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

[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.

[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]

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]

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

[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).

[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.

[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.

[alwaysbless]

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.

Since like Kodi 14 that SMB option hasnt working when going to add a location. Instead you have to add network location, set the type there as samba and then input the lan ip, share and login info for your NAS. Works perfect with my Disktation this way and I even have to set it up this way running Kodi on Android. Seems to be a deficiency of the software for some reason.

[clarkss12]

Since like Kodi 14 that SMB option hasnt working when going to add a location. Instead you have to add network location, set the type there as samba and then input the lan ip, share and login info for your NAS. Works perfect with my Disktation this way and I even have to set it up this way running Kodi on Android. Seems to be a deficiency of the software for some reason.

I have got things working in kodi, but it took some effort to map both of my NAS's. Finally got Emby half way working. Been reading and lack of SMB support on Windows 10 is a major flaw that has not been resolved. The strange part, it shows my desktop computer but not the Nas's. It does show them on the network, but will only open the web browser.

My desktop computer can access this box through Windows explorer.

[Jutzi]

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.

Did you try this? Has anybody asked Intel for HD audio support in Z8300?

[Fozzie]

How are the temperatures in this device (considering the ambient temperature)?
Does it throttle and becomes laggy often (or not at all)?

I'm looking for replacement for the Ara IZ37 that is useless because of overheat problems.

Thanks

[bluesmanuk]

Did you try this? Has anybody asked Intel for HD audio support in Z8300?

I did try but it stated that it was not for this platform.

[bluesmanuk]

How are the temperatures in this device (considering the ambient temperature)?
Does it throttle and becomes laggy often (or not at all)?

I'm looking for replacement for the Ara IZ37 that is useless because of overheat problems.

Thanks

I use mine for about 8 hours a day and have suffered no issues with regards to temperatures slowing things down or throttling.

[clarkss12]

Here is my story to date. After playing with the box for two or three days, I got it into a boot loop, and started to panic. It all started because I was trying different things, ex. NextPVR, Emby server, etc. Well after testing, I tried to uninstall those programs and redo them, unfortunately, even though I uninstalled them, when I reinstalled them, they still had the data. Next thing to do was do a complete restore to factory settings. Simple enough, I made a system back up onto one of my memory sticks, so I could always go back. So after doing a restore, which took about an hour, it said it could do the restore, so it put everything back the way it was. I tried a couple more times, and same thing, would not restore to factory settings. So after doing different things, I ended up in a boot loop, the blue screen popped up and said something did not install and would reboot. It would do this continually until I unplugged the power.

I tried to install the back up I had made, but all it would do would be go to a screen to ask for my language, after I checked English, it would reboot and do the same thing. Out of desperation, I went to Microsoft website and down loaded the Windows 10 OS and installed it to one of my other USB pen drives. My only concern was that it may kill some information and I would not be able to activate it. I figured if that was the case, I could call Tronsmart or last case call Microsoft to activate.

OK, got the OS installed on the pen drive and connected it to my Ara box and rebooted. Would only go to the boot screen, Ok, now how was I going to get my box to read from my pen drive, had to go into the BIOS and set the first boot to the pen drive. Now, another problem, could not get into BIOS, so after a lot of research using Google and YouTube, found the answer. By holding down he "escape" key on my air mouse while rebooting, it went into the BIOS screen. From the BIOS screen I changed the setting to boot from my pen drive, eureka, the box found my pen drive and started installing Windows 10. After the re-install, I checked and the box was still activated, YES!, From then on it was a matter of figuring out how to install the driver package that I had downloaded from the Tronsmart site.

Now, it is running with a clean install and the drivers are installed so everything is working again. Now I will start testing NextPVR, and Emby and Plex server again. But now I know how to revert to the fresh install of Windows 10.

[bluesmanuk]

Here is my story to date. After playing with the box for two or three days, I got it into a boot loop, and started to panic. It all started because I was trying different things, ex. NextPVR, Emby server, etc. Well after testing, I tried to uninstall those programs and redo them, unfortunately, even though I uninstalled them, when I reinstalled them, they still had the data. Next thing to do was do a complete restore to factory settings. Simple enough, I made a system back up onto one of my memory sticks, so I could always go back. So after doing a restore, which took about an hour, it said it could do the restore, so it put everything back the way it was. I tried a couple more times, and same thing, would not restore to factory settings. So after doing different things, I ended up in a boot loop, the blue screen popped up and said something did not install and would reboot. It would do this continually until I unplugged the power.

I tried to install the back up I had made, but all it would do would be go to a screen to ask for my language, after I checked English, it would reboot and do the same thing. Out of desperation, I went to Microsoft website and down loaded the Windows 10 OS and installed it to one of my other USB pen drives. My only concern was that it may kill some information and I would not be able to activate it. I figured if that was the case, I could call Tronsmart or last case call Microsoft to activate.

OK, got the OS installed on the pen drive and connected it to my Ara box and rebooted. Would only go to the boot screen, Ok, now how was I going to get my box to read from my pen drive, had to go into the BIOS and set the first boot to the pen drive. Now, another problem, could not get into BIOS, so after a lot of research using Google and YouTube, found the answer. By holding down he "escape" key on my air mouse while rebooting, it went into the BIOS screen. From the BIOS screen I changed the setting to boot from my pen drive, eureka, the box found my pen drive and started installing Windows 10. After the re-install, I checked and the box was still activated, YES!, From then on it was a matter of figuring out how to install the driver package that I had downloaded from the Tronsmart site.

Now, it is running with a clean install and the drivers are installed so everything is working again. Now I will start testing NextPVR, and Emby and Plex server again. But now I know how to revert to the fresh install of Windows 10.

What did you use to make a system backup?

Macrium Reflect 6 Free is what I use and it allows you to create a UEFI bootable USB stick for easy restoration.

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

When uninstalling programs I always use something like Advanced Uninstaller Pro

http://www.advanceduninstaller.com/

It tends to get rid of traces left by programs although where some do leave data that is not picked up I tend to research where such data is still located to delete it.