[ROM] Mecool M8S PRO+ TVStock Nexus ROM (Android TV 7.1)

[Guest]

WARNING: There's a bad batch of M8S Pro+ boxes which are experiencing regular freezing and crashes. We've narrowed the source of the problem down to a Samsung eMMC 5.1 chipset (KLMAG1JENB - B041), batches SEC 652 to 713, and these usually shipped from the factory with version 20170829.121614.V0321 of the OEM firmware. If you have one of these, it's highly recommended that you not flash any ROM (custom or OEM), as the prolonged block writes seem to result in serious data corruption.

Also, this custom ROM is for the original M8S PRO+ with the Amlogic S905X SoC (p212 reference board), not versions now sold with the S905W (p281 reference board). The new hardware revision is just a rebranded M8S PRO W.

In the spirit of the Pure Nexus Project, these TVStock Nexus ROMs deliver the pure Android TV experience using the Open GApps TVStock Package. The goal is to keep true to Google's vision and use the bare minimum of OEM or third-party apps or add-ons, which can be added ?* la carte by the user as needed, just as I've done with the Stock and Nano variants. I believe these ROMs are stable enough for general use, but don't be surprised if some features from the Nexus Player or NVIDIA Shield TV aren't fully implemented. This device does claim Widevine Level 1 certification, and so you should see fewer DRM issues than on others.

Important Note: Please use my affiliate link so that GearBest continues to send me sample hardware: MECOOL M8S PRO+ Android TV Box

TVStock variant includes:

• Open GApps TVStock Package
• Open GApps Nano Package
• Google Chrome Browser (replaces stock/AOSP Browser)
• App Drawer 1.0 from CyanogenMod/LineageOS
• Terminal app from LineageOS
• TWRP Recovery 3.2.3-0 by TeamWin

Changelog (20190213):

• Wake from sleep will no longer result in a restart. This was fixed in the underlying OEM firmware.
• Developer Options now visible by default in Settings.
• Updated to latest M8S Pro+ OEM firmware (20180806.102424.V0213)
• Updated to TWRP Recovery 3.2.3-0 using omni-twrp-8.1 branch and latest OEM kernel
• Latest build from Open GApps (20190209)

Changelog (20180706):

• Updated to latest M8S Pro+ OEM firmware (20171208.183013.V0928)
• Updated to TWRP Recovery 3.2.2-0 using latest OEM kernel
• By popular demand, included OEM Miracast app
• Latest build from Open GApps (20180706)

Changelog (20171216):

• Updated to latest M8S Pro+ OEM firmware (20171128.111200.V0928)
• Updated to TWRP Recovery 3.2.1-0 using latest OEM kernel
• Latest build from Open GApps (20171216)

Changelog (20171210):

• Added local update and backup option from Settings->About->System update based on Amlogic stock OTAUpgrade app.
• Added additional options (Reboot & Sleep) to global action menu that displays when you press and hold the Power button.
• Resolved permissions issue with legacy Android TV Remote service, the one that works without Bluetooth.
• Latest build from Open GApps (20171210)

Changelog (20171001):

• Finally compiled a build of TWRP recovery that works with the new V0619 kernel
• Added support for all HID devices (e.g. remotes, gamepads, etc.) on latest Nougat firmware for Nexus Player, NVIDIA Shield TV & Xiamoi Mi Box

Changelog (20170930):

• Updated to latest M8S Pro+ OEM firmware (20170919.150557.V0619)
• Reverted to stock OEM recovery, due to new Android Verified Boot checks
• Underlying OEM firmware fixed the Action Bar bug in Android TV
• Underlying OEM firmware fixed the More Settings crash in Android TV
• Underlying OEM firmware updated to Android TV 7.1.2r11 (NHG47L)
• Reverted to older Android TV Remote service that works with no Bluetooth
• The Terminal app now shows only when enabled in Developer Options
• Restored default settings (e.g. animation scale, sound effects) from Nexus Player
• Latest build from Open GApps (20170930)

Changelog (20170825):

• Updated to latest M8S Pro+ OEM firmware (20170815.182813.V0321)
• Underlying OEM firmware is now pre-rooted, and so ours is too
• Replaced Jack Palevich's Terminal Emulator with Terminal app from LineageOS, tweaking manifest so that it always shows in launcher
• Included additional keyboard layouts and kernel modules for USB gamepads
• Included full Amlogic burn packages as well as OTA updates
• Latest build from Open GApps (20170825)

Changelog (20170727):

• Mecool M8S PRO+ V0321 OEM build (20170715) stripped to Android stock bits and the latest Open GApps
• Nexus splash logo with stock Android boot animation

Known Bugs:

• Google Cast service broadcasts and is discoverable from mobile devices, but quits unexpectedly unless connected through Chrome.

Download:

• TVStock Variant: BURN PACKAGE (1.03GB IMG file), OTA UPDATE (568MB ZIP file)
• Flash burn package with Amlogic USB Burning Tool v2.0.8 or BootcardMaker v2.0.0.2

Notes:

• The updater is signed, and so can be installed in the Update app, the stock recovery, or TWRP. It's designed for incremental updates, since user data is preserved. If you're installing for the first time, you should include a data wipe.
• The safest bet is always to install the full Amlogic burn package with USB Burning Tool, but DO NOT CHECK OVERWRITE KEY!
• If the BootcardMaker finishes successfully but the box won't boot, try changing the .img file name to something short like update.img and create the card again.
• Flash ROMs at your own risk and always remember to back up your data first. The burn package includes a factory reset.

Credits:

• Maarten Fonville at Open GApps
• LineageOS
• TeamWin
• Pure Nexus Project

Donations:

• Your support is always appreciated! Just click here.

[ElGato]

Woo Hoo

[Zahir]

Wow..Fast work.

[ElGato]

Love the ATV interface. Is there anyway of making the TV App load KODI instead of the custom version?

What custom version? You just download KODI from the Google Play store, just like on the Nexus Player or NVIDIA Shield TV.

[khanhsac]

Ask me: This Rom for S912 or S905X?

This one's for the M8S Pro+, which is S905X. However, I've also got these for the M8S Pro, which is S912.

[lambass]

Rom for aml s905x, wifi 9082c - 2,4GHz, no bluetooth. T95n up rom ok!. Thanks u for share , fast work

[mp3janek]

Does netflix work, resolution?

[ElGato]

Love the ATV interface. Is there anyway of making the TV App load KODI instead of the custom version?

Actually, I got a little confused with the default MECOOL homepage, of course the 'TV App' doesn't show if it's not installed in ATV, so can just installed KODI.

[khanhsac]

I need the img file, Could you please me?

We don't have one yet from the OEM. See notes.

[kodiwpigulce_pl]

Thanks! Perfect ROM! Netflix is running in 1080p.

[longnt]

Great rom! Working with my T95N 2GB/8GB and 9082C wifi too. Thank you for hard work.

[Damac10]

Another great rom.. Thanks a million 

[manu_manu4]

Thanks a lot.
I'm at work.
Download it.and test it when i return to home.
Great job.

[sweetnonso]

Hello Magendanz, theoretically speaking, will this rom work on mini m8s ii (S905X) please?

[Guest]

Hello Magendanz, theoretically speaking, will this rom work on mini m8s ii (S905X) please?

It's possible, but some modifications to the kernel and device tree may be necessary. I also don't know anyone who can modify bootloaders (since none of us have access yet to the Amlogic SDK 7.1), and so you'd have to get lucky and have that work as is.