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Edit: by @wrxtasy to post the Mini review.

Update - 11 Apr 2019 - the newer Vero 4K+ has super-seeded the older Vero 4K. The new device adds Gigabit Ethernet, so avoids High Bitrate Networking issues and adds slightly faster RAM and eMMC Storage with improved Chipset cooling.



What is a Vero 4K ? (click)

• AMLogic (S905X) Quad Core 1.6Ghz 64-bit processor
  
• 2GB DDR3 RAM and 16GB eMMC storage
  
• Built in 802.11 ac/b/g/n WiFi with Bluetooth 4.0
  
• IR and RF receiver
  
• 2x USB 2.0 ports
  
• micro SD card slot
  
• 3.5mm analogue audio output
  
• Optical (SPDIF) audio output
  
• HDMI 2.0 with CEC (control your Vero 4K with your TV remote)
  
• Fast Ethernet
  
• 4K, H265, 10-bit HDR ready
  
• .
  
• HDMI Cable
  
• OSMC Wireless Remote
  
• TV Mounting Kit
  
• Country specific Power pack
  
• Infra Red extender cable.
  

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AVS Forums - OSMC Vero 4K Media Streamer Review (click)

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Mini Review by @wrxtasy - Updated 10th March 2018

Disclaimer: I was sent a Vero 4K by @Sam.Nazarko a while ago but have waited until I received my Ugreen USB3 > Gigabit ethernet adapter before posting this Mini Review. More on that adapter in the review....

This review is going to mainly concentrate on the Plug n Play features of the Vero 4K as I believe that is it's target market.
Features that can be used by a mainstream non-tech users out of the box without reverting to sometimes difficult Linux terminal commands. Especially when trying to mount SMB or NFS networked file shares via Linux fstab for 4K HDR networked streaming - a nightmare for non-tech users.

The Good:

• A quality, well engineered little device, there has been some thought put into how end users actually use their Kodi media players.
  
• An example of this is the included TV mounting Kit. Simply peel off the backing tape and stick to the display then click attach the Vero 4K to it.
  
• The Plug n Play, WiFi - Wireless remote is great. It actually has a sensible button layout AND shock horror - a Stop button !
  
• Boots straight into Kodi Krypton in 17 seconds from power cord plug in.
  
• There is no Vero 4K Power OFF, but Kernel support for Kodi - fast Suspend / Resume works well to cut a HDMI signal and reduce power consumption.
  
• Highly configurable HDMI CEC support using Kodi and libCEC. This is of course very much dependant on AVR / TV manufacturer CEC implementations.
  
• Support via Kodi - MyOSMC for 16 different IR remotes.
  
• 7.1 Multichannel LPCM audio output & HD Audio passthrough inc. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X More LPCM details in THIS post (click)
  
• Has reliable set and forget, auto - refresh, resolution and colorspace switching/conversion for SDR and 4K HDR playback.
  
• OSMC Kodi additions include - Force RGB video output for problematic old Sony and Philips LCD TV's.
  
• Also added to Kodi is an option for Including the Low Frequency Effects audio channel when downmixing to 2.0 Audio. Boosting the centre dialogue audio channel when downmixing is available as well for clearer speech.
  
• Hardware decodes and plays nearly everything I throw at it smoothly inc. VC-1. 1080p 10bit H.264 aka Hi10P Anime will not playback. 1080p 3D not supported - yet.
  
• Includes excellent high quality, motion adaptive - AMLogic hardware deinterlacing for OTA TV usage.
  
• For those that want to tinker the Vero 4K is running a Linux Debian Stretch distribution (click) You can install a SAMBA file server easily, just be aware of the limited older v3.14 Linux Kernel used.
  
• The Vero 4K is stable and does not feel particularly hot during day to day operation.
  

The Bad:

• The Vero 4K has Fast Ethernet = 100M only Ethernet which leads to some problems such as....
  
• Stuttering video playback of high bitrate 4K HDR REMUX's when using Fast Ethernet and SMB networking. Switching to using NFS Networking over my home Gigabit LAN is much better but there is still some annoying resume - playback issues when skipping about video.
  
• Plugging in a ASIX AX88179 Chipset - Ugreen USB3 > Gigabit Ethernet adapter (click) fixes all high bitrate 4K HDR REMUX playback and skipping/resume problems. I'm having no issues with this adapter when I Suspend / Resume the Vero 4K.
  
• Directly connecting a USB HDD containing 4K HDR content also solves Networking issues.
  
• There is a whole Vero 4K thread about such Gigabit adapters HERE (click)
  
• My old WD 2.5" Hard Drive did not sleep when I suspended the Vero 4K, however more testing needs to be done.
  

Important Info:

• Ex Intel users need to be aware these ARM based AMLogic S9xx chipset devices have a relatively weak (vs Intel) CPU and GPU package, but strong VPU for hardware decoding. So consequently, those expecting class leading - Intel Kodi - SSD equipped, ultra snappy performance when using a demanding, heavy Skin like Aeon Madnox with any AMLogic device like the Vero 4K have completely unrealistic expectations.
  
• Like all small, mobile chipset ARM based devices. If you plug in more than one, old power hungry 2.5" Hard drive expect issues. You will need to use an externally powered USB Hub for reliability with multiple 2.5" HDD's.
  
• 24bit FLAC audio untested. It's very likely resampled 16bit output like all other AMLogic Linux based media players.
  

Summary:

The Vero 4K is a polished product, steadily improving with each almost monthly Firmware update. It benefit's from what is now a critical mass Open Sourced - AMLogic Linux Kodi eco-system. It's the fastest AMLogic S905X box I've used.
AC WiFi for 1080p video playback works well and it's really nice to see an integrated Wireless remote included. Infra Red only control belongs in the media player dinosaur age.

Some will question the price paid, but you are getting and all in one package here and excellent ongoing after sales support from the Vero 4K team. Often personalised from the developer(s) themselves. There have even been whispers of possible 1080p 3D Frame packed support.
The Vero 4K target market is Not the cheap DIY AMLogic user base.

Mainstream quibbles include the - hard for a first time Newbie - terminal commands like initially setting - 4:4:4, 10bit Chroma and bit depth for 4K HDR video playback. Those SDR or HDR settings options really need to be incorporated into the Kodi user interface settings ASAP.

Does the Vero 4K hit it's Plug n Play SDR / 4K HDR target market objective, I would say definitely Yes.

Thanks to Sam for the Vero 4K review hardware.

W.