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All about Pipo X5 dongle (mod, FW, BUGs)

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    All about Pipo X5 dongle (mod, FW, BUGs)

    Hi all,

    after about 1 month struggling with my Pipo X5 now I have some insteresting information I would like to share with you all:

    First of all, here is the current ROM, preinstalled on all the X5 dongle untill now (if someone would like to try to mod it...):

    Even if it is FULL of bugs, it is useful because there are some BIG issues that can lead to a complete lock of the the dongle. The only way to restore the "correct" working is to flash the stock rom again!

    To flash the rom:

    keep the dongle button pressed
    connect the dongle to the PC USB
    open the stock flashtool (BatchTool_v1.7)
    It will show the square in green
    select the rom and flash it

    here is X5 user manual:


    KNOWN ISSUES IN MIRACAST MODE:
    At the moment I can say that is working well with a Samsung S4 and Pipo M6pro with Jelly bean.
    It is NOT working with: M6pro Kitkat, M8HD kitkat because as soon as the tablet try to connect to the dongle the tablet will reboot. This is an issue of the KITKAT release of our tablet (as far as I know not of the DONGLE).

    I read that it is working with the latest Kitkat release of M9pro and M8pro.
    I don't know if it is working with other tablets.

    Anna says that NOTHING is foreseen to fix this problem for our tablet! I can suggest all of you that still have problems with miracast to ASK PIPO ([email protected]) for a Firmware upgrade of the tablet.

    KNOWN ISSUES IN DLNA MODE:
    This mode is interesting because it is able to "transform" a normal TV in a almost smart TV. The problem here is that Pipo X5 firmware is a complete DISASTER:

    To connect the dongle to the router your wireless connection NEED to be visible (it is completely impossible to connect to network that are not sending the SSID).

    It is mandatory that the password of your internet connection DO NOT have special characters like "%" or "&" and so on, otherwise it is IMPOSSIBLE to connect.

    To change the stock password of the "direct" connection to the dongle (stock PW is 12345678) you need to pay attention because with some password (I was't able to understand the algorithm) you will completely lock the dongle and the only way to restore normal working is to flash the stock rom again.

    With these issues Pipo X5 in DLNA mode force you to make your internet connection unsafe!

    To use in DLNA mode Pipo X5 it is necessary to install a DLNA server, I installed on my M6pro the APP BubbleUPNP, it is working (more or less) but I need to control (play, stop, rewind, pause) via the browser of the dongle, because the controls of BubbleUPNP are too slow.
    Furthermore the start of playback is very slow (a couple of minutes or even more...).


    PROBLEMS WITH WI-FI COVERAGE:
    I experienced problems with wi-fi coverage (X5 didn't detect my wireless connection at all from a distance of 2-3 meters far from the router).
    This is due to the soldering of the coaxial cable inside the dongle (short circuited, due to the very bad quality of the cable).
    It can be easily fixed:

    - Open the dongle
    - unsolder the coaxial cable from the motherboard
    - unsolder the coaxial cable from the antenna (the black tape)
    - place and solder another pair of cables (it is not necessary to use a coax cable, also a couple of unshielded cable are ok, it is important to place the cable not too close to each other)

    Here are some pictures (I built a new antenna, but the solderings you need to perform on stock one are practically the same).

    Click image for larger version

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    if you want to build the same antenna of the pictures here is the instructions:


    Hoping in the meantime that Pipo will fix the issues of our Tablets and dongle...good job!

    UPDATES:
    EXPERIENCES ON CROSSFLASHING:


    Tested with Mocreo M1 firmware (rel 3.0) -> seems exactly the same BAD firmware of X5
    Tested with Freelander A20 firmware -> this firmware is an older version of the one installed on Pipo X5, and is bad as X5 stock ROM...

    LAST:
    I didn't use X5 dongle for a while, and now, It is not working anymore, and it is not recognized by the PC too (error "code 43").

    I'm totally disappointed about this device...and about Pipo support...I will not buy Pipo anymore for sure. These have crappy Hardware and superbugged SW....
    Last edited by giouncino; 23 June 2014, 19:48.
    if you appreciate my efforts this is the link for any donation:
    https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/websc...NonHostedGuest

    #2
    Excellent write-up!

    Thanks for the review! I'm glad I got the X2 and not this "boon-dongle." Hope you get it working better.
    Currently Inactive on Freaktab.com
    I use: MK903V | MELE F10 Deluxe | Roku 3600R
    RIP: MK808b | MK809III | PIPO M9 Pro

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by budgetgeek View Post
      Thanks for the review! I'm glad I got the X2 and not this "boon-dongle." Hope you get it working better.
      But if you read well there is no space to be happy, both tablets and dongle have problems.
      ALL are products of Pipo...
      if you appreciate my efforts this is the link for any donation:
      https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/websc...NonHostedGuest

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by giouncino View Post
        But if you read well there is no space to be happy, both tablets and dongle have problems.
        ALL are products of Pipo...
        I think these are actually Rockchip devices which are branded by PiPO to make them their own. The manual suggests as much. The firmware for the X2 can be replaced with firmware for MK809 or MK802. I bet there is another stick available that you can flash a firmware from and make the X5 work better.
        Currently Inactive on Freaktab.com
        I use: MK903V | MELE F10 Deluxe | Roku 3600R
        RIP: MK808b | MK809III | PIPO M9 Pro

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by budgetgeek View Post
          I think these are actually Rockchip devices which are branded by PiPO to make them their own. The manual suggests as much. The firmware for the X2 can be replaced with firmware for MK809 or MK802. I bet there is another stick available that you can flash a firmware from and make the X5 work better.
          it could be REALLY interesting to find which FW I can crossflash!!!!
          if you appreciate my efforts this is the link for any donation:
          https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/websc...NonHostedGuest

          Comment


            #6
            Thanks for these informations

            Comment


              #7
              "mocreo M1" seems to have the same HW, I will probably make the experiment of crossflashing...
              if you appreciate my efforts this is the link for any donation:
              https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/websc...NonHostedGuest

              Comment


                #8
                Way ahead of you!

                Originally posted by giouncino View Post
                it could be REALLY interesting to find which FW I can crossflash!!!!
                I am looking for firmware for you now...

                Found this article: http://minipute.com/2013/07/18/10-ro...8-soc-cpu/2328

                My first stop was Tronsmart T1000 but that will not work. Try the Mocreo M1: http://www.cnx-software.com/2013/08/...ilable-for-26/
                Currently Inactive on Freaktab.com
                I use: MK903V | MELE F10 Deluxe | Roku 3600R
                RIP: MK808b | MK809III | PIPO M9 Pro

                Comment


                  #9
                  Maybe this?

                  Currently Inactive on Freaktab.com
                  I use: MK903V | MELE F10 Deluxe | Roku 3600R
                  RIP: MK808b | MK809III | PIPO M9 Pro

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Does it use the Realtek 8188 wifi? EDIT: I SEE IN THE PICTURES THAT IT DOES.

                    Last edited by budgetgeek; 10 June 2014, 21:39. Reason: ZOOOOM IN.
                    Currently Inactive on Freaktab.com
                    I use: MK903V | MELE F10 Deluxe | Roku 3600R
                    RIP: MK808b | MK809III | PIPO M9 Pro

                    Comment


                      #11
                      I tried flashing mocreo m1 firmware....
                      It is exactly the same crappy firmware of our X5.
                      if you appreciate my efforts this is the link for any donation:
                      https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/websc...NonHostedGuest

                      Comment


                        #12
                        I finally installed original wifi antenna of X5 inside my m6pro replacing the m6pro one with INCREDIBLE RESULTS!!!
                        Now m6pro wifi coverage is almost TWICE wrt original antenna!!!
                        I'm really impressed!!!
                        if you appreciate my efforts this is the link for any donation:
                        https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/websc...NonHostedGuest

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Streaming from Windows?

                          Is it possible to stream to the X5 from Windows 7 / 8.1 using DLNA?

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by lazorne View Post
                            Is it possible to stream to the X5 from Windows 7 / 8.1 using DLNA?
                            Yes, but with the above mentioned network limitations...
                            And you need to install a DLNA server on your PC.
                            if you appreciate my efforts this is the link for any donation:
                            https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/websc...NonHostedGuest

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by giouncino View Post
                              Yes, but with the above mentioned network limitations...
                              And you need to install a DLNA server on your PC.
                              It's just so weird, I can find the stick under media devices. XBMC sees it and I can choose it from the "Play With" option, but nothing happens.

                              If I connect with DLNA from a phone or tablet apps, there is no problem. But when using any Windows Computer it won't work. There must be something I'm missing or doing wrong.

                              Comment

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