NVIDIA Shield Tablet - Tegra K1 chip - Will you Buy?

god's toy · 02-01-2015 7:55pm

Aaron- wrote: »

I've just ordered a new charger just to be done with it, the one I had at home was a cheapo job so I doubt it helped at all. I'll have to monitor the battery thing for a while when it arrives and see if it helps any, that was my main concern really.

Curious to know what kind of cases/covers people are using? The Nvidia one seems a tad overpriced for what it is and I don't think i'd trust it to protect my tablet too much

Yea the Nvidia is deffo overpriced for what your getting. Mine broke on me today just taking the tablet out of my back pocket! The tiny pins on the hinge gave way when it got a little stuck .. wont be buying the Nvidia one again.

super_furry · 03-02-2015 4:02pm

How you getting on with the Utorcase mount? Finally got a mini HDMI and the Shield Controller and it's great having it outputting to my TV but wouldn't mind something like that too.

super_furry · 14-02-2015 5:49pm

The Grid streaming service works so well. Been playing through Arkham Asylum on it and I can't notice any lag or delay whatsoever. Seriously impressive stuff, but they will need to add to the selection if they're eventually going to charge for it.

god's toy · 14-02-2015 7:04pm

Games that need reaction time still suffer like car racer's but yep with the Irish server online its loads better. I will seriously consider subscribing after June.

god's toy · 18-02-2015 1:59pm

New ROM out now! Go go go!!!

Gran Hermano · 18-02-2015 2:04pm

Rumours of announcement around a new device in early March. If anyone is considering buying, hold off a couple of weeks.

god's toy · 26-02-2015 2:32pm

another minor rom update out today .

hairypigeon · 13-03-2015 6:00pm

I'm hearing rumours of a new x1 chipped tablet but am really tempted

What do we reckon the price will drop to for the k1 chipped model?

god's toy · 30-04-2015 1:31pm

Picked up this case from amazon.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MWGRLRA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

Does the job nicely. Doesn't block any ports. has a built in screen protector too and the tablet feels very secure.

Me happy.

god's toy · 23-05-2015 12:34pm

Android 5.1 out now.

Have it running and I'm loving that the Simpsons game no longer kills the tablet when running in the background!

Over all its all good with new LCD screen settings like gamma, black levels, also better performance in direct sunlight. also HDMI settings updates too

I still have the video bug where everything video-wise plays super fast for no reason but I'm use to it at this stage...

god's toy · 23-05-2015 5:29pm

OSI wrote: »

Have they fixed the ridiculous time it takes to switch to Console mode?

Mirror mode works right away but console mode takes about 20 seconds to load up.

OmegaRed · 04-06-2015 9:24am

Considering picking one of these up soon.

How are you guys finding it. How exactly does the Grid steaming system work? Do I need to have a nvidia graphics card and the game I want to stream or is it all cloud based streaming / subscription service?

I'm a big fan of stock android and i see that this has minimal customization on it and the fact that 5.1 has been released on it makes it even more appealing.

Pros and cons over another tablet?

god's toy · 04-06-2015 10:32am

OmegaRed wrote: »

Considering picking one of these up soon.

How are you guys finding it. How exactly does the Grid steaming system work? Do I need to have a nvidia graphics card and the game I want to stream or is it all cloud based streaming / subscription service?

I'm a big fan of stock android and i see that this has minimal customization on it and the fact that 5.1 has been released on it makes it even more appealing.

Pros and cons over another tablet?

Hardware wise its probably the most powerful (32bit) chip for gaming out there, it's exactly same CPU used in nvidia powered chromebooks.
The Nexus 9 tablet has a 64 bit version of the same cpu but I think the jury is still out on if it's any better over all. The Nexus 9 does not come with the cloud gaming stuff... I don't think any other tablet does.

It's very close to stock with good timely updates from Nvidia, the support site is good too. I think the battery could last longer but I find that with all Lollipop devices as it just eats power sometimes.

Yes it's a cloud based streaming/subscription service, the Grid steaming works by loading/rendering the game on the its servers and the end user just controls it remotely, the server does the hard work and your tablet and/or tv just displays the result. Think of having your ps4/xbox1/pc in a different room but having your controller and tv remotely connected to where you want to be.

I find it works very well. The servers for europe are in Ireland anyway so the ping time are very low and most games I played were lag free.

You dont need to own a copy of the games to play from the nvidia's cloud as its like the Netflix model, but if you want to stream from your own PC you would need a nvidia GPU and that game installed.

You do need the nvidia controller for the tablet use, you can also use it as a PC controler too but again you need a nvidia card installed on your pc.

OmegaRed · 04-06-2015 11:08am

god's toy wrote: »

Hardware wise its probably the most powerful (32bit) chip for gaming out there, it's exactly same CPU used in nvidia powered chromebooks.
The Nexus 9 tablet has a 64 bit version of the same cpu but I think the jury is still out on if it's any better over all. The Nexus 9 does not come with the cloud gaming stuff... I don't think any other tablet does.

It's very close to stock with good timely updates from Nvidia, the support site is good too. I think the battery could last longer but I find that with all Lollipop devices as it just eats power sometimes.

Yes it's a cloud based streaming/subscription service, the Grid steaming works by loading/rendering the game on the its servers and the end user just controls it remotely, the server does the hard work and your tablet and/or tv just displays the result. Think of having your ps4/xbox1/pc in a different room but having your controller and tv remotely connected to where you want to be.

I find it works very well. The servers for europe are in Ireland anyway so the ping time are very low and most games I played were lag free.

You dont need to own a copy of the games to play from the nvidia's cloud as its like the Netflix model, but if you want to stream from your own PC you would need a nvidia GPU and that game installed.

You do need the nvidia controller for the tablet use, you can also use it as a PC controler too but again you need a nvidia card installed on your pc.

Awesome stuff, cheers man. I think you sold it to me.

Are the graphics of the streamed games PC quality? Like would there be a noticeable difference between the console version and PC version (as there is usually a step up quality/AA and such...).

god's toy · 04-06-2015 2:16pm

I think most games run at 1080p from the servers. you can also run PC games that were ported to android and shield, like Half-life 2 ep 1 here in the vid below.

I can confirm it really does play just as well as the vid suggests. it's a darn powerful tablet!

OmegaRed · 08-06-2015 8:32am

I'm totally sold on this and ordered it on Saturday. Should have it by end of week!

Thanks for the info god's toy!

super_furry · 31-07-2015 4:41pm

There's a recall - http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-07-31-nvidia-shield-tablet-recall-due-to-fire-hazard

Reports of batteries bursting into flames so be sure to check your device to see if it needs to be replaced.

OmegaRed · 31-07-2015 5:20pm

OSI wrote: »

There's also a new update which I'm hoping will fix the massive cock up that was the last one.

what was the cock up? my is just downloading the new one now. hope i'm not affected.

OmegaRed · 31-07-2015 5:21pm

Balls... Y01....

That's futures me's problem. I'm off to the pub!

wes · 31-07-2015 5:23pm

super_furry wrote: »

There's a recall - http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-07-31-nvidia-shield-tablet-recall-due-to-fire-hazard

Reports of batteries bursting into flames so be sure to check your device to see if it needs to be replaced.

Damn, mine needs to be replaced. Oh well, waiting to hear back from them.

god's toy · 31-07-2015 5:39pm

Yep mine too. Hey I get a new tablet sent to me for free after I'd had this for months, Call that a win.

Oh and it never heated up.

ionapaul · 31-07-2015 7:30pm

god's toy wrote: »

Yep mine too. Hey I get a new tablet sent to me for free after I'd had this for months, Call that a win.

Oh and it never heated up.

Mine needs to go back too.

symbolic · 31-07-2015 7:49pm

god's toy wrote: »

Yep mine too. Hey I get a new tablet sent to me for free after I'd had this for months, Call that a win.

Yeah that's true!

OmegaRed · 31-07-2015 11:28pm

OSI wrote: »

It says the old one will become inactive when you activate the new one. I'm guessing there's a kill switch in the new firmware. I didn't see any mention of sending the old one back? I wonder if you could put an older fw or even cyanogen mod on the old one and keep it going?

If the don't take it back, surely its even worth €50 for spare parts???

god's toy · 01-08-2015 1:06am

OmegaRed wrote: »

If the don't take it back, surely its even worth €50 for spare parts???

Sure, you could take out the battery and... oh, wait.

OmegaRed · 01-08-2015 1:57pm

god's toy wrote: »

Sure, you could take out the battery and... oh, wait.

I'll take that as a, the battery can't be removed. Its sealed in then?

god's toy · 01-08-2015 5:41pm

OmegaRed wrote: »

I'll take that as a, the battery can't be removed. Its sealed in then?

Yep and that the recall is cos the battery has a chance of catching fire!

dubsaab · 03-08-2015 4:41pm

My tablet has the Y01 battery and the model/serial number falls within the affected range.
When I complete the online form it says that based on the information my unit is not affected by the recall and no further action is required. I cannot get through on the UK number 808-189-3133.

I am uncomfortable using the tablet now.

Has anyone had any success with an online claim

setanta1984 · 17-08-2015 7:43pm

So I received my new replacement shield tablet today. Anyone else got theirs? Now to figure out how to keep the old one working

Anyone seen anything online?

god's toy · 17-08-2015 7:57pm

Nothing here yet.

Did you boot yours up? does that kill the old one? oh and do we have to send the old one back?

setanta1984 · 17-08-2015 7:59pm

god's toy wrote: »

Nothing here yet.

Did you boot yours up? does that kill the old one? oh and do we have to send the old one back?

Not turned it on yet want to research how to keep the old one from bricking first.
Don't have to send it back, yellow piece of paper days to dispose of it as per local guidelines. Reading on reddit that us users have a different note with theirs saying they will receive a return kit soon. Result for us!

god's toy · 17-08-2015 8:10pm

setanta1984 wrote: »

Not turned it on yet want to research how to keep the old one from bricking first.
Don't have to send it back, yellow piece of paper days to dispose of it as per local guidelines. Reading on reddit that us users have a different note with theirs saying they will receive a return kit soon. Result for us!

You could always use the old one as an off line media device?

Wonder can we rom it and put CM12 or something?

Don't blame you for not booting up! I'm holding off too until I know it we can get round it

druss · 17-08-2015 8:45pm

dubsaab wrote: »

My tablet has the Y01 battery and the model/serial number falls within the affected range.
When I complete the online form it says that based on the information my unit is not affected by the recall and no further action is required. I cannot get through on the UK number 808-189-3133.

I am uncomfortable using the tablet now.

Has anyone had any success with an online claim

I got the same message. I followed the recommended settings check, which informed me the tablet was affected and needed to be recalled. But when I filled out the recall form online, I'm told that the tablet is grand?! And this is after I have to acknowledge that my tablet will be junked on receipt of the new model.

Did you get an answer out of the UK call centre?

setanta1984 · 18-08-2015 1:00am

So, I spent the evening checking it out.

If you have root and a custom recovery and want to keep running the stock ROM, you can try flashing this zip to disable the OTA updater.
You won't get any more OTA updates unless you flash them manually but xda seems pretty confident that this will disable the killswitch. http://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tablet/general/kill-kill-switch-shield-tablet-xx-t3179489

I decided to go the whole hog, and installed a new ROM altogether, Blisspop http://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tablet/development/rom-blisspop-3-4-team-bliss-nvidia-t3124443
This is a grand and easy guide: http://gbatemp.net/threads/guide-nvidia-shield-custom-rom.394750/#post-5612282
Again XDA/the internet reckons being on Blisspop/TWRP recovery reckons you should be safe from the killswitch.

I have the original tablet running blisspop now and have setup and updated the new tablet, all stock, and everything is running fine so far.

god's toy · 25-08-2015 6:42pm

Still no replacement table here...
hmm

OmegaRed · 26-08-2015 8:19am

god's toy wrote: »

Still no replacement table here...
hmm

Mine arrived by UPS and had a tracking number on it. I never received the tracking number but it might be worth trying to contact Nvidia and see if they can at least give you that?

mossie · 26-08-2015 11:10am

I got an email this morning that my replacement has been despatched with UPS, tracking number shows it's in the Netherlands at the moment. Email said 3 - 7 days for delivery.

ionapaul · 26-08-2015 11:38am

No replacement for me either, still waiting.

What are people doing with their old tablets? I was hoping to replace stock Android with a custom ROM called Blisspop, but need a very straightforward 'how to' guide for that and haven't found anything yet!

ionapaul · 26-08-2015 12:25pm

Think the killswitch might wreck it if you don't install a new OS or mess around with stuff though, right?

OmegaRed · 27-08-2015 8:26am

I've used the guide here http://forum.xda-developers.com/shie...et-xx-t3179489 as mentioned above.

Had to flash the device first to root it and was then able to delete the OTA file as instructed.

I now have both tablets up and running with no issues. Additionally, there is no sign of an OTA update being pushed to the older tablet to brick it.... http://shield.bogdacutu.me/

ionapaul · 01-09-2015 7:58pm

Anyone else still waiting on their replacement shield tablet? I submitted my RMA claim and got the automated email back on August 2nd, but not a word as yet.

robbe · 02-09-2015 9:57am

Same here - submitted 4th August not a peep - have seen on other forums that the replacement has been delivered without any communication from Nvidia - in some cases emails arriving 3 days after the replacement was delivered telling them it was being dispatched. Not handled particularly well imo - was minded to try emailing/calling them this week to check what the status was - if I'd stopped using the device as they recommended I'd be really pissed off with a 4 week + wait for the replacement to arrive. I won't feel as guilty about trying to kill the kill switch now....

ionapaul · 02-09-2015 5:49pm

Just got an email from Nvidia, apologising for the delay and saying that they are sending out replacements in the order in which the claims were received - as I submitted my claim on August 2nd I gotta be close to the front of the list by this stage!

robbe · 03-09-2015 11:30am

Got that as well yesterday - vague and not particularly useful in determining if it will be 1 week or 6 weeks delay....registered my recall on 4th Aug - post here when you get yours sorted cheers

robbe · 10-09-2015 4:11pm

One week on and still nothing received....anyone else get theirs yet?

ionapaul · 10-09-2015 5:24pm

Still waiting, emailed them earlier though as I'm losing patience a bit.

god's toy · 12-09-2015 3:30pm

Has anyone downloaded the new ROM update yet?

ionapaul · 14-09-2015 11:52am

ionapaul wrote: »

Still waiting, emailed them earlier though as I'm losing patience a bit.

Got a reply today, after giving them my tablet's serial number Nvidia has now confirmed that the replacement hasn't even shipped yet

From the body of the email: "Unfortunately we are experiencing delays from our suppliers and many people are still waiting for their replacement tablets."

From the footer of the email, this is very strange as it is a single line all by itself, like it wasn't supposed to be there: "Our fulfilment house have run out of stock"

In a week or two I'm gonna ask them if they plan to financially compensate those of us who haven't received a replacement yet; I'm happy to buy a Nexus 9 if no replacement is coming!

CantGetNoSleep · 14-09-2015 7:04pm

Given they told people to stop using them two months ago that really is a joke. I was planning on their next tablet being a replacement of my iPad but will carefully consider it after this mess

grimm2005 · 16-09-2015 8:49pm

I sent for my replacement after seeing it in this thread on the 7th September and according to UPS it's already in Dublin so should have it tomorrow hopefully.

As an aside, if I start playing around with trying to deactivate the kill switch, and end up bricking the tablet, will my new one still be perfectly fine or could NVIDIA kill that one too since I tried fecking around the old one? Probably a very stupid question but just wanna make sure the new one will be perfectly fine if I go to town on the old one and it doesn't work out.

NVIDIA Shield Tablet - Tegra K1 chip - Will you Buy?

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