04/07/2011 UPDATE -- GREAT COMPILATION OF INFO HERE: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1026660
And another FAQ:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=874258 - please use this as an updated reference!
Also, this FAQ is VERY helpful: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865245
A good third-party doc on how to install the VEGAn ROM (not written by gojimi, FYI): http://www.blendblog.net/Blendblognet/tabid/36/EntryID/67/Default.aspx
or use this one, if that link is down : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=12552736#post12552736
and lastly a good FAQ on the update.zip firmware process: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=892090
This post last updated March 27th 2011.
Figured I'd start doing a brain dump of what I know, so far. Assume TnT Lite 4.x, as this is what I use. But stock / zPad / cm6.1 / all other 1.1-based ROMs might also work unless noted.
Please feel free to add to this FAQ with apps tested, general information etc.
---------------------------------------------------------------
General pre-sales / new user / "should I buy this?" information
Viewsonic support site: http://www.viewsonic.com/gtablet/support.htm. Their customer service is very good and I have used them many times. The only issue i have right now is a lack of information, but I don't fault CS for that.
Should you buy this?
It's up to you, but be aware of what you are getting into. Here's a quick breakdown of what you will / won't get:
- You are basically paying for hardware that is not optimized for Android. It's fast, but it could be a lot faster and we're hoping that future updates will take advantage of that. The hardware is bleeding edge, right now.
- The LCD screen is basically a netbook screen. With that in mind certain angles are really bad. It's looks pretty good spot-on, just like a netbook.
- HDMI works, but you need a dock which is not officially available yet (there is a zPAd dock that can be purchased, overseas).
- 720p/1080p might work, but needs to be encoded a certain way.
- Standard video seems fine, in particular Xvid AVI's.
- There are issues with games, right now. Some work, some don't. Simple as that. EDIT: There is a g-sensor fix that might correct this, in certain mods.
- There's an official app store, but it's not as extensive as the full Google Market.
- Angry Birds works.
- There's no official Flash support, yet (even as of 3/2011). That may change in the future and there are ways to get an unofficial patch (see below).
- To make the device really usable, you need to mod it and will need to be familiar on how to sideload apps. This is my opinion, of course.
The mods are not supported by Viewsonic, so keep that mind!
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General information on the different unofficial ROMS available
- Vanilla restore image. This is an attempt by our community to have a restore image in case your device is having issues or you need to wipe any mods off before returning it. It will wipe the system data, but not the user data. For the latter, you'd want to do a factory reset under Settings -- Firmware. The link also has links to the actual firmware updates that TnT Inc. supports.
- zPad v3. This is a port of the zPad ROM to the GTab. Rothnic has spearheaded this effort.
- VEGAn-Tab. This is still a 1.00 beta firmware to port the Advent Vega firmware to the GTab. As of March 2011, it is fairly stable and very usable. The main dev (gojimi) is working on a Gingerbread port.
- TnT Lite v4. This is a streamlined version of the stock firmware. It leaves the status bar and settings area intact, for example - but removes the main TnT homescreen and replaces it with a stock launcher. It also has the same bugs as stock.
- CyanogenMod. This is an early beta so keep that in mind - I would recommend this only for technical users. It is an attempt to port cm to the GTab. Bekit has spearheaded this effort. There are a few recent efforts, mainly for Gingerbread.
Some cm links:
IRC: #tegratab in freenode.
Forum: http://tegratab.com
Complete nvflash restore: http://db.tt/Wm25t7U
CM6.1 (Beta4): http://goo.gl/Z3jaC
3/2011 EDIT: See the development area for more ROMs as there are more than I can review, here. This site has quite literally outgrown this one FAQ I had created.
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Known issues
I used clockworkmod via ROM Manager and now I get a "Magic Value Mismatch" Error
AVOID ROM MANAGER, please. As of this writing, it installs a version of clockworkmod that does NOT play nice many of the ROMs we have, and might even have issues with stock ROMs. PLEASE AVOID!!
If you get that "Magic Value Mismatch", you have soft-bricked your device and will need to use the nvflash tool to correct that. See the development area for the nvflash sticky.
Date / Time reset to 1970 after powerdown / reboot
Update your ROM to correct this -- it's a fairly old issue.
GMT +0 after every reboot
This is a known bug with orignal TnT stock and TnT Lite 1.x, which some of us have already called VS about. It's probably somewhere in the TnT Framework. This was fixed with the 11/22 TnT firmware and the subsequent TnT Lite 2.00+. If you are on stock and see this, update your ROM.
Games cannot be played because they are titled by 90 degrees
This is a known bug with stock TnT / TnT Lite. No fix from the vendor, but certain ROMs (like VEGAn and TNT Lite) have a hack for this (care of dev gojimi!)
720p / 1080p h264 video problems
My understanding is that h264 HD playback works, but only to a certain point. Basically, videos encoded in "Main" Profile work, but those with "High" Profile do not. You can use a tool like mediainfo to see how your file in encoded.
I have used the excellent Handbrake application and an iPad profile, changing h.264 to MPEG-4 in the config, and that has worked for me on the device.
MicroSD is not being read by applications
This is a common issue with tablets, and I had seen this on my Pandigital Novel. Some applications are written to only read from /sdcard, which is the internal memory on our device. microSD is /sdcard2. So this is very hit and miss. On the zPAd, they actually map the microSD to /sdcard/sdcard1, which means that apps might be able to find that easier.
EDIT 1/2011: Some of the newer mods have an SDCARD2 fix, but it could cause media files to be deleted. A possible fix (to turn this feature off) is to create an empty file on the root of your microSD and call it ".nomedia". I have not heard of problems with the very latest mods or stock ROM.
There is no Market
Some of the mods do add the Google Android Market, but even so there are very few available apps visible. There is a fairly easy way to get around this, which is documented here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=845175
My device went to sleep and now I can't bring it back to life
This is a known issue with stock / TnT Lite 1.x+ -- the only known "fix" I know, other than opening up the device, is to let the battery drain until the device shuts itself off - this should take about 24 hours. Once this happens, you should be able to power it up again and recharge it. Newer ROMs may not have this issue.
Does the device accept 32GB microSD cards?
Yes. I own a 32GB microSD so I can confirm that.
My touch screen is all wonky / I have dead zones
See this post for a possible fix: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=9774374&postcount=27
Also, try this GUI version (thanks gojimi!) : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=934500
I have a zPad dock, but my Ethernet port is not working
See this post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=10242366#post10242366
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Other General Information
Cases / accessories
So far, nothing supported but a few DIY's. We are building out a accessories section here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=843
Running a firmware update / restore
All the ROMS use a standard firmware updater that can be used by non-technical users. Here is an explanation on how it works:
There is an "update.zip" file and a recovery foder with a file called "command". To flash your firmware, you place those on the root of your device's /sdcard. So, if your device is your F: drive for example, you should see F:\update.zip and F:\recovery\command.
Then, shutdown the device and boot up by holding the power button and volume up keys simultaneously for a few seconds - once you see the recovery text pop up in the upper left side, you can let go. The update will begin and the device will reboot about a minute later. After the reboot, I would highly recommend doing a device restore as that fixes a lot of issues (Settings -- Security -- Factory Data Reset).
You can also do this on a microSD - you just need to edit the command file and change "SDCARD" to "SDCARD2". For Windows users, don't add a .txt extension on the file as that won't work. The file name needs to be called "command".
The only ROM exceptions are the fully stock ones form Viewsonic / TnT, as I haven't touched those. You can use them in clockworkmod, or get the /recovery/command file from another ROM and then rename the stock ZIP to "update.zip" and combine them.
How to wipe data with Clockworkmod recovery (thanks to short/y for writing this!)
Boot into recovery (i.e. power down the device then power it up again while holding the volume up key) until you get the message that it's booting the recovery image.
Once you see the CWM (i.e. Clockworkmod) text screen, use the volume buttons to scroll down to the entry that says "wipe data/factory reset" (on CWM 2.5.1.2 it's the 3rd entry).
Press the Home key and, on the screen that comes up, scroll down to the line that says "Yes" and hit Home.
Once it's been formatted, return to the previous screen with the Back arrow until you're on the main screen where you can continue the process (flashing or booting).
thanks for putting all this information in one spot! ill be checking this thread when mine comes in tomorrow (was supposed to be today... so much for paying a little extra for expedited shipping.... grrr)
Thats really sad to know that it does not run videos well? I don't want to have to encode
videos to be able to watch on this thing...Not even with the side loaded apps?
Gajun said:
Thats really sad to know that it does not run videos well? I don't want to have to encode
videos to be able to watch on this thing...Not even with the side loaded apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried several, with similar results. HD playback is very finicky with this device, at least as of this writing.
I have heard people state that h.264 720p works, but I have yet to see this in full 16:9 mode. 2:35 does seem to work. If someone has a file for me to test, I'll certainly download it. I hope that I can be proven wrong, here.
Gajun said:
Thats really sad to know that it does not run videos well? I don't want to have to encode
videos to be able to watch on this thing...Not even with the side loaded apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My G runs tnt 2.0. I downloaded an AVI and it plays well, but in 2.35 mode only, I couldn't zoom in...
Gajun said:
Thats really sad to know that it does not run videos well? I don't want to have to encode
videos to be able to watch on this thing...Not even with the side loaded apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Downloaded AVI's and FLV's work just fine with Rockplayer. I play AVI's in Hardware encoding mode, and FLV's with Software encoding mode.
Have you tried Act1 video player? I have used it for over a year on my Adroid phone and it will play pretty much anything. I installed it on the gtab earlier and playback is just as smooth as my computer. Plus it has the option to change aspects to suite the screen. One of the options, Full(stretch to full screen) looks great while playing an avi or any other format on the Tab.
Is it able to do GPS?
I loaded the NHL Game center app fine
But it wont let me watch games due to lack of gps signal
any ideas?
Thanks
sitnlow4life said:
Is it able to do GPS?
I loaded the NHL Game center app fine
But it wont let me watch games due to lack of gps signal
any ideas?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No GPS on this thing.
sitnlow4life said:
Is it able to do GPS?
I loaded the NHL Game center app fine
But it wont let me watch games due to lack of gps signal
any ideas?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use the GPS on your phone via Bluetooth, assuming you have a smart phone
Google voice
No voice but texting works.
Steps I took
on my evo fully installed voice (switched roms recently didn't have it installed)
used Titanium to back up the app
Copied the 3 files to my titanium folder on the g tab
Restored the app
Lauched google voice. Got to where it said configure inbox then went back back back back to exit
inbox popped right up.
YMMV
Quick newbie question.... how to I drag/drop from my computer to the microSD? I'm on TnT lite.
Thanks!
-J
jdnyc said:
Quick newbie question.... how to I drag/drop from my computer to the microSD? I'm on TnT lite.
Thanks!
-J
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't work on stock on TnT Lite. It's a bug that I hope VS will fix with their next release (crosses fingers).
roebeet said:
720p / 1080p h264 video problems
My understanding is that h264 HD playback works, but only to a certain point. Basically, videos encoded in "Main" Profile work, but those with "High" Profile do not. You can use a tool like mediainfo to see how your file in encoded.
I have used the excellent Handbrake application and an iPad profile, changing h.264 to MPEG-4 in the config, and that has worked for me on the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. There is no iPad profile on handbrake
2. Which player did you use to play your encoded video?
Another newbie question... how do remove the Phone icon from the dock? I've tried a bunch of settings in ADW but can't get it to work.
Thanks!
jdnyc said:
Another newbie question... how do remove the Phone icon from the dock? I've tried a bunch of settings in ADW but can't get it to work.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Drag and drop any other icon which you need on top of it.
Thanks for the phone icon tip. One (hopefully) last question for a while. I'm using TnT Lite and have ADW. How do I change the wallpaper on my main screen? I can't find this option either. Really tried to find it but failed.
jdnyc said:
Thanks for the phone icon tip. One (hopefully) last question for a while. I'm using TnT Lite and have ADW. How do I change the wallpaper on my main screen? I can't find this option either. Really tried to find it but failed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Long click on any empty space on your screen and choose wallpaper
Thanks. That wasn't working on my primary screen for some reason but worked on an empty one. k. Used up my stupid question tokens for the day...
artisticcheese said:
1. There is no iPad profile on handbrake
2. Which player did you use to play your encoded video?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have on on the Linux version - my bad that I assumed the same on other versions - is there an updated profile, perhaps?
http://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/ha5oh/root_how_to_edit_your_buildprop_to_make_netflix/
Can anyone with a Netflix account test to see if either build.prop change will work for us?
Don't know if this has been mentioned yet, but I didn't see it in the Netflix thread...
Edit: It seems a couple people in the Reddit comments claim it doesn't work for the T-Bolt but I would like to get a bigger sample size. Plus I think I trust you guys to get it right a little more...
FatTony666 said:
http://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/ha5oh/root_how_to_edit_your_buildprop_to_make_netflix/
Can anyone with a Netflix account test to see if either build.prop change will work for us?
Don't know if this has been mentioned yet, but I didn't see it in the Netflix thread...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've already attempted the build.prop edits with two different NetFlix apk's (com.netflix.mediaclient-1.apk and com.netflix.mediaclient-2.apk) neither one worked on Thunderbolt. Other phones are having success.
Its already been tested. Someone changed the build.prop to match a G2 and it played the sound for about 5 seconds then crapped out with no video.
Thunderbolt is not a "incompatible" device, so these changes are not needed.
Our issue something to do with stagefright (from what I understood from slayher)
Has anyone attempted this on a GB Bolt?
I tried build.prop change and it didn't work on my TB. It starts to play and after one second it goes back to Netflix menu.
I had two different errors. A different error from each of the apk's I tried. The first would begin to play the movie (no video but a second of sound would play) and then back to the list of movies and a DRM notification. The second would not even begin to play the movie but would pop up with an error that it could not connect to NetFlix and that my device was not supported. I tried both apk's after editing my build.prop
now that i think of it, netflix would want more devices supported.... don't you think if they figured out how to put it on the thunderbolt they would? Its better for them, and for us.
I'm pretty sure that XDA can some how get it to work eventually, but hopefully netflix doesn't take too long to support more devices....
Hello everyone.
I have been following this site for quite a while gaining knowledge from other users but now I have come across an issue that has been answered but not for a non rooted device.
I frequently use the Youtube app on my HTC Wildfire S and have done for at least a year now and today, every time I try to watch a video, the screen is just white. Sound is still playing and Youtube becomes quite unresponsive.
I've been looking at other posts about this and some people mentioned that their camera's were plain white as well and now I have the same case.
What is going on???
Please remember:
My phone has never been rooted so it has never had any custom ROMs installed.
try to remove battery and insert it again, it work on friend with same problem..
This problem also exists on cm9 & ics you can try to go to settings -> apps -> youtube and delete data
it works for some time then you have to do it again, maybe it helps
Actually, this is my first thread but I need some help. I'm using an android device with Jellybean (4.2.2), 1.2 GHz Dual-Core CPU and 1 GB RAM. I updated Instagram to latest version exist at all (10.33.0). But I don't have the option to create live stories or even watch them! I also don't have the option to face filters . I think it is something they added to apk file. It probably detects that I have low spec phone and it hides these options . I have a theory actually. I think it is possible to mod that apk and enable these options. Because I know my phone is capable of streaming and watching them (i can watch live streams on other apps). I tried to edit apk but i couldn't . So I need someone experienced at modding apk. Can u guys help me? (Pretty Please )
Edit: I also want to say that I was able to watch streams for few hours (I did nothing). I thought it was a bug and it is fixed but then, it disappeared again.
Hi , i think this serious problem of Instagram ,I recommended see Youtube and find your solution .Its time you should contact experience man .I hope you will find solution very soon .
Hello all,
my first time posting on XDA, apologies in advance in case the thread isn't in the right location... I did have a search for this issue without much luck, it was never my exact issue or it there was no real answers.
Please go easy on me
So, I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1 / GT-P5110) which I'm using again after installing Lineage OS 13 custom rom to give it some new life. My issue is mainly with Netflix. The device is not rooted and I can find the Netflix app in Google Playstore. I am able to install it and it opens and runs ok as far as the menus and such are concerned. The problem is with video playback - It plays a video for some time (random) but finally it stops, and fades back to black, back out to the home menu. I did see sometimes an error message like 5.2, 5.8 or 5.10 ( and I followed advice for these from online, didn't help) but mostly it just fades to home menu like I described, with no error message.
I have been looking around for a solution to this problem but can't find one that works.
I have tried to install Magisk and Magisk Manager and then hide magisk, and it passed Safety Net, but the video problem still continues in Netflix.
Also, I've tried various other ROMs like Cyanogen Mod 11, Omni Rom, and SlimRom etc but all give the same issue
I realise this is an old device now but it's been well covered in terms of custom ROMs, even up to now.
I find it difficult to understand that there such a high-profile, very popular app like Netflix is giving this probem. There must be a solution, hopefully I just missed something.
Can you please help? Would appreciate any tips or advice!
Cheers
p.s. if @Android-Andi could take a look at my question and offer any advice, that would be great!
@Android-Andi maybe you might have some ideas about this? I'm hoping