[MrCrispy]

My only complaint with these Amlogic boxes, is that they do not support the VC-1 video codec. That includes every single box that has an amlogic CPU.
A lot of my Blu-ray rips use that stupid vc1 codec. So they are unwatchable using Kodi. I have to use either Emby or Plex servers to watch them, since those servers transcode them on the fly to a different video codec.

based on this - https://forum.odroid.com/viewtopic.php?t=39368, the S905X3 should do VC-1 decoding in hardware, your box has same cpu has Odroid C4. Is this issue in Kodi Android or CE?

[clarkss12]

Interesting. Have you tried this? I don't see any mention of hd audio on Xda. Also seems to support only very specific boxes. But this is great work, thanks for the link.

I am running it on my Beelink GT mini2, and yes under Kodi it plays all the HD audio codecs, just like CoreELEC. Also, using the arfd system app, I get automatic frame rate adjustment, again just like CoreELEC.
If you look at the website where I showed you, you will see lots of Amlogic boxes that are supported.

Thanks, thats great to hear. So do you now use Android rom or do you still boot into CoreElec?
Was thinking of GT-King but its not in supported list and in the thread someone else asked about it but no replies.

When Slimbox was still on 4PDA website, he had posted test versions for the King and King Pro, but when he moved to the new website, he dropped them.  I mostly use Android now, only use CoreELEC when I play movies with the VC-1 codec.

[clarkss12]

My only complaint with these Amlogic boxes, is that they do not support the VC-1 video codec. That includes every single box that has an amlogic CPU.
A lot of my Blu-ray rips use that stupid vc1 codec. So they are unwatchable using Kodi. I have to use either Emby or Plex servers to watch them, since those servers transcode them on the fly to a different video codec.

based on this - https://forum.odroid.com/viewtopic.php?t=39368, the S905X3 should do VC-1 decoding in hardware, your box has same cpu has Odroid C4. Is this issue in Kodi Android or CE?

I tested both my S905x3 boxes (Mecool KM1 and Beelink GT1 Mini2 ) and neither will play the VC-1 with hardware decoding enabled.  If I disable that hardware decoding, then they will play.  Same goes for my GT King and GT King pro, the will NOT play the VC-1 video codec with hardware acceleration.

[wrxtasy]

My only complaint with these Amlogic boxes, is that they do not support the VC-1 video codec. That includes every single box that has an amlogic CPU.
A lot of my Blu-ray rips use that stupid vc1 codec. So they are unwatchable using Kodi. I have to use either Emby or Plex servers to watch them, since those servers transcode them on the fly to a different video codec.

The AML S922X has enough CPU grunt to Software decode anything 1080p inc. VC-1.
You simply use Android Kodi’s decodefilter.xml:
https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?pid...pid2840569

However CPU Software decoding heats up the SoC so you then need a good heatsink for passive chipset cooling. Those cheap Aluminium ones the Chinese devices come with are probably not going to be sufficient.

[clarkss12]

My only complaint with these Amlogic boxes, is that they do not support the VC-1 video codec. That includes every single box that has an amlogic CPU.
A lot of my Blu-ray rips use that stupid vc1 codec. So they are unwatchable using Kodi. I have to use either Emby or Plex servers to watch them, since those servers transcode them on the fly to a different video codec.

The AML S922X has enough CPU grunt to Software decode anything 1080p inc. VC-1.
You simply use Android Kodi’s decodefilter.xml:
https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?pid...pid2840569

However CPU Software decoding heats up the SoC so you then need a good heatsink for passive chipset cooling. Those cheap Aluminium ones the Chinese devices come with are probably not going to be sufficient.

I don't understand what that link was telling me, went way over my head.

[wrxtasy]

My only complaint with these Amlogic boxes, is that they do not support the VC-1 video codec. That includes every single box that has an amlogic CPU.
A lot of my Blu-ray rips use that stupid vc1 codec. So they are unwatchable using Kodi. I have to use either Emby or Plex servers to watch them, since those servers transcode them on the fly to a different video codec.

The AML S922X has enough CPU grunt to Software decode anything 1080p inc. VC-1.
You simply use Android Kodi’s decodefilter.xml:
https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?pid...pid2840569

However CPU Software decoding heats up the SoC so you then need a good heatsink for passive chipset cooling. Those cheap Aluminium ones the Chinese devices come with are probably not going to be sufficient.

I don't understand what that link was telling me, went way over my head.

For AML S922X or any other Android device with a powerful CPU package running Android Kodi, the decodefilter.xml file can change from using Hardware decoding to CPU Software decoding for specific Codecs...

Make sure Android Kodi is not running...

Using XPlore Android App (make sure Show hidden files in Settings is selected):

Disable VC-1 Hardware decoding by....

Turn XPlore WiFi Sharing On
http://www.lonelycatgames.com/docs/xplore/wifi-share
and Use a WebBrowser....

Navigate to..

Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/userdata/decodefilter.xml -->> click and select Clipboard Icon to Edit

and change this bit:

Code:

<name>OMX.amlogic.wvc1.decoder.awesome</name>
        <allowed>true</allowed>

to this:

Code:

<name>OMX.amlogic.wvc1.decoder.awesome</name>
        <allowed>false</allowed>

Save (Floppy Disk) Icon and Restart Android Kodi.

W.

[MrCrispy]

@wrxtasy that is very helpful and detailed. Thank you!

but why does VC-1 not work on Amlogic? According to what I read elsewhere it should work.

[clarkss12]

The AML S922X has enough CPU grunt to Software decode anything 1080p inc. VC-1.
You simply use Android Kodi’s decodefilter.xml:
https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?pid...pid2840569

However CPU Software decoding heats up the SoC so you then need a good heatsink for passive chipset cooling. Those cheap Aluminium ones the Chinese devices come with are probably not going to be sufficient.

I don't understand what that link was telling me, went way over my head.

For AML S922X or any other Android device with a powerful CPU package running Android Kodi, the decodefilter.xml file can change from using Hardware decoding to CPU Software decoding for specific Codecs...

Make sure Android Kodi is not running...

Using XPlore Android App (make sure Show hidden files in Settings is selected):

Disable VC-1 Hardware decoding by....

Turn XPlore WiFi Sharing On
http://www.lonelycatgames.com/docs/xplore/wifi-share
and Use a WebBrowser....

Navigate to..

Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/userdata/decodefilter.xml -->> click and select Clipboard Icon to Edit

and change this bit:

Code:

<name>OMX.amlogic.wvc1.decoder.awesome</name>
<allowed>true</allowed>

to this:

Code:

<name>OMX.amlogic.wvc1.decoder.awesome</name>
<allowed>false</allowed>

Save (Floppy Disk) Icon and Restart Android Kodi.

W.

Thanks, I will give that a try....... 
I did test (again) on my Beelink GS King X (Amlogic S922X-H), by disabling both of the hardware decoders in the settings.  Still would not play correctly.

[clarkss12]

The AML S922X has enough CPU grunt to Software decode anything 1080p inc. VC-1.
You simply use Android Kodi’s decodefilter.xml:
https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?pid...pid2840569

However CPU Software decoding heats up the SoC so you then need a good heatsink for passive chipset cooling. Those cheap Aluminium ones the Chinese devices come with are probably not going to be sufficient.

I don't understand what that link was telling me, went way over my head.

For AML S922X or any other Android device with a powerful CPU package running Android Kodi, the decodefilter.xml file can change from using Hardware decoding to CPU Software decoding for specific Codecs...

Make sure Android Kodi is not running...

Using XPlore Android App (make sure Show hidden files in Settings is selected):

Disable VC-1 Hardware decoding by....

Turn XPlore WiFi Sharing On
http://www.lonelycatgames.com/docs/xplore/wifi-share
and Use a WebBrowser....

Navigate to..

Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/userdata/decodefilter.xml -->> click and select Clipboard Icon to Edit

and change this bit:

Code:

<name>OMX.amlogic.wvc1.decoder.awesome</name>
<allowed>true</allowed>

to this:

Code:

<name>OMX.amlogic.wvc1.decoder.awesome</name>
<allowed>false</allowed>

Save (Floppy Disk) Icon and Restart Android Kodi.

W.

Your instructions were perfect and easy to follow.  I tried several times, even uninstalling Kodi and re-installing Kodi, but those VC-1 videos still are jerky, and voice and lips don't even come close to matching.....
I tested this on my Beelink GT 1 Mini2 (Amlogic S905X3).
Even disabling the two hardware decoders does not help, guess the CPU is not powerful enough to software decode that video codec..... Unless I am missing something.

[noggin]

I don't understand what that link was telling me, went way over my head.

For AML S922X or any other Android device with a powerful CPU package running Android Kodi, the decodefilter.xml file can change from using Hardware decoding to CPU Software decoding for specific Codecs...

Make sure Android Kodi is not running...

Using XPlore Android App (make sure Show hidden files in Settings is selected):

Disable VC-1 Hardware decoding by....

Turn XPlore WiFi Sharing On
http://www.lonelycatgames.com/docs/xplore/wifi-share
and Use a WebBrowser....

Navigate to..

Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/userdata/decodefilter.xml -->> click and select Clipboard Icon to Edit

and change this bit:

Code:

<name>OMX.amlogic.wvc1.decoder.awesome</name>
<allowed>true</allowed>

to this:

Code:

<name>OMX.amlogic.wvc1.decoder.awesome</name>
<allowed>false</allowed>

Save (Floppy Disk) Icon and Restart Android Kodi.

W.

Your instructions were perfect and easy to follow.  I tried several times, even uninstalling Kodi and re-installing Kodi, but those VC-1 videos still are jerky, and voice and lips don't even come close to matching.....
I tested this on my Beelink GT 1 Mini2 (Amlogic S905X3).
Even disabling the two hardware decoders does not help, guess the CPU is not powerful enough to software decode that video codec..... Unless I am missing something.

This could be one of the edge cases where the higher power CPU processing of the S922X over the S905X3 is useful I guess?

(Be amazing if someone could install Linux on an Apple TV 4K... The processor in that is very swift...)

[wrxtasy]

For AML S922X or any other Android device with a powerful CPU package running Android Kodi, the decodefilter.xml file can change from using Hardware decoding to CPU Software decoding for specific Codecs...

Make sure Android Kodi is not running...

Using XPlore Android App (make sure Show hidden files in Settings is selected):

Disable VC-1 Hardware decoding by....

Turn XPlore WiFi Sharing On
http://www.lonelycatgames.com/docs/xplore/wifi-share
and Use a WebBrowser....

Navigate to..

Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/userdata/decodefilter.xml -->> click and select Clipboard Icon to Edit

and change this bit:

Code:

<name>OMX.amlogic.wvc1.decoder.awesome</name>
<allowed>true</allowed>

to this:

Code:

<name>OMX.amlogic.wvc1.decoder.awesome</name>
<allowed>false</allowed>

Save (Floppy Disk) Icon and Restart Android Kodi.

W.

Your instructions were perfect and easy to follow.  I tried several times, even uninstalling Kodi and re-installing Kodi, but those VC-1 videos still are jerky, and voice and lips don't even come close to matching.....
I tested this on my Beelink GT 1 Mini2 (Amlogic S905X3).
Even disabling the two hardware decoders does not help, guess the CPU is not powerful enough to software decode that video codec..... Unless I am missing something.

This could be one of the edge cases where the higher power CPU processing of the S922X over the S905X3 is useful I guess?

(Be amazing if someone could install Linux on an Apple TV 4K... The processor in that is very swift...)

The S922X-H for Multicore (CPU) SW video decoding is approx 70% more powerful vs the S905X3 chipset, see the following Webpage Geekbench comparison:
https://androidpctv.com/comparative-amlogic-s905x3/

[clarkss12]

Your instructions were perfect and easy to follow.  I tried several times, even uninstalling Kodi and re-installing Kodi, but those VC-1 videos still are jerky, and voice and lips don't even come close to matching.....
I tested this on my Beelink GT 1 Mini2 (Amlogic S905X3).
Even disabling the two hardware decoders does not help, guess the CPU is not powerful enough to software decode that video codec..... Unless I am missing something.

This could be one of the edge cases where the higher power CPU processing of the S922X over the S905X3 is useful I guess?

(Be amazing if someone could install Linux on an Apple TV 4K... The processor in that is very swift...)

The S922X-H for Multicore (CPU) SW video decoding is approx 70% more powerful vs the S905X3 chipset, see the following Webpage Geekbench comparison:
https://androidpctv.com/comparative-amlogic-s905x3/

I have 3 S922X boxes, I will test them later today........  I will test the GS King X first, since it is now my go to box.....

[clarkss12]

Your instructions were perfect and easy to follow.  I tried several times, even uninstalling Kodi and re-installing Kodi, but those VC-1 videos still are jerky, and voice and lips don't even come close to matching.....
I tested this on my Beelink GT 1 Mini2 (Amlogic S905X3).
Even disabling the two hardware decoders does not help, guess the CPU is not powerful enough to software decode that video codec..... Unless I am missing something.

This could be one of the edge cases where the higher power CPU processing of the S922X over the S905X3 is useful I guess?

(Be amazing if someone could install Linux on an Apple TV 4K... The processor in that is very swift...)

The S922X-H for Multicore (CPU) SW video decoding is approx 70% more powerful vs the S905X3 chipset, see the following Webpage Geekbench comparison:
https://androidpctv.com/comparative-amlogic-s905x3/

Made changes as directed by Wrxtasy, first VC-1 video that I played (U-571) played perfectly for a couple of minutes then dropped about 10 frames, then continued for another few minutes, then dropped another 5 frames.  Not noticeable unless the status over lay is enabled....

However, my old favorite, Back to the Future, would not play at all, all kinds of dropped frames, totally unwatchable.  At this time I do not know the difference.  I will have to test more of my videos encoded with the VC-1 video codec.....

I am slowly replacing my DVD rips with BlueRay or 4k rips, and a lot of the BlueRay rips are encoded with that codec.....

I am  testing with the Beelink GS King X which has two internal drive bays, and an internal fan, so the temp never goes above 47C.

I then tested "The Dirty Dozen) encoded with the VC-1.  Stats for nerds shows >> Video Decoder: ff-vc1(SW).  It plays similar to the first movie I tested, plays for a few minutes WITHOUT dropped frames, then it will drop a few frames, then back to not dropping frames, but very watchable.

[sonofdibnah]

@wrxtasy could I ask you to mention that as well as being the dogs b, the onboard dac on the N2 N2+ rocks for anyone who wants proper hifi sound. It is sooo good. I've never had sound like it with a good quality stereo amp that I've owned for some time. the Dac is something else.

[wrxtasy]

Yes good suggestion.

I did go WoW ! when I first plugged a set of headphone into the N2's - front 3.5mm headphone jack.

For a $63 board it really is fantastic value if you want onboard HiFi grade type audio.