[Expendable]

Another data point: I upgraded my 14.1 install to 15.0 on another Matricom MX2 that DOES HAVE root access and the results were the same.

What I did notice was that as soon as Kodi starts, both CPUs ramp to between 90 - 100% with nothing playing.

When I did try to play an m4v file I see the same errors in the log that the OP described:

Code:

21:45:30 T:1768247992   DEBUG: FactoryCodec - Video: amcodec - Opening
21:45:30 T:1768247992   ERROR: AML: no proper permission, please contact the device vendor. Skipping codec...
21:45:30 T:1768247992   DEBUG: FactoryCodec - Video: amcodec - Failed
21:45:30 T:1768247992    INFO: MediaCodec Video Decoder...
21:45:30 T:1768247992   DEBUG: FactoryCodec - Video: mediacodec - Opening
21:45:30 T:1768247992    INFO: CBitstreamConverter::Open bitstream to annexb init
21:45:30 T:1768247992   ERROR: CDVDVideoCodecAndroidMediaCodec:: Failed to create Android MediaCodec
21:45:30 T:1768247992   DEBUG: FactoryCodec - Video: amc-h264 - Failed
21:45:30 T:1768247992   DEBUG: FactoryCodec - Video: stf-xxxx - Opening
21:45:30 T:1768247992   DEBUG: CDVDVideoCodecStageFright::virtual bool CDVDVideoCodecStageFright::Open(CDVDStreamInfo&, CDVDCodecOptions&) - trying to open, codec(28), profile(100), level(41)
21:45:30 T:1768247992    INFO: CBitstreamConverter::Open bitstream to annexb init
21:45:30 T:1768247992   DEBUG: SECTION:LoadDLL(libXBMCvcodec_stagefrightICS-arm.so)
21:45:30 T:1768247992   DEBUG: Loading: /data/app-lib/org.xbmc.kodi-1/libXBMCvcodec_stagefrightICS-arm.so
21:45:30 T:1768247992   DEBUG: CStageFrightVideo::bool CStageFrightVideo::Open(CDVDStreamInfo&) - component: OMX.google.h264.decoder
21:45:30 T:1768247992   ERROR: CStageFrightVideo::bool CStageFrightVideo::Open(CDVDStreamInfo&) - Blacklisted component (software)
21:45:30 T:1768247992   ERROR: CDVDVideoCodecStageFright::virtual bool CDVDVideoCodecStageFright::Open(CDVDStreamInfo&, CDVDCodecOptions&) - failed to open, codec(28), profile(100), level(41)
21:45:30 T:1768247992   DEBUG: FactoryCodec - Video: stf-h264 - Failed
21:45:30 T:1768247992   DEBUG: FactoryCodec - Video:  - Opening
21:45:30 T:1768247992  NOTICE: CDVDVideoCodecFFmpeg::Open() Using codec: H.264 / AVC / MPEG-4 AVC / MPEG-4 part 10
21:45:30 T:1768247992   DEBUG: CDVDVideoCodecFFmpeg - open frame threaded with 2 threads
21:45:30 T:1768247992   DEBUG: FactoryCodec - Video: ff-h264 - Opened
21:45:30 T:1768247992  NOTICE: Creating video thread

It appears that rooted or not, 15.0 pegs the CPUs - playing or not.

I looked through the logs and could not find any log entries from aml_permissions() complaining that the required files did not have RW permissions.

Since 14 used to work, I'm hoping somebody has an idea what the issue is with 15 on this chipset.

Thanks!

[wrxtasy]

Your CPU is pegging to 90 - 100% because ffmpeg (ff-h264) Software decoding is taking place when all the Hardware acceleration decoders fail.

I I was to take an educated guess, I would still point to either Firmware built with an old Android SDK or memory allocation issues in the meson8x-xxxx.dtb file.
To debug further you will need to look at Kernel messages that be retrieved with the Android App Sendlog.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/detai...6n.sendlog

[Veldkornet]

Have you tried the latest 16.0 alpha? I've heard from someone that this resolved their issue.

[Expendable]

Have you tried the latest 16.0 alpha? I've heard from someone that this resolved their issue.

Yes. I tried 15.1 then the latest build from the master branch. No difference.

[Koying]

You might try http://mirrors.xbmc.org/test-builds/andr...bi-v7a.apk (16 alpha) with mediacodec only

[Expendable]

You might try http://mirrors.xbmc.org/test-builds/andr...bi-v7a.apk (16 alpha) with mediacodec only

Thanks Koying for the suggestion. I tried it but unfortunately, no improvement. Both CPUs pegged at 100% when playback starts. Same as with the current release.

*sigh*

[martin_d]

You might try http://mirrors.xbmc.org/test-builds/andr...bi-v7a.apk (16 alpha) with mediacodec only

Thanks Koying for the suggestion. I tried it but unfortunately, no improvement. Both CPUs pegged at 100% when playback starts. Same as with the current release.

*sigh*

Out of curiosity do you have Dolby digital capable receiver enabled within sound settings? If so, if you disable it is it any better?

[wrxtasy]

I remember Noggin had this same video stuttering issue with AC3/DTS audio passthrough recently on an Android Image on the C1. Turned it off and the issue went away.
The conversation at the time was it was either an AMlogic issue or and Android Limitation.

[NoAimGangster]

No proper permissions and no implementation of Mediacodec -> the box is hopeless for Kodi...

@Koying..You got me a little nervous LOL. Are you saying That 14.2 will be the last version of Kodi that will work well with the MX2? I own two of those boxes, both did Not do
well with the 15.0 update. I went back to 14.2 and have no problems. I have the same problems as OP. Thank You for your help and support.

[Expendable]

Out of curiosity do you have Dolby digital capable receiver enabled within sound settings? If so, if you disable it is it any better?

It is set to the default of 2 channel stereo, so DD is not enabled.

Thanks.

[Ned Scott]

No proper permissions and no implementation of Mediacodec -> the box is hopeless for Kodi...

@Koying..You got me a little nervous LOL. Are you saying That 14.2 will be the last version of Kodi that will work well with the MX2? I own two of those boxes, both did Not do
well with the 15.0 update. I went back to 14.2 and have no problems. I have the same problems as OP. Thank You for your help and support.

It means you need to flash it with better firmware. The hardware itself is fine.

[an0ny]

...

[Ned Scott]

same problem here on minix neo x8h plus. no hw acceleration, just blank screen with latest 006a fw

Have you tried to disable amlogic codec? That box should switch over to Media Codec just fine, I think. Go into Kodi -> Settings -> Videos - Acceleration -> to find the setting.

[an0ny]

...

[Ned Scott]

So on v15 it works if you disable libstagefright and mediacodec, but leave amcodec enabled?