nvidia Shield - Tips & tricks [Read post #1]

jayo26 · 23-10-2018 09:54AM

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

So I just signed up for a 14 day free trial of Getflix and changed the DNS settings on my Shield to the Getflix DNS settings. I set DNS #1 to the Irish DNS and DNS #2 to the UK DNS and did a restart and all seems to be working fine but how can I tell if I'm accessing the US Netflix library or not? Is there a movie or TV series which is only available on Netflix USA someone can recommend? I tried searching for "The Boss Baby" and got it but then accessed Netflix via me laptop (which is just using Googles standard DNS) and hence can only access the Irish library and it's available!!

Also, once the Shield DNS is set to the Getflix DNS is there a way to switch back to Irish Netflix without having to reset the DNS back to Googles DNS?

FYI my Shield is connected to my router over Ethernet not WiFi but don't think that should make any difference.

Boss baby is an American only filim also the office us is only available in America.

savemejebus · 23-10-2018 09:55AM

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

So I just signed up for a 14 day free trial of Getflix and changed the DNS settings on my Shield to the Getflix DNS settings. I set DNS #1 to the Irish DNS and DNS #2 to the UK DNS and did a restart and all seems to be working fine but how can I tell if I'm accessing the US Netflix library or not? Is there a movie or TV series which is only available on Netflix USA someone can recommend? I tried searching for "The Boss Baby" and got it but then accessed Netflix via me laptop (which is just using Googles standard DNS) and hence can only access the Irish library and it's available!!

Also, once the Shield DNS is set to the Getflix DNS is there a way to switch back to Irish Netflix without having to reset the DNS back to Googles DNS?

FYI my Shield is connected to my router over Ethernet not WiFi but don't think that should make any difference.

Try to watch the US office, don’t just search, actually start it running on the shield.

54and56 · 23-10-2018 10:11AM

savemejebus wrote: »

Try to watch the US office, don’t just search, actually start it running on the shield.

Damm. Thought I had it sussed there. I searched for baby boss and found both the TV series and movie on the shield but only the tv series on the laptop. Did the same with the office and found both the US and UK version on the Shield but only the UK version on the laptop so patted myself on the back for getting it to work but then went to play the US office and got an error message saying "You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy. Please turn off any of these services and try again. For more help, visit netflic.com/proxy"

More work needed my end obviously.

jayo26 · 23-10-2018 10:13AM

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Damm. Thought I had it sussed there. I searched for baby boss and found both the TV series and movie on the shield but only the tv series on the laptop. Did the same with the office and found both the US and UK version on the Shield but only the UK version on the laptop so patted myself on the back for getting it to work but then went to play the US office and got an error message saying "You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy. Please turn off any of these services and try again. For more help, visit netflic.com/proxy"

More work needed my end obviously.

It is switched over to us then it's just the ip address they are using for USA is known to Netflix and they have it flagged as vpn/proxy or how ever it works.

This happened me too first when I tried express vpn so I just closed the app and changed my server location to another USA one and it worked then.

savemejebus · 23-10-2018 10:36AM

No harm in turning off IPV6 too in case your ISP has enabled it on your router.

54and56 · 23-10-2018 11:00AM

OmegaGene wrote: »

This is how I switch on and off the US Netflix
Never change anything getflix do it all for me and has been flawless for about 11 months now

Thanks OmegaGene,

I just had a long windy online chat with Getflix support and the bottom line is that in order to access US Netflix I need to implement static routing on my router, see https://getflix.zendesk.com/hc/en-gb/articles/202281524-Block-Public-DNS-Overview which will basically prevent any device connected to the router from accessing public DNS servers and force all traffic via the Getflix DNS servers.

I have over 30 devices connected to my router (Home office equipment, laptops, tablets, phones, IOT devices like smart thermometers, Google Mini and Home devices etc) so there is no way I'm going to route all 30 devices via the Getflix DNS servers just so one Shield can access US Netflix.

The guy on the chat suggested I request a refund which is what I'm going to do.

They say clearly on their website that their service works EITHER at the router or device level but their support person just confirmed to me that if you want access to US Netflix (which is probably what most people sign up for) you have zero choice but to configure static routing to the Getflix DNS servers on your
router and that's too big a risk for me to take I'm afraid. I don't know these guys from Adam, they are offering (at best) a grey market type service and at worst an illegal service so there's no way they are getting all the traffic from my network!!

I'm not too confident I'll get my subscription back but I'll give it a go.

Disappointing.

54and56 · 23-10-2018 11:01AM

savemejebus wrote: »

No harm in turning off IPV6 too in case your ISP has enabled it on your router.

Done.

That might be the only positive thing to come out of this little experiment!!

savemejebus · 23-10-2018 11:09AM

Even without US netflix, Getflix is really good for UK on-demand services, I had it prior to getting my shield and mainly used it for iPlayer etc. It is a pain that the system with Netflix is convoluted but I've found dealing with them pretty good. Although, I know people have had issues getting refunds when they got lifetimes subs via 3rd party websites, I don't think Getflix themselves will have an issue.

Have you tried, casting Netflix USA from your laptop to the Shield? You don't need the static routes for using a web browser. I don't even know if it would work but could be a workaround.

jayo26 · 23-10-2018 11:22AM

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Done.

That might be the only positive thing to come out of this little experiment!!

Mate sign up for a trial with express vpn it worked in 5 minutes for me I have been using them for past two years.

yoshimitsu · 23-10-2018 12:07PM

jayo26 wrote: »

Mate sign up for a trial with express vpn it worked in 5 minutes for me I have been using them for past two years.

+1 on Express VPN... expensive but has worked on everything I've thrown at it.

54and56 · 23-10-2018 03:05PM

savemejebus wrote: »

I know people have had issues getting refunds when they got lifetimes subs via 3rd party websites, I don't think Getflix themselves will have an issue.

Spot on, I sent them a transcript of the support conversation and they immediately confirmed a refund so fair play to them but they should really clarify on their website that the Netflix service ONLY works via router settings, they still advertise that all their service works both via routers and at the device level and that's just not true.

savemejebus wrote: »

Have you tried, casting Netflix USA from your laptop to the Shield? You don't need the static routes for using a web browser. I don't even know if it would work but could be a workaround.

No but my understanding from Getflix is that the Chromecast device filters out any content which is not using public DNS so I believe it's not a workaround.

Taken from the Getflix help page "Sometimes the entire device uses the public DNS servers (e.g. Chromecast) and sometimes it's only the individual apps (e.g. Netflix and Dishworld on PS3 or Roku).

Also Netflix App on all devices are using public DNS + it's own DNS.

This breaks SmartDNS services like Getflix since other DNS servers end up serving the DNS requests instead of ours."

54and56 · 23-10-2018 03:13PM

jayo26 wrote: »

Mate sign up for a trial with express vpn it worked in 5 minutes for me I have been using them for past two years.

Thanks Jayo,

It looks like it has an Android TV compatible app so at the risk of asking an ignorant question does it operate at the device level i.e. you just install the app on the Shield and when you want an app to think you're in the US you launch Express VPN, select US and then when you launch Netflix it opens US Netflix?

If the above is correct is it possible to have the one Express VPN subscription installed and running on 2 or 3 Android TV devices (all on the same Home NEtwork) at the same time? I've got 2 X Shields and a Mi Box and on rare occasions both or all three devices might be in use at the same time.

jayo26 · 23-10-2018 03:15PM

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Thanks Jayo,

It looks like it has an Android TV compatible app so at the risk of asking an ignorant question does it operate at the device level i.e. you just install the app on the Shield and when you want an app to think you're in the US you launch Express VPN, select US and then when you launch Netflix it opens US Netflix?

If the above is correct is it possible to have the one Express VPN subscription installed and running on 2 or 3 Android TV devices (all on the same Home NEtwork) at the same time? I've got 2 X Shields and a Mi Box and on rare occasions both or all three devices might be in use at the same time.

Yep it's as simple as that mate i have my yearly sub going and I can run it on 4 devices at same time so I have it on my laptop, shield and phone and it works good for me.

54and56 · 23-10-2018 03:38PM

jayo26 wrote: »

Yep it's as simple as that mate i have my yearly sub going and I can run it on 4 devices at same time so I have it on my laptop, shield and phone and it works good for me.

So that worked flawlessly in terms of install, configuration and accessing US Netflix.

Two issues:-

1. With the VPN turned on my 200mb DL speed on speedtest is reduced to 100mb (not a big problem) but the previous 200mb speed I was getting when I check from within Netflix is now reduced to 23mb. Still grand for streaming HD Netflix but it wouldn't want to be much lower.

2. As soon as the VPN is turned on my external NAS disconnects and as I have Plex server running on the Shield with some shares issued to friends this will be a problem. With the VPN on I can't connect to the NAS but as soon as I turn off the VPN the NAS automatically reconnects. Is this just an unavoidable side effect and it's binary I can either have US NEtflix or I can run Plex server on the Shield connected locally over Ethernet via the router to a NAS but I can't do both?

54and56 · 23-10-2018 04:03PM

Kind of answering my own question here but for other Shield users with the same issue I just want to confirm that a workaround is to launch US Netflix on another device (using Express or whatever VPN) and then cast from that device to the Shield. This prevents Express VPN from having to be run on the Shield thus allowing the local NAS to remain connected and Plex server to run whilst still watching US Netflix content on the TV connected to the Shield.

Enough Getflix and VPN stuff from me, I feel like I hijacked the thread today.

Thanks to Jayo26, OmegaGene and The High Horse Brigade for your knowledge and feedback.

jayo26 · 23-10-2018 04:14PM

No harm in talking about vpn and all mate I don't know enough about it myself some of the time so it's good to keep learning.

The high horse brigade · 23-10-2018 04:29PM

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Kind of answering my own question here but for other Shield users with the same issue I just want to confirm that a workaround is to launch US Netflix on another device (using Express or whatever VPN) and then cast from that device to the Shield. This prevents Express VPN from having to be run on the Shield thus allowing the local NAS to remain connected and Plex server to run whilst still watching US Netflix content on the TV connected to the Shield.

Enough Getflix and VPN stuff from me, I feel like I hijacked the thread today.

Thanks to Jayo26, OmegaGene and The High Horse Brigade for your knowledge and feedback.

Are you sure that works? Casting media starts a stream direct to the Chromecast/Shield is not relayed through your device

54and56 · 23-10-2018 04:39PM

The high horse brigade wrote: »

Are you sure that works? Casting media starts a stream direct to the Chromecast/Shield is not relayed through your device

Yes, THHB, I installed Express VPN on the family PC, connected to the US, launched NEtflix in Chrome Browser, launched The Office US (Only available on US Netflix apparently) and then cast it to the Shield where it started to play no problem. I only cast it for 5-10 seconds to test it so maybe it does fall over after a while but it looked to be working fine.

corks finest · 23-10-2018 05:28PM

yoshimitsu wrote: »

jayo26 wrote: »

Mate sign up for a trial with express vpn it worked in 5 minutes for me I have been using them for past two years.

+1 on Express VPN... expensive but has worked on everything I've thrown at it.

Slowed up every thing for me,I player etc butfering

Squaredude · 23-10-2018 09:43PM

I use vpn unlimited for US netflix and it works perfectly on the shield

corks finest · 23-10-2018 10:44PM

Don't know TBH,I've siro constant 240 MB download/30 MB uploaded,sppeds etc fine,maybe VF are blocking something

Irish Gunner · 24-10-2018 03:16PM

Ok missed out on the last price decrease for this but thinking of holding out to Black Friday to possible pick one up and need to read a bit more and look at some reviews, any good full reviews on this? Can you add regular android launchers on this ie Nova as so use to this on the phone. I currently have a minix u1 running on Marshmallow and have a Neo A2 lite remote, would this work with Nvidia as handy with the Querty keyboard.
Going to use it for IPTV and Play apps and non play apps(unknown sources) and try the gaming out.

The high horse brigade · 24-10-2018 03:27PM

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Ok missed out on the last price decrease for this but thinking of holding out to Black Friday to possible pick one up and need to read a bit more and look at some reviews, any good full reviews on this? Can you add regular android launchers on this ie Nova as so use to this on the phone. I currently have a minix u1 running on Marshmallow and have a Neo A2 lite remote, would this work with Nvidia as handy with the Querty keyboard.
Going to use it for IPTV and Play apps and non play apps(unknown sources) and try the gaming out.

As this isn't a touchscreen device you wouldn't use Nova. The leanback launcher in Android TV is nice and is designed for a large screen and d pad remote. You can tweak it and add your own channels with this app

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=dxidev.sideload.channel.launcher

Bacchus · 26-10-2018 09:31AM

Hey, simple question here...

With the SmartHome version of the Shield, can I get rid of the Hue Hub and Netgear Arlo hub and just manage those directly via the Smartthings dongle? I'm looking to de-clutter some of the devices/hubs that are accumulating beside the TV. I'd also be able to get rid of the Fire TV stick too so that'd be three devices gone in one swoop

Also, where are these available to buy? I can only see the basic Shield TV on the nvidia site and amazon.co.uk is out of stock on the SmartHome 500Gb version.

Clareman · 26-10-2018 05:04PM

Bacchus wrote: »

Hey, simple question here...

With the SmartHome version of the Shield, can I get rid of the Hue Hub and Netgear Arlo hub and just manage those directly via the Smartthings dongle? I'm looking to de-clutter some of the devices/hubs that are accumulating beside the TV. I'd also be able to get rid of the Fire TV stick too so that'd be three devices gone in one swoop

Also, where are these available to buy? I can only see the basic Shield TV on the nvidia site and amazon.co.uk is out of stock on the SmartHome 500Gb version.

Can a "normal" shield be turned into a smart home 1??

The high horse brigade · 26-10-2018 05:14PM

Bacchus wrote: »

Hey, simple question here...

With the SmartHome version of the Shield, can I get rid of the Hue Hub and Netgear Arlo hub and just manage those directly via the Smartthings dongle? I'm looking to de-clutter some of the devices/hubs that are accumulating beside the TV. I'd also be able to get rid of the Fire TV stick too so that'd be three devices gone in one swoop

Also, where are these available to buy? I can only see the basic Shield TV on the nvidia site and amazon.co.uk is out of stock on the SmartHome 500Gb version.

It's just a smart things dongle for the Shield. You will still need a Hue bridge. It's a bit pointless tbh. It's a poor Google Assistant because you have to speak into the remote or controller. I have Google Assistant disabled on my Shield as I have a Google Home in the room.

donspeekinglesh · 26-10-2018 07:41PM

The high horse brigade wrote: »

It's just a smart things dongle for the Shield. You will still need a Hue bridge. It's a bit pointless tbh. It's a poor Google Assistant because you have to speak into the remote or controller. I have Google Assistant disabled on my Shield as I have a Google Home in the room.

And the Home can now control the Shield too.

The high horse brigade · 26-10-2018 07:42PM

donspeekinglesh wrote: »

And the Home can now control the Shield too.

That's not really that great tbh but hopefully it improves

Clareman · 26-10-2018 07:56PM

Any tips on how to get Google Home to control the Shield? Outside of the standard ambient stuff I can't get it to do anything, even turn on.

The high horse brigade · 26-10-2018 08:09PM

Clareman wrote: »

Any tips on how to get Google Home to control the Shield? Outside of the standard ambient stuff I can't get it to do anything, even turn on.

Yeah, get a harmony remote ðŸ˜႒

nvidia Shield - Tips & tricks [Read post #1]

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