S89 Best Setup Consensus for XBMC

[rapalax]

Thanks to Bob et al. we now have a few ROM and Kernel choices. Add to that a couple of XBMC versions each with tons of nightly builds and that leads to many permutations that need trying!

As we start to receive our boxes from geekbuying.com there are more and more new users for this device and to prevent a whole lot of guess-and-testing, I was hoping to get a centralized thread going where everyone can share what setup they have and if there are any drawbacks that annoy them or if they run perfectly.

Guidelines:

Please reply only once. If you find a better setup - please edit your reply, rather than creating a new one.

Please Specify ROM version, Kernel version if something other than what was in the ROM, and XBMC version. Please also specify Ethernet vs Wifi, and any peeves or drawbacks associated with your setup (i.e. Remote buttons not working, No TrueHD passthrough, etc..). Notable features that your setup provides over others would also be helpful.


Many thanks to everyone that chooses to participate!

[rapalax]

reserved.

[Addyhash]

Great Idea ...

there has been some posts already on this, and so far the concensus is Omar's build:
thread => HERE <=

I only received my 89-H two days ago so it's still running stock 104k4 rom, with XBMC 14 alpha from memory. I have rooted it to get the most out of XBMC, but so far I have only tired a few add ons which either pop up with connection failed, or script error... not sure if it's my noobness or XBMC itself.
So far I have no idea on how to set up the PVR section of XBMC, as not sure which add -on is needed for AUS...
2 day conclusion: no freezes, no force closes, and plays HD over my Windows 8 media server fine, it picked up my usb sata hard drive dock with a 500gig drive perfectly ( read only ) and bluetooth mouse works flawlessly ( usb extension cable to keep dongle away from box ) !

Addy

[clarkss12]

I am certain that everyone that purchases one of these boxes has a different need or want or expectations than others. Sometimes, just trying to clarify in ones own mind what they want out of the box can be a daunting experience. Without having specific criteria for what to expect from the box, it is hard to make an objective evaluation of the box. After the past experiences with some of the earlier boxes, stability was the main thing that I wanted out of the boxes. I could not in good conscience, even give those boxes away, they were so bad. With today's boxes, my expectations are very high and for the most part, they meet them.

I have the Tronsmart Vega S802-H, and right now I am running the stock rom 104k4 with Finless EZ root update zip ( I swap roms about every three or four days). I am using the nightly Helix build and it is very stable. All my media is stored on a Synology NAS and is connected via Ethernet to my S802-H. My box is connected to my older A/V receiver which only outputs Dolby Digital and DTS, so I have no capabilities to test the HD audio, but XBMC does output true Dolby or DTS. I am running the stock rom, because it allows me to use the included IR remote inside XBMC, and it functions very well for that purpose. However, and it is a big however, there is no pause or FF or RW buttons on the remote, which would have been great with XBMC. I think I have read on here that some people have been able to program their Logitech remote to provide that function, but I have not gotten that far yet.

My main goal for these boxes is to stream live TV broadcast from my over the air antenna. I am using a Silicondust dual ATSC networked tuner to feed my S802-H and it is working great, even with the HD channels. Eventually, I hope to have one of these boxes on all my TV's, so I can cut the cord. It is still a little premature, because these boxes are still not "wife" friendly.

[kotobide]

If you press the direction buttons during play in xbmc it will fast foreward or rewind left to right for small movement up and down for 10 minutes

[clarkss12]

If you press the direction buttons during play in xbmc it will fast foreward or rewind left to right for small movement up and down for 10 minutes

Thanks, I will give it a try.

[rapalax]

After trying finless 1.7, and various builds of XBMC, I can safely say that for the moment, Video plays much nicer on 104k4 stock with Oman's build (it comes stock in 104k4). I haven't rooted and I get a better XBMC experience from any other device/PC.

I connect via ethernet and use 'XBMC Launcher' app to launch xbmc on startup.

[Finless]

After trying finless 1.7, and various builds of XBMC, I can safely say that for the moment, Video plays much nicer on 104k4 stock with Oman's build (it comes stock in 104k4). I haven't rooted and I get a better XBMC experience from any other device/PC.

I connect via ethernet and use 'XBMC Launcher' app to launch xbmc on startup.

There is no possible way rooting should effect XBMC. In fact Oman's XBMC uses root to do certain things and if your not rooted, you wont get them.

However I am not arguing 104K4 is better than 105K4 just that root should not be a factor.

Bob

[rapalax]

There is no possible way rooting should effect XBMC. In fact Oman's XBMC uses root to do certain things and if your not rooted, you wont get them.

However I am not arguing 104K4 is better than 105K4 just that root should not be a factor.

Bob

I meant to say the device works well DESPITE not being rooted. I didn't mean to suggest that it works well BECAUSE its not rooted.

In fact I am preparing to root it now

[blunden]

There is no possible way rooting should effect XBMC. In fact Oman's XBMC uses root to do certain things and if your not rooted, you wont get them.

However I am not arguing 104K4 is better than 105K4 just that root should not be a factor.

Bob

I'd be interested to know what it uses root for? I've yet to have it ask for root a single time so it's probably during a use-case I've not yet encountered. I'd love to know though as all references to it are vague.