CS918 - help to find the right Firmware, Kernel vyx_cs918 v2_1

[Creaturebis]

I have exactly all the problems you had, but my PCB is 2.1. I've installed all the FWs and have a decent playback, but they turn off after a couple of minutes when using XBMC.

Do you have any tip for me? Will your fw work for me?

I had just the same problem: mediaplayer was shutting down after several minutes of use. I correctly understood, it meant? I didn't experiment with installation of custom FWs, but after updating on the fresh version of a stock FW - cyxtech_cs918_8723_box_140731_8G2G my problems disappeared! Therefore I started changing it under myself. Do you try to flash cyxtech_cs918_8723_box_140731_8G2G, or my image? I definitely don't know, how boards with versions 2.1 and 2.3 differs, except color (probably, size of a RAM? I have 1Gb). Nevertheless on 2.1 my build it is set normally.

Thank you for your time to make stock firmware usable. I have problem with it, after I updated device with your firmware, there is no root option. Yes, i have supersu, but it ask for update binary and after I select ing normal update, it shows installation failed, so...

Sorry, in my previous message I, unfortunately, didn't mention that after the first loading of system it is necessary to wait about 5 minutes while all applications are successfully initialized. After that root-access works normally, or after reboot.
I wouldn't advise to use Kingo. Itself I tried - works normally, but this program doesn't show process of executed actions, and frankly speaking, I therefore don't trust it. After use of this program in system there can be a worm or backdoor. Probably, I in vain worry, but it is better to do everything by yourself, for example, through ADB Shell.

[Deivs]

You have to root your device with
http://www.kingoapp.com/

Thank You. Upgrading to kk4.4 [cyxtech_rk31_cs918_8723au_4.4_140802_8G2G], stock xmbc work well with 720p, 1080p file with 14 mbit/s data stream has a little stuttering, all other players play it ok. Device with new firmware works better, I think it works faster, no observed devices heating, rooted with kingo root [thanx mo123 ]. Happy with it.

p.s. When I opened case and searching for mobo version, i remove that dark thing from rockchip and charge it with radiator from pc memory chip.

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/681x383q90/540/Y9jjRC.jpg

[davy39]

Upgrading to kk4.4 [cyxtech_rk31_cs918_8723au_4.4_140802_8G2G]

Great ! Thanks Deivs for sharing this information.I haven't noticed that there were KK firmwares for our boards.
I've just downloaded it from baidu and I've uploaded it in mega. -> Click here
Now, I'm gonna play with it and will soon share my first impressions with you.


Edit: Yes ! This rom is working very well. I installed last version of SPMC and FullHD is playing very well without need to overclock the kernel !
Actually it is working so well that I think I'm gonna keep this KK android on my board for multimedia uses and I'll try chroot linux for my server needs.

Edit2 : I'm having some difficulties to exit SPMC. However, WasserXBMC 1.3 works fine.

Edit3 : Both official builds Gotham13.2, Kodi14Alpha2 and Kodi14Nighly are not working properly... So thanks again to Wasser for his WasserXBMC1.3 which is working great with this stock KK rom.

Happy testings !

[wjofre]

I had just the same problem: mediaplayer was shutting down after several minutes of use. I correctly understood, it meant? I didn't experiment with installation of custom FWs, but after updating on the fresh version of a stock FW - cyxtech_cs918_8723_box_140731_8G2G my problems disappeared! Therefore I started changing it under myself. Do you try to flash cyxtech_cs918_8723_box_140731_8G2G, or my image? I definitely don't know, how boards with versions 2.1 and 2.3 differs, except color (probably, size of a RAM? I have 1Gb). Nevertheless on 2.1 my build it is set normally.

Hi, I was trying to download your version but the file apparently was deleted. I'm downloading the updated stock as we speak. I'll edit and post my impressions.

EDIT: Well, didn't worked, the box keeps turning off due the overheat.

[davy39]

Well, didn't worked, the box keeps turning off due the overheat.

@Wjofre : Are you talking about cyxtech_rk31_cs918_8723au_4.4_140802_8G2G ?
I've 2.1 board as well and didn't notice any overheat problem. Actually it is even cooler than with other roms.
Neverless, I've equiped my board's CPU, GPU and RAM with heatsink...
Could you share a DMSG to see if somethink looks wrong ?

[wjofre]

@Wjofre : Are you talking about cyxtech_rk31_cs918_8723au_4.4_140802_8G2G ?
I've 2.1 board as well and didn't notice any overheat problem. Actually it is even cooler than with other roms.
Neverless, I've equiped my board's CPU, GPU and RAM with heatsink...
Could you share a DMSG to see if somethink looks wrong ?

My device came without heatsink, it's probably that.

And yeah, I used Creaturebis FW and and that 4.4 firmware you posted, but both won't solve the problem and still persists, the TV box turns off while using heavy apps or updating more than 2 apps in playstore, it's annoying.

This is my PCB, btw:

[SimonT]

Overheating

[QUOTE=wjofre;219328

EDIT: Well, didn't worked, the box keeps turning off due the overheat.[/QUOTE]

There is some talk that these T chips are from the reject pile and thus need to run at slower clock speed.
You probably got one that is not going to run at higher clock speeds without problems.

The box is not well ventilated. If you live in Columbia you will probably get more overheating issues than some of us in colder climates.

If you leave the lid off and have a desktop fan blowing on it does it still overheat ??

If the answer is no, then adding heat-sinks and drilling holes in the case might help. A cheap 5V CPU fan would probably fit in the case if that is not enough.

I also removed the plastic cover off the IR receiver. Adds a bit more ventilation and makes the remote MUCH more responsive.

[Deivs]

My device came without heatsink, it's probably that.

And yeah, I used Creaturebis FW and and that 4.4 firmware you posted, but both won't solve the problem and still persists, the TV box turns off while using heavy apps or updating more than 2 apps in playstore, it's annoying.

Yes, I have the same problem. My devices overheating is not so often as yours, but if I use XBMC for half hour watching fullhd movie it sometimes turning off with no power button led light. I have small radiator on chip, but its not resolve overheating. With case opened no overheating problem, sadly.

Adding more radiators:

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1160x653q90/537/lIDFI5.jpg

Testing on XMBC...2 hours without problems

[SimonT]

I have a blue 2.3 revision Board with the slower T chip and still looking for a stable ROM with smooth 1080P Playback and Skype Webcam support.

the posted 4.4 firmware is promising but app support is limited. Anyone know how to roll back from 4.4 to 4.2 as I understand you can brick if done wrong??


1, The Q7_Firmware_By_lewy20041 gave error and would not Flash. I don't know why.


2, Thanks to Creaturebis for his mods of the stock rom.

After installing his modded cyxtech_cs918_8723_box_140731_8G2G

RAM showing as <1GB available.

The AnTuTu benchmark is similar to stock, but GPU and 3D Video is a bit faster 8fps rather than 6fps on stock

XBMC is better than stock but still skipping frames juddering on some 1080p files.

Archos Video player is better and close to smooth.

Skype runs but does not accept my Logitec C270 Webcam



3, Decided to try 4.4 Kitkat stock to see if it fixed video and Webcam.

Installed cyxtech_rk31_cs918_8723au_4.4_140802_8G2G


The Good : I now seem to have 2GB RAM available ?? 1.3GB remaining running XBMC

Video driver in Kitkat appears faster 10fps in 3D but has bugs with some apps.

The 13.1 xbmc installed is smooth, best yet. However Audio and Subtitles are out of sync.
Tried 13.2 and later builds of XBMC but get black screen as the GPU support is broken.

Archos video player shows flashing green garbage at bottom of screen even when using mx player

Skype Force closes when trying to make a video call.

Anyone know of specific app versions that work better in 4.4 ??

[wjofre]

I have a blue 2.3 revision Board with the slower T chip and still looking for a stable ROM with smooth 1080P Playback and Skype Webcam support.

the posted 4.4 firmware is promising but app support is limited. Anyone know how to roll back from 4.4 to 4.2 as I understand you can brick if done wrong??


1, The Q7_Firmware_By_lewy20041 gave error and would not Flash. I don't know why.


2, Thanks to Creaturebis for his mods of the stock rom.

After installing his modded cyxtech_cs918_8723_box_140731_8G2G

RAM showing as <1GB available.

The AnTuTu benchmark is similar to stock, but GPU and 3D Video is a bit faster 8fps rather than 6fps on stock

XBMC is better than stock but still skipping frames juddering on some 1080p files.

Archos Video player is better and close to smooth.

Skype runs but does not accept my Logitec C270 Webcam



3, Decided to try 4.4 Kitkat stock to see if it fixed video and Webcam.

Installed cyxtech_rk31_cs918_8723au_4.4_140802_8G2G


The Good : I now seem to have 2GB RAM available ?? 1.3GB remaining running XBMC

Video driver in Kitkat appears faster 10fps in 3D but has bugs with some apps.

The 13.1 xbmc installed is smooth, best yet. However Audio and Subtitles are out of sync.
Tried 13.2 and later builds of XBMC but get black screen as the GPU support is broken.

Archos video player shows flashing green garbage at bottom of screen even when using mx player

Skype Force closes when trying to make a video call.

Anyone know of specific app versions that work better in 4.4 ??

I think you can roll back to 4.2 after wiping the NAND with Finless tools, but I'm not 100% sure.

@Deivs you sure overheating problem disappeared after removing the case? Never tried that.

[Deivs]

@Deivs you sure overheating problem disappeared after removing the case? Never tried that.

Yes, and after I upgrade with more radiators and with closed case, XBMC working ok! It was clearly overheating problem and seems to be solved with more radiators.

[davy39]

Re : CS918 - help to find the right Firmware, Kernel vyx_cs918 v2_1

I have a blue 2.3 revision Board with the slower T chip and still looking for a stable ROM with smooth 1080P Playback and Skype Webcam support.

the posted 4.4 firmware is promising but app support is limited. Anyone know how to roll back from 4.4 to 4.2 as I understand you can brick if done wrong??


1, The Q7_Firmware_By_lewy20041 gave error and would not Flash. I don't know why.


2, Thanks to Creaturebis for his mods of the stock rom.

After installing his modded cyxtech_cs918_8723_box_140731_8G2G

RAM showing as <1GB available.

The AnTuTu benchmark is similar to stock, but GPU and 3D Video is a bit faster 8fps rather than 6fps on stock

XBMC is better than stock but still skipping frames juddering on some 1080p files.

Archos Video player is better and close to smooth.

Skype runs but does not accept my Logitec C270 Webcam



3, Decided to try 4.4 Kitkat stock to see if it fixed video and Webcam.

Installed cyxtech_rk31_cs918_8723au_4.4_140802_8G2G


The Good : I now seem to have 2GB RAM available ?? 1.3GB remaining running XBMC

Video driver in Kitkat appears faster 10fps in 3D but has bugs with some apps.

The 13.1 xbmc installed is smooth, best yet. However Audio and Subtitles are out of sync.
Tried 13.2 and later builds of XBMC but get black screen as the GPU support is broken.

Archos video player shows flashing green garbage at bottom of screen even when using mx player

Skype Force closes when trying to make a video call.

Anyone know of specific app versions that work better in 4.4 ??

Hi, as I said before, the only xbmc working well for me with this 4.4 stock rom is waseer xbmc 1.3.
What do you mean by app support is limited ?

[SimonT]

App support for 4.4.2

Hi, as I said before, the only xbmc working well for me with this 4.4 stock rom is waseer xbmc 1.3.
What do you mean by app support is limited ?

I missed your previous link for the Wasser 1.3 XBMC. Thank you !

I installed Wasser and works great on 4.4, no audio sync problems.

The default 13.1 XBMC works for me with .325 seconds advance on Audio timing.
Strange difference is it shows 3x the FPS speed compared to Wasser, an average 75 FPS which I think makes for slightly smoother display if its accurate.

I will continue to use both to see which I like the most.


By "app support is limited" I mean more apps crash or have problems on 4.4 vs 4.2

eg: Latest Skype 5.0 crashes and "Archos video player" has display problems.

I did find an old version of Skype which runs reliably on 4.4 but the Webcam support is still not quite working.

http://minix.com.hk/downfile/Skype3.2.apk

[Deivs]

Hi guys. Please help if u know where is it problem. I flashed several firmwares, the last and working was Q7_Firmware_By_lewy20041. But there i noticed in cpu-z, my ram is only 885 MB! I take RKdeveloper tools and erasing IDB...Of course, my device was bricked, no other firmware can install because I have idb error on rkbatch tool. The square was green, but after pressing button restore there was idb error. Ok next I entered mask rom [short pin 8,9]and installed cyxtech_cs918_8723_box_140731_8G2G. Everything work ok, but I lost half of ram!!!Please help, how to receive my lost ram
Log2014-08-27.txt

[mo123]

Hi guys. Please help if u know where is it problem. I flashed several firmwares, the last and working was Q7_Firmware_By_lewy20041. But there i noticed in cpu-z, my ram is only 885 MB! I take RKdeveloper tools and erasing IDB...Of course, my device was bricked, no other firmware can install because I have idb error on rkbatch tool. The square was green, but after pressing button restore there was idb error. Ok next I entered mask rom [short pin 8,9]and installed cyxtech_cs918_8723_box_140731_8G2G. Everything work ok, but I lost half of ram!!!Please help, how to receive my lost ram
[ATTACH=CONFIG]7692[/ATTACH]

You have a 'fake' device with only 1GB of RAM advertised as 2GB.
Lots of the TV Boxes are like that, it's faked in the stock ROM by the manufacturer and as soon as you flash a custom ROM the manufacturer's modifications are lost.