“These new models provide a big step up for Shield, which has consistently delivered groundbreaking innovations in the living room since its introduction 5 years ago,” the company claims. “They deliver unquestionably best-in-class entertainment, supported by Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision and our breakthroughs in using AI to improve video streaming playback.”

As mentioned earlier, the 2019 Shield TV comes in two flavours. The regular model is designed to be be as slim as possible, allowing users to hide it behind entertainment systems. It has gigabit ethernet and dual-band wifi for "lightning fast" connectivity, and includes 2GB RAM and 8GB storage (expandable via microSD slot). On the other hand the Pro model is based on the previous Shield TV design, and carries 3GB RAM, 16GB storage and x2 USB ports, allowing users to run a Plex media server and connect external storage or other USB devices.

As spotted by 9to5Google, the soon deleted Amazon listing featured a device identical to the 2017 Shield TV refresh. It not only features the chassis with the green accent light, it also has the same x2 USB, ethernet and HDMI ports. However the upgrade to a Tegra X1+ processor promises a 25% performance boost, together with 3GB RAM and 16GB of storage (expandable by adding a storage device to the USB ports). The processor update also allows Dolby Vision support, with both Dolby Vision HDR for the visuals and immersive audio via Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus.

As CEO Dave Shull tells CNN, the attempted comeback follows the recent splitting of the company, with one unit taking care of products and the other of IP licensing. The stick will be the opposite of the high-end DVRs that previously made TiVo's bread and butter, being a simple device one sticks to the back of their TVs. As such it bears a low pricetag, specifically of $50.

The T3-R carries 500GB of storage, and allows customers to record and live pause 85 channels of Freeview TV. They can also browse catch-up TV players, such as iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4 and My5, among others. Manhattan says the PVR can record no less than 300 hours of recordings, and users can record 2 programs simultaneously or an entire series at the touch of a button.

What is the "one thing" the machine is optimised for? Gaming, obviously, at least according to Xbox executive VP Phil Spencer. Developed by the team behind the Xbox One X, the machine promises all the bells and whistles expected from a powerful piece of gaming hardware. A promotional trailer has Xbox employees promising variable refresh rates, real-time ray tracing, 8K resolution and frame rates of up to 120fps.

Details of the actual hardware are scant, but Microsoft does say it carries a custom variant of the AMD Zen 2 processor architecture and GDDR6 memory. Another revealed feature is a "new generation of SSDs" with 40x the performance speed of the HDDs inside current-gen consoles. Microsoft claims the SSD is so fast it can even act as "virtual RAM," allowing for faster game loading.

Essentially, Netflix high quality audio ups the maximum bitrate of a 5.1 audio mix from 192 to 640 kpbs, and a Dolby Atmos mix from 448 to 768 kbps. As mentioned earlier the technology is adaptive, meaning audio quality goes up or down depending on the network speed on the customer side, similar to the approach the streaming service takes to video quality.

Presented at the "show time" event held at the Steve Jobs Theatre, Apple TV+ promises to be "home to some of the highest quality original storytelling that TV and movie lovers have seen yet." And Apple appears to be backing up such claims to rival Netflix and Amazon Prime Video by opening its massive chequebook, since the service will offer programming featuring the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Octavia Spencer, J.J. Abrams, Jason Momoa, M. Night Shyamalan and even Steven Spielberg.

First announced 2 years ago and 7 years in the making, the M1 was originally set for a late 2017 release. It promises to be a combination of multiple pieces of home entertainment hardware software, with the features of a DVR, function-rich media centre, multiple streaming boxes, Blu-ray/DVD player and personal media organiser.

Described as an "all-new video computer system inspired by more than 40 years of history," the Atari VCS was first announced back at E3 2017. The device was originally set for launch on December 2017 via the Indiegogo crowdfunding platform, but the campaign was canceled following unspecified development delays.

The VCS retains the same design from the previously revealed Ataribox, one clearly inspired by the original Atari 2600 Video Computer System. The Classic Joystick shares the same retro look, while gamers wanting a more modern input device get a Modern Controller options. Atari is still to detail the software side of things, but insists it will "serve up lots of classic content" while being a "connected device designed for today's living room."

Smart Display is, essentially, a platform for Google Assistant-powered smart speakers featuring a display. Google insists such devices are not mere Android tablets, since they use a full voice interface and actually run on Android Things, a variant of the OS designed for IoT. Smart Display devices cannot run apps and present traditional assistant functionality using what appears to be a card-based UI.

YouTube support comes out of the box-- unlike the Echo Show, following the recent Google-Amazon kerfuffle-- while a built-in camera allows for Google Duo videoconferencing. It can also act as a home automation hub when paired with other Google Assistant-compatible devices, such as Nest cameras or thermostats.