Voice Input Function of NVIDIA Shield TV Does Not Work?

LBargain Fighter on 21/12/2018 - 09:40
Last edited 21/12/2018 - 09:41

Hi,

I purchased the NVIDIA Shield TV deal from Kogan last month.

The Voice input function (Google Assistant) of the remote does not work.

I’ve already updated the device with the latest Shield Experience software 7.2.1 today as well as latest firmware for the remote. It still didn't work.

It has never worked from day 1. When pressing the Mic icon button on the remote, Google Assistant is prompting on tv screen. However, no voice is picked up or listened when speak to the remote as loud as I can.

This is the same for Voice Search in Google Play, Youtube app or wherever a Voice Search available. Voice Search input is prompting when I click the Mic icon, but no voice is picked up from the remote.

I spent more than 3 hours to Search on the internet but couldn't find any useful info.

I'm an IT man so I'm sure that I have had everything set up properly including granting it required permissions to Voice Mic and Data storage.

I don't know whether the remote is defective or this is a known software issue. Any of you got this issue with your Shield TV?

Just a side question, are you happy with the performance of your Shield TV?

I'm quite happy with it, but not up to my expectation because I still experience some laggy response or quick 5-20 seconds freezing sometimes.

I only have had a few apps installed like Kodi, Nova Player, Youtube, VPN app. NO game! Mainly used for Streaming and Chromecast.

I had Vorke Z1 Android Box with Abdroid Nougat, Amlogic S912 and 3GB DDRAM4. It's pretty good, but its Nougat update is quite buggy, and I also would like a more powerful box which is more responsive so I bought the Shield TV.

Are you satisfied with your Shield TV? Is it very responsive? Do you experience any laggy or slow response like using cheap Low or Mid-range smartphone?

Thanks,

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • josetann on 21/12/2018 - 11:23
    +1

    Sounds like an issue with the remote. If it were me, I'd first unpair and repair (make sure you have another way to control the shield without the primary remote paired!). Then replace batteries, I understand the remote's working otherwise, but the mic is the first to go when the batteries get low.

    At this point, I'd look into warranty options, but if you can't (perhaps someone else found this thread and theirs is out of warranty) you can plug a usb microphone into the shield, it'll use it if you select the onscreen microphone button (I don't know how it acts if you use the remote's dedicated microphone button). Also note that to get "OK Google" to work you need the newer version of the game controller as it has a mic built-in; other controllers won't allow use of "OK Google".

    Edit: As for how I like it? It's ok, a few niggles here and there but nothing major. I should note I didn't update to 7.2 nor to 7.2.1, I have automatic updates disabled, I like to wait until they've ironed out the bugs before updating. One had a major issue with buffering until I hard wired it via ethernet; it's next to a PC with some usb 3.0 devices so it could have been interference, didn't bother troubleshooting further.

    • Bargain Fighter on 21/12/2018 - 11:51

      Thanks for your reply. Will look info the option of a usb microphone. (I only has a usb webcam with built-in microphone)

      So just confirm the Voice input function on your Shield TV remote is working fine?

      Is the "OK google" working with the Remote or the Game Controller only?

      As mentioned the issue was from day 1 when it got Shield Experience 7 (maybe 7.1?).

      I bought mine last month. The battery in the remote is Full as indicated in Shield Accessories setting.

      I did unpair and repair. And just did it one more time now. Didn't help.

      I also had the buffering or "No internet" issue when using wifi. Needed to disconnect and reconnect all the time. Hard wired to ethernet fixed it.

      • josetann on 21/12/2018 - 12:53
        +1

        You can try the usb webcam, some work. The PS3 Eye is known to work (but not officially supported, so YMMV). I did some testing, it's not conclusive but here you go anyway:

        Microphones tested:

        Turtle Beach Stream Mic
        Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
        PS3 Eye

        For both Shields the game controller was in a different room with the door closed, so it didn't pick any sounds up.

        On Shield TV with controller and remote paired, I couldn't get any usb microphone to work. I was controlling via the official remote.

        On different Shield TV with controller and remote paired but not using the official remote (I used a Harmony Hub to control it) I could get the PS3 Eye to work reliably. The other mics didn't, even though the Turtle Beach mic lit up correctly with a green ring around the microphone button (it turns red when you push it to mute).

        I should note that I haven't actually tested ANY of these three devices before, so it's possible I have defective units. But at least I know the PS3 Eye CAN work, at least with the Shield on 7.1.

        Oh, and when you're using it as designed? Works perfectly. In fact the remote even picks up when I cover the microphone with my thumb and place it behind my back. To test properly I had to get my wife to press the button in one room while I was in the other. She's a good sport.

        • Bargain Fighter on 21/12/2018 - 17:16

          Does the remote support "OK Google" (without the need of pressing the Voice Mic button on the remote)?

          • josetann on 21/12/2018 - 17:26
            +1

            @Bargain Fighter: No. You need the official game controller for that, and it has to be the newer 2017 version (google pics comparing the 2015 and 2017 version to make sure you get the right one).

            I don't see why they can't enable "OK Google" with a usb microphone, but last I checked it wasn't possible without some crazy workarounds (one person went so far as to have a phone listen for OK Google, then issue an adb command to the Shield which would then start listening for a voice command).

      • josetann on 21/12/2018 - 13:06
        +1

        Oh, just thought of something. I don't remember what all plastic protectors where installed on the remote when I bought it, but make absolutely sure there's nothing covering the microphone hole. Some people state it works after being cleaned out, but if you bought yours new and it hasn't worked from day 1, I doubt dirt's the issue.

        If you happen to have a Fire TV remote laying around, you can try it. Some people claim it works with voice search, others say it does not. Worth a shot if you have a spare.

        • Bargain Fighter on 21/12/2018 - 15:52

          Thanks so much for your reply.
          I got the MS LifeCam Studio. I'm gonna test it tonight. I reckon mine should be a defective unit.

  • Click_It on 22/12/2018 - 13:01

    Don't know if this interests you, even though I use voice features myself, my controller (older 2015 model) died completely - not turning on even when fully charged. I'd be happy to buy yours so I can at least use my Shield TV without my phone's infrared.

    Controllers are $90 which is a rip, if I can't pick up one a little cheaper I'll just buy a whole new Shield TV instead.

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