Kodi is a popular open source media center, but many companies will not simply install the version released on Kodi.org, and instead modify the source code to bring their own improvements. However most companies never release the source as they ought to as per the GPL license used by Kodi. The good news is that Zidoo released their modifications for Rockchip RK3368 and Allwinner H3.
Their modifications include support for 3D MVC,7.1 Channel HD Audio pass through, and HW decoding for Rockchip RK3368, and 5.1 audio pass-through, 4K @ 30 fps, and H.265 hardware video decoding for Allwinner H3. You can read the announcement on Kodi forums for RK3368 (Kodi 15.1) and H3 (Kodi 14.2).
Kodi 15.1 source code for Rockchip RK3368 can be found on github (make sure to use zidoo-15.1 branch, and not master). In order to build Kodi yourself, you’ll however need the latest version of Rockchip RK3368 SDK, which Zidoo is not allowed to release themselves [Update: Based on Koying’s comment below, you don’t really need the SDK, but only rkffplayer.so]. You’ll also need to apply “kodi-ffmpeg-patch-20150910.patch” to ffmpeg library, before building Kodi. They recommend their own Zidoo X6 to run the apk, as it has not been tested on other devices yet. Some Kodi developers already had a quick look at the code, and they seem OK with it.
There’s been less interest in Allwinner H3’s source code, but you can also get it on github.
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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Please koying.. build/compile a spmc build with this included 🙂
Those compiled by zidoo.. only work on there units (sadly)
Cheers
this was the right thing to do. I remember they promised this a long time ago, but delayed the release for X1 because they were afraid that other H3 devices will just use their work and sell for less $$$.
unlike they did with Kodi, right? 🙂
The source code have released,you should only make it,and can play in the other units.If you encounter the problem of compiling and using, we are also very happy to provide help. Our kodi has the zidoo logo,not suitable for other units.
LOL
Our advantage is not just KODI, ZIDOO has a lot of more powerful technology.We will continously update the firmware. This is one of the distinctive features of ZIDOO
So, @mirror X1 support stops here?
why?We will always support it, We released a new version firmware for x1 today
And we will update kodi to 15.1 for x1,add 3D MVC function.
@Demetris
As time goes on, you will find that ZIDOO is the only company with high technical level and service consciousness among China’s TV BOX manufacturers.
What you buy is not only a hardware device, but it’s ZIDOO continual iteration and constantly adding new features .
for android only?
@mirror
probably not “the only company” 🙂
but I’ve read an interesting point of view here regarding Zidoo/GPL and what makes a TV box cheaper.
Does Zidoo really pay for all licenses? if so, I must say that I am starting to like Zidoo as a brand.
Why not join openelec like wetek did. If they would do some linux effort for the X1, I definitely would buy one.
I like what wetek does, a shame everybody is picking on them because it’s old hardware. I don’t understand there didn’t cam a similar community like sunxi for the amlogic chips.
@Roel
Look at sunxi source code and you will know why
do not jump too high… disagree
Someone coule compile these 2 sources for us plz
do not take more than you can deserve. strong Kaiboer relationships don’t allow you it 🙂 be more simple, please
An interesting blog post here : http://www.minipcdb.com/articles/About-Zidoo-and-GPL
@Mirror/Zidoo, you are not alone; WeTek, Minix, TLBB, & Pivos have as companies contributed code patches upstream to Kodi/XBMC for a long time, and they in fact also have all been or still are sponsors of the XBMC Foundation and the Kodi project as well. But code is
Hope the features of these code changes make it into the upstream Kodi mainstream repo regardless.
But Zidoo is not paying HDMI license, I searched at http://www.hdmi.org/learningcenter/adopters_founders.aspx
Does this “H.265 hardware decoding” apply to this Orange Pi PC also?
http://www.cnx-software.com/2015/08/26/orange-pi-pc-allwinner-h3-board-is-now-available-for-15/
Yes ofc it does
Great thing to do, I hope VidOn could do the same…
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) Why do you say that you need the RK SDK? I’ve quickly compiled it (not tested) and it went ok.
The codec just makes calls to the closed source rkffplayer.so library (whose name makes me think it’s based on ffmpeg’s ffplayer and thus rockchip would be infringing GPL2, but that’s another story).
Now where to d/l this spmc v16 with zidoo codec?
For H3 and rk3368… or where both incl in spmc ?
will it also work on other units..like rk3288 or A80 or H8? (Just wondering)
Ps
Thanks koying.. you are the man!!
I would really like to pay for zidoo devs, that make a good job at open sourcing drivers and patch, probably less for HDMI license that already has billions $ with all those HDMI devices and probably HDMI ports. Can GNU/Linux be installed on RK3368 devices? I don’t see 4GB version on RK3368 boxes. This is a big limitation for a light workstation?
@koying
Because I did not try to build it myself, and mirror88 wrote that “First of all, you need the lastest verson of rk3368 sdk” in the announcement. Since you manage to build it without the SDK, I’ll update the post to say that you only need rkffplayer.so from the SDK or firmware image.
We will update the KODI for Rockchip source code on Oct. 9th.
1.Optimize the HDMI adaptation problem when playing 4K 60Hz.
2.Modify the buffer strategy of underlying decoder, and will optimize related code.
3. The optimization of support to HEVC TS streaming
Meanwhile, we will update the next FW version for ZIDOO X6 including these.
Could someone upload the apk somewhere for the rest of us who do not have a development machine? 🙂
Hi!
Someone can describe briefly, how can I create APK file from github source code? Which program need? (Windows)
Thanks
@KaZe
Need to compile it on a Linux 64-bit system.
Follow the instructions here – https://github.com/zidootech/zidoo-kodi-15.1/blob/zidoo-15.1/docs/README.android
It will take a couple of hours if you don’t have a very fast PC.
@Vicus
+1
I see Zidoo made some new HD Audio and other improvements to their Kodi today.
Would be nice to test the new version.
Hi,
could someone do the compiling please? i don’t have a linux machine.
i would be very happy.
thanks!