X96 Mini TV Box Amlogic S905W + Android 7.1.2 + Quad-core Cortex-A53 + 4K VP9 H.265

[MDashK]

With Supersu ? No, i was not able to root this box.

But you need to know two things :
- When you start the "X96 mini" for the first time, the firmware is pre-root (nb: but i did not find with titanium backup the software that they were used for this root....).
- When you reinstal the firmware "p281-ota-root.zip", it is also pre-root (because it is the same firmware).

In conclusion, this box is always pre-root...and you can not change that.

So, basically, all it must be done is find out the app the activates the root on the device, correct?

[gamzone]

Awesome info! Thanks a bunch @gamzone.
BTW; were you able to root the device in the end?

With Supersu ? No, i was not able to root this box.

But you need to know two things :
- When you start the "X96 mini" for the first time, the firmware is pre-root (nb: but i did not find with titanium backup the software that they were used for this root....).
- When you reinstal the firmware "p281-ota-root.zip", it is also pre-root (because it is the same firmware).

In conclusion, this box is always pre-root...and you can not change that.

[MDashK]

Awesome info! Thanks a bunch @gamzone.
BTW; were you able to root the device in the end?

[gamzone]

https://yadi.sk/d/AaNjRSHi3NrjQ5 from 28.08.17.

I just want to say "thank you TOLB ! You save my life :-) ".

In fact, I tried to install Supersu on my "x96 mini box" (from Playstore) and then... i had an issue with a boot loop.


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How to fix this ? (and reinstall firmware ?) :

1° Restart your "x96 mini box".

2° Immediatly when it boots, you need to take something (for example a thumbtack) to use the reset button of your X96 box tv. For information, the button is hide inside the "AV" hole (look the photo i upload to understand)

3° When it succeeds, you will be in "Recovery Mode".

4° Go here https://yadi.sk/d/AaNjRSHi3NrjQ5. Then, choose "Sdcard" and Download "p281-ota-root.zip".

5° Copy "p281-ota-root.zip" on your micro sd card.

6° Insert your micro sd card in your "X96 mini box tv".

7° In the "Recovery Mode" (cf. 3°), choose "Apply Update from external storage".

8° Search "p281-ota-root.zip" on your sd card and install it.

9° It will reboot....and then.... perfect, it's works !!!!!
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PS: I hope my explications could help some people

PS2: If you see errors in my english, say it ! (like that, i could improve it)

[hjpca]

https://yadi.sk/d/AaNjRSHi3NrjQ5 from 28.08.17.

thankyou

[tolb]

https://yadi.sk/d/AaNjRSHi3NrjQ5 from 28.08.17.

[hjpca]

I been looking for days for this factory file no luck yet. When I find it I will post a link

[SkyDreamer]

Need stock firmware for X96 mini!!!! please

[MDashK]

Anyone knows where I can get a firmare with android 6 for this?
Or better... How to root this one?

[hjpca]

Anyone have factory firmware for this unit?

[Shimon]

Could you test if the video output is capable of 1080P / FHD?

It's capped at 720p indeed and switching to 1080P does nothing to the resolution. Probably just another case of Amlogic obfuscation as they could have removed those higher res UI options altogether. ( remember the 2GHz = 1.5Ghz debacle?)

In general, the box feels very smooth, I'd say slightly better than a TX3.

[fxfxfx]

Once I get to it, is there anything else to try out?

Could you test if the video output is capable of 1080P / FHD? Some references to the box being limited to 720p output only, meaning it can decode 1080, 4K and similar files, but will output in 720 resolution as its max. Specs of the box do say "I/O: 1 x HDMI 4K x 2K UHDOutput, HDMI 2.0A", though.

Also - if you root it, could you give a bullet list of main steps you managed to succeed with? Not much handy info on s905W root, so far.

[Shimon]

I received the 2GB version last Wednesday but haven't had time to unpack and test it. Once I get to it, is there anything else to try out?

[trebor]

Closer to Xmas as more make the market (speculation only) 1/8 closer to 20$, who knows (ram will be in shortage probably go up)
For the price and what they can do they are ok.
Smaller TV will be ok...
Budget Box

[WetWilly]

As always, thanks to trebor for these informative runthroughs on new boxes.

I had been seriously looking at a S905W box until I saw the Mecool M8S Pro+ (which is a whole other subject). These boxes look like a great value, especially one like this that apparently supports Widevine L1. The question I have is how is 1080p and 4K performance on these? I know the SOC is limited to 4K30, but the facts that 1) the CPU is throttled back to 1.2GHz from the 1.5GHz of the other S905 chips and 2) the UI is set to 720p, gives me pause.