[Jeffers24]

The light flashes whenever data is read or written to the USB stick, if this coincides with the trouble in LE, then that's a pretty big indicator what the problem is.

I'd imagine those read speeds are maximum sequential read speeds, not the random reads that makes more importance. I'd imagine a mSD would be much more portable than a USB stick, what with it being smaller and all.

My money would be the on the different sticks making the bigger difference over the boxes, but it's entirely possibly there is some variation in the boxes too.

Thanks for response.

I prefer to use a USB stick as it's easier to get in and out of the box, knowing me I would easily lose a micro sd when I am travelling, to prevent this I would probably put it in a box bigger than a USB :-)

I'll do some USB speed tests on my box when I have it booted to Android, anyone recommend a reliable Android USB speed tester app to test my USB hardware?

[Jeffers24]

The light flashes whenever data is read or written to the USB stick, if this coincides with the trouble in LE, then that's a pretty big indicator what the problem is.

I'd imagine those read speeds are maximum sequential read speeds, not the random reads that makes more importance. I'd imagine a mSD would be much more portable than a USB stick, what with it being smaller and all.

My money would be the on the different sticks making the bigger difference over the boxes, but it's entirely possibly there is some variation in the boxes too.

Thanks for response.

I prefer to use a USB stick as it's easier to get in and out of the box, knowing me I would easily lose a micro sd when I am travelling, to prevent this I would probably put it in a box bigger than a USB :-)

I'll do some USB speed tests on my box when I have it booted to Android, anyone recommend a reliable Android USB speed tester app to test my USB hardware?

This is a test of one of my USB sticks:-


SanDisk Extreme USB 3.0 64GB-£29
3,504 User benchmarks - Average bench 76%
58GB free, PID 5580
Operating at USB 3.0 Speed
Performing above expectations (63rd percentile) 96.5% Outstanding Read 223
Write 149
Mixed 140
204% 171 MB/s 4K Read 11.4
4K Write 9.43
4K Mixed 4.27
508% 8.36 MB/s DQ Read 11.4
DQ Write 10.3
DQ Mixed 4.26
538% 8.66 MB/s


SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 124GB
270 User benchmarks - Average bench 38%
15GB free, PID 5591, SanDisk Ultra Flair 128 GB up to 150 MB/s Read USB 3.0 Flash Drive
Operating at USB 3.0 Speed
Performing above expectations (63rd percentile) 49.1% Average Read 137
Write 95.3
Mixed 111
141% 115 MB/s 4K Read 3.42
4K Write 2.49
4K Mixed 0.92
129% 2.28 MB/s


This is the USB stick I am using for LibreELEC

Corsair Voyager SliderX1 128GB
53 User benchmarks - Average bench 26%
0GB free, PID 1a15
Operating at USB 3.0 Speed
Performing above expectations (60th percentile) 32% Below average Read 81.7
Write 80.3
Mixed 71
99% 77.7 MB/s 4K Read 3.17
4K Write 0.62
4K Mixed 0.56
52% 1.45 MB/s

[Jeffers24]

The light flashes whenever data is read or written to the USB stick, if this coincides with the trouble in LE, then that's a pretty big indicator what the problem is.

I'd imagine those read speeds are maximum sequential read speeds, not the random reads that makes more importance. I'd imagine a mSD would be much more portable than a USB stick, what with it being smaller and all.

My money would be the on the different sticks making the bigger difference over the boxes, but it's entirely possibly there is some variation in the boxes too.

Any recommendations on which USB stick to use and what size in GBs?

[tmihai20]

The light flashes whenever data is read or written to the USB stick, if this coincides with the trouble in LE, then that's a pretty big indicator what the problem is.

I'd imagine those read speeds are maximum sequential read speeds, not the random reads that makes more importance. I'd imagine a mSD would be much more portable than a USB stick, what with it being smaller and all.

My money would be the on the different sticks making the bigger difference over the boxes, but it's entirely possibly there is some variation in the boxes too.

Any recommendations on which USB stick to use and what size in GBs?

I would recommend a USB3 stick like this one KINGSTON DataTraveler R3.0 G2. I have the 64 GB version for my own use and a 16 GB for work and it absolutely flies. I mean it one of the best USB sticks I ever had I think the 32 GB version has the best price.

[Jeffers24]

The light flashes whenever data is read or written to the USB stick, if this coincides with the trouble in LE, then that's a pretty big indicator what the problem is.

I'd imagine those read speeds are maximum sequential read speeds, not the random reads that makes more importance. I'd imagine a mSD would be much more portable than a USB stick, what with it being smaller and all.

My money would be the on the different sticks making the bigger difference over the boxes, but it's entirely possibly there is some variation in the boxes too.

Any recommendations on which USB stick to use and what size in GBs?

I would recommend a USB3 stick like this one KINGSTON DataTraveler R3.0 G2. I have the 64 GB version for my own use and a 16 GB for work and it absolutely flies. I mean it one of the best USB sticks I ever had I think the 32 GB version has the best price.

Have you installed LibreELEC on your KINGSTON DataTraveler R3.0 G2, is the performance OK?

Will the performance be OK in a USB 2.0 socket?

[jakejm79]

Not to get wildly off topic. But I guess I am having a hardtime wrapping my head around why you would want a LE install to transport between box to box. Just create one image and install it to NAND or clone the mSD cards and stick one in each box if you still need dual boot.

[Jeffers24]

Not to get wildly off topic. But I guess I am having a hardtime wrapping my head around why you would want a LE install to transport between box to box. Just create one image and install it to NAND or clone the mSD cards and stick one in each box if you still need dual boot.

If I install LibreELEC to NAND I lose android capability on those boxes which I don't want to do, having a USB stick/SD card for each box is an expense I don't need to spend at the moment.

My thoughts below based on what I know at the moment, so they may cause more confusion than clarity :-)

I have more than one box in more than one country, so I can just put my LibreELEC USB in any box and boot the box into LibreELEC if I want to
I prefer android as it has utility apps I can use, such as ES File Explorer, with which I can easily update my folders/files on my LibreElec USB and my android box, when the box is booted to android
I prefer android as it has catch up apps I can use such as ITVHub, All4 etc.
My main issue with android boxes is the version of Amlogic installed by most if not all cheap box suppliers cause HD/Surround Sound issues.

I have seen so many references and praise of LibreELEC that I thought I should have a go with it.
With my limited exposure to LibreELEC my the main plus points are:-
Ease of use (no need to be constrained by android restrictions) and quality of picture and sound, especially if you have a HD/4k TV and a surround sound system are amazing (most users of android boxes I know don't have this set up).
Also LibreELEC can breath new life into old Android 4.x.x spec boxes, I have a MINIX box stuck on 4.4.2 which cannot support Kodi 17. I also know a lot of people with old boxes that may revitalise their boxes using LibreELEC.
My main issues with LibreELEC are that I can't use TV catchup apps and I can't edit the second partition on my LibreELEC drive in windows.

[tmihai20]

Any recommendations on which USB stick to use and what size in GBs?

I would recommend a USB3 stick like this one KINGSTON DataTraveler R3.0 G2. I have the 64 GB version for my own use and a 16 GB for work and it absolutely flies. I mean it one of the best USB sticks I ever had I think the 32 GB version has the best price.

Have you installed LibreELEC on your KINGSTON DataTraveler R3.0 G2, is the performance OK?

Will the performance be OK in a USB 2.0 socket?

I have not used it with LE installation at all. I have used my 16 GB stick extensively at work with dozens to almost 100 write/read and it never failed. I would use one if I had to. It is not all about maximum write speed, I want it to be reliable. I does get a little hot while being used, but I do not see it as a big issue. Only people that are using them to install LE can say. You can disregard my advice, I am pretty happy with my TV box and I believe I cannot use LE on it anyway. The only issue could be the heating, I would go with a microSD card that I could carry inside a wallet.

[wrxtasy]

Trebor from Freaktab, posted about this (MECOOL M8S Pro+ TV Box Amlogic S905X Android 7.1 - UK PLUG + 2GB RAM + 16GB ROM BLACK) $46 Android box. Surprisingly, it says it does Netflix in HD with Dolby Digital, if true, it will be the first Chinese box that supports Netfix in HD.

Of course, there are bets if the advertising is based on alternative facts.

http://freaktab.com/forum/tv-player-supp...02-11b-g-n

I got a bit intrigued by @clarkss12's posts about this rare MECOOL S905X device with Nougat 7.1.1 and proper Widevine L1 DRM and HDCP 1.x support in Firmware. So I picked up a 2GB/16GB model from Gearbest Geekbuying for USD$39 delivered and have been pleasantly surprised.

It's a completely clean cheap Android Box free of any Piracy Addon equipped Kodi. Kodi was not even installed.
Some sellers are finally learning it seems

Gearbest Geekbuying do cheap fully tracked reasonably quick delivery. The M8S Pro+ came with a Oz compatible Power pack which is rare and even the Infra Red learning remote is pleasant to use - definitely better than all other Infra Red only remotes I've used on other AMLogic devices.

Yes as already confirmed, you get 1080p Netflix and Stan (for Ozzies) with 5.1 DD+ Audio (to my DD+ capable 4K TV) when used with the unofficial Android TV ROM. (How long this will last is anyones guess the way Netflix and cracking down on Android boxes lately.)

There is No ATV Kodi Krypton dynamic refresh switching like the easy Dual Boot WeTek ATV ROM's provide and there are some DPI scaling bugs that need fixing, plus Bluetooth does NOT work currently with this 3rd party ATV ROM (BT support is being worked on). ATV ROM is really easy to install using MECOOL's local update App.

No SPDIF/Optical port on this box either but it does have a working 3.5mm CVBS / Analog Audio jack.

DO NOT rely on this box for reliable Android only WiFi. Its pretty poor, being 2.4Ghz b/g/n only.

Advanced Motion Adaptive AMLogic Hardware deinterlacing works properly with TvHeadend & FTMC / SPMC 16.x (Kodi Jarvis).
I also have FTMC / SPMC dynamic refresh switching working as well with those two Apps(DIY required). Thats better than a (Beta) Nougat equipped Mi Box can do.

The icing on the cake of course is Dual boot LibreELEC Kodi Krypton where almost everything works apart from WiFi. Bluetooth can be added with a dirt cheap v4.0 CSR USB dongle plugged into the front left USB port.
I've also custom tweaked the IR remote config today for remote control - Long press / Short press - Pause/Resume/Stop video playback functionality, works really well.

The MECOOL M8S Pro+ tweaked remote.conf and dtb.img file I'm using for LibreELEC are found here:

http://wrxtasy.libreelec.tv/MECOOL/

In summary, yes MECOOL is an appropriate name considering the Dual boot value you get for $39 delivered.

W.

[Jeffers24]

Trebor from Freaktab, posted about this (MECOOL M8S Pro+ TV Box Amlogic S905X Android 7.1 - UK PLUG + 2GB RAM + 16GB ROM BLACK) $46 Android box. Surprisingly, it says it does Netflix in HD with Dolby Digital, if true, it will be the first Chinese box that supports Netfix in HD.

Of course, there are bets if the advertising is based on alternative facts.

http://freaktab.com/forum/tv-player-supp...02-11b-g-n

I got a bit intrigued by @clarkss12's posts about this rare MECOOL S905X device costing less than $40 with Nougat 7.1.1 and proper Widevine L1 DRM and HDCP 1.x. So I picked up a 2GB/16GB model from Gearbest for USD$40 delivered and have been pleasantly surprised.

A completely clean cheap Android Box free of any Piracy Addon equipped Kodi. Kodi was not even installed. Some sellers are learning it seems

Gearbest do cheap fully tracked delivery, the M8S Pro+ came with a Oz compatible Power pack which is rare and even the Infra Red learning remote is pleasant to use - definitely better than all other Infra Red only remotes I've used on other AMLogic devices.

Yes as already confirmed, you get 1080p Netflix and Stan (for Ozzies) with 5.1 DD+ Audio (to my DD+ capable 4K TV) when used with the unofficial Android TV ROM.
There is No ATV Kodi dynamic refresh switching like the easy Dual Boot WeTek ATV ROM's provide and there are some DPI scaling bugs that need fixing, plus WiFi/BT does not work with this 3rd party ATV ROM. Its really easy to install using MECOOL's update App.
AMLogic Hardware deinterlacing works properly with FTMC/SPMC 16.x (Kodi Jarvis), thats better than a Nougat equipped Mi Box can do.

The icing on the cake of course is Dual boot LibreELEC where everything works apart from WiFi / BT (no Linux drivers). I even custom tweaked the IR remote today for Long button press - remote - Pause/Resume/Stop video playback functionality, works really well.

In summary, yes MECOOL is an appropriate name considering the Dual boot value you get for $40

W.

Very impressive.

How long did delivery take?

Does it still suffer from the Amlogic/Kodi no HD audio issue?

[wrxtasy]

Delivery 10 days using Gearbest correction Geekbuying $3 SF-Express.

Remember this post:

Welcome to Android MediaCodec (Audio) standards

Where certain sellers of AML Marshmallow devices had backported Google IEC61937 code support from AML Nougat 7.x for Android Kodi Krypton HD Audio passthrough.

Well with new AML Nougat 7.1.1 Firmware devices you end up with this now:

Code:

21:02:24.167 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: special://profile/ is mapped to: special://masterprofile/
21:02:24.168 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: -----------------------------------------------------------------------
21:02:24.168 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: Starting Kodi (17.3 Git:20170524-147cec4). Platform: Android ARM 32-bit
21:02:24.168 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: Using Release Kodi x32 build
21:02:24.169 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: Kodi compiled May 24 2017 by GCC 4.9.0 for Android ARM 32-bit API level 21 (API level 21)
21:02:24.170 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: Running on Amlogic Nexus M8S PRO+ with Android 7.1.1 API level 25, kernel: Linux ARM 32-bit version 3.14.29
21:02:24.170 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: FFmpeg version/source: ffmpeg-3.1-kodi
21:02:24.170 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: Host CPU: AArch64 Processor rev 4 (aarch64), 4 cores available
21:02:24.171 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: Product: p21x, Device: M8S_PRO_PLUS, Board: p21x - Manufacturer: Amlogic, Brand: Amlogic, Model: Nexus M8S PRO+, Hardware: amlogic
21:02:24.227 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: External storage path = /storage/emulated/0; status = ok
21:02:24.227 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: ARM Features: Neon enabled
21:02:24.227 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: special://xbmc/ is mapped to: /data/user/0/org.xbmc.kodi/cache/apk/assets
21:02:24.228 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: special://xbmcbin/ is mapped to: /data/user/0/org.xbmc.kodi/cache/apk/assets
21:02:24.228 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: special://xbmcbinaddons/ is mapped to: /data/app/org.xbmc.kodi-1/lib/arm
21:02:24.228 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: special://masterprofile/ is mapped to: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/userdata
21:02:24.228 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: special://envhome/ is mapped to: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files
21:02:24.229 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: special://home/ is mapped to: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi
21:02:24.229 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: special://temp/ is mapped to: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/temp
21:02:24.230 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: special://logpath/ is mapped to: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/temp
21:02:24.231 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: The executable running is: /data/app/org.xbmc.kodi-1/lib/arm/libkodi.so
21:02:24.231 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: Local hostname: localhost
21:02:24.232 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: Log File is located: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/temp//kodi.log
21:02:24.232 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: -----------------------------------------------------------------------
21:02:24.233 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: load settings...
21:02:24.273 T:18446744073151707424   DEBUG: CSettings: loaded settings definition from special://xbmc/system/settings/settings.xml
21:02:24.277 T:18446744073151707424 WARNING: CSettingInt: unknown options filler "audiocdactions" of "audiocds.autoaction"
21:02:24.301 T:18446744073151707424   DEBUG: CSettings: loaded settings definition from special://xbmc/system/settings/android.xml
21:02:24.313 T:18446744073151707424   DEBUG: Firmware implements AC3 RAW
21:02:24.314 T:18446744073151707424   DEBUG: Firmware implements EAC3 RAW
21:02:24.314 T:18446744073151707424   DEBUG: Firmware implements DTS RAW
21:02:24.314 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: AML device detected
21:02:24.333 T:18446744073151707424   DEBUG: AESinkAUDIOTRACK - 32000 supported
21:02:24.337 T:18446744073151707424   DEBUG: AESinkAUDIOTRACK - 44100 supported
21:02:24.341 T:18446744073151707424   DEBUG: AESinkAUDIOTRACK - 48000 supported
21:02:24.374 T:18446744073151707424   DEBUG: AESinkAUDIOTRACK - 88200 supported
21:02:24.378 T:18446744073151707424   DEBUG: AESinkAUDIOTRACK - 96000 supported
21:02:24.382 T:18446744073151707424   DEBUG: AESinkAUDIOTRACK - 176400 supported
21:02:24.389 T:18446744073151707424   DEBUG: AESinkAUDIOTRACK - 192000 supported
21:02:24.389 T:18446744073151707424   DEBUG: Firmware implements DTS-HD RAW
21:02:24.390 T:18446744073151707424   DEBUG: Firmware implements TrueHD RAW
21:02:24.390 T:18446744073151707424   DEBUG: AESinkAUDIOTrack: Using IEC PT mode: 13
21:02:24.425 T:18446744073151707424   DEBUG: 8 Channel PT via IEC61937 is supported
21:02:24.425 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: Found 1 Lists of Devices
21:02:24.425 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE: Enumerated AUDIOTRACK devices:
21:02:24.426 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE:     Device 1
21:02:24.426 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE:         m_deviceName      : AudioTrack
21:02:24.426 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE:         m_displayName     : android
21:02:24.426 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE:         m_displayNameExtra: audiotrack
21:02:24.426 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE:         m_deviceType      : AE_DEVTYPE_HDMI
21:02:24.426 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE:         m_channels        : FL,FR,FC,LFE,BL,BR,SL,SR
21:02:24.427 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE:         m_sampleRates     : 32000,44100,48000,88200,96000,176400,192000
21:02:24.427 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE:         m_dataFormats     : AE_FMT_S16LE,AE_FMT_RAW,AE_FMT_RAW
21:02:24.427 T:18446744073151707424  NOTICE:         m_streamTypes     : STREAM_TYPE_AC3,STREAM_TYPE_DTSHD_CORE,STREAM_TYPE_DTS_1024,STREAM_TYPE_DTS_2048,STREAM_TYPE_DTS_512,STREAM_TYPE_EAC3,STREAM_TYPE_DTSHD,STREAM_TYPE_TRUEHD

"Nexus M8S PRO+ with Android 7.1.1" is the name the AML Android TV ROM from the Pure Nexus Project, by the ROM developer @Magendanz

I have not tested Nougat HD Audio passthrough. @wesk05 may have already done so . I'm not sure.

[jakejm79]

Not to get wildly off topic. But I guess I am having a hardtime wrapping my head around why you would want a LE install to transport between box to box. Just create one image and install it to NAND or clone the mSD cards and stick one in each box if you still need dual boot.

If I install LibreELEC to NAND I lose android capability on those boxes which I don't want to do, having a USB stick/SD card for each box is an expense I don't need to spend at the moment.

My thoughts below based on what I know at the moment, so they may cause more confusion than clarity :-)

I have more than one box in more than one country, so I can just put my LibreELEC USB in any box and boot the box into LibreELEC if I want to
I prefer android as it has utility apps I can use, such as ES File Explorer, with which I can easily update my folders/files on my LibreElec USB and my android box, when the box is booted to android
I prefer android as it has catch up apps I can use such as ITVHub, All4 etc.
My main issue with android boxes is the version of Amlogic installed by most if not all cheap box suppliers cause HD/Surround Sound issues.

I have seen so many references and praise of LibreELEC that I thought I should have a go with it.
With my limited exposure to LibreELEC my the main plus points are:-
Ease of use (no need to be constrained by android restrictions) and quality of picture and sound, especially if you have a HD/4k TV and a surround sound system are amazing (most users of android boxes I know don't have this set up).
Also LibreELEC can breath new life into old Android 4.x.x spec boxes, I have a MINIX box stuck on 4.4.2 which cannot support Kodi 17. I also know a lot of people with old boxes that may revitalise their boxes using LibreELEC.
My main issues with LibreELEC are that I can't use TV catchup apps and I can't edit the second partition on my LibreELEC drive in windows.

OK so you need to maintain dual boot. I'd double check the add on repository, in the US at least there are several add ons for network TV stations allowing you to catch up.
IMO you can get a suitable mSD car for around $10, unless you have like 5+ boxes, it will probably be cheaper to buy a mSD card for each box rather than a single USB stick (or even multiple sticks if the first one isn't suitable), you also have the bonus of never needing to remember to pack the USB stick when traveling. Even cheap is just have one box (leave the remote and power adapter at each location and just tote the box around, a little more bulky than a USB stick and not a solution if multiple people use the box.

[clarkss12]

The Mecool M8S Pro Plus does indeed play HD audio natively.

[wrxtasy]

The MECOOL M8S Pro + dtb.img and tweaked remote.conf file I'm using for LibreELEC are found here:

http://wrxtasy.libreelec.tv/MECOOL/

[clarkss12]

For those that are interested in the MeCool M8S Pro Plus (make sure it is the Plus version S905x), I made a quick video showing the capabilities of if using Mangendanz's ATV port. And yes, it really does play Netflix in 1080P with Dolby Digital +, also YouTube in 4K.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiHwhBrFiK4&t=494s