The NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet Review
by Joshua Ho on July 29, 2014 9:00 AM ESTDisplay
While this device is targeted towards gaming, as a tablet it also needs a great display. In order to better test this, we turn to our custom workflow in CalMAN 5 to get a better idea of how good the display is. To start, we’ll look at the basics and move on from there. All of these tests were done with sRGB as it provides the best results.
Unfortunately, it seems that the display is a bit dim compared to the competition. It’s still well within spec and plenty bright for indoor usage, but outdoors it won’t be as easy to read. Contrast is definitely up to par though, and as far as I can tell in normal usage image-dependent dimming is disabled, so the display has a relatively high native contrast.
In the grayscale test, NVIDIA has done a relatively good job in keeping a balanced white point, although error ends up a bit high relative to what we’ve seen recently. It’s definitely acceptable for most users, at any rate. It's important to note here that the grayscale accuracy error average is not just a measurement of RGB color balance, as vision also depends upon the luminance aspect to be correct.
The saturation test is where things start to fall apart. Unfortunately, it’s quite clear that the backlight used in this device just doesn’t have pure enough wavelengths for red and blue, and the result is that the gamut is well below sRGB, around what we see for the iPhone 4/4s and iPad mini line. This may be an attempt to improve power consumption, but I suspect that most are willing to forgo some battery life for a higher quality display. NVIDIA’s sRGB calibration is good up to the 80% saturation mark, but everything else past that point will have the same color, so it’s clear that NVIDIA’s display calibration tries to make do with what it has.
As expected, the ColorChecker shows the results of the poor gamut and some issues present in the grayscale. Error ends up relatively high. The display is still decent, but relative to the competition it doesn’t stack up very well.
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TheJian - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
Refurb is not part of my vocabulary...LOL, especially of an out of date device with far less power. You're talking 3x the perf in 3dmark here. Even if nexus 7 2013 was retailing NEW for $140 this would be a gimme for me. You rarely get 3x the power for double the cash. Heck you rarely get 50% more power for double cash. We're talking 3x for 25% cash new here. That is ridiculously cheap power and it does things nexus 7 can't do. It's not just the power in this equation. Stylus, streaming PC, Grid, gamepad mapping software etc. You aren't going to draw with a stylus on nexus 7 etc. You won't be sticking in a 128GB SD card either. You're sacrificing so much at this point I'd say your options are only for the severely poor or people not interested in much gaming at all.akdj - Sunday, August 3, 2014 - link
And a ¼ the speed, almost two years behind, and if ever there was a gaming 'tablet'... Nex7 ain't it. Sorry. I've got em both. Someone mentioned it earlier ...Android and Play Store are a waste land for games. Consoles. Computers. Even iOS for short term to lengthy MMO/RPG style games. Nexus 7 is definitely NOT an equivalent, and for what it is, it's also a joke as a reader (portrait) or browser. I've got both models and held out Hope but today, it is the iPad if we're discussing low end 'consumption' tabs with definitely the ability to get some work done with it, especially with the massive third party iOS catering club for keyboard or case, stylus or whatever game you're into, hobby you're interested in or magazine, book or newspaper ya wanna read the App Store has itakdj - Sunday, August 3, 2014 - link
Sorry, I meant to add today's low end consumption and partial creation tablet is the iPad. I think Microsoft has an actuality niche with the SP3. So IMHO, it's iPad or Surface today. From the objective measurements Samsung seemingly has been working behind the scenes to correct the .nex mods and the 'S' series seem to do pretty well in some benches. Still. Play store is barren (I'm using both android and iOS-- FWIW, I love my Note 3akdj - Sunday, August 3, 2014 - link
Ugh. Edit Anand:-). Point was the SP3 is a full on computer with killer display and excellent Intel/iGPU power. So for creation on a tablet you've got another and signficantly more powerful core iX series proc or the K1. Obviously it's twice as much too. What about Gameboy/DS, Nintendo and their piss poor sales these days. I understand WHAT nVidia is doing but other than us geeks does anyone else?kidconcept - Tuesday, July 29, 2014 - link
Yes, I miss-typed. I meant $60 less.Knowname - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - link
I would like to know if the stylus' features can only be used in that one application. I don't know if there is an app that all you stylus junkies use but I doubt it's the one Nvidia always shows.akdj - Sunday, August 3, 2014 - link
If it works, Sketchbook will drop weeks later. They're cross platform without a care in the world who's using S/B on which device. As long as their using it;)Voldenuit - Tuesday, July 29, 2014 - link
Thanks for the review.Anyone know if the controller is usable on PC (whether with hacked drivers or official support)? Might be nice to kill two birds with one stone (don't currently have a controller for my PC).
NZtechfreak - Monday, August 18, 2014 - link
Just got my Controller today, wasn't working in Dolphin (and the manual says PCs "are not supported at this time"). Hopefully that will come with firmware updates in the future.NZtechfreak - Monday, August 18, 2014 - link
Dolphin on PC that is, realised that could be confusing since I was talking about Dolphin for Android earlier.