Transform a low cost S912 TV Box into a killer TV Box DIY

[bajann]

DRM l1 hack rly?

[X92-2GB]

DRM l1 hack rly?

Yep, but that will be a private thing not to share. It requires a box to transfer drm system files from.
As long as CPU is of the AM variant (I mixed S5 KitKat with Note II KitKat, not the same cpu, but ARM based) and Android version is the same. A lot of base Android is shared between builds, some hardware have open framework, that has features enabled but no system files to allow full features. It makes for simple system wide configurations without rebuilding frameworks for specific platforms. Not all manufacturers do that, but Samsung and a few do, because of mass production of wide variety of hardwares.

to find what may open doors, just compare frameworks, and system files from similar devices, usually larger frameworks mean things are enabled. Some system files are not that way, especially if pointing to hardware driven encoding / decoding, or bypassing system files to enable a feature.

My tablet is a mix of 4 ROMs, layered over stock with a custom kernel. Some developers so such a thing in testing, others rebuild from a master base and hand pick original packages and system required files over to the new base. So i am backwards, yet it is what works in keeping the best stability for me, plus I get to see what effects the over all performance and enables features i can use.

It took me over a year to figure out from scratch, as i am not a developer, and don't use tools to compile or run environments with. I use android tools to monitor how the system operates in real time. Thus finding what improvements were made on one newer rom release over my stock, which was 6 months behind. One issue that some deva ignore, is frameworks for all variants in the family tree. Some break the ability for IMEI to be read, so peeps panic when they loose their IMEI when flashing a custom rom. If they were smart, they could have saved their framework and plugged in a few files to recover their IMEI. I stumbled upon it with modding a factory locked bootloader on another tablet, while manually customising it's firmware to use Spen pie menu, which uses a custom framework. Once plugged in no IMEI after reboot. Reverted back and manually found and swapped files from a different build that did not change the framework.

For those who never removed or limited google... The performance impact is like a big over clock on the CPU. You would not believe now much Play Store (or any other Google app with Play in its name), and YouTube hook into your device.

so there you go, another reason why I don't play with 7.1... its layout is a bit diff than older Android and because I don't play with Google in background services i am thinking myself out of the widevine mod, as i use Amazon prime. Haven't used Hulu since Jellybean, when it was free and worked. Some like Hulu for a wide variety of programmes and films. But I find Amazon content so much better, its like comparing HBO to the CW. Plus I am more on the UK and Scandinavian channels than US. So there is so much that Hulu and Amazon put together don't cover until they buy rights to it. I don't think any one in the US has seen the final season of Cordon (season 1 was the better), even though it's about a year old now in release. The US version is not as good. God forbid the US releases an English version of Fortitude, as every US release of Scandinavian programmes they muck it up. They screwed up with US versions of The Bridge, The Killing, and Broadchurch. Geezo at least you can find them on Amazon or Hulu time to time.

Enough of my faffing about... I guess I am a bit peeved at having to search for different custom builds based on 3gb/32gb. Not very many to use as a base. So, excuse my bitterness about thinking L1 DRM , do i really need it, and being nit picky enough just to make it work.

[X92-2GB]

OK, I paid over twice as I would have originally for a TV box. I still saved some coin. Yes it is still new in box, never been touched by human hands , nor abused by tweakers like me.

It is almost at my doorstep now. So once I get it, I should be the first here to properly disassemble, modify and tweak this mini into a more powerful and stable unit. In fact nobody seems to care enough to try... until now!

I assume there is a 10/100 LAN chip as stated in the specs, though the 32GB version has the 10/100/1000 chip. I plan on replacing the LAN chip with a RTL8211 chip so I have the same hardware as a Beelink GT1.

Seems like this main board also has a few provisions, like an extra USB, JTAG, and misc other stuff. I should be able to add function to them bare options.

So, keep an eye out... its coming, and it's coming fast!

[X92-2GB]

I got my box! Ha!

Right now I am burning in the box with stock firmware. Lucky me, it's 707, which sux, but it's just a burn in anywho.

Did verify it's the latest main board and very small, with a L shape, as if i could place in a memory storage unit inside the box, using one of the internal USB connections.

I did two things... replaced the weak 2A power supply with a 3A unit, and removed the weak thermal pad and RF shield. I replaced them for the time being, mil spec heat sink compound on the CPU with a nickel sandwiched between the heavy heat sink. The nickel was also coated with mil spec heat sink compound.

Did not take pix just yet, as I spent enough time doing a quick run down on board lay out and what i can do.

Found this box has Fn-Link 8223A, (Qualcomm QCA9377) ac wifi chip with BLE 4.1. It so happens to have, a misprint on box specs, as for most all 9377 boxes.

I tried to replace the internal wifi antenna but i did not have time to heat the main board enough to desolder it for replacement.

Will be using one of the unused 3 db Linksys antennas I have, as i upgraded my WRT1900AC unit with 6 db ASUS antennas.

Since I am not familiar at all with these boxes, I find navigating using ATV launcher, by Beelink, yes this main board is distributed by Beelink, to be a bit cumbersome. My tablet is so easy to launch apps that I mostly use via folder short cut or touchwiz multi window tray.

Oddly my mod to the heat sink did a good job at distributing heat, as the top of the box felt fairly warm after 20 minutes from initial start and TV app setup and playback. After a few hours the top of the box cooled down considerably.

I know i want to push 6.0.1 onto this box, as i have stated in the beginning, but i will try a custom 7.1.2 firmware before then, once I complete burn in and the mods I intend on.

Donno about other remotes, but this one seems fairly small, and has a mouse function. I was able to navigate BBC iPlayer for smart phones, and perform everything that i can do on my tablet, just have to toggle between mouse and remote function.

I will sort out what can be done to remote control vía smart phone, to make all navigation and keyboard entry via touch screen.

[X92-2GB]

Made headway... found there must be a 10/100 Ethernet built in to the CPU. No Ethernet chip I can find on the main board. I installed the external 3 db gain antenna. Still burning in, and testing.

Device is prerooted, so system configurations can be done without flashing root or using an app to install it.

Also I updated, and added pix with info on post #4 of this thread.

[X92-2GB]

Bummer, i only get 70 mbps with the 5 ghz N channel even though it connects at 150 mbps.
So, i will check and see what drivers are done for ethernet, and make a backup for adding to my custom firmware install.

I should at least have 100 mbps on LAN connection, which will be better, as it is not only faster, but full duplex.

[clarkss12]

Bummer, i only get 70 mbps with the 5 ghz N channel even though it connects at 150 mbps.
So, i will check and see what drivers are done for ethernet, and make a backup for adding to my custom firmware install.

I should at least have 100 mbps on LAN connection, which will be better, as it is not only faster, but full duplex.

You are making good progress.

[X92-2GB]

Well, i killed my box!

Donno what happened, but I forced a firmware flash after it failed. Though it flashed and rebooted to a dead box. Only a black screen, no recovery, no burn detection, no sdcard reset flash, just a light for the SPDIF and power.

I looked up all the methods of recovery, and none pertain to my box, so i will have to wait it out for more boxes to be posted on recovering from bricks.

i may have flashed a DDR4 firmware or 3gb varient.

[X92-2GB]

Cool beans, I got my tv box back online!

I decided before I toss it out into the rubbish, I'd give the short out pins to the NVRAM.

Low and behold, I found that the unmarked chip was a direct replacement for the SAMSUNG chips that were bad on late M8S Pro Plus devices with DDR4 RAM.

The best part is you don't need to remove the main board, just pop the bottom off.

Now I can install my external antenna, and down grade to 6.0.1 and move into modding further with my box.

[X92-2GB]

I downloaded and flashed an early firmware made for my box. It is D706. It seems less buggy than the original D707 firmware. The issue I am getting which nobody has complained about with any other box, is that once you flash using USB burn tool, you must wait hours before flashing again. You get an error when erasing bootloader, as if boot loader is locked. Seems that my Sdcard maker 2.2 is wonky, stopped converting FAT 32 to EXT4 format. So the option to use sdcard no longer functions. I assume the boot loader is locked, and with any 7.1 it does not matter, just flashing 6.0.1 causes issues with bricking.

Beelink GT1 6.0.1 firmware fully burns with 100% but stops once the green circle changes color, and stays at Please Wait... indefinitely.

SuperCeleron's GT1 6.0.1 firmware does not load and gives failures. Tillaz87 GT1 firmware for 7.1 fully burns at 100% and loads but is buggy with my older apps, and is buggy with older apps, and streaming apps for phones.

So far no 6.0.1 firmware has been able to load. At this time down grading is not an option. I guess I will have to work with stock firmwares for other devices.

from what I hear Vorke and Ugoos have 7.0.1 firmwares that some GT1 users have liked as an in between stock and custom. With the old broken features fixed, especially for DTS pass through and video playback.

Have resorted to MX Player Pro for troubling playback issues with 7.1.

I guess nobody has figured out a way to downgrade boot loaders from 7.1. Else more would be moving to 6.0.1.

[X92-2GB]

After so many set backs, i managed to make peace... well about 80% with phone android 7.1.2 on the TV box.

Rule number one flash 706N0, and freeze all system apps associated with OTA and updates. I had forgotten to, after setting up everything, and just before I got to backup my apps and settings, bam reboot and update! Screwed me big time, as the next morning another update to the system froze my boot up, and could not boot into safe mode. Yep, I think the two empty solder pads next to the optical and HDMI are for power/wake up switch. May wire up a switch and find out, after I get done with my heat sink mod.

I knew that you cannot have two network connections simultaneously. Either have one or the other. Was doing fine, until one streaming app would just sit there without any error. Found out hours later, I had left LAN attached for most of my initial setup and app settings. The blasted app of all things is FOX Sports Go. Obviously the programmer does not allow fall back from wireless and data to a wired connection. Thought my HDMI display settings and developer settings were hosing the app.

Another bummer was 7.1.2 compatibility with older xposed modules, which wipes out 3/4 of the modules I currently use on my tablet.

I have, cut out a 1/4" air craft aluminum plate to custom fit the plastic box, and installed an external antenna.

So far, all streaming apps work and I can download programmes as well. Still I want 6.0.1 but eventually will get there. This older firmware has not had an issue with HDMI and screen resolutions. Very crisp on lower res up converts.

I will try out, my ac wireless in a mixed environment with n on 5Ghz, just been slowly converting from g to n. I should've waited for boxes to drop further and gotten a box with 6.0.1 and 1000baseT. Then only laptops and tablets will use wifi.

Will add more pictures soon, to my assortment that I had posted earlier.

[X92-2GB]

Over the weekend, i did some small testing... found some build.prop settings in my tablet to transfer to the box.

Used a simple change on the box build prop to change screen orientation, to force landscape in all apps.

Disabled ART, to use Dalvik cache, which was a problem with many apps.

Will tweak minimal width and dpi settings to fit things better, soon.

Also, I will adjust wifi config file to boost gains for better speeds down stairs.

So far the only issue with android phone apps for streaming is the new format for NatGeo. Fox is screwing the pooch with copying Netflix and Hulu. The background video clips sick and är distracting. Only keeping it in ccase I really need to watch live programming. I had to transfer my tablet's setting for NatGeo to get passed the missing login for attaching to my provider.

Oh, i won't be installing Youtube, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon, as none have any importance, and don't give me any thing that I am missing out on with other apps.

Romodroid seems a wee buggy, but is doing well enough for more fluid interaction with apps. Just have to manually reset the remodroid server on the box, and reconnect, which is simple to do.

For night owl occasions, Pluto, Terrarium, and Tubi, are plenty enough.

Here is all the apps that run on my box for streaming.

All4 (minimal ads)
My5 (no ads)
ITV Hub (no ads)
SBS On Demand (no ads)
ABC iView (no ads)
RTE Player (no ads)
BBC iPlayer (no ads)
STV Player (no ads)
ABC (ads)
NBC (ads)
NBC Sports (minimal ads)
ESPN (ads)
FOX Sports Go (minimal ads)
TNT (no ads)
BBC America (no ads)
History (no ads)
PBS (no ads)
SYFY (skip ads)
USA (skip ads)
AMC (skip ads)
Spike (skip ads)
NatGeo with login missing, needs tablet remote to scroll. (ads)
Xfinity Stream - Won't playback as with HBO Go, but once configured, you can use it for auto login with streaming apps... eccept Fox Sports Go. Fox Sports does not have it implemented as of yet, plus they try to hook you with a fake login first for marketing.

[X92-2GB]

Another update... with xposed and root, finding a wee bug or two with stock firmware. Beelink UI fails every once and a while. Had to turn off agressive internal scans of apps for built In ads. Was making a number of newer updated phone apps FC . As of late most are tied deep into Google ads.

Still have my History Channel mobile app free from 90% ads, only History channel ads are shown, the rest are blocked.

Have only a few tweaks running, just to make sure things are smooth in the long run.

[X92-2GB]

Still working on troubleshooting, and clearing up some issues found.

Nougat sucks with implementing xposed modules.

found more build.prop mods from my tablet still functional. Like disabling HDMI checks, and better wifi performance. Right now wifi is equal to 100mbps lan connection on downloads with ac 40mhz.

Need to sort out a developer wifi config that releases the driver for full options, like unlocking region and TX power, FCC channel check and bonding limitations.

Performed an update to FSGO in hopes to correct wifi and data only connections, a no go.

still unable to use hosts file... possible corrupt entry failing read by system. It's huge, but works fine on tablet.

Installed a launcher / app drawer that works in conjunction with Beelink UI. So far no bugs, and able to sort and itemise apps into seperate pages, without needing to go into apps.

Found my main issue with stock firmware is due to two things in general. The system's ART caching, and Remodroid app. Updated Remodroid and now using Devlik caching. Minor issues with Solid Explorer... may revert to classic as it always has been better and less buggy.

Removed PPOE.

Gotta remind myself to install force 4x MSAA xposed module, when done... just keeping system as clean as possible on xposed tweaks before completing manually edited system tweaks.

Need to test further on disable service with modding background running services, and set prevent running to kill apps that stay resident after closing... Chrome browser for one.

Will also look into build.prop mod to allow some streaming apps to use a higher resolution. FSGO has this issue along with some others. May need change model info to correct... one option i can do is use S5 phone model as a test. Already performed the 4K resolution addition for Netflix and Youtube, without any affect.

[X92-2GB]

Fixed the resolution issues with streaming apps that default to low res on playback. Another simple build.prop edit.

After testing with an S5 device entry, i proved that device info was not proper for a good ID by all apps. I assumed most good programmers would use the best way to implement Google API schema but no, they become lazy and just look at device info in the build.prop, instead of looking at hardware capabilities.

I found replacing all the Q201 entries with a proper device ID worked as well. To make the build.prop proper in respects to the box.

The proper ID seems to be S912, which is the architecture of the box. Q201 is just the Beelink build of the system.

Still working on the hosts file... it is huge and not so easy to figure out an error. Maybe Android 7.1.2 does not like 0.0.0.0 as an IP, and I will need to change it to 10.0.0.1 or what ever.

For what it's worth 4.4.2 reads the same hosts file completely.

Tested the latest History, SYFY, and USA with my tablet... just to prove I can skip ads and go to any location on the time line for uninterrupted playback.

Once I get the hosts file running, I will move along with more system mods.