Tronsmart MK908 Android 4.2.2 "Official" - Finless ROM 1.5

[jammupatu]

My PSU and an option to view apps as a list

Hi,

I measured my PSU and the highest AMP we got was 1.17. I just ordered a 5V 3A NordicPower PSU with DC -> Mini-USB connector mod (replacement) made by the vendor. Should arrive this week.

Is there a way to make the apps show as a list instead a gazillion number of icons? My Samsung SGS III (3) has the option but it's behind a settings button. Any advice would be nice. Never used an Android tablet, let alone 4.2.2 Android inside a small Android TV. =)

BR,

-J-

[sgei]

Hi,


For those who still finding the way get rid of the virtual keyboard, I want to share my simple solution. Just install Q2 Keyboard from Google play market and use it. There is option to hide virtual keyboard when physical keyboard is connected. I'm using Logitech K-400 and it works fine.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fiberthemax.OpQ2keyboard&hl=en

Bob, thank you so much for your great Rom~!!

Jin

Hey,

in my opinion the best way to hide the virtual keyboard is to install the app "Keyboard Helper".
You can also switch the keyboard layout from QUERTY to QUERTZ (necessary for german users e.g.).

Steffen

[peteus]

After running 1080p kernel/rom for a few days, my observation is that unit overheats a lot and may crash during video playback.

[elecs21d]

I've been playing around with Netflix some more. Bob's 4.1 Rom (default 720p) seemed more stable to me. The jitter is still there for me (although it's more intermittant in 4.2), but 4.2 has locked up on me (while playing Netflix) several times while 4.1 never locked up. I still haven't figured out how to get rid of the virtual keyboard.

FYI, still having fun!

Hi,


For those who still finding the way get rid of the virtual keyboard, I want to share my simple solution. Just install Q2 Keyboard from Google play market and use it. There is option to hide virtual keyboard when physical keyboard is connected. I'm using Logitech K-400 and it works fine.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fiberthemax.OpQ2keyboard&hl=en

Bob, thank you so much for your great Rom~!!

Jin

[Finless]

Brunson, the official release the kernel is in boot.img which is why you see the Android header.
Boot can be 2 ways. RK packed or standard Android style. I got the kernel from inside boot.img. You extract that style boot.img using a perl script. See the ROM hacks and development area and I explain how to do that.

I commented out my usual build.prop changes as I could not see them make any difference and feared they would cause bugs until I could test more.

As for where the Netflix fix was, I do not know. I have not had time to compare the MK908 beta vs official which between those 2 releases in one day they fixed Netflix. So it should be some what easy to figure out once I get the time.

Bob

[toc]

Hey,

I go crazy...

In the status bar is a function to hide it. But how do i get it back?
You know what i mean? I mean the down arrow right of the power off switch.

Thanks from germany

Steffen

Swipe up, from the bottom of the screen.

[brunson]

Some questions about the ROM

Hey Bob,

Thanks so much for the work, you've really done a great service for us all.

I have some questions about the ROM after comparing it to the official release

1. I can't seem to extract the official release boot.img, it has a header of ANDROID rather than KRNL RKAF or RKFW. I only have the rkutils from github on Linux and don't have a windows computer to try any of the tools that run there. Of course I expect it to be different from yours, since you've added init.d support, but I'd really like to be able to examine the original and can't get to it. I'm reading the source for rkunpack to see what it's doing for the other img types and try to reverse engineer this "ANDROID" file, but if you know what's going on, I'd love to know what tools are at your disposal.
2. All the apks and ndk binaries that I've compared I can correlate to the release notes you've put out, but I started digging because of the Netflix fix. I'm a bit confused... are the only changes to fix the Netflix buffering issues the changes to build.props in the "My tweaks" section? I have to ask because they're all commented out and I can't find anything else that lends itself to that fix.
3. The official update didn't come with a kernel image. I'm curious where you got the 720 kernel you've included. Did you download it from the device or extract it out of the original release? I'm mainly curious because if I'm already running the 720 kernel you've got, I won't have to worry about ABI compatibility.

I can't say enough how great it is to have your work to look at, it probably would have taken be days to figure out the formats and packaging without your ROM to start with. My goal was to be able to get the kinks out of the official release without doing a full wipe. I think you've described enough in your "READ ME FIRST" file that I'm comfortable with a partial flash if I know that I'm running a compatible kernel.

Thanks again. You rock!

[alnames]

I've been playing around with Netflix some more. Bob's 4.1 Rom (default 720p) seemed more stable to me. The jitter is still there for me (although it's more intermittant in 4.2), but 4.2 has locked up on me (while playing Netflix) several times while 4.1 never locked up. I still haven't figured out how to get rid of the virtual keyboard.

FYI, still having fun!

[sgei]

Status bar

Hey,

I go crazy...

In the status bar is a function to hide it. But how do i get it back?
You know what i mean? I mean the down arrow right of the power off switch.

Thanks from germany

Steffen

[adoan412]

Tried a few archived flash players on the Finless 1.5 with android 4.2.2 rom none worked, but there is a way around. Just follow this link http://mickeythegeek.blogspot.com/20...n-android.html. It worked for me. Courtesy of MickeyTheGeek

Glad to hear you found a workaround!

I think we all just need to give it some time, Bob is obviously working hard on multiple things at once. I'm just glad theres a community based on these devices.

[toc]

On my first post I was kind of thinking / hoping the RK or the Kernel dudes could get in some more intelligent and optimized code with GPU offloading and intelligent throttling stuff etc, which would lower the temps a bit.

Remember these unit have all the chips housed tight together (off loading from one) reducing the heat from one will just create heat on another to maintain the same speed.

I forgot theses also house 2GB of ram opposed to the 1GB in the mk808, speculating but that could easily be causing more heat too, ive not taken them both apart to look and compare.

Regarding cooling there are plenty of USB powered fans on the market thats possibly the best option for fans.

[jammupatu]

Hi jammupatu,

The over heating is always going to be a problem (in its current state) unless you give the cores more idle time and or reduce the speed!!! Counter productive for a unit you want to run as fast as it can.

This is a design floor, I run the mk808 (3066) @1080 runs a lot cooler and has never over heated although it still is warm, slightly slower overall, and just missing 2 cpu cores opposed to the mk908 (3188). Its from cheap cost cutting manufacturing using the same too small enclosure, and inadequate cooling.

You could always add your own cooling! I didnt really want to go down this route so I think ill look out for another unit some have good heatsinks on.

Hi and thanks for the reply.

Yeah, I agree with you on the cost cutting and in general on what you wrote. I wish I had've done a bit more research on the stick before buying it. Afterwisdom is easy. Now I'd definitely go your route and get a properly cooled one. I'm already starting to think of dual fanning the 908 unit. I actually have two working fans from Papst and Chieftec which will most likely do the job. Only thing is that I need to get my friend to convert the power connectors to something useable. (They're for PC usage currently. Leftovers from past PC builds.)

On my first post I was kind of thinking / hoping the RK or the Kernel dudes could get in some more intelligent and optimized code with GPU offloading and intelligent throttling stuff etc, which would lower the temps a bit. (Purely speculative, I haven't studied the HW and SW yet to say anything if this is even possible. Just a thought which crossed my mind when stumbling upon libstagefright. Though, the GPU can get heated as well...) As you said, speed reducing feels silly. The unit should be able to run on max if needed. Intelligent throttling is another thing, which I do support. But lowering the performance in sake of overheating is just silly.

I did flash 720p kernel yesterday but didn't have the time to actually test it yet as bedtime called.

BR,

-J-

[toc]

I'm wondering will the heat issue go away once the kernel optimizations are iterated or is this a lost cause? Could you more experienced guys make an educated guess?

Hi jammupatu,

The over heating is always going to be a problem (in its current state) unless you give the cores more idle time and or reduce the speed!!! Counter productive for a unit you want to run as fast as it can.

This is a design floor, I run the mk808 (3066) @1080 runs a lot cooler and has never over heated although it still is warm, slightly slower overall, and just missing 2 cpu cores opposed to the mk908 (3188). Its from cheap cost cutting manufacturing using the same too small enclosure, and inadequate cooling.

You could always add your own cooling! I didnt really want to go down this route so I think ill look out for another unit some have good heatsinks on.

[csjohnny]

RkGameController application is compatible with PS3 Controller?
We have touch screen emulation?
4.1.1. 3.0.8 kernel works touch.ko file, but 4.2.2. 3.0.36 kernel does it work?

http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?4458-Add-touch-screen-support-for-Six-Axis-Joy-Center-to-my-ROMs

[hoabycsr]

Nah it´s still there. A bit better I think but still there.