Tronsmart TV Box Ara X5 in August with Cherry Trail Z8300 Windows 10

[clarkss12]

I used File Explorer in my X5 to map my NAS and after that I could use SMB on KODI to locate my NAS.

Overall I am very happy with my X5. The only thing that has confused me is the Wifi. My router has both 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz. I use Ookla to measure the internet speed and the number are all over the place. Sometimes 2.4GHz is faster and sometimes 5.0GHz is better (as should be expected); sometimes the download speed is extremely slow.

Also it is difficult to switch from 2.4GHz to 5.0GHz and vice versa. I need to reboot.

It does not pose a problem to me as my usual setup is to hard-wire the X5 to my LAN (speed is very good - given the X5 is not gigabit).

Try installing NextPVR or Emby and see if they can find your mapped NAS directory, those apps will not use my mapped NAS drives.

[clarkss12]

I'm not sure if these two threads may help.

http://forum.vmedia.ca/forum/vbox-questions/48392-kodi-and-windows-10

http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=216726

I was able to get Kodi to recognize my files stored on my WD MyCloud NAS by using an app from Western Digital that allowed me to map my folders on the NAS. BUT, my biggest problem, without native SMB support, I can not use NextPVR or Emby, have not tried Plex. I am sure it is Windows 10 and not the hardware. So my verdict at this time is it was a waste of money. I will keep at it until I get things to work it they will. Kodi, does work well and Netflix does play in HD and Dolby Digital, so that is a plus. I can't see how MS dropped the ball on having native support for SMB, that is unbelievable.

[jchoong]

I used File Explorer in my X5 to map my NAS and after that I could use SMB on KODI to locate my NAS.

Overall I am very happy with my X5. The only thing that has confused me is the Wifi. My router has both 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz. I use Ookla to measure the internet speed and the number are all over the place. Sometimes 2.4GHz is faster and sometimes 5.0GHz is better (as should be expected); sometimes the download speed is extremely slow.

Also it is difficult to switch from 2.4GHz to 5.0GHz and vice versa. I need to reboot.

It does not pose a problem to me as my usual setup is to hard-wire the X5 to my LAN (speed is very good - given the X5 is not gigabit).

[bluesmanuk]

It finally updated after I did a reboot. I have been using computers since the pre DOS days. I guess I am getting too old to learn this new Windows 10. The windows explorer only opens my NAS in a web browser instead of a window where I can see all the files. I have two NAS, one an older Synology and a newer one the WD MyCloud. Even in Kodi, it can't find my NAS using SMB, I can access my files using NFS, but my WD MyCloud only uses SMB.

I'm not sure if these two threads may help.

http://forum.vmedia.ca/forum/vbox-questions/48392-kodi-and-windows-10

http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=216726

[clarkss12]

If you click on the notifications button on the taskbar, then select All Settings you can then see at the bottom of the list the option for Update and Security, which will include Windows update.

It finally updated after I did a reboot. I have been using computers since the pre DOS days. I guess I am getting too old to learn this new Windows 10. The windows explorer only opens my NAS in a web browser instead of a window where I can see all the files. I have two NAS, one an older Synology and a newer one the WD MyCloud. Even in Kodi, it can't find my NAS using SMB, I can access my files using NFS, but my WD MyCloud only uses SMB.

[bluesmanuk]

If you click on the notifications button on the taskbar, then select All Settings you can then see at the bottom of the list the option for Update and Security, which will include Windows update.

[clarkss12]

Received my Ara this afternoon and I am overwhelmed. I use Windows 7 and Windows 10 is a new beast that will have a big learning curve. I installed Netflix and I think it outputs HD with Dolby digital, but I could not get any sound. Kodi works good, but can't access my WD NAS using SMB.

I guess I don't how to set up the network so I can access my NAS using the windows explorer, what a pain Windows 10 is. Some of my other video players have no sound.

I could not even get it to update the OS from Microsoft.

[pasteko]

Before upgrading the driver I had BSOD each time I tried to change any option in the network driver, I had to uninstall the original driver before.

[bluesmanuk]

Don't use the setup version, just upgrade the driver manually.

I had tried both but the driver would not install using either method.

[pasteko]

Tried installing the driver but it would not install and when using the setup.exe it produced a BSOD.

Don't use the setup version, just upgrade the driver manually.

[bluesmanuk]

Hello,

There's a new driver for the network card.

http://www.asix.com.tw/products.php?...mID=136;71;101

Windows 10 64-bit Driver

V3.18.1.0

2015-09-16

For 64-bit x86 CPU platform, Driver Signing

69.6 KB

But didn't help to make wake on lan working, I've sent an e-mail to Tronsmart regarding this function but no response.

The card supports wake on lan but there's no setting in the bios to enable this function.

Response from Tronsmart :

Hi,
Thanks for your feedback.

I'm not sure where did you see: wake-on-LAN function?

Actually, several clients of us asked such function, we'll arrange our engineers to tweaks it.

Please kindly pay attention to notice on www.tronsmart.com, if there is update, we'll post on website.

Tried installing the driver but it would not install and when using the setup.exe it produced a BSOD.

[pasteko]

Hello,

There's a new driver for the network card.

http://www.asix.com.tw/products.php?...mID=136;71;101

Windows 10 64-bit Driver

V3.18.1.0

2015-09-16

For 64-bit x86 CPU platform, Driver Signing

69.6 KB

But didn't help to make wake on lan working, I've sent an e-mail to Tronsmart regarding this function but no response.

The card supports wake on lan but there's no setting in the bios to enable this function.

Response from Tronsmart :

Hi,
Thanks for your feedback.

I'm not sure where did you see: wake-on-LAN function?

Actually, several clients of us asked such function, we'll arrange our engineers to tweaks it.

Please kindly pay attention to notice on www.tronsmart.com, if there is update, we'll post on website.

[Eclecticon]

For streaming it's perfect. I'm so glad my fxxxing laptop isn't on the table anymore.

[bluesmanuk]

OK I've found another (good) review of the box :

https://www.avforums.com/review/tronmsart-ara-x5-review.11964

They explain that




In Kodi Wiki I've found :


And guess what ? Intel Management Engine interface is not installed on the box.

So no HD audio yet ;-(

It looks like the only W10 versions of it available for download are for Intel NUC's so maybe just a matter of time.

I might try and install it to see what happens.

[Myst3r]

OK I've found another (good) review of the box :

https://www.avforums.com/review/tronmsart-ara-x5-review.11964

They explain that

On the audio front, we’re still waiting for Intel to release drivers that will allow passthrough of 7.1 HD audio and, judging by how long it took them with Windows 8, we might be waiting a while but we had no issues with any 5.1 material.

In Kodi Wiki I've found :

Intel - To support HD Audio (TrueHD & DTS-HD MA) on Windows the Intel Management Engine Interface driver must be installed, it's this driver that provides the HDCP DRM necessary for the HD Audio formats to works. If this driver is not installed then the HD formats will be missing from the Supported Formats tab. In order to verify you have the Intel Management Engine Interface driver installed, follow the relevant step at Blu-Ray* Disc Playback with Intel HD Graphics FAQ

And guess what ? Intel Management Engine interface is not installed on the box.

So no HD audio yet ;-(