General AML S802 Device release discussions

[rlaursen]

M8 hardware decoding not working with addons in xbmc

Just got this box after using an MX2 for a while but that box was just too slow for the skin i wanted to run. Its fast but a major problem with it is that the hardware decoding does not work in xbmc when trying to view any video from mashup and other addons. It only works when disabling the amcodec in xbmc settings but then it uses software decoding and the video is way too choppy. I read that this new amlogic chip doesnt support H.264/H.265 video format hardware decoding which is the format mashup and other addons use(i think) If it doesn't support it, is this something that can be fixed through firmware or am I just SOL and it can't be fixed? It really makes no sense for them to release a box based off the MX2 that cant support the same video formats that the other one did. Please let me know if I have to return this box or not.

[noderat]

Re: EM8 Amlogic S802 quad core 2Ghz + Octa core Mali 450: FIRST PRICE INFO!

Just got this box after using an MX2 for a while but that box was just too slow for the skin i wanted to run. Its fast but a major problem with it is that the hardware decoding does not work in xbmc when trying to view any video from mashup and other addons. It only works when disabling the amcodec in xbmc settings but then it uses software decoding and the video is way too choppy. I read that this new amlogic chip doesnt support H.264/H.265 video format hardware decoding which is the format mashup and other addons use(i think) If it doesn't support it, is this something that can be fixed through firmware or am I just SOL and it can't be fixed? It really makes no sense for them to release a box based off the MX2 that cant support the same video formats that the other one did. Please let me know if I have to return this box or not.

I can confirm am-h264 decoder in xbmc does work (audio offset issues aside) and you can still use mediacodec and libstagefright before going software decoding.

Oh and mashup is h.264 encoded videos, nothing special about them. What exact box are you using? This thread is poorly labeled as its more of a general s802 discussion.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[rlaursen]

I can confirm am-h264 decoder in xbmc does work (audio offset issues aside) and you can still use mediacodec and libstagefright before going software decoding.

Oh and mashup is h.264 encoded videos, nothing special about them. What exact box are you using? This thread is poorly labeled as its more of a general s802 discussion.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

I bought the one below and it says it supports H.264 decoding but in xbmc is a different story. If I try to play a video with just Media codec enabled my xbmc crashes everytime. I can play videos with just libstagefright decoder enabled by itself but the video is too choppy and seems the same as when I enable software decoding. If I enable amcodec, libstagefright, mediacodec or amcodec by itself then every video is blank but the sound plays fine. I've tried xbmc 13 beta 1 and 2 and also tried the Gbox xbmc 12 but same problem.

http://www.hkhanlin.en.alibaba.com/product/1687881174-221075007/XBMC_13_0_Version_Android_TV_box_Amlogic_8726_M8_S802_2_0GHz_2GB_RAM_8GB_amlogic_quad_core_tv_box.html

[noderat]

That's strange, I would try flashing the Tronsmart Vega 16gb ROM but you may want to get a second opinion first as I'm not sure if it would brick (doubt it as bootloader seems reliable)

Edit: Download the xbmc that finless just posted and try that build before you do anything else.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[rlaursen]

That's strange, I would try flashing the Tronsmart Vega 16gb ROM but you may want to get a second opinion first as I'm not sure if it would brick (doubt it as bootloader seems reliable)

Edit: Download the xbmc that finless just posted and try that build before you do anything else.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Are you sure this would be ok? I mean they are similar devices but i'm afraid some things might not work like wifi and stuff and from what I read there are 3 different s802 chip versions and we dont know whats in each box. Anybody else have an opinion about whether its safe to flash it or not?

[noderat]

You have a s802. The others have not been released from AML yet for public consumption. Try the xbmc build finless just posted and see if that fixes your playback issues.

Sent from my Nexus7, apologies for any typos.

[Finless]

I have renamed this thread to be more on topic.

Bob

[rlaursen]

You have a s802. The others have not been released from AML yet for public consumption. Try the xbmc build finless just posted and see if that fixes your playback issues.

Sent from my Nexus7, apologies for any typos.

Ok so finless xbmc didn't make any difference.. so I tried to flash with his tronsmart rom and now when I boot up it shows the first amlogic quad core logo and then stays on a black slighty flickering screen. At first I tried to update using the toothpick method by holding down the hidden AV reset button but nothing was happening, it would just show the first logo and go to the black flickering screen. I re-read the read me and updated through the updater app which recognized the firmware and rebooted my box. It showed the first logo and stayed at the slightly flickering black screen. I tried using toothpick method again and it stays at this black screen no matter what I do. I tried 10 times and held the button for over a minute. The screen is on and getting a signal but its just black.. I cant get to the usual recovery screen no matter what I try. Now I cant even bootup anymore and cant get to the recovery screen to reflash the stock rom.

[noderat]

Re: General AML S802 Device release discussions

Ok so finless xbmc didn't make any difference.. so I tried to flash with his tronsmart rom and now when I boot up it shows the first amlogic quad core logo and then stays on a black slighty flickering screen. At first I tried to update using the toothpick method by holding down the hidden AV reset button but nothing was happening, it would just show the first logo and go to the black flickering screen. I re-read the read me and updated through the updater app which recognized the firmware and rebooted my box. It showed the first logo and stayed at the slightly flickering black screen. I tried using toothpick method again and it stays at this black screen no matter what I do. I tried 10 times and held the button for over a minute. The screen is on and getting a signal but its just black.. I cant get to the usual recovery screen no matter what I try. Now I cant even bootup anymore and cant get to the recovery screen to reflash the stock rom.

Try a different USB cable. Then do it again but disconnect anything nonessential. That means HDMI you don't need video to flash.

Sent from my mobile device. Please excuse any typos.

[rlaursen]

Try a different USB cable. Then do it again but disconnect anything nonessential. That means HDMI you don't need video to flash.

Sent from my mobile device. Please excuse any typos.

tried it with just the power cord and still nothing. If I can't get to recovery screen then I am pretty much screwed aren't I? This also means it never had recovery boot options because i was never able to get to it even before updating right? Btw, there is no micro-usb port to connect a laptop to it to flash. Any other suggestions before I try to return it?

[noderat]

Not recovery, you want the bootloader. There is no visual for the bootloader.

Sent from my mobile device. Please excuse any typos.

[dave220]

XBMC for OUYA

Hi,

I can get very good video playing with the XBMC for OUYA 12.3.2 . I looked up the Fire tv forum in xbmc forum. They have got XBMC for Ouya, SPMC and a test build for Gotham working nicely. I tried the "XBMC for Ouya" and it is working nicely till now. I will test more and let you know.

[Dyoung]

Just got one of the square M8 units in. Too late tonight to try anything but I'm not interested in xbmc etc, just running a game engine Will post with any interesting tidbits vs my favorite gk525 units

[noderat]

Re: General AML S802 Device release discussions

Hi,

I can get very good video playing with the XBMC for OUYA 12.3.2 . I looked up the Fire tv forum in xbmc forum. They have got XBMC for Ouya, SPMC and a test build for Gotham working nicely. I tried the "XBMC for Ouya" and it is working nicely till now. I will test more and let you know.

You don't need SPMC or it's previous XBMC for Ouya name. Those AFAIK do not have am-h265 decoder built in. These AMLogic SoCs are DIRECTLY supported by the xbmc team. Use the XBMC finless posted (14.0alpha1 which is really just a relabeled nightly with tweaks for our hardware) or latest Gotham for the best decoding possible.

Sent from my mobile device. Please excuse any typos.

[nutzu]

Hi,

I can get very good video playing with the XBMC for OUYA 12.3.2 . I looked up the Fire tv forum in xbmc forum. They have got XBMC for Ouya, SPMC and a test build for Gotham working nicely. I tried the "XBMC for Ouya" and it is working nicely till now. I will test more and let you know.

mine pays ok with the one that Finless pot it but I will try the OUYA too.