Database Users

emulators and storage

I enjoy using my tab with emulators. I had a tf700 that I sold recently to get money for the nexus 10. Nexus 10 only has 32gb of storage. Is there any way at all to get expandable storage on this thing that's not a giant usb hard drive to store my roms on? Also... would google drive work? would I be able to open a rom from say a nintendo or super nintendo emulator stored on google drive?
if someone could test this for me that'd be great! thanks!

You would have to have thousands of Nintendo and Super Nintendo ROMs in order to fill up a 32GB model. I think I have about 300 and they still take up less than 1GB of space.
You can get a USB OTG cable and a flash drive.

Nexus Player

with amazon continue need to block root and a locked bootloader. I was wondering how many of you dont want to deal with the cat and mouse game and just get a Nexus Player instead.
http://www.google.com/intl/all/nexus/player/
Nexus Player
Processor: 1.8GHz Quad Core, Intel® Atom™
Imagination PowerVR Series 6 Graphics 2D/3D Engine
Wireless: 802.11ac 2x2 (MIMO)
Memory: 1GB
Storage: 8GB
Bluetooth: 4.1
Output Resolution: 1920×1080 at 60fps
USB: Micro USB Port
Ethernet Port: NONE
Fire TV
Processor: Qualcomm Krait 300, quad-core to 1.7 Ghz
Qualcomm Adreno 320
Wireless: Supports 802.11a/b/g/n
Memory: 2GB
Storeage: 8GB
Bluetooth: 4.0
Output Resoultion: 720p and 1080p up to 60fps
USB: USB Port
Ethernet Port: 10/100

mejdam said:
with amazon continue need to block root and a locked bootloader. I was wondering how many of you dont want to deal with the cat and mouse game and just get a Nexus Player instead.
http://www.google.com/intl/all/nexus/player/
Nexus Player
Processor: 1.8GHz Quad Core, Intel® Atom™
Imagination PowerVR Series 6 Graphics 2D/3D Engine
Wireless: 802.11ac 2x2 (MIMO)
Memory: 1GB
Storage: 8GB
Bluetooth: 4.1
Output Resolution: 1920×1080 at 60fps
USB: Micro USB Port
Ethernet Port: NONE
Fire TV
Processor: Qualcomm Krait 300, quad-core to 1.7 Ghz
Qualcomm Adreno 320
Wireless: Supports 802.11a/b/g/n
Memory: 2GB
Storeage: 8GB
Bluetooth: 4.0
Output Resoultion: 720p and 1080p up to 60fps
USB: USB Port
Ethernet Port: 10/100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can be 100% sure this thing will be locked down just as hard as the Fire TV. Just look at the Chromecast.

Time will Tell
I'm curious to see how the nexus player develops
but right now I'm satisfied with the firetv I got XBMC on there and all my repos
so right now I'm good

I agreed, It probably locked bootloader and unless Google changed their mind letting us have a unlock bootloader = addicted flasher custom ROM. I might email some google developers and see what their response regard the bootloader status.
rbox said:
You can be 100% sure this thing will be locked down just as hard as the Fire TV. Just look at the Chromecast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

While the idea of a stock google variation interface is appealing, the less ram, lack of hardwire ethernet and even less buttons on remote make it a significantly less attractive candidate IMO for XBMC, I'll stay with my fire TV (especially since I'm lucky enough to have 3 of them with root and CWM already w/blocked updates)

rbox said:
You can be 100% sure this thing will be locked down just as hard as the Fire TV. Just look at the Chromecast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
100% sure? Google TV and Chrome products have been locked down. ChromeBook and Chromecast. This device is called a Nexus, and i cant name one Nexus device that is locked down. Even my nexus q was easily unlocked!!! Even though i can see them locking the device i disagree with the level of certainty you have (100%)

Skater4599 said:
While the idea of a stock google variation interface is appealing, the less ram, lack of hardwire ethernet and even less buttons on remote make it a significantly less attractive candidate IMO for XBMC, I'll stay with my fire TV (especially since I'm lucky enough to have 3 of them with root and CWM already w/blocked updates)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Less Ram: Good point, but one of the android forums mention this wont be a problem with the intel chip. Time will tell.
lack of hardwire ethernet: the fire tv has FastEthernet which is limited by 100, Wireless N gives fastethernet a run for its money and this device supports AC. Way faster than fastethernet.

I will be giving it a shot I think. Need an extra unit for the bedroom TV anyway. Will wait to see if it is rootable first though I think
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Fire TV:2GB of RAM
Fine and dandy,but qualcomm sux for Reicast and Dolphin Emulator.
Also reboots when heavy 3D "three js" games are played. (it was an HD 3D racing game in three js)
New Google:1GB RAM
Not enough RAM so,it sux (if more than FTV original price),nuff said.
Graphics unknown status by Dolphin Emulator devs,does it handle Reicast?
What use is x86 for Wine to run Windows programs like PJ64 when you have a crappy limit of 1GB RAM?
Where is Google's Android TV with Nvidia Tegra K1 people were promised?

retroben said:
Fire TV:2GB of RAM
Fine and dandy,but qualcomm sux for Reicast and Dolphin Emulator.
Also reboots when heavy 3D "three js" games are played. (it was an HD 3D racing game in three js)
New Google:1GB RAM
Not enough RAM so,it sux (if more than FTV original price),nuff said.
Graphics unknown status by Dolphin Emulator devs,does it handle Reicast?
What use is x86 for Wine to run Windows programs like PJ64 when you have a crappy limit of 1GB RAM?
Where is Google's Android TV with Nvidia Tegra K1 people were promised?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is only one device released by google, nvidia could release their own android tv device along with htc, samsung, acer, asus, motorla, hisense.... Etc... Even though i doubt nvidia will release a box since they already sell an nvidia shield tablet (which doesnt support dts pass through). Even though im sticking with my firetv i am interested to see others join. Especially if this pushes amazon to properly support vc1, 24p, 4k, dts-hd/truehd, 802.11ac.

I don't think you guys are remembering exactly what "Nexus" means. It means do whatever you want to the device.
Yes the Nexus 7 was locked but they made it easy to unlock for us to mod. The whole nexus line is the play ground line if you want to mod and have fun with your device.
I for one am going to be jumping ship because quite frankly, Amazon has, and always will be, absolutely garbage when it comes to making anything interface related. Their app sucks, their web interface sucks, their amazon fire TV interface sucks, everything they design is garbage when it comes to UI.
I've had a blast with this device but with them locking it down...no bueno.
As per the wireless worry, it's 5GHz AC. If you're doing anything that's going to be able to tax THAT, having an ethernet cable isn't going to save you.

Ehh if its update blocked and rooted... Then its not locked down,right

mroneeyedboh said:
Ehh if its update blocked and rooted... Then its not locked down,right
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not exactly. Bootloader is still locked.

Despite my hatred of the small RAM size...
Since Nexus Player is x86 and it has an Intel Atom chipset,does that mean it utilizes the Houdini processing for running arm apps in the x86 architecture?
Still sucks because of crappy limit of RAM.
I saw that the price is going to be $99 like the Fire TV's original price.
Make a 2GB RAM version of Nexus Player for an extra $20.00 to make it more appealing.
Heck,replace them all with 2GB RAM for only $10.00 more cost.

retroben said:
Despite my hatred of the small RAM size...
Since Nexus Player is x86 and it has an Intel Atom chipset,does that mean it utilizes the Houdini processing for running arm apps in the x86 architecture?
Still sucks because of crappy limit of RAM.
I saw that the price is going to be $99 like the Fire TV's original price.
Make a 2GB RAM version of Nexus Player for an extra $20.00 to make it more appealing.
Heck,replace them all with 2GB RAM for only $10.00 more cost.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 GB is fine. Unlike phones we wont be multi-tasking as much. The Nexus Player will mostly only worry about the active application which is why 1 GB will be fine. As for the CPU its an Inel Atom which has been shown to run as fast as a Snapdragon 801, for comparison sakes the FireTV uses a Snapdragon 600.

Its not exciting enough for me to jump over to it. My AFTV is doing everything i need right now, not to mention the lack of ethernet is a deal breaker. Unless wireless AC has come down quite a bit in the last few months, Im not ready to make that move.

Will have to wait and see how the Nexus Player performs. But one major drawback I see already is the limited storage just like FireTV but no true USB socket. Why would i want to mess with a OTG cable even before having to deal with a USB Hub or just a USB device. MicroUSB on a phone is fine. But on one of of this devices is stingy. The Nexus Player is going to have to really WOW me to get me over the lack of a regular USB socket.

Y314K said:
Will have to wait and see how the Nexus Player performs. But one major drawback I see already is the limited storage just like FireTV but no true USB socket. Why would i want to mess with a OTG cable even before having to deal with a USB Hub or just a USB device. MicroUSB on a phone is fine. But on one of of this devices is stingy. The Nexus Player is going to really WOW me get me over the lack of a regular USB socket.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the specs are really irrelevant, this is the first entry into the android TV market (besides the ADT-1) sure, this box is specd a tad low and surely isnt going to be an enthusiasts dream machine, but im sure we arent going to see google release anything else anyways, what i do think well see is all the manufacturers incorporating android TV into their own players in the very near future (think a high specs "Samsung Galaxy Player" or something like "Sony Xperia Player") and if google is successful with their play services like music and video on demand like im sure they will be i think within the next year or so many TVs and things will be running android TV on them also. should be an exciting year for people who like android stb setups. they kinda failed before with googleTV or whatever it was but i think the timing is right this time and "android TV" is going to be the next big thing for internet media on demand lovers everywhere.

nhumber said:
the specs are really irrelevant, this is the first entry into the android TV market (besides the ADT-1) sure, this box is specd a tad low and surely isnt going to be an enthusiasts dream machine, but im sure we arent going to see google release anything else anyways, what i do think well see is all the manufacturers incorporating android TV into their own players in the very near future (think a high specs "Samsung Galaxy Player" or something like "Sony Xperia Player") and if google is successful with their play services like music and video on demand like im sure they will be i think within the next year or so many TVs and things will be running android TV on them also. should be an exciting year for people who like android stb setups. they kinda failed before with googleTV or whatever it was but i think the timing is right this time and "android TV" is going to be the next big thing for internet media on demand lovers everywhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would love to see one with OTA Antenna & PVR built in. Would be the perfect machine. For now a rooted FireTV will be the best for the price.

I'll wait for the actual user reviews to start showing up before I make a final decision, but at this point I'm leaning toward no. The biggest drawback to the FireTV for me is lack of storage. 8G is just not enough, I will not buy another FTV game until an official firmware update includes support for USB drives. Just a wild guess, but I suspect the Nexus Player has this same limitation. I'm willing to wait a bit longer and pay a bit more for a different Android TV box with better specs and hardware support.

Nvidia Shield TV 16GB vs 500GB performance comparison

Hi all, so I've purchased the Nvidia Shield Pro (500GB) model the other day and noticed the device made some slight disk spinning noise, only to realize that this console comes with an HDD rather than flash memory. I also noticed that even thought this device is still running lollipop, I'm still able to utilize any one of the external ports as the default memory.
This question is mainly for those of you who had the opportunity to try both models. I'm not a fan of HDDs much, but the voluminous internal storage is convenient in a way, although I could easily do without it, if the 16gb is the more stable model. From my experience NAND flash based devices seem to run fast, but are they noticeably faster than their hybrid HDD counterparts? Is there any difference in speed and performance between the 16gb and the 500gb Shield TV devices? I'm asking because I noticed the Shield controller's home and back buttons don't always respond, and my device is running build v2.1 which supposedly fixed any known controller bugs. I'm tempted to return the 500gb and grab a 16gb just for the sole fact that the Pro model runs on dated hard disk technology, not to mention the faulty HDD units in some of these models. Let's hear some opinions on this, I've not found any comparison on these from a performance perspective. Every comparison I found so far brags about how advantageous 500gb is over 16gb, but no one seems to compare their performance side by side. So if you've tried out both variants, do you find the standard 16gb edition to process data quicker than the Pro model, and are you experiencing any unresponsiveness with the back and home buttons on shield's controller?
***edit***
Just ordered a 16gb Shield TV Console from GameStop. Since no one's chiming in on the topic, I'll have both versions in a few days and will post my findings after testing them side by side.

I did a little research and from what I understand the only real difference between them is the internal storage. Performance speeds are the same and it support external hard drives and SD cards. I know music, pictures, games, ect. can be stored on the SD card but can apps be stored to or is a root required. Either way I plan on getting the 16GB version and using this 128GB SD I have and rooting it and seeing how it goes. If it's what I think it's like, then this may be one of the greatest things to run the Android OS.

Hello some news ?

To me I went for 16gb version as it would be flash memory so much quicker and no mechanical drives which equal less heat and less fan spooling.
Also the fact that they recalled the 500gb version and we're withdrawn from nvidia site.
Let us know your findings.

TalkDubby2Me said:
I did a little research and from what I understand the only real difference between them is the internal storage. Performance speeds are the same and it support external hard drives and SD cards. I know music, pictures, games, ect. can be stored on the SD card but can apps be stored to or is a root required. Either way I plan on getting the 16GB version and using this 128GB SD I have and rooting it and seeing how it goes. If it's what I think it's like, then this may be one of the greatest things to run the Android OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apps can be stored on the SD card without root access. Keep in mind that the developer of the app must allow for this so there a few apps out there that will only install on internal storage, though I have yet to come across one.

Hey everyone, sorry it took me a month to post back, now that I've owned a 500gb for two weeks and a 16gb for a month, I've noticed a few slight differences. The 500gb was a tiny bit noisier as it utilizes an HDD alongside a nandflash for its internal storage. The HDD disk spins even while the device is in sleep mode, which is normal behavior with HDDs from what I gather. I'm just not a fan of having more moving parts in a device than necessary. Also, software updates and initial installation takes much longer on the 500gb model, probably due to slower write speeds on HDD. WiFi disconnecting bug after waking up from sleep mode on lollipop 5.1.1 seemed more persistent on the 500gb model as well. The only other difference I noticed was with fluidity, the 16gb doesn't seem to have much hiccups/stutters, where as on the 500gb (maybe mine was one of the defective units) it wouldn't respond right away after returning to home screen or in some apps the back and home buttons wouldn't register on first press more often then not (dolphin emulator being one of them). Once I set up the 16gb model, I haven't experienced any such issues, the back and home functions work every time in any app perfectly fine.
From what I can tell, the 500gb model was somewhat of a last minute decision as it feels less refined than the 16gb model. It's also not as great for modding as there seems to be less dev support for it. 500gb model may be a good choice for someone not looking to tweak this device, but rather for simple plug and play without much thinking involved. For all the mods and tweaks, custom ROMs, the 16gb seems to be the more popular choice. It's also the more refined and tested variant in my opinion.

Syndrome666 said:
Hey everyone, sorry it took me a month to post back, now that I've owned a 500gb for two weeks and a 16gb for a month, I've noticed a few slight differences. The 500gb was a tiny bit noisier as it utilizes an HDD alongside a nandflash for its internal storage. The HDD disk spins even while the device is in sleep mode, which is normal behavior with HDDs from what I gather. I'm just not a fan of having more moving parts in a device than necessary. Also, software updates and initial installation takes much longer on the 500gb model, probably due to slower write speeds on HDD. WiFi disconnecting bug after waking up from sleep mode on lollipop 5.1.1 seemed more persistent on the 500gb model as well. The only other difference I noticed was with fluidity, the 16gb doesn't seem to have much hiccups/stutters, where as on the 500gb (maybe mine was one of the defective units) it wouldn't respond right away after returning to home screen or in some apps the back and home buttons wouldn't register on first press more often then not (dolphin emulator being one of them). Once I set up the 16gb model, I haven't experienced any such issues, the back and home functions work every time in any app perfectly fine.
From what I can tell, the 500gb model was somewhat of a last minute decision as it feels less refined than the 16gb model. It's also not as great for modding as there seems to be less dev support for it. 500gb model may be a good choice for someone not looking to tweak this device, but rather for simple plug and play without much thinking involved. For all the mods and tweaks, custom ROMs, the 16gb seems to be the more popular choice. It's also the more refined and tested variant in my opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I am kinda thinking I would've been better off grabbing the 16 gig model and adding a 128GB sd card. Does anyone know what kind of HD they use on it?

I bought both - one for general living room tv use (16gb) and the 500gb for myself to put in my man cave and play games on. I couldn't wait to set the 500gb up for myself as I had already got the living room one working and I was absolutely gob smacked at what it could do - however - upon setting it up and filling it full of emulation stuff, I found it to be really disappointing. HOWEVER, upon further investigation, I discovered that if you have an external HD attatched to it - in my case a USB 3 2tb one - it dragged like hell, probably due to the fact that the HD is full of emulation artwork etc. Unplugging it seemed to solve the problem and now i'm back up to full speed (more or less) again.

Anyone else think its strange that Nvidia chose to go with completely different designs for both types? Surely it would have been easier, and more cost effective, to just leave the hdd port unoccupied on the 16gb version, so a hdd/ssd could be added at a later date. And £70 just for a 500gb hybrid drive? It certainly seems a bit on the steep side.

I would like to know how much of a difference a SSD would bring to the Pro version compared to the SSHD it has inside, if it's worth it when using it for Plex only

The SATV and the SATV Pro boards are the same with the Pro version having connectors added for the SSHD. The SSHD can be replaced with an SSD, but in my experiences I do not recommend the swap. The SSHD draws .74ma and a 500GB Samsung evo SSD draws 1.5A. I noticed strange behavior of the USB ports (perhaps from current starvation). I guess if one wanted to dive into the power circuit to see if the balance of the components would handle replacing the voltage regulator with a high output current replacement, then with a beefer regulator I would be on board with the ssd swap.
If you are after what the box is meant for the buy a SATV. If you are after dev, then buy a SATV PRO.
The SSHD can be added to the SATV buy soldering on a SATA connector and modifying the device tree....

From what I've read, the Pro model just isn't worth it. Everything runs off the hard drive, including the system ROM, so it is definitely slower. For the $100 difference you could buy a 2 TB external HDD instead and still keep your apps on the internal flash.

Mogster2K said:
From what I've read, the Pro model just isn't worth it. Everything runs off the hard drive, including the system ROM, so it is definitely slower. For the $100 difference you could buy a 2 TB external HDD instead and still keep your apps on the internal flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With Plex Server, is the 16GB version still worth it? I indirectly heard that the Plex Server quickly fills up the 16GB data of onboard memory, and cannot be used on an external USB 3.0 drive. Is this correct?
Can we also plug in a USB 3.0 SSD drive to the Shield, and have the system ROM and all apps run from the USB 3.0 SSD drive, leaving the 16GB onboard memory empty? If the answer is yes, then it's a nobrainer to use a regular Shield rather than a Shield Pro.

I can't answer the first question (I run Plex on a PC, not the Shield) but for the second: there is a method but it's a little tricky. I'm using it now with an old SSD.
http://www.videomap.it/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=1580&start=410#p3628
Be sure to format the SSD on your PC and not the Shield or it won't work.

Newbie Questions

Hi Guys,
At this stage I have a PS4, a android TV box and a Chromecast.
I wish to buy the Nvidia Shield to replace all 3 devices so these are my doubts:
1. will I be able to use the Shield as a regular android tv box, to install apps from Playstore for example like Kodi, Strem.io, etc?
2. The price difference from 16GB to 500GB is considerable so I wonder if I will do fine with the 16GB version and in due course I could increase the storage? If yes, How can I increase it?
3. Are the graphics and gameplay the same, better or worst than the PS4?
Hoep you can help me.
Thank you in advance.

Android TV Build for PC's (Interest?)

Hi everyone! So, a few weeks back I was looking for an OS to put on my old PC and shockingly noticed lack of support for ATV for PC. Yes, I know thinks like Kodi exist and yes I could use Windows and emulate Android or some other solution however none that I can find seemed to fit me.
Things I want:
Full screen apps
Full controller support
Access to the Play Store and ability to add TV versions of apps
Decent hardware support
Ability to install on basically anything
Maybe access to a different launcher for other apps?
Easy to see and navigate UI
Easy enough for a basic user to use
Ability to utilize the optical drive
Yes, I am aware that Roku's and Android TV boxes exist for cheep, however, I like to use old hardware and this would be a good, useful project if done correctly and I feel this can gain popularity. The added IO, storage and RAM space is a huge plus and would make the experience better.
With all this being said; Who is interested in this project? I will be honest and say I know nothing about programming but I could absolutely learn and I have some days off during the week to get things done. I have a few machines to build on so that might not be an issue. If anyone could help that would be amazing. I am not asking for donations (unless this seriously grows) but instead I am asking for help.
What hardware do I have?
Laptop:
2017 MacBook Pro i5 8GB RAM
HP ProBook i3 with 16GB RAM
Desktop:
Intel Core i5 7th Gen
MSI Z270
16GB RAM
256 NVMe Boot Drive
x2 3TB HDD
Server:
Dual Chip Xeon Server
32GB RAM
7TB Storage
3 NICs
Internet: 400MB down and 50 Up
What do you guys think? Is this worth spending time on?

This is exactly what i was searching for. I would invest time and help where i can.
The thing is, i can't programm either :/
I have good hardware knowledge, a little bit with software like installing OS's. rooting android devices since the HTC Dream G1 (first android phone ever), have a TV and Shield with Android TV and was looking for a good way to bring Android TV on the TV of my Son. I would use Quadcore Intel Celeron APUs with HD 600 IGPU's.
So if there is any way to make this happen, i want that journey!

OH MY GOD! This is the best idea ive ever heard!
So yeah, its called Android tv x86 amongst many other names and its been around since at least.... 2016?!??
heres one of the first results that come up on Google the first time i just searched....
Install Android TV In Your Old PC In 2023 - Gadget Junction
Easily Install Android TV on any pc in simple steps.
gadgetjunction.in