Your NVIDIA Shield now plays Netflix videos in HDR
NVIDIA just underscored one of the advantages of having a high-powered streaming media hub: you can roll out new video features before anyone else. It’s delivering an update to its Shield set-top box that introduces high dynamic range Netflix video on supporting TVs — a first for a stand-alone device, NVIDIA claims. You can also watch YouTube videos at both 4K and 60 frames per second, while Vudu 4K support is equally new. And if you’re an audio junkie, you’ll be glad to know that Dolby Atmos’ extra-immersive audio gets a direct pass-through when you’re using apps like Vudu, MX Player and NVIDIA’s own media gallery.
There’s broader software support, to boot. You’re getting that promised Plex media server feature, so your Shield can share media across the whole home. You can tune into WatchESPN for live sports, or listen to tunes through Spotify. Voice search now extends to Netflix, Spotify and Vudu. And to top it all off, you can both drag-and-drop files from your computers as well as mount network-attached storage. All told, this is a huge upgrade even if you don’t have a cutting-edge home theater setup.
HDHomeRun is ready to make your Android TV a DVR
When SiliconDust announced its DIY DVR project a year ago, recording your shows meant building a PC dedicated to the task, or hooking up network storage. Now it’s testing out HDHomeRun Record for Android TV, which lets you create an entire DVR with just one of its TV tuner devices and an Android box. Unfortunately, suggested requirements of Android 6.0, Ethernet, and a USB 3.0 connection for external storage mean Amazon’s Fire TV and Google’s Nexus Player won’t work, but NVIDIA Shield Pro owners should be able to try it out immediately, thanks to their 500GB of built-in storage. You can watch the recorded shows directly on the device, or on any platform that runs its HDHomeRun View app.
The HDHomeRun DVR still has some work to go before it’s officially released, but once it’s done the idea is for anyone to make the kind of DVR that suits them, with access to programming from antenna or cable TV. While Kickstarter backers and subscribers can try things out now, some of the features still in the works include the View app for OS X, support for protected premium channels and pause/rewing on live TV (trick play). With Windows Media Center on ice and TiVo recently acquired, it’s an option worth considering if you’re not ready to go all-in on internet TV just yet.
Source: HDHomeRun DVR Kickstarter, SiliconDust forum
Fan-made Captain America shield pulls off a few superhero tricks
No armory of fan-made Avengers props is complete without Captain America’s shield. While you can get one that looks the part over at MachinaProps, a shield that you can bounce off walls and Ultron robots is a little harder to come by. But! Even if your blood doesn’t flow with the super soldier serum, the Hacksmith has attempted to make it happen with several powerful electromagnets and the aforementioned replica.
It’s not exactly a simple task. As its creator James explains, a lot of work was needed to ensure the 30-pound shield (magnets and batteries too), could be held on his arm without, well, breaking something. A lot of padding was needed on the brace too. The electromagnets themselves were definitely potent enough to make it into superhero tech: the 12 V magnets could each lift 260 pounds — but crank that up to 72 volts and the pair can attach to around 1,600 pounds — at least until they quickly burn out. The keep it light, the replica shield is made of aluminum (not vibranium), meaning any magnetic influence requires additions.
The shield isn’t quite finished, but it’ll holster into a matching biker jacket that also has magnets built into it. James is already able to get a bit of bounce off some walls, and even reattach the shield to the brace. Not quite ready for Thanos, but it’s a start.
Via: Kotaku
Source: Hacksmith
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