[ROM] Unofficial OpenELEC for MK808B+ and MXQ

[systematic]

Whats HD18Q? and how do I know if i have it?

[anemeth]

TheRealJohnGalt,

Thanks for your OE 6.0 MXQ build, I used the tar file to update kszaq 5.08.20. It went OK, but I had a problem with x265 (HEVC) videos, SD videos are OK. Now I am back to 5.08.20

Maybe this is not strictly Openelec question, but Kodi. The Kodi 14.2 which was in kszaq 5.08.20 played almost all x265 videos, but your version which has Kodi 15.2 does not play at all. It just repeats the clicking sounds and freezes. I read somewhere that the new Kodi 15.x does not have all the video codec included, maybe this is the reason. Can you or somebody else please point me in the direction on the net where I can get the information how I can play x265 videos under your 6.0 Openelec on MXQ box (I have one which exactly same as yours, with the red mark).

Thanks,

[xchip]

I just tried OpenELEC-Amlogic.arm-MXQ-6.0.0.2 on the black MXQ and the audio didn't work, the rest was fine. Also, I was hoping to get my USB bluetooth dongle working but no luck.

[TheRealJohnGalt]

TheRealJohnGalt,

Thanks for your OE 6.0 MXQ build, I used the tar file to update kszaq 5.08.20. It went OK, but I had a problem with x265 (HEVC) videos, SD videos are OK. Now I am back to 5.08.20

Maybe this is not strictly Openelec question, but Kodi. The Kodi 14.2 which was in kszaq 5.08.20 played almost all x265 videos, but your version which has Kodi 15.2 does not play at all. It just repeats the clicking sounds and freezes. I read somewhere that the new Kodi 15.x does not have all the video codec included, maybe this is the reason. Can you or somebody else please point me in the direction on the net where I can get the information how I can play x265 videos under your 6.0 Openelec on MXQ box (I have one which exactly same as yours, with the red mark).

Thanks,

This is a new issue I didn't yet notice. I'll look into it.

Edit: I recently rebased on top of upstream again, and missed a libamcodec update that added proper hevc support. Master (OE 7 dev) had updated, which is what I rebased on first, which is how I missed it.

I just cherry-picked the update, and it will be present in the next build.

Edit2: Updated OE 6.0 builds:

Source: https://github.com/RealJohnGalt/Open...e/personal-6.0
Changelog:

• working HEVC/x265
• reverted optimized ext4 mount flags (may fix running from sd card).
• kernel patch for correcting the 23.976hz pixel clock.

MXQ update tar (to go in /storage/.update/ prior to a reboot): http://d-h.st/oDS8
MXQ zip (for fresh installs, extract to sd and use "toothpick" method): http://d-h.st/p71p
MXQ sdcard image (for fresh installs, see http://wiki.openelec.tv/index.php/HO...e_Disk_Image): http://d-h.st/fvH5

HD18q builds are untested, I do not have a HD18q to test.

HD18q update tar (to go in /storage/.update/ prior to a reboot): http://d-h.st/X7DY
HD18q zip (for fresh installs, extract to sd and use "toothpick" method): http://d-h.st/CzRn
HD18q sdcard image (for fresh installs, see http://wiki.openelec.tv/index.php/HO...e_Disk_Image): http://d-h.st/Crft

[sonofdibnah]

Reverting the ext4 mount flags HAS fixed running from SD card. Much appreciated. Sound , wifi remote etc all fine on my MXQ. These are great little boxes especially with your openelec builds.

[Dc0de]

Dc0de, Without looking closely, it probably is. I'm not sure about what source the russian builds are using. If they're using a somewhat recent codesnake kernel as base, the restart/poweroff call and code is very different (changed in 20150401 AML source).

Examples:
codesnake: https://github.com/RealJohnGalt/linu...on/power.c#L76

kszaq: https://github.com/RealJohnGalt/linu...on/power.c#L72

I've been busy with IRL stuff, but I'll probably do image (with mount flags reverted) and HD18q uploads of the last OE6 build I did, if the new kernel has too many issues to promptly cover. This way HD18q and SD guys will at least be covered in the mean time.

Edit: does your power LED change color based on power state in the russian builds?

On the russian builds the LED is blue when HD18Q is on and running. If the HD18Q is put into suspend (which works) the LED goes off. As stated shutdown does not shutdown...it reboots instead.

Congrats on the new builds...and thankyou! Going to have a try on my HD18q in Nand. Will post an update on my findings.

[Dc0de]

Whats HD18Q? and how do I know if i have it?

**As far as i am aware*** The HD18Q is a ALL BLACK MXQ (no red on top). There are ALL BLACK MXQ CLONES though that look very simular and have different remote codes, mainboards and wifi chip. From what I have read the clones normally have the Network port soldered upside down (i.e RX/TX leds are on the top, not close to the bottom of the black case. They may also have the Spdif and AV ports on the back the other way round. As far as i am aware mine is a genuine HD18q as everything works out of the box when using a HD18Q Openelec build. My ethernet network port has Leds at the bottom, and the ports are in this order from left to right.... USB4 SPDIF AV HDMI Ethernet 5V Power.

[Dc0de]

My new test MXQ ALL BLACK box arrived today, and I have a feeling this new test box is not a genuine HD18Q, but a clone (see my last coment above). I have tried to flash the OE6 from TheRealJohnGalt to nand (foolish of me to do this, as I should have done a SDCARD boot first). The flash appeared to go correctly but now the box does not boot, no hdmi output, no boot to recovery using TWRP sdcard and toothpick. Ive also tried a bootcard recovery as per http://www.stane1983.com/amlogic/bur...-using-sdcard/ but im not sure if I am using the right uboot. I did however make a full TWRP backup before flashing but without getting into recovery is a no go. Any suggestions.

By the way this is all my own fault. Anything I do Is at my own risk. Im pretty sure that John Galts build will work perfectly on my other genuine HD18Q

[TheRealJohnGalt]

My new test MXQ ALL BLACK box arrived today, and I have a feeling this new test box is not a genuine HD18Q, but a clone (see my last coment above). I have tried to flash the OE6 from TheRealJohnGalt to nand (foolish of me to do this, as I should have done a SDCARD boot first). The flash appeared to go correctly but now the box does not boot, no hdmi output, no boot to recovery using TWRP sdcard and toothpick. Ive also tried a bootcard recovery as per http://www.stane1983.com/amlogic/bur...-using-sdcard/ but im not sure if I am using the right uboot. I did however make a full TWRP backup before flashing but without getting into recovery is a no go. Any suggestions.

By the way this is all my own fault. Anything I do Is at my own risk. Im pretty sure that John Galts build will work perfectly on my other genuine HD18Q

At one point I had issues with my MXQ and could only get to recovery while plugging it into USB (micro usb b). Beyond that, I don't have any suggestions since I've never dealt with the HD18q clones. Good luck.

Because I haven't tested the HD18q builds, I've made a note on the post. I don't see how they'd differ in terms of device support from kszaq's builds at this point however.

[rev6]

Just though I would write this here incase it may help someone. Obviously if you try any of the below, you do at your own risk etc etc...

My MXQ Box = I assume is a HD18q All Black box as it Runs this threads HD18q no problem, all working Wifi, Remote, and flashed to nand.

Last night I flashed Openelec 6 to the above box from http://amlinux.ru/image/6.0.0/OpenEL...XQ-6.0.0.2.zip AT FIRST it would not flash using toothpick method (the start up MXQ logo just kept flashing on and off). I then changed the recovery.img in the above zip to the one from the HD18q OpenELEC-Amlogic.HD18Q.arm-5.95.5.2.zip release from this thread. It then flashed to nand no problem with the toothpick method...Perhaps the recovery.img is corrupt in the http://amlinux.ru/image/6.0.0/OpenEL...XQ-6.0.0.2.zip or its just doesnt like my box...

After booting with the new Openelec 6, most still works on my HD18q like Wifi, Remote.

The only problems i am having is

1) Openelec 6 does not shutdown like OpenELEC-Amlogic.HD18Q.arm-5.95.5.2.zip from this thread . Instead it reboots....Perhaps a kernal bug? Anyone know?

2)When running the latest ITV player plugin for Kodi, LIVE TV streams (itv1 live) will play for about 10 seconds and then the video will freeze, but audio will continue. It doesnt seam to do this on the catchup section. If I turn off Amlogic Hardware Acceleration video decoding, I dont get this issue. Im not sure if OpenELEC-Amlogic.HD18Q.arm-5.95.5.2.zip has this problem aswell. Perhaps one of you could test on that older version and let me know.

I take it that turning off Amlogic Hardware Acceleration video decoding will make the quad cpu do all the hard work instead of the gpu? Correct?

Excellent work RealJohnGalt. Its good to see other openelec developers sharing there work. Thank you.

I also assume I will have issues (remote/wifi) with the RealJohnGalt update that has been posted as I dont have a red top MXQ? Anyone tested this version on an All Black MXQ (HD18q)?

EDIT: Turning off Amlogic Hardware Acceleration leads to "screen tearing" on 1080p videos, especially in fast moving scenes. So i have to turn it off to watch ITV Player Live streams (to avoid video freeze and audio continuing problem), and turn it back on to say watch a movie stream at 1080p to avoid tearing.

I have the MXQ with red top but supplied remote doesn't work anymore after flashing 6.0.0.2 with the link you gave.

[Dmc99]

Hi Everyone,

Love the thread, have been using this on my Red MXQ for awhile now!

Unfortunately today I'm having a bit of trouble with the OTT MXQ (HD18q)

Some back story,
I ordered an all black OTT MXQ (HD18Q) from amazon and was able to install openelec fine (i went with the beta release).
Since it worked so well i decided to buy a couple more from geekbuying since they had them on sale.

http://www.geekbuying.com/item/H-MXQ-Amlogic-S805-Smart-Android-TV-Box-1GB-RAM-8G-ROM-1080P-H-265-Hardwar-Decode-WIFI-Miracast-DLNA---Black-339500.html

When i finally got them in, the first issue i noticed is that the remote didn't work at all in android recovery. I grabbed a keyboard and plugged it in but it didn't work either.
If i unplugged and plugged the power(leaving the USB keyboard and drive) it recognized my usb drive and the keyboard.
I was able to install from EXT and everything seemed fine so i hit reboot.
The problem is nothing came back on screen and my TV just said no signal and no picture ever came back.
I tried turning it off and on but no luck.

Has anyone run into this before? I know there has been some talk about issues with these MXQ.

Also does anyone happen to have the stock firmware image that i could flash with the USB burning tool?
I wanted to see if i would be able to fix the one that doesn't display anything anymore.

Thanks in advance !

I think i have found the issue; its a clone
One of the key difference i noticed was the ram is only 1 chip not split into 2 like I've seen in pictures.
Probably explains why it doesn't really show anything on screen after flashing.

Any ideas on how to get the hd18q build to work ?

[roberts]

Hi,

Just wanted to report on OpenELEC-Amlogic.HD18Q.arm-6.0-devel-20151127220753-r21676-gb9749b3 on my HD18Q clone from Aliexpress. Chose the NAND version by mistake when copying to SD (bye bye, Android), but all the OpenELEC basics seem to work well. Correct remote mapping; wifi and wired networking ok. Tested a few movies and audio files with great success. My Bluetooth dongle did not work (it didn't in Android or kszaq's OpenELEC either), but I will try another dongle later on. Great work Codesnake, Kszaq and TheRealJohnGalt!

[Dc0de]

EDIT: Just to clarify this is my NEW MXQ box. Not my original HD18Q.

Managed to get my MXQ ALL BLACK (NO Red top) working again (Will write a seperate thread on here with recovery info). It appears this new box has a L shaped board with S805_MXQ_V03 written on it with date code 20150816 (16082015 or 16th August 2015 for search engine purposes). Flashing TheRealJohnGalt OE6 build to Nand bricked the device (No HMDI output, No access to recovery with toothpick, No recovery with bootcardmaker recovery). Only way to recover was with USB A to A cable and USB burning tool with correct img file (https://cloud.mail.ru/public/7oSn/WunL7sMWW <<<<DO AT YOUR OWN RISK AS YOURS MAY APPEAR TO BE SAME BOARD BUT MAY NOT BE. I ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY!). Once recovered i tried SDCARD boot of TheRealJohnGalt OE6 Build....Results in bricked device again. SO if you have the same board as me...do not flash

EDIT2: Tried latest beta from post 1 of this thread (HD18q version CD Card boot). Same problem. Bricked. I wonder what happens. It appears to flash up with the droid flashing screen. Progress bar goes about 20% across, and then box reboots. It is then bricked. Think I might try the MXQ version next.

[anemeth]

"TheRealJohnGalt

This is a new issue I didn't yet notice. I'll look into it.

Edit: I recently rebased on top of upstream again, and missed a libamcodec update that added proper hevc support. Master (OE 7 dev) had updated, which is what I rebased on first, which is how I missed it.

I just cherry-picked the update, and it will be present in the next build.

Edit2: Updated OE 6.0 builds"

Thanks for the update, now it works with HEVC/x265.

Just one (or two) more question. I noticed that when I switch on the TV the MXQ starts up (LED changes from red to blue), how can I switch this off (i.e. I do not want it to start with the TV)? The old 5.08.20 did not do it. Also the old 5.08.20 after power-off, when I switched on with the remote, started from Kodi, the new 6.0 looks like reboot the system (i.e. starts the Openelec logo)?

Thanks,

[Centurione_01]

Updated OE 6.0 builds[/B]:

Source: https://github.com/RealJohnGalt/Open...e/personal-6.0
Changelog:

• working HEVC/x265
• reverted optimized ext4 mount flags (may fix running from sd card).
• kernel patch for correcting the 23.976hz pixel clock.

MXQ update tar (to go in /storage/.update/ prior to a reboot): http://d-h.st/oDS8
MXQ zip (for fresh installs, extract to sd and use "toothpick" method): http://d-h.st/p71p
MXQ sdcard image (for fresh installs, see http://wiki.openelec.tv/index.php/HO...e_Disk_Image): http://d-h.st/fvH5

HD18q builds are untested, I do not have a HD18q to test.

HD18q update tar (to go in /storage/.update/ prior to a reboot): http://d-h.st/X7DY
HD18q zip (for fresh installs, extract to sd and use "toothpick" method): http://d-h.st/CzRn
HD18q sdcard image (for fresh installs, see http://wiki.openelec.tv/index.php/HO...e_Disk_Image): http://d-h.st/Crft

@TheRealJohnGalt
I was wondering if one of this builds could work to update my SD card installation on MK808B plus.
At the moment I have not an available SD card to make experiment (I will buy tomorrow), but if it will not work, how difficult are the modification for MK808B plus starting from MXQ. It seems to me that the 2 platform are not so different, I could try to do if someone can point me to some article to build the toolchain (in Ubuntu).

Thanks for all the work and all the interesting reading.