AML Mini M8S(S905) latest firmware

[Queenslayer]

I don't know where I can check what recovery it is, since there's no info when in recovery mode, it's probably the stock one.

Usually into of the screen when in recovery mode.

Will say something like "Android system/stock recovery"

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[RISCy Dude]

TWRP has GUI, it looks considerably different than the stock recovery. I don't have much experience with it, many do.
Example shown below. For info on TWRP for Amlogic, see here. <--Link for reference to TWRP on AML, not a link to a version for this device.

As always, exercise caution when modifying your device, as the modifier assumes responsibility.

[Queenslayer]

Riscy, which one of them is for the mini M8S?

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[RISCy Dude]

Sorry, I don't know. I linked to that page for reference to TWRP on AML. The only one I have tried, was for an S805 box. It was SD card boot version. I have not tried S905 varieties.
I will edit the description of the link, to highlight that it is not pointing to a solution for this device. If you don't find yours there, check back, versions for other devices get added sometimes.
It may be that the thread's author, abdul_pt will hear requests, but I don't know that.
As always, from what I have learned, developers work best when they have beer. Seems like a bargain.

[Krakatau]

I think Abdul_pt is working on it. Give him sometime, I'm sure we'll have it soon. He's got a lot of requests for TWRP for different devices, including this one. He needs the stock FW image link, and the output of the commands 'cat /proc/partitions' and 'ls -l -R /dev/block' whch I already posted. He made TWRP 3.0.2 for my KIII and it works like a charm.

I compared the partitions and the block list and they look virtually identical, except for 8GB vs 16GB on KIII and tried it on Mini M8S, but it did not boot. I guess I'll wait a few more days.

Yesterday I tried the http://www.freak-tab.de/abdul_pt/aml/TWRP_MiniMX.img on external SD and it boots and I was able to do backup, but I am not confident enough if I should try the restore. Or may be I should? What could possible go wrong as you don't overwrite the bootloader? Just wandering.

[Queenslayer]

Do you mean you booted the device from the SD card or installed it from ext SD?



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[Krakatau]

Do you mean you booted the device from the SD card or installed it from ext SD?



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Yes, booted from ext SD card to TWRP, but I didn't flash the TWRP and replace the original recovery yet. You can try the other TWRP images this way.

I followed OP's instruction there: Copied the TWRP image to a microSD card and renamed it recovery.img. Then hold reset (under the box) with a paperclip while powering up the device. After the Google TV logo, TWRP should come up.

[Queenslayer]

Yes, booted from ext SD card to TWRP, but I didn't flash the TWRP and replace the original recovery yet. You can try the other TWRP images this way.

I followed OP's instruction there: Copied the TWRP image to a microSD card and renamed it recovery.img. Then hold reset (under the box) with a paperclip while powering up the device. After the Google TV logo, TWRP should come up.

That's awesome. I want to back it up that way too. Can you provide the link for instructions please?

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[Krakatau]

That's awesome. I want to back it up that way too. Can you provide the link for instructions please?

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Good news! I did a TWRP restore on the backup that I did yesterday and it worked! I wasn't sure about restoring the boot partition, so I checked System and Data, but unchecked Boot. The main thing is I got everything back!

The TWRP image that I used is TWRP_MiniMX.img. The instruction is in the OP by Abdul: http://freaktab.com/forum/tv-player-...mlogic-devices

As a note, when backing and restoring, it gave me two errors: Something related to LCD and LED displays, but everything else went well. I had to edit the backup filename's date+time though.

Actually, I was forced to do this restore because I had a problem earlier. The story is: I decided to create an Amlogic Boot Card as a rescue in case I messed up the rom. It worked and it allowed me to reflash the factory firmware. I was able to get back to the original factory system and even updated to the latest version. And so I thought.... Now the MX player doesn't play Dolby TrueHD passthru anymore. For me, that's a bummer! That's when I decided to get back to the original system.

Thanks to the TWRP restore. I got back the original system ... and HD Audio!

[Queenslayer]

Good news! I did a TWRP restore on the backup that I did yesterday and it worked! I wasn't sure about restoring the boot partition, so I checked System and Data, but unchecked Boot. The main thing is I got everything back!

The TWRP image that I used is TWRP_MiniMX.img. The instruction is in the OP by Abdul: http://freaktab.com/forum/tv-player-...mlogic-devices

As a note, when backing and restoring, it gave me two errors: Something related to LCD and LED displays, but everything else went well. I had to edit the backup filename's date+time though.

Actually, I was forced to do this restore because I had a problem earlier. The story is: I decided to create an Amlogic Boot Card as a rescue in case I messed up the rom. It worked and it allowed me to reflash the factory firmware. I was able to get back to the original factory system and even updated to the latest version. And so I thought.... Now the MX player doesn't play Dolby TrueHD passthru anymore. For me, that's a bummer! That's when I decided to get back to the original system.

Thanks to the TWRP restore. I got back the original system ... and HD Audio!

You've been experimenting loads with this box. Thank for the link. I thought Abdul_pt thread was about flashing the recovery into the eMMC.

I wouldn't mind a link for the sd Boot card either

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[Krakatau]

I am just preparing, hoping that someone will come up with a better ROM that doesn't have the shortcomings of the factory rom.

Try this TWRP. It works without the errors above: http://www.freak-tab.de/abdul_pt/aml/TWRP_MX64.img. I didn't try the restore though but I'm sure it's good. Just tick-out the Boot when restoring just to be safe.

"How to unbrick any Amlogic Devices" - http://chinagadgetsreviews.com/how-t...n-minutes.html

The ota_minim8s_rv104L03.zip doesn't have u-boot.img so use the bootloader.img and rename it to u-boot.bin. I also created a text file named factory_update_param.aml, with the following text (each line starts with --):
--wipe_data
--wipe_cache
--wipe_media
--update_package=/sdcard/ota_minim8s_rv104L03.zip

[Queenslayer]

Thanks, will definitely try when I get the time

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[digital_me]

Hi people!
I bought a Mini M8S with the 104L02 firmware. After some testing, the only bothering problem seems to be the WiFi download speed. Box is placed next to the router and signal is excellent. Connection is shown in WiFi settings at 150 Mbps. But the download speed (Ookla and other tests) seems to be capped at max 10.0 Mbps. Not a bit more. Upload speed is ok, around 50-60 Mbps. I think its more of a firmware bug than the wire antenna, as even my old MK808B Plus gets 20-25 Mbps download speed at that router distance.
Anyone have this WiFi issue? And for those with updated firmware, is the WiFi issue fixed in 104L03 and later firmware? Btw on my box OTA says I'm up to date with 104L02. I think it needs the zip file from SD but I won't risk bricking it if the WiFi problem is still there in the newer roms too.
Thermal management seems ok to me on this box. Only 36C in idle to max 65C in long run full load, compared to my now bricked MXQ Pro 4K that went from 58C in idle to 85C by only playing some 720p youtube short clips. And the MXQ has a larger box with vents, but a minuscule heatsink glued on top of the 905 and no contact with the metal plate (it is there only to make the box a little heavy).

[Krakatau]

Hi people!
I bought a Mini M8S with the 104L02 firmware. After some testing, the only bothering problem seems to be the WiFi download speed. Box is placed next to the router and signal is excellent. Connection is shown in WiFi settings at 150 Mbps. But the download speed (Ookla and other tests) seems to be capped at max 10.0 Mbps. Not a bit more. Upload speed is ok, around 50-60 Mbps. I think its more of a firmware bug than the wire antenna, as even my old MK808B Plus gets 20-25 Mbps download speed at that router distance.
Anyone have this WiFi issue? And for those with updated firmware, is the WiFi issue fixed in 104L03 and later firmware? Btw on my box OTA says I'm up to date with 104L02. I think it needs the zip file from SD but I won't risk bricking it if the WiFi problem is still there in the newer roms too.
Thermal management seems ok to me on this box. Only 36C in idle to max 65C in long run full load, compared to my now bricked MXQ Pro 4K that went from 58C in idle to 85C by only playing some 720p youtube short clips. And the MXQ has a larger box with vents, but a minuscule heatsink glued on top of the 905 and no contact with the metal plate (it is there only to make the box a little heavy).

It's confirmed: WiFi speed I got is 11Mbps dl/ul. Ethernet is 35mbps dl/ul (my ISP limit). My firmware is 105L03.

It is sitting next to my router. The wire antenna is actually a mini coaxial cable, connected to a printed wiring antenna, probably a folded dipole with impedance matching circuit built-in, so antenna should not be an issue. Later in the week when I have time, I will try to test signal strength with the wifi a distance away from the tv-box.

[RelentlesSoul]

It's confirmed: WiFi speed I got is 11Mbps dl/ul. Ethernet is 35mbps dl/ul (my ISP limit). My firmware is 105L03.

It is sitting next to my router. The wire antenna is actually a mini coaxial cable, connected to a printed wiring antenna, probably a folded dipole with impedance matching circuit built-in, so antenna should not be an issue. Later in the week when I have time, I will try to test signal strength with the wifi a distance away from the tv-box.

Good, that means the WiFi issues can be fixed with a firmware update probably.