I have been playing with quite a few firmwares now and after realising that my ney Rockchip box does even less than my X96 I started to wonder...
With no 4k smart TV I seem to miss a lot of troubles, especially when it comes to Dolby audio.
But apart from that there are firmwares with more hardware support, better video or audio capabilities not to mention DRM and streaming.
I don't really do any low level modding in the firmwares, just adding and replacing files for most of it.
So what is it that really makes a firmware tick?
For most the Android systems in terms of apps and launches seems pretty much identical.
All seem to use the same graphics driver, same Wifi modules but still there are often big performance differences.
Forgive my simple thinking but just as an example, would it be possible to:
Take the best from the firmwares out there and put it together into a new one?
Like adding add DRM supports, enabling 4K youtube, fixing kernel stuff...
Was thinking in the direction of a universal rom that could work on all S905x boxes.
Certainly could make modding more intersting if there is a base that actual does what all the advertisements promise LOL
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Hey there, i hope i`m right in here and you pros can answer me some questions.
We are currently building a new software which will be released soon, i won`t go into details in here, because we not ready to release some infos about it yet. Anyway, thats not the problem....
Here is my question: Our Software could expand to TVs and now we are searching on how to get our solution onto TV Screens. We cam across all those Android based TV Boxes, we ordered some and tested them, unfortunatly they didn`t offer everything we needed.
Sooo, is it possible to release a custom Android Installation on such a Box?
What if we get the blank hardware boxes, can we get an Android Installation up and running? (With the paid help of some XDA-Developers..)
We would really need a stripped down Version only with our APP and some other stuff running.
Also another question, if it is possible to release a custom box, is it legal to Google`s Terms?
We are brand new in this field, so please be so kind and help us out. If it is possible and we can implement this thing we are definitly will be going over xda-developers, because we just don`t have any clue about Android Systems.
Are you meaning something like this?
http://www.pcworld.com/article/244278/meet_cotton_candy_the_dualcore_android_usb_device.html
We all know that Android is flexible enough to be put on phones, tablets, laptops, and TVs. FXI, a technology lab based in Norway, decided to add USB drives to Android’s host of platforms.
FXI’s Cotton Candy USB device might look like any other flash drive, but it packs smartphone parts like a dual-core 1.2GHz Samsung Exynos processor and its own ARM GPU for 1080p video playback. It also has lots of connectivity, including Wi-Fi, HDMI, Bluetooth, and a MicroSD card slot to expand its 1GB of storage.
This Raspberry Pi-eqsue miniature PC comes with Android 2.3 (also known as Gingerbread). When you plug it into a PC or Mac, it automatically bring up a separate pop up for the Gingerbread OS. This functionality could be used to bring Android apps or games to any computer. Alternatively, if your HDTV has HDMI ports, you could potentially turn it into a smart, Internet-connected monitor.
Angry Birds might be a little hard to play on your TV. [Photo: FXI]
The only down side of the device is that it is not supported by Google, so you won’t be browsing the marketplace anytime soon. Instead, FXI is working to get a third-party app store together. For now, though, you'll have to side-load any apps you want to run on it.
FXI is in talks with other companies to bring Cotton Candy to market by the second half of 2012 and predict that the device will cost "well under $200" according to The Verge.
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MoPhoACTV Initiative
Yes, thats also this kind of thing we might need. But currently we are more looking into these kind of Boxes: cect-shop.com/Android-TV-Box_c55_x1.htm
And we would need a custom Android installation on one of these boxes? As asked above, is this possible and legal?
Why android?
i don't know the exact details about, but I think getting regular linux to run on a set op box is easier and cheaper to customize with exactly the software you want it.
It doesn`t have to be Android. Andorid was just a possible solution we found and the other reason is that i`m capable of programming apps for Android so it was the closest possibility.
You say Linux...hmm... also a possible solution.
Lets tell you at least some details. The Box should run only with our application, and should be able to be connected to a TV where the application is started then and does their thing. It`s a specialized kind of Software Application for targeted companys.
What it should be able to do:
At least an output resolution of 1280 * 720
Connectable with HDMI, DVI etc. to Televisions
As you say Linux, are you capable of doing such a thing? We might need you...
Or do you have some resources where we can find some developer who can achieve this?
surekin said:
It doesn`t have to be Android. Andorid was just a possible solution we found and the other reason is that i`m capable of programming apps for Android so it was the closest possibility.
You say Linux...hmm... also a possible solution.
Lets tell you at least some details. The Box should run only with our application, and should be able to be connected to a TV where the application is started then and does their thing. It`s a specialized kind of Software Application for targeted companys.
What it should be able to do:
At least an output resolution of 1280 * 720
Connectable with HDMI, DVI etc. to Televisions
As you say Linux, are you capable of doing such a thing? We might need you...
Or do you have some resources where we can find some developer who can achieve this?
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I think any experienced linux dev is capable of doing such a thing, not that difficult. Get a good supported distro, remove all the bells and whistles and let it just boot to your application. I think that is the most elegant solution. Android is much more difficult to customize in such a way. I might have the technical skills to pull it off, but I'm not interested, sorry.
It all depends on your needs and resources. Try googling for embedded linux. linuxfordevices.com is a good place to start i think.
Why the choice for a setopbox and not a regular application? In call centers and other businesses normal programs are used to display information on a large screen, while running on a regular OS. The cost of having to develop and deliver support on not only the software, but also on the setopbox and its embedded OS is quite large. You have to take that into account. Given that you post this question on this forum, I suspect that your resources are rather limited. If I were you, I would reconsider the choice for a setop box.
First, thx for your time...and second, i understand what you mean in your post, but our software already runs on Mac OS, Windows and iOs, so we already have an application running. The settopbox would just be an addition, because some of our customers might need such a thing. Thats the reason why i`m doggling around searching for some ideas.
Our resources are limited sure, but not too limited, the reason why i posted here, is because i`m searching for answers here too, and xda is always a good place to ask in my opinion. We are going other ways too, let me make that clear!
So, i understand what you meant by Linux, i am now contacting some Linux devs who might want to achieve this.
Thx!
I was curious to see if anyone has or heard of a ROM optimized for use as a dedicated media center or HTPC for our "old" or broken screen phones? I have 2 GS2s that I'm not using and the specs on them are better than a lot of the smart tv boxes like boxee, roku, etc.
I was thinking of a wi-fi only ROM that would output to 1080p, have VNC, network storage on boot, netflix, hulu, XBMC, bluetooth keyboard, game emulators, video calls via the rear camera, maybe GTV apps, etc, etc.
I know you can piece together something that could work via apps and configs but I was looking for something that would optimize the hardware for such a purpose.
Maybe a new CM branch...that would be amazing! Someday...
Thoughts?
scottsark said:
I was curious to see if anyone has or heard of a ROM optimized for use as a dedicated media center or HTPC for our "old" or broken screen phones? I have 2 GS2s that I'm not using and the specs on them are better than a lot of the smart tv boxes like boxee, roku, etc.
I was thinking of a wi-fi only ROM that would output to 1080p, have VNC, network storage on boot, netflix, hulu, XBMC, bluetooth keyboard, game emulators, video calls via the rear camera, maybe GTV apps, etc, etc.
I know you can piece together something that could work via apps and configs but I was looking for something that would optimize the hardware for such a purpose.
Maybe a new CM branch...that would be amazing! Someday...
Thoughts?
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it would just be cheaper and easier to buy a xios or google media players for $60
then you could have things like and air remote, and have a system doing what it's meant to do.
svtfmook said:
it would just be cheaper and easier to buy a xios or google media players for $60
then you could have things like and air remote, and have a system doing what it's meant to do.
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It's not cheaper than a GS2 with a cracked screen that you already own. It also appears that those boxes are basically lessor powered android smartphones without the screen and battery to keep cost down. I'm not looking to spend money, I'm looking to use what I already have.
Has any of these $100 androd STBs OS's been ported to any handhelds?
Has any of these $100 androd STBs OS's been ported to any handhelds?[/QUOTE]
It seems like anything you could do with a Raspberry Pi you could do better with the better hardware and the an abundance of sensors in "old" smartphones. Anyone have any ideas at all? Fileservers, wireless repeaters/mesh, RADIUS server, NAS, etc. Just looking for non phone build optimized for non phone call purposes.
I agree that it would be better you use one of these "usb android media centers" that are relative cheap(and i think that it cost less than your SII sell price). I`m really waiting for something like this for rPi!
I'm looking to get an Android TV device and I am overwhelmed with options. I want something that is fully unlockable with an active development community. What originally got me interested was the Amazon Fire TV but after reading up it seems the new units are no longer rootable/unlockable. That lead me down the path to other devices. I think I've settled on the AMLogic based devices (if there are other suggestion I'm open). It looks like there are basically 3.
S905 - Older chip and stuck with Android 5 roms
S905x - Newer with 4k but performance is not as good at the S905. More dev/roms available
S912 - 8 core. Has DVB S2/T2 support (not sure what that does for me though) Does not seem to be a lot of dev for this. Only one thread I saw.
Based on these assumptions I'm leaning toward a X96 - S905x 2GB/16GB model for $42.99.
Also. Do the non Amazon devices support Amazon video? My current chromecast's do not and that is one reason for the upgrade.
I am in a similat boot here
Decided on the X96 because I found the page for the firmware updates before I found a link to buy the box LOL
Apart from the missing BT a great box considering the usual limitations.
Amazon video only works on Amazon devices AFAIK but I don't use it.
Same story for Android TV, great hype about it but I think it is just a crippled launcher with really limited content showing up - mainly Youtube and Google but nothing else.
The S912 seems to be the affordable alternative if you need BT and a bit more computing power for games but S905D boxes are slowly turning up.
Same for devices running on Android7 and offering up to 3GB/32GB.
But Android7 for TV boxes is in an early beta to say it nice with a lot of bugs and half cooked menu structures - better to wait a bit longer if you ask me.
And since the hardware for these boxes is literally identical within the families it comes down to personal preference and what can be modded or not.
Personally I am starting to think that despite the huge price tag the Shield is still the best option in terms of quality, hardware and support.
DVB is for terrestial and satellite TV.
Thanks. I did not realize there was no BT on the S905x boxes. My only concern there is I was planning to use a wireless BT keyboard with it.
Almost all wireless keyboards that come with a dongle will work, for example the Logitech and MS ones, same for the dirt cheap and tiny touchpad keyboards you get on Ebay.
BT is only a problem if you need it for game controllers, weather stations or to pair some speakers to it.
I see. I went ahead and ordered a X96 that included a mini keyboard last night. I figure for $47.98, including shipping, what the heck right? I'll have a cheap new toy to play with.
Once you played enough you will start playing even more when you try different custom roms
hi please help i flashed wrong twrp recovery i think now my amlogic smartbox failed to boot in recovery mode and the main problem is my smartbox Encryption Unsuccessful Factory reset, when i click factory reset nothing happend please guide how to solve this
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Hi all!
First of all, respect for all those who manage to keep these Chinese toys alive.
I did some crap and I managed to kill my android box. I try my best to find a firmware that will bring it back to my life but I can't. Dead links, the vast majority, others blocked at 7%. Some just don't want to boot. However, I managed to install some images. I tested X5 Pro, AtvXperience (several versions) ... and a few more Russian images, even Mods. I also tried Chinese versions that do not work on my device. (It seems that this type of board exists under several brands and the vast majority are clones to clones - Chinese business).
Respect for the creators and for their special work, but on my device nothing compares to the original version.
On each version I tested, the live streaming is not at the quality of the original version. Sometimes frames are missing, sometimes the image shakes very fine. I tried different ways to configure it but it doesn't work the way it did at first. The closest to the truth were the Russian variants, but even those began to tremble (fine) after 10 -15 -20 minutes of operation, which did not happen before. (I use this device a lot for online streaming.) Also what I noticed is that none of the images I tested have a Chinese h265 codec.
I still want to rewrite the original image for this X96, even if it looks horrible. Maybe someone still has it saved somewhere. I can't wait to look .... I've been doing it for a week without success.
I would prefer an image though because with the upgrade package it doesn't work out for me.
If you no longer have the original image (the one with that hateful black ...), I am grateful if you would recommend me something that works as well as the original. Simple and good. A ... and one more thing ... 100% for Q5X V2.1 16483 OTT TV BOX 2/16 X96.
I use USB Burning Tool V2.2.0. Is there a difference between Erase Flash Normal and Erase All? What does the Whethear overwrite key option do? How good would it be to burn an image? Erase All mode? Normal? With Whether overwrite key marked? or without?
Thank you very much.
- I also recently tested the @aidanmacgregor version, which seems to be the most suitable so far. however, I encounter some problems with live streaming .. it's not smooth. In action images it shakes a little. Instead, 4k video on Youtube is really very good.
Hello everyone,
Do you think that we can have such good image quality with Chinese boxes with Amlogic S905X2, X3, 912, 922 ........ processor than with more high-end boxes ? in IPTV ? in video playback ?
Or do you think that the image quality is on all the boxes the same but that only the supported formats: HDR, HDR10, HDR10 + .... influence the quality?
I ask the question because many people say that the cheap boxes with Amlogic S905X3 have a not pretty picture and I wanted to know what you think.
Thanks.
I think personally it can be good I think some of the video issues people experience build down partially to firmware, that can have aweful performance, and other issues especially on stock firmware, Format support should look the same although I dont use HDR, some people have also commented on amlogic noise reduction on some videos but it possibly depends on the video player, I have a mi box 4 official firmware port to s905x (and maybe more with project treble) devices and seems to run well, exellent performance, video quality seems ok but I haven't extensively watched high quality content to get a good feel for if any quality issues are present but seems ok so far but compared to any stock firmware form cheap manufacturers it's a world of diffrence, although I've only had a couple of s905x boxes so cant comment on experience from other chipsets but should be similar logic
I suggest you try coreelec to see the differences. Its display quality is much better
lithoc said:
I suggest you try coreelec to see the differences. Its display quality is much better
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i deffo will check this out, have 2 s905x devices so can side by side