Alternative to Stock Rom

[Zahir]

I was trawling the internet tonight, and made a modest discovery:

The firmware for this box also runs on the Draco:

http://sunchip-tech.en.alibaba.com/product/60108957334-800571238/CX_A99_Allwinner_A80_Octa_core_4K_bluetooth_4_0_Sa ta_USB_3_0_SUNCHIP_TV_BOX.html

The factories seem to be sharing the same generic Kit-Kat build for the a80...After changing dpi, turning off libstagefright, and reducing brightness a tad, video playback is somewhat better than stock Draco.

Sunchip releases frequent updates which can be downloaded from Pan Baidu

http://pan.baidu.com/wap/share/home?uk=2923110658&third=3

(Installs readily via the Phoenix Card method in my previous post.)

After running this for several hours, it still seems somewhat better than stock. Not dramatically better, but noticeably so. I tried 3 1080p videos in XBMC (TVMC) which previously played with evident micro-stutter, and all were more fluid. I think this build has a modified kernel. This Big Buck Bunny link, for example, plays very fluidly in full screen 1080p.

http://distribution.bbb3d.renderfarming.net/video/mp4/bbb_sunflower_1080p_60fps_normal.mp4

[no_spam_for_me]

Yes, of cause it should work, because they are the pcb developer/designer...
If you have a look at

http://pan.baidu.com/wap/share/home?uk=2923110658&third=3

you will find out that they nearly every day release a new version (search for A80)
(also RKM rom )

[Zahir]

Yes, of cause it should work, because they are the pcb developer/designer...
If you have a look at

http://pan.baidu.com/wap/share/home?uk=2923110658&third=3

you will find out that they nearly every day release a new version (search for A80)
(also RKM rom )

Thanks for that link. I see a couple of alternatives I should try. BTW, the first 1080p video I'm playing on the CX a99 firmware is running nice and smooth.

[ergin]

Thanks Zahir, i ll try asap and report back here.

[Finless]

I don't have time right now to mess with this but if you guys find a great version let me know and I will make a ROM from it.

Bob

[Zahir]

I don't have time right now to mess with this but if you guys find a great version let me know and I will make a ROM from it.

Bob

Bob, we think alike. I was just musing .."if only Bob had had this one at his disposal, we'd be there, pretty well. All that might be needed is to implement frequency switching."

Certainly, I'm finding it a very clear improvement in all-round video. Let's see what others find.

[Zahir]

Thanks Zahir, i ll try asap and report back here.

Your feedback awaited keenly.

In XBMC, try some "4k" videos in the YouTube addon, like "Shibuya" or the "Assassins Creed Parkour" They're not true 4k, of course, but they do show if streaming video playback is smooth to the eye.

[fredphoesh]

Your feedback awaited keenly.

In XBMC, try some "4k" videos in the YouTube addon, like "Shibuya" or the "Assassins Creed Parkour" They're not true 4k, of course, but they do show if streaming video playback is smooth to the eye.

No matter what HD clip I try, they all play back 720, despite the Kodi YouTube addon being set to 1080 max.

Are any of you getting 1080p playback from YouTube?

Mark.

[Zahir]

No matter what HD clip I try, they all play back 720, despite the Kodi YouTube addon being set to 1080 max.

Are any of you getting 1080p playback from YouTube?

Mark.

No, the XBMC YouTube add-on only does 720p max. I've never seen it do 1080p on any rom or device. But there are excellent 1080 streams to be found in Navi-X, Entertainment hub etc.

[frhdt007]

I was trawling the internet tonight, and made a modest discovery:

The firmware for this box also runs on the Draco:

http://sunchip-tech.en.alibaba.com/product/60108957334-800571238/CX_A99_Allwinner_A80_Octa_core_4K_bluetooth_4_0_Sa ta_USB_3_0_SUNCHIP_TV_BOX.html

The factories seem to be sharing the same generic Kit-Kat build for the a80 - and this one may not differ significantly from Tronsmart's. I've only just installed it and haven't formed any precise impression of it. (I note network speeds are just as fast). After changing dpi, turning off libstagefright, and reducing brightness a tad, video playback may be somewhat better - but this could be the placebo effect, especially at 1.50 a.m....

For anyone who wants to try it along with me in the next day or so, I've uploaded the file here.

https://mega.co.nz/#!1FMEXbYY!7mGGeMOJt7bM_uOyDp_z8JTBJewr993nioN4FMK g9J8

(Installs readily via the Phoenix Card method in my previous post.)

Update: After running this for several hours, it's a keeper for me because it's smoother than the Draco. Maybe not dramatically, but noticeably. I tried 3 1080p videos in XBMC (TVMC) which previously played with evident micro-stutter, and all were more fluid. I think this build has a modified kernel. This Big Buck Bunny link, for example, plays very fluidly in full screen 1080p.

http://distribution.bbb3d.renderfarming.net/video/mp4/bbb_sunflower_1080p_60fps_normal.mp4

Yep - this one gets a clear thumbs up for my purposes.

Is this rom better than Bob's rom ?

[Zahir]

1080p Debugs

Some debugs from three different 1080p test videos running in XBMC (TVMC). No drops, minor or no frame skips, playback smooth.

[no_spam_for_me]

Which fw version do you use?

BTW: looking at your pictures I ask my self how you handle to run XBMC at a window and also what these symbols could be at your launcher... till I recognize that this is the frame of the monitor

[Zahir]

Which fw version do you use?

BTW: looking at your pictures I ask my self how you handle to run XBMC at a window and also what these symbols could be at your launcher... till I recognize that this is the frame of the monitor

Firmware is the CX A99 build I posted above.

Here's a debug from a 1080p stream from my NAS via XBMC:

[no_spam_for_me]

OK, 20141028 and not one of the 2014120x for the e.g. CS Q8 like http://www.****.com/itm/Hot-Sale-CSQ...item4ae15706f1

[Zahir]

OK, 20141028 and not one of the 2014120x for the e.g. CS Q8 like http://www.****.com/itm/Hot-Sale-CSQ...item4ae15706f1

Yes, it's the first.

Although there's a link to the second (I think) at Pan Baidu, I couldn't get it to download..so no testing that until I find another link.

I'm much happier with the CX than I was with the stock rom.

Update: the second firmware you mention (CS Q8) does NOT work on our box. You can flash it via Phoenix Suite and it boots up but you can't access the app drawer (it closes as soon as you open it) and the remote isn't recognized.