NVIDIA / STREAMING PLAYER

NVIDIA SHIELD TV (2019) + Vertex

This guide gives you the exact SHIELD menus for 4K HDR and Dolby Vision through the original Vertex. It covers native Dolby Vision on a DV TV and player-led Dolby Vision (LLDV) for an HDR10 projector.

NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro (2019) and SHIELD TV (2019, the 'tube' model). Only these 2019 models output Dolby Vision. The older SHIELD TV and SHIELD TV Pro from 2015 and 2017 output HDR10 only: no Dolby Vision and no LLDV. For those, use section 1 only.

DOLBY VISION WITH THIS SETUP

The 2019 SHIELD sends Dolby Vision to a DV TV, and HDfury lists 'Shield Pro' as an LLDV source for Dolby Vision content, so it can also feed an HDR10 projector through the Vertex.

Native Dolby Vision: YES2019 models only. Use the Dolby Vision switch for 4K 60Hz, or a 'Dolby Vision Ready' custom display mode for lower refresh rates such as 23.976Hz. NVIDIA says these Dolby Vision modes are not enabled by default.
LLDV via the Vertex: YESHDfury names 'Shield Pro' as an LLDV source for Dolby Vision content only. NVIDIA does not document LLDV and has no LLDV menu: the SHIELD follows the EDID it sees. It does not convert HDR10 or SDR films to LLDV.
HDR10: YESAll SHIELD TV models (2015, 2017, 2019) output HDR10 to a 4K HDR display.

Before you start

Check your model year. Dolby Vision needs the 2019 SHIELD TV or SHIELD TV Pro.
The Dolby Vision option only appears when the EDID the SHIELD sees (here: the one from the Vertex) reports Dolby Vision.
Stay at 4K 60Hz or lower. The original Vertex is an 18Gbps device, so 4K 120Hz and 8K modes do not pass.
Get HDR10 working first, then turn on Dolby Vision.

1. Basic picture settings

These menus exist on every SHIELD TV model.

Pick the resolutionSettings → Device Preferences → Display & Sound → Resolution4K 60Hz (or 4K 59.940Hz / 50Hz)This list shows the common modes. Do not pick 4K 120Hz or 8K with the original Vertex.
Keep the menu at 60HzSettings → Device Preferences → Display & Sound → ResolutionA 60Hz mode for everyday useNVIDIA: any other refresh rate makes the home screen, games and 60Hz video feel slow.
See all modes (only if needed)Settings → Device Preferences → Display & Sound → Advanced display settings → Custom display modeUse only when the mode you want is missing from ResolutionShows every mode the connected display reports; behind the Vertex that is the Vertex EDID.Menu layout from SHIELD Experience 8.0 onwards
Match frame rate (optional)During playback: press the Settings button → Match frame rate (beta)Use it per video when you want 23.976/24/25p outputNVIDIA beta feature; it resets when playback stops. Apps such as Plex and Kodi switch the frame rate on their own.SHIELD TV Pro per NVIDIA's guide

2. Dolby Vision on a Dolby Vision TV

2019 SHIELD TV and SHIELD TV Pro only. Pick one of the two ways.

Dolby Vision at 4K 60HzSettings → Device Preferences → Display & Sound → Dolby VisionOnNVIDIA's switch for displays that support Dolby Vision at 4K 60Hz.2019 models
Or: Dolby Vision at lower refresh ratesSettings → Device Preferences → Display & Sound → Advanced display settings → Custom display modeA mode labelled 'Dolby Vision Ready' (for example 4K 23.976Hz)NVIDIA uses these modes for Dolby Vision at lower refresh rates; the menus will feel slower in them.2019 models

3. Dolby Vision (LLDV) on an HDR10 projector or TV

2019 models only. There is no LLDV menu on the SHIELD; the Vertex EDID decides.

Let the SHIELD read the LLDV EDIDPower the SHIELD off and on after the Vertex LLDV EDID is activeRestart so the SHIELD reads the new EDIDHDfury lists 'Shield Pro' as an LLDV source for Dolby Vision content.2019 models
Turn Dolby Vision onSettings → Device Preferences → Display & Sound → Dolby Vision (or a 'Dolby Vision Ready' custom display mode)OnThe SHIELD then does the Dolby Vision processing and sends player-led DV. Your projector must be in its HDR (PQ) mode to show it correctly: see your projector page.2019 models

THE VERTEX PART

Vertex settings for this setup

Dolby Vision TV: connect the TV to the Vertex BOTTOM output and follow part A — EDID "COPY BOT SINK" (or Automix with "DV Force Metadata"), No Scaling, InfoFrame tools off.
HDR10 projector or TV (LLDV): follow part B — upload an LLDV EDID into a free custom slot (CUSTOM 4–10) and select it for the Vertex input this player is connected to. Then make the display switch to HDR (part B2).
The SHIELD connects to a Vertex input; a Dolby Vision TV goes on the Vertex BOTTOM output, an HDR10 projector gets the LLDV EDID route.
HDfury lists 'Shield Pro' as an LLDV source for Dolby Vision content only; HDR10 and SDR films stay HDR10/SDR.
Restart the SHIELD after changing the EDID on the Vertex so it reads the new one.
Community reports say the 2019 SHIELD often sends the player-led format (YCbCr 4:2:2 12-bit) even to TVs that support TV-led Dolby Vision.

VERTEX DOLBY VISION SETUP — ALL STEPS →

Switch these off

4K 120Hz, 8K or any mode above 4K 60Hz (Resolution / Custom display mode)Beyond the original Vertex's 18Gbps limit.
A 23.976Hz or 'Dolby Vision Ready' 24Hz mode as your permanent menu settingNVIDIA warns the interface will be slow; use 60Hz plus Match frame rate instead.
Settings → Device Preferences → Display & Sound → Advanced display settings → Match content color space (leave Off unless you need it)Added in SHIELD Experience 8.0; it changes the output colour space per video, which adds extra HDMI re-syncs. Exact item wording may differ by firmware.

How you know it works

The Dolby Vision item is visible under Settings → Device Preferences → Display & Sound (2019 models). If it is missing, the EDID does not report Dolby Vision.
Vertex OLED Info page, line INP: TV-led Dolby Vision arrives as RGB 8-bit, which is normal (Vertex manual p.113).
Vertex OLED Info page, line INP: owners report YCbCr 4:2:2 12-bit for player-led (LLDV) output (community report).

Problems and fixes

There is no 'Dolby Vision' option at all.

Check the model: 2015/2017 SHIELDs have no Dolby Vision. On a 2019 model the EDID reaching the SHIELD must report Dolby Vision. NVIDIA also advises trying better HDMI cables.

Dolby Vision plays but the menus are sluggish.

You are in a low-refresh 'Dolby Vision Ready' mode. NVIDIA says this is expected. Switch back to a 60Hz mode and use Match frame rate.

The Vertex shows YCbCr 4:2:2 12-bit instead of RGB 8-bit during Dolby Vision.

That is the player-led (LLDV) format. Owners report the SHIELD often prefers it. For an HDR10 projector this is what you want.

A film plays in HDR10, not Dolby Vision.

Check that the title and app really offer Dolby Vision. NVIDIA notes Netflix needs the plan that includes 4K/HDR.

NOT CONFIRMED BY THE MANUFACTURER

A 'Force LLDV' option in Developer options (reported by owners from firmware 9.1.1). NVIDIA does not document it.
That the SHIELD switches to an HDR display mode by itself for every HDR video. NVIDIA does not describe this.

CHECKED AGAINST

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