[ROM] Mecool M8S Pro TVStock Nexus ROM (Android TV 7.1)

[zwarder]

I cannot get my box recognised in pc either using a male/male A/A usb cable

You need to press the hidden reset switch (accessed via pinhole on bottom of case) when you connect the USB cable, and it's got to connect to the USB OTG jack, which is the one closer to the power jack.

[benn0s1991]

Will this ever work on a S912 box?
Getting boot loop after flashing on H96 Pro+

So, there are specific Amlogic boxes that might work with this ROM, and the dominant factor is the Amlogic reference board, not really the SoC. So, while H95 Pro+ also has an S912 SoC, it has a different reference board (q201) from the M8S Pro (q20x, which was specifically updated for Nougat).

That said, I'm working on a Beelink GT1 build of ATV 7.1 that might work on other boxes based on the q201 reference board.

[SmartButNotInYourArea]

Do any of your firmware versions have Krypton (17.3) on them?

I don't ship with any 3rd-party apps other than the terminal emulator (which I'm in the process of replacing with modified AOSP version). However, it's simple to install it from the Google Play Store. Just AOSP, OpenGApps, some CM (LineageOS) bits, and TWRP.

[teters01]

how will I disable the battery optimization every app? thanks

[SeeThreePeeOh]

Thanks for the awesome roms. The one issue I've noticed so far is that with the TVStock Firmware the Netflix app consistently gives a ui-800-3 error (which is normally indicative of having stale account data on the device, which obviously isn't the problem in this case).
On the (non-TV) stock and nano versions the Netflix app isn't accessible in the Play Store at all, but can be sideloaded.

Yes, that's just Netflix being Netflix. You'd think paying your monthly subscription would allow you to access on any device, right? However, they block rooted devices and ones that don't have Widevine L1 on the Android TV version. (So far in my experience, only the M8S PRO+ seems to work.) On the non-ATV platform, they only list the app on the Google Play Store if you pass SafetyNet checks.

[hst250]

Dear Magendanz, I really appreciate your work! I've read you've implemented some feature off lineage OS. Would you mind to also integrate the HDCP DEBUG OPTION to have the ability to turn off HDCP checking. I ran into trouble using a HDMI-DVI cable as my beamer does not have the option to connect to through HDMI as it only supports DVI. I had to buy a HDMI ---> VGA converter from CHINA but would love to connect the device digitally.

have a look right here: https://jira.lineageos.org/secure/at...5-14-17-56.png

kind regards

There's a lot of hardware-specific code in the Settings app, and it's tightly paired with the framework for that device. For that reason, I only make minor modifications to the version of Settings that ships in the OEM firmware. I can't mix and match major pieces like that.

[SeeThreePeeOh]

It's super annoying that Netflix are being so backwards. I'm sure they're probably playing paranoid about people with unofficial roms having some way to copy their content.
It's a little ridiculous since anyone can easily sideload the netflix app. I'm not quite sure why the TVStock rom causes the ui-800-3 error though.

BTW, I'm now using the Nano rom, with "Top TV Launcher 2" as the launcher, on the 3G/32G version of the M8S Pro, and it's working great.
It is a shame that some apps don't work too well with the remote though (netflix and amazon prime video included).
I was hoping the Android TV verion of Netflix would work better with the remote, but since I can't even get to the sign-in screen with it, I can't tell if it would be any better.

The TVStock ROM is what allows you to run the Google Play Store for Android TV and download the Leanback version of the Netflix app, but it's the lack of Widevine L1 that's causing the ui-800-3 error. On the M8S Pro+ (which has L1), I was running Netflix for Android TV just fine. (Of course, they'll probably be "fixing" that soon.)

[ethonious]

Hi Magendanz,
excellent work on your Nexus tv rom!!!but i cannot download it from One Drive as i have tried 12 times now and it keeps on giving me network error FILE DOES NOT EXIST???
Is there any other download sites??like mega maybe....
desperately want to try out this rom...

thanks in advance!

The OneDrive link seems to be working fine for me, but I'll copy it up to the FreakTab file share (freaktab.org) ASAP. (Right now, the FDS seems to be down.)

[ethonious]

Magendanz,highly appreciated tv rom is fantastic >> you are a genius!
thanks again for the prompt response and action.

[SeeThreePeeOh]

I've not seen the 'plus' version of the S912-based M8S Pro on sale (I didn't even know there was a + variant until you mentioned it Magendaz)
I bought my S912 M8 S Pro 3GB/32GB from Amazon.
I'd be interested in swapping it for a + version, if it allows me to use the TV version of the Netflix app (but as you say, that may not last long anyway I guess ... tho' if they just block it from the store then I could at least sideload it)
Any suggestions on where to get the + version ?

I also just read that most devices will be restricted to SD quality if they don't have Widevine L1 support (I just did some reading up on the Widevine DRM). I haven't used this box much yet, but if it's limited to SD then that really sucks

Well, the M8S PRO+ is actually a downgrade from the M8S PRO in most ways. You bump down to an Amlogic S905X from the S912, you lose Bluetooth support (which I use heavily) and 5GHz WiFi, and they moved the reset button to the most awkward location. The Widevine L1 is the only "plus" about it.

[SeeThreePeeOh]

Ahhh, so the "+" is the S905X version. Hadn't seen it referred to as that. Yeah, I definitely need the bluetooth, and the 5GHz wifi. Just need the L1 bit on a S912-based box. I want all the toys damnit !

Yeah, the "+" designation for a downgrade is very confusing, not to mention the fact that the higher-end project should have all the features of the cheaper, lower-end one...plus a bunch of new ones to justify the price premium. So why didn't the M8S Pro get Widevine L1?

[Guest]

Changelog (20170807):

• Added Home button shortcuts, long press for voice search and double-tap for recent apps
• Replaced Jack Palevich's Terminal Emulator with Terminal app from LineageOS, tweaking manifest so that it always shows in launcher
• Included additional keyboard layouts and fixed IR remote "mouse mode"
• Included OTA updates as well as the full Amlogic burn packages
• Latest build from Open GApps (20170807)

[SeeThreePeeOh]

Hey Magendaz, just wondered if you'd tried sideloading the non-TV version of the netflix app on the AndroidTV version of your rom builds ? Was wondering if that would still work (since it works ok on the other versions, and doesn't seem to require L1 ... tho' it seems the video isn't full HD).
TBH, without the more TV-friendly netflix version I'm not sure what I'd gain by switching back to the TV rom, since I'm using a separate launcher anyway. Are you aware of any improved remote-control functionality in the TV build, if not using the standard Android TV launcher/gui ? (e.g.: Does it benefit other apps at all)

[Guest]

Hey Magendaz, just wondered if you'd tried sideloading the non-TV version of the netflix app on the AndroidTV version of your rom builds ? Was wondering if that would still work (since it works ok on the other versions, and doesn't seem to require L1 ... tho' it seems the video isn't full HD).

Yes, the non-ATV version of Netflix still works in 480p (and if you install a hacked version you might even get up to 1080p resolution).

TBH, without the more TV-friendly netflix version I'm not sure what I'd gain by switching back to the TV rom, since I'm using a separate launcher anyway. Are you aware of any improved remote-control functionality in the TV build, if not using the standard Android TV launcher/gui ? (e.g.: Does it benefit other apps at all)

Well, it's certainly a matter of taste, but I still believe the Nexus Player and NVIDIA Shield TV user experience to be far superior to anything offered by 3rd-party launchers on these Chinese TV boxes. Really, that's why I do all this, so I obviously feel strongly about it. If you feel differently, you're under no pressure to install a custom ROM.

[SeeThreePeeOh]

Yes, the non-ATV version of Netflix still works in 480p (and if you install a hacked version you might even get up to 1080p resolution).


Well, it's certainly a matter of taste, but I still believe the Nexus Player and NVIDIA Shield TV user experience to be far superior to anything offered by 3rd-party launchers on these Chinese TV boxes. Really, that's why I do all this, so I obviously feel strongly about it. If you feel differently, you're under no pressure to install a custom ROM.

The thing I don't like about the Android TV launcher, is all the advertised content. If it weren't for that then it'd definitely be preferable. I'm currently using 'Top TV Launcher 2' on your Nano rom build.
I definitely disliked the mecool launcher.
I might have to look into this hacked version you speak of, since that sounds promising