Android TV Box Allwinner release 2.2

[James Clements]

I've tested the Android TV Box Allwinner release 2.2 image for a month or so now, and it's really quite good.

The Netflix streaming app runs perfectly on this release.

I have fully tested and can confirm the following bugs (that other users have mentioned):

Issues:

1. Display output mode for HDMI is not saved upon reboot.
2. HDMI out via DVI-D does not work.
3. SPDIF output is not accessible at the software level.
4. DTS audio playback from within MX Player (integrated player for XBMC) does not work. ("audio unsupported codec: DTS")
5. DTS MX Player downloadable codecs don't work and crash MX Player (from https://code.google.com/p/mxplayer-custom-codec/downloads/list)
6. The OS UI gets very sluggish and unresponsive at times. Cause unknown; possibly applications moving in and out of swap on the NAND flash.
7. The UI and XBMC UI is laggy, in general. Button action response times of ~500ms seem normal with this build.
8. The youtube plugin in XBMC does not play any videos at all. It appears to launch MX player, which then states "cannot play this video file". It may just be a script issue with the plugin; further investigation required.

Note regarding the youtube plugin in XBMC: as a contrast to this bug, the Vimeo plugin plays perfectly, including the HD files. 

I've applied a few small fixes in order to get everything running as a viable HTPC;

Fixes:

1. Update MX player to V1.7.15a.
2. Download a custom codec to provide DTS playback (via S/W, not H/W) from https://code.google.com/p/mxplayer-custom-codec/downloads/list (neon_v1.7.14.zip)
3. Optional: set MX Player colour to 32bit output. I haven't noticed any issues with video playback speed, and I subjectively perceive an improvement in picture output colour quality.

The rest of the build is perfectly fine.

With the above fixes, I've been able to play literally every video and audio combination, in almost all container file formats. 1080p videos play smoothly, at full framerate, without jitter, and in perfect sync with audio (this includes files with AC3 or DTS audio). Great work; truly amazing.

[Zoltan Godo]

Hi,

I'm new to Cubie, got it yesterday... I've installed the 2.2 with XBMC - no problem...

I have issues playing movies though. My movies are on a HDD connected to my ASUS router... copying, moving files to and from over the network is really fast 18-20Mbyte/sec. Using XBMC to play movies (.mkv 720p/1080p), picture/sound lags. Also attempted to play movies with latest BS Player, can't seem to have HW accel. working... Also did the changes/updates as per above, same issue; very low performing video playback...

Any suggestions?

[James Clements]

Hi

I have noticed some issues with playing files from network sources. Please test the same file(s) from a local disk (i.e. a USB flash drive or similar).

The only player that reliably "plays all formats" with hardware acceleration is "MX Player" (this is the player that XBMC uses). When playing your .mkv files etc. in MX Player, ensure you click on the "S/W" icon in the top right of the screen, and select "H/W decoder" (NOT "H/W+ decoder").

Let me know if that changes anything, please.

[Diogo Carvalho]

I can't use any google app in TV Box release 2.2 because it dont find any internet connection.

I have it connected via ethernet and the browser have internet connection.

What can I do?

[James Clements]

I've come across that same issue before; please verify all of your network settings in the Android Settings menu. Failing that you could try a Factory Reset, if no other changes help.

In the meantime you can manually transfer (via a USB flash drive if needed) the APK files from here (attached).

[James Clements]

Bug update:

• XBMC hangs on exit.

[wob krobtz]

Trying via SMB over LAN, doesn't seem to matter what quality the source file is (720p vs SD) it plays back very poorly (choppy audio, single frame of video every few seconds.  This is with 2.2, MX upgraded, DTS / neon codec downloaded.

Also the DLNA client in XBMC can see my PS3 Media Server but none of the directories/files it's presenting.

I'll give local playback a shot.

[Norbert Tuboly]

Hi!

Are you able to save to attached SATA drive with this img?

I'm trying to use a android torrent client but it only saves to usb flash drives.

Thank you!

Norbert

[James Clements]

Hi Norbert

Yes, SATA is mounted as RW, in this image.

-James.

[James Clements]

Bug update:

• Image corruption during flash video decoding. I.e. youtube playback.

[Mark Hutchings]

Hi all, I to have been using 2.2 and xbmc, I have been using cifs manager to mount my smb shares to cubie and point xbmc to them seems to work well, I can play all movies and audio, I only use stereo sound, I do get the odd problem, hang etc but quite usable.

[Adam Nock]

Ive been using it along with the Plex media client and wired ethernet connection. Could be smoother. Kids have been watching movies all week with no problem, and I even brought it to work and remote streamed some movies from my home Plex server with little issue (small amount of latency due to the network connection).

On Thursday, May 23, 2013 11:01:58 PM UTC+8, James Clements wrote:

[Ryan Elson]

Bug update:

• SD Card does not update without reload sometimes
• ES File Explorer can only view internal memory, doesn't seem to support EXTSD, USB HDD, or THUMBDRIVES.