[ROM] Mecool KM9 TVStock Nexus ROM (Android TV 8.1)

[rakeshchn]

Now that we have an OEM firmware for Android 9 for KM9 (non ATV), am I correct in assuming we will not have any problems building custom ROMs from Amlogic 9.0 ATV SDK? I mean device specific files, drivers and other components can be used from OEM firmware for a fully functional custom ROM? If so its pretty exciting!!

Just to be clear, I haven't done any customization with this Android 9.0 (Pie) ROM yet. It's just what was shipped by the OEM with the device, ripped into a burn package (.img file) for your convenience.

Work on custom ROMs won't start until the Amlogic SDK 9.0 is finalized.

It boots and both wireless chipset and IR remote codes seem to be working. These are the most common device compatibility issues.

[clarkss12]

Just tested this new Magendanz's mod on my Mecool KM9 and here is what I have found. First, it is dated, Feb, 20, KM9-PI-V1.20190220.151755. It does use the touch screen version of Android.

Kodi version, 18.1 runs very well, including high bitrate 4k rips.

This firmware, just like the original ATV version, supports Dolby Digital, AND DTS, but NOT the HD audio codecs.

Ethernet and WiFi both work very well. I am testing my high bitrate 4k rip using the 5 Gz band, and there is NO buffering.

As with all of the Amlogic boxes, movies encode with VC-1 codec, struggle with the video stuttering.

Emby and Plex clients refuse to use the ATV version and will only install the touch screen version. The playback of media using these two players, is sub par and not usable.

Netflix as expected plays in DVD quality with stereo only.

YouTube plays 4k videos flawlessly. This is using the 5Gz WiFi connection, and not Ethernet.

At this time, I don't see any difference between Android 8.1 or this Android 9. But perhaps I am missing something.

But as usual, I love Magendanz's mods............ I run his mods on most of my boxes............

Waiting for his ATV version that he will be doing next month.

Edit: For the touch screen version of Android, I use this air mouse remote and it works great. It is an actual air mouse with an RF dongle, for less than $11 USD.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Tikigogo-T1M-Gyroscope-air-mouse-full-IR-learning-PK-G10-one-key-to-google-voice-assistant/32886725206.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.3da24c4d9EgUq5

[rakeshchn]

Thanks @Magendanz!! By smoke test you mean Wifi, LAN, bluetooth and voice remote are working fine?

So, I was able to build an Amlogic burn package (.img file) of the latest Android Pie OEM firmware from a partition dump provided by DerKammi. It passes the basic smoke tests, but hasn't yet been fully tested. I did confirm that it installs fine on my old KM9, despite reporting as being based on the newer Amlogic u212 reference board.

KM9-PI-V1.20190220.151755.img

Note that while this is compressed as a ZIP archive to make for a faster download, it's not something you can install from stock recovery or TWRP. You need to unpack and install the IMG file using the latest Amlogic USB Burning Tool or BootcardMaker. I also want to emphasize that the Amlogic SDK 9.0 won't be final until at least the end of this month, so you should consider these Android Pie builds beta quality (at best).

[rakeshchn]

Thanks for checking. I am not sure if KODI requires a receiver with HD audio decode capabilities connected to show the options. If you already had that then nothing much to rejoice. Hardware acceleration options are usually enabled by default and shows under player settings page. Did Kodi run stable without crashes for watching an whole movie? Other than lack of HD audio support the issues i have in 8.1 KM9 are occasional crashes when playing movies from SMB share, and Amazon prime add on not playing anything although it can show movie list and all. I hope KM9 still has Widevine L1 in pie.

[DerKammi]

Well I'm afraid nothing has changed, no DTS HD and Dolby True HD pass through option, also the "Planet.Earth.Bird.Scene.Benchmark-VC1.mkv" is not playing smoothly, although I could not find any hard acceleration options anyway in Kodi.

So no improvements here I think.

[DerKammi]

Anything else then Redbox? It won't sideload.

[DerKammi]

Don't have a 4k screen, but I'll try to test the rest or at 1080

[rakeshchn]

Install latest Kodi v 18 stable release, go to settings enable expert mode, in System settings enable audio pass through and see if it lists DTS HD and Dolby Tru HD under pass through options. Also please install any tv live streaming apps like Redbox and see if all channels play smooth. Enable all hardware acceleration settings in Kodi and see if 4K high bitrate videos play without problems.

[DerKammi]

Tell me how to test it and I will try to give you an answer this evening. After I have given Magendanz the latest upload of the firmware that is. We finally found the correct partition table.

[rakeshchn]

Yaayyy! We are all excited for Android 9 release for KM9!! Wait.......

Is it because HD audio passthrough and auto frame rate switching work in Kodi? Anything else that would be an improvement over 8.1?

[timonych]

Hi Magendanz.

Do this firmware has ac3 codec? I have bought km9 and I'm using Plex. I have a MI Box which has ac3 and there is no any problem with playing videos with ac3, but in mecool km9 I have a trouble.

[clarkss12]

Looking forward to it! thanks