The majority of TV boxes sold today are running Android 4.4 to Android 6.0, but with the release of Android 7.0 for smartphones and tablets earlier this year, it was just a question of time before the OS got ported to TV boxes. Himedia appears to be the first company to have released Android 7.0 for their Hisilicon Hi3798CV200 based TV boxes, namely Q5 Pro and Q10 Pro.
The changelog for the new firmware includes:
- Android N OS running stable and smooth
- Support for Android N Google Play version
- Support for Samba UPnP
- System function perfectly upgraded from 5.1 to Android N with compatibility
- Youtube updated to 4.10.7 and Netflix to 1.3.11
- Homepage, Application Management, Media Center optimized, focus movement are more swift and smooth
- Media Player upgraded and support mouse operation
- Local Media Playback Improved; Certain rare videos black screen, display ratio of 3D to 2D abnormal, and occasional subtitle defect issues fixed
- Blu-ray video slow loading conditions improved and speed up
- Local Audio output improved and certain audio tracks unable to decode and output issue fixed
- Revised some UI language
- Support for Widevine L3
I assume most users are running Android 5.1.1 right now, but for those who are using an Android N beta version, a different firmware file is required
- Himedia Q10 Pro firmware
- Himedia Q5 Pro firmware
The update procedure is basically the same as most others Android TV boxes on the market:
- Download a new firmware and copy the file update.zip) to the root directory of a USB drive.
- Plug the USB drive into the TV box
- Go to Settings→System→System upgrade to select/click the letter of the USB drive.
- The TV box will then begin upgrading the firmware from the USB drive.
- Wait for the TV box to complete the upgrade. Please be patient, as it may take around 5 minutes to complete.
- The TV box will then automatically reboot, and boot to Android N Final
Just bear in mind that changing Android version often leads to some new bugs, even though the company claims “perfect compatibility” and that everything is running “stable and smooth”.
If you are interested in either devices Himedia Q5 Pro is sold for $199.99, and Q10 Pro for $299.99 on sites such as GeekBuying, Aliexpress, and W2comp.
Via AndroidPC.es
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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boot linux??
@hex
HiSilicon provides both Android and Linux SDK, so in theory Linux is possible.
Netflix only in SD
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
in real? why?
-sorry my bad english-
Thanks again
@hex
Linux TV boxes were launched before Android TV boxes, and HiSilicon probably have customers still using Linux software for their IPTV or STB devices. That won’t be Linux desktop distributions, but likely something like buildroot available for Amlogic. That means you’ll have a minimal rootfs and libraries/APIs for the VPU and GPU in order to develop your own media applications.
I don’t think the SDK is out in the open however, and you probably need to sign an NDA or the like with HiSilicon.
Fingers crossed that the Poplar TV 96board Linaro platform – which is also based on the same HiSilicon processor – gets an Android and Linux source release soon.
Tocoding who make the Poplar board are now saying sometime in December for this (though they previously said mid-October…)
Worth keeping an eye on https://github.com/96boards/documentation/issues/39 I’d suggest.
I have a Q10 Pro. For both Q10 Pro and Q5 Pro a 2 step update is required. Check the forums on futeko.com http://www.futeko.com/newforum/index.php?board=14.0. Also, upon upgrading data will be wiped. There are still issues to be solved for now. If you want a more stable TV box, use the last Lollipop based firmware for a month or two.
Yeah, I figured as much. I’m in no hurry to switch my Q10 pro to nougat. There has to be a good feature or a tangible improvement to promote such an upgrade, not “it’s a popular request from users” as reason
@Oren Eyal
Security?
Q5 Pro plays 4k hevc mkv?
@Jean Lima
Yes. Most, if not all, 4K capable TV boxes can handle those files.