OpenElec 7.0 for Beelink X2 H3

[PrivateFox]

This is an OpenElec 7.0 build for the Beelink X2 H3.
All credit(except compiling ) goes to swordfish6975 from the orange pi forums.
His GitHub:

https://github.com/jernejsk/OpenELEC-OPi2

Since the two devices are really similar, and thanks to his effort adding support for stuff that's specific to the Beelink, I was able to compile a version for the Beelink X2.

Image download:
link:

https://mega.nz/#F!QFtWEIqK!BKcSm-Zw3Ls4HfnOmxUpng

(in the link are a .img.gz file(for "installing" to a microsd card) & .tar[an update file, probably not needed since there is no previous version to upgrade from]).

Instructions:
Grab the .img.gz file and extract it somewhere.
Then, Use Etcher(https://www.etcher.io/) or win32diskimager to "install" the .img file you've just extracted to a microsd card.
Once you've done that, get the microsd into the Beelink, connect the power cable and press the power button to boot.

Issues:
It seems like Openelec is unable to resize the partition by itself, causing it to hang on 1st boot.
I solved it by doing the following:
1. let the device boot up for 2-3 min, then restart it by disconnecting and then reconnecting the power cable. the device will then boot normally in about a minute, but the 2nd partition(storage) will be too small.
2. Power off the device, then grab the microsd and connect it to a computer running a linux distro/gparted live cd/etc.
3. Open gparted, unmount the 2nd partition(will be around 31 mb in size) if needed, and then right click->check for problems. let the resizing finish properly, then disconnect the microsd and get it back into the Beelink, then connect the power cable and press the button to power it up normally and you're done.

Wifi, lan and display output up to 1080p/60fps seems to be working properly, however I couldn't manage to get it to output at 4k(Kodi refused to run and would crash immediately after the Openelec logo), So I would love to know if any of you manage to get 4k output to work.

[FreshYuk]

Just installed, and it seems to work like a charm! Tonight I'll test it with a couple of Halloween movies
Just some questions:
1. The IR is NOT supposed to work, right?
2. After I did the "check for problems" thing on gparted, the partition seemed to be resized, however, when I check on OpenELEC on the beelink, it still says 31M / Used 5.7 / 18% used. Did I do something wrong or will the partition adjust itself dynamically?
3. Do you have plans to switch to LibreELEC? The OpenELEC project appears to be dead and gone, and I believe LibreELEC + KODI Krypton will be available in a couple of months.
4. Do you think it will ever be possible to have a version to install over the original firmware/Android (no MicroSD)?

Thank you very much for your efforts, looks like we have a winner in the "Cheapest OpenELEC box" category!

[PrivateFox]

Just installed, and it seems to work like a charm! Tonight I'll test it with a couple of Halloween movies
Just some questions:
1. The IR is NOT supposed to work, right?
2. After I did the "check for problems" thing on gparted, the partition seemed to be resized, however, when I check on OpenELEC on the beelink, it still says 31M / Used 5.7 / 18% used. Did I do something wrong or will the partition adjust itself dynamically?
3. Do you have plans to switch to LibreELEC? The OpenELEC project appears to be dead and gone, and I believe LibreELEC + KODI Krypton will be available in a couple of months.
4. Do you think it will ever be possible to have a version to install over the original firmware/Android (no MicroSD)?

Thank you very much for your efforts, looks like we have a winner in the "Cheapest OpenELEC box" category!

Hi, the IR should work, it just doesn't have a correct profile set for the beelink remote.

http://www.microdev.it/wp/en/2016/07/01/remote-control-configuration-for-openelec-in-orange-pi-pc/

Follow this guide or any other guide to set up a lot profile for the remote. I'll probably try making one myself as well but seeing as I'm in uni I'm not sure when that's going to happen.

As for the space issue, the "check" option should've extended the partition. If it didn't, you can try using hearted to extend the partition all the way to the end of the available space, as long as you don't change the starting position of the partition it should work.

About libreelec, I mostly just used a ready codebase for compiling openelec. I can try porting libreelec myself, but then again I currently don't really have the time to do so. If I find a libreelec port for a h3 device that already exists, I'll probably try using it.

As for installing openelec directly on the internal storage, armbian succeeded in creating a script that does that, so it's possible, I just don't know enough to make one for openelec.

 

[kubetts]

Thanks for the guide. I have installed on sd card, resized and ir remote configured. Very fast

Inviato dal mio Redmi 3S utilizzando Tapatalk

[kubetts]

Will be interesting flash openelec on internal storage, replacing android system. Any chanches?

Inviato dal mio Redmi 3S utilizzando Tapatalk

[wotikar]

I have this remote but cannot get it to work. Lirc is receiving commands when i press a button on it but kodi doesn't work with it. Tried to upload the remote.conf for other boxes i have but no success. I also cant get the read only file system to read write mode. Anybody?

[kubetts]

Download last image for Beelink X2 from here http://down.nu/images/2016-10-26/
install to SD card, replace these files and reboot

[wotikar]

thanks man it is finally working!

[OCMan2k]

Download last image for Beelink X2 from here http://down.nu/images/2016-10-26/
install to SD card, replace these files and reboot

I don't understand where to put the files for the remote, in samba share I can't file any file to replace in the accessible forlders.... thanks for help

[fc321]

Excuse my ignorance but in what way is this superior to just the normal android with Kodi installed?

UPDATE: Well I stand corrected, this is quite amazing. Boots up really fast and I had a few videos that the normal Kodi 16.1 on the stock Beelink X2 would not be able to play and this OpenElec plays them with ease. I am very happy, I have my desktop running Ubuntu-Gnome-3 and am using Serviio to stream the media via DNLA to the Beelink X2 running this OpenElec. Works like a charm. I also used the Kodi add-on named Keymap-Editor to remap the #1 on my remote to pause the video without bringing up the OSD and then press it again to resume the video

[fc321]

I don't understand where to put the files for the remote, in samba share I can't file any file to replace in the accessible forlders.... thanks for help

You dont need to mess around with Samba or Putty,

After the second reboot and after you have fixed the 2nd partition with gParted (using Linux) you can just navigate inside the SD card to the partition that is 31GB (the larger partition and then click "show hidden files/folders) which is Cntrl + H if you are using linux. And then go inside the directory named .config and drag and drop the 2 Lirc files from the zip file above (from Post #7)

If you get a "cannot write to this folder" error than you have to launch the file explorer with elevated privileges "Sudo nautilus" or whatever the default file manager is for your Linux distro.

[scooter2014]

Download last image for Beelink X2 from here http://down.nu/images/2016-10-26/
install to SD card, replace these files and reboot

Its just kodi like superman though.... Better Faster hmmm wait thats bionicman able to leap boot in 5 seconds. I wont keep going. Faster then a speeding mullet. ok ill stop now....

[RISCy Dude]

Excuse my ignorance but in what way is this superior to just the normal android with Kodi installed?

No excuse necessary.
In a nut shell, OpenELEC/LibreELEC are open source JeOS(Just enoughOperatingSystem). Just enough operating system to support the running of Kodi. Not having Android and its various apps running frees up resources that can be dedicated to running Kodi. This can be very beneficial to low powered devices with limited resources(RAM,etc), such as ARM(RISC) powered devices like our TV boxes.

[fc321]

Is it safe to update this OTA? I am getting notification of updates available but wondering if the update is configured for our Beelink X2 since this is a ported version? Someone please confirm if they have safely accepted the OTA update in OpenElec

[kubetts]

Yes, It is safe. Tried by me