA SHIELD TV,for 2017 NVIDIA SHIELD TV,for 2019 NVIDIA SHIELD TV Cube,and for 2019 NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro.
- 【VOICE FEATURES】Press and release the Voice Search button and then say your command. Voice search feature making navigation a breeze.Simply speaking into the remote to find your favorite TV shows, launch apps, and control your TV's volume.voice remote adds a level of convenience that becomes indispensable.
- 【EASY TO PAIR】Hold the new remote within 2 foot of your SHIELD TV.Press and hold the Select button on your remote until the remote light flashes. The remote should connect after a few moments.
- 【BATTERY TYPE】This remote control requires two AAA batteries，but batteries not included batteries,please prepare by you，You will get Voice Remote and User Manual
- 【REMOTE ADVANTAGE】Great sense of touch, good form factor, this remote is super in hand, good pressure point for keys. The voice control is very accurate, and it usually understands what you're saying even in noisy environments.And it is possible to use 2 or more remotes on the TV at the same time, including the original remote control.
How the rollout worked—and what is not documented
Owners could receive Upgrade 5.1 through NVIDIA’s normal SHIELD software rollout. The available announcement does not verify a build number, download size, exact Settings path, regional timing, or a manual-install and recovery procedure for this release. NVIDIA release notes were referenced at this URL, but that page was unavailable to the source review, so its contents cannot be treated as confirmed here.
If a 2015 or 2017 unit did not show the update immediately, that alone would not prove incompatibility; staged delivery is a plausible explanation, while the precise schedule remains undocumented.
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- Seamlessly navigate between your entertainment - Connect compatible devices and easily go from streaming to your cable box, game console, or webcam.
What Upgrade 5.1 means for SHIELD owners today
Historical context (August 2026): Upgrade 5.1 was a February 2017 firmware release, not the current SHIELD software environment. NVIDIA’s current SHIELD TV page describes an Android 11-based Android TV platform with features such as Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, AI upscaling, and GeForce NOW integration. Current requirements also state that an Ultimate GeForce NOW membership is required for 4K and HDR on SHIELD TV; that modern rule should not be attributed to the 2017 update. See the current GeForce NOW requirements.
Buying a current SHIELD TV is a separate decision
NVIDIA’s U.S. product page lists the compact SHIELD TV at $149.99 and SHIELD TV Pro at $199.99. The Pro is positioned for buyers who need more storage, two USB 3.0 ports, 3 GB of RAM, or Plex Media Server use; the compact model suits simpler streaming setups. Those current products are not required merely to obtain the historical 5.1 update. Details and availability can change, so consult NVIDIA’s current SHIELD page.
Controller choices
NVIDIA’s Marketplace showed the SHIELD Controller at $59.99 and out of stock when crawled. It advertises dual-vibration feedback, but purchasing one does not guarantee rumble in every GeForce NOW title. Current NVIDIA documentation lists Xbox and PlayStation controllers as supported alternatives, while feature parity with the 2017 SHIELD Controller implementation is not established. See the Marketplace listing and NVIDIA’s accessory connection guidance.
Bottom line
SHIELD Experience Upgrade 5.1 was a useful, narrowly targeted update for owners of the 2015 or 2017 SHIELD TV: selected GeForce NOW games gained SHIELD Controller vibration, Amazon Video handling improved, encrypted VP9 support expanded, and NVIDIA made general stability changes. It was not a platform overhaul, did not guarantee rumble across all streamed games or controllers, and should not be confused with the capabilities or membership rules of current SHIELD TV and GeForce NOW products.
Quick Recap
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