Firmware for an Android TV set-top box is easy and simple. Firmware for smart TVs Need firmware for a Chinese smart TV set-top box

A few days ago, a software update arrived on my Philips 43PUS7150/12 TV, which is on Android TV. I specifically did not update so that I could take a photo and write instructions for updating the Android TV firmware on Philips TVs. By the way, it seems to me that on SONY TVs, the firmware update happens in exactly the same way.

Since the purchase, this is probably the fourth update. Updates are good, because in theory they should contain improvements and more stable operation of the TV itself, which Philips TVs really lack. How many times have I updated the firmware, but I still haven’t noticed any improvements or changes. Everything worked and still works. But you still need to install updates. There are two ways to update the software of your Philips TV (Android TV):

Firmware update via the Internet.
Software update via USB drive.

To be honest, I haven’t tried updating via a flash drive yet. But the firmware itself is on the Philips website. Just download it, copy it to a USB flash drive, and on the TV select USB as the source for the update. I always install new software via the Internet. The TV itself downloads the firmware and installs it. It is this method that I will write about below.

Updating Philips TV firmware (Android TV) via the Internet

Since we will update our Android TV via the Internet, the TV must be connected to the Internet, or.

After making sure that the Internet on the TV is working (you can for example run a video on YouTube), open Smart TV, and scroll to the “Settings” section. There we select the item "Update software"

And select “Internet” as the source.

The TV will check and if it finds a new software update, it will offer to update. Click on the "Update" button.

If the TV turns off while an update is downloading, you need to turn off automatic shutdown. Since my Internet is not very fast, I encountered an error when the TV, without downloading the update, showed a message that it would turn off in one minute. And to continue viewing, you need to click on the “Ok” button. After pressing, the TV viewing mode simply turned on. And the firmware process was interrupted.

I haven't encountered such a problem before. I decided simply: I turned off the TV’s automatic shutdown in the settings. There is such an item “Auto shutdown timer”, set the value to 0.

Installing a system update on your Philips TV

Once the update is downloaded, the TV will prompt you to install it. Click on the "Start" button. The TV will reboot and the installation of the system update will begin. We wait.

Then, the TV will reboot again and the Android update (application optimization) will begin. We are waiting for this process to end.

After this, you can use the TV.

After update

It was very buggy for me right away, Android TV barely started. And then a blue screen appeared, I already thought it was a blue screen of death :)

But when I turned off the power to the TV and turned it on, I was really happy. At the beginning of the article, I wrote that updates do not give anything at all. So, when I wrote this, this update was just being downloaded. After installing it, everything works much faster. It's really noticeable. Especially, moving around Android menu TV. And in the Play Store it has become even pleasant to browse applications.

The main thing is that the TV responds adequately and quickly to button presses on the remote control. And before the update, there were serious problems with this. I don’t know, maybe everything will go back to how it was, but I have already begun to change my opinion about Philips TVs and the Android TV system itself.

And one more good news, the wireless mouse is working! It didn't work before. The cursor is very clear. Scrolling through websites in a browser is a pleasure. But, in the Android TV menu itself it is not possible to launch programs. They are simply not selected by the cursor. But the “forward” and “backward” buttons work. And in the YouTube application, for example, the mouse works great. Although, it is only needed for the browser.

Update yourself, friends!

After reading reviews about TV set-top boxes based on Android, I also wanted one, but somehow it didn’t move from the channel of desire to the channel of purchase, something was holding me back.

Time passed, prices for set-top boxes dropped, the desire to buy became stronger, but the time came for the rapid rise in the dollar exchange rate and the desire to buy anything disappeared by itself. Watching the rapidly thinning family budget, a desire appeared to reduce expenses. Cable TV also fell under this umbrella, but the desire to watch TV channels, and even in HD, remained, and what’s more, it grew stronger. So to speak, under external influence, the desire to buy a TV BOX returned again.
In our region, cable TV starts at 200 rubles, so it comes out to 2400 rubles per year. I think many of you understood that this is the budget that I had to fit into when choosing a console. The requirements were simple: watch TV channels (and preferably in HD), watch movies from external media, watch videos from Youtube, and there are no cinemas, and as a bonus, download torrents with films.
The main “kick” in this direction was a review from a respected EAGLE13 about the prefix. One of the comments to the review directed towards the MXQ console, which I ended up buying.

Characteristics

Model: MXQ
CPU: Amlogic S805 1.5GHz Quad core Cortex A5
GPU: Quad-Core Mali-450@600MHz+. Video Decoding: Support 1920x1080p@60fps
Video Encoding: Support encoding in H.264. 1080p@60fps, 720@100fps
Operation System: Android 4.4.1 KitKat
RAM: 1GB DDR3
Nand Flash: 8GB
Storage External: Support SD Card up to 32GB
WiFi: 802.11b/g/n
Ethernet: 10/100M, standard RJ-45
Keyboard/Mouse: Support USB 2.0 Wired Keyboard/Mouse; Support 2.4G Wireless Keyboard/mouse; Support Air/Fly Sensor Remote controller
Infra Remote: Yes. Build-in
HDMI Interface: Support 1920x1080P @60Hz Full HD Video output
Ports: 4x USB 2.0 Host, 1 x SD/MMC card reader, 1x SPDIF, 1x AV port, 1 x DC Jack, 1x HDMI
Power Supply: Input 100-240VAC 0.3A, Output 5V 2A
Item size: 118x118x25mm
Color: Black
Net weight: 265g
G.W: 0.8KG(Full Packing)
Package included: 1 x Android TV Box, 1 x Remote, 1 x AC Charger Adapter, 1x HDMI CABLE, 1 x User Manual (English/Chinese)

Delivery

Frankly speaking, I did not expect such a speed of delivery. In my entire six-year history of online purchases, this was the fastest delivery, 8 days. Only 8 days!!!

The box with the console was packed in a simple yellow bubble envelope. In my opinion, the packaging is no good. The box with the console has a few light dents. It’s not surprising, given the packaging. The amazing thing is that everything arrived intact and working!

Standard delivery set, set-top box, remote control without batteries, HDMI cable, power supply and instructions in English and Chinese.

Equipment

An HDMI cable with “gold-plated” contacts, for me, is a sign of nothing.

The remote control is compact, lightweight, at first it was unusual to use it, but you quickly get used to it. At the top of the remote control there is a programmable group of TV control buttons. Thanks to this versatility, there is no need to use multiple remotes, everything is controlled from one remote control. I won’t describe the functionality of the buttons, as everything is intuitive.

Battery compartment

The only thing I want to focus on is programming the remote control. You need to bring the TV remote control close to the console remote control. IR sensors to each other. Then hold down the TV power button on the set-top box until it lights up red. Next, press the button that needs to be programmed, the power button will start blinking, and press the button on the TV remote control that you want to write to the set-top box remote control until the button on the box remote control stops blinking. Then repeat with the remaining buttons.

The resulting console looks like a black rectangle with the inscription MXQ on top, nothing special. The left side is empty, on the right side there is a card reader and three USB connectors, on the back there is USB, SPDIF, AV, HDMI, LAN and a power connector. At the bottom of the console there are technological holes for ventilation.

Appearance

The included power supply operates from a 100-240 V network and consumes 0.3A; at the output it produces 5V and a maximum of 2A. Overall, it’s an ordinary power supply, nothing special, so I won’t focus on it. I just want to note that the set-top box consumes 0.4W in standby mode, the maximum consumption during operation was 4.6W.

Opening the power supply

Frankly speaking, I was interested in the filling of the box itself, because... When buying MXQ it is impossible to be sure what you will receive, because... There are a great many manufacturers of this model in China. After the purchase, wandering through the expanses of bourgeois forums, I counted four types of boards. I must say that the firmware different models only partially suitable. I was not at all sure that I would get the option that would have custom firmware. And so it turned out, I received model “number five”, i.e. I have never seen the same printed circuit board on any forum.

PCB Options

In order to open the box, you need to tear off the rubber pads on the legs of the console; screws are hidden under them.

The soldering is normal, but unfortunately the flux is not washed off at all.

The Wi-Fi antenna is attached to the side of the set-top box with tape, not very The best decision In my opinion.

The RESET button is located after the AV connector, so in order to reboot the set-top box (or get into recovery) you will need to use a toothpick, which you will need to insert deep into the connector and press the button.

WiFi module RTL8189ETV.

As you have already noticed, the role of the radiator is performed by a thin aluminum plate painted black on top and having an adhesive layer like tape on the bottom.

Of course, the plate was torn off; in my opinion, it will not cope with its task.

A normal radiator was installed in place of the aluminum plate.

For clarity, I tore out the loading screen.

Initially, the console loads into the standard launcher, which I found very convenient and simple. It is designed to work from a remote control; no mouse is needed. Everything is simple and convenient.

Nevertheless, the choice of the standard Android launcher is present in the settings.

Standard launcher

The main window is divided into six large groups of buttons and at the bottom there is a small strip with buttons for quickly launching applications. In some button groups you can configure the applications that will be located there. To do this, press the plus button and select the required applications.

The bottom strip is configured according to the same principle.

The settings section contains four main items. Network, Display, Advanced settings and Other.

In the Display Position item, you can change the image scale so that the picture does not extend beyond the screen.

In advanced settings you can manage remote control set-top box (requires installation of separate software on an Android phone), broadcasting from external devices, sound control.

In the Other section, the version of the set-top box is indicated and two buttons are available, System update and settings of Android itself.

The user has access to 4.9GB of 8GB of memory.

I want to attract your attention, Google Play works right out of the box. But not all applications are available for installation.

The console already comes with KODI pre-installed, but I didn’t really like it, or rather didn’t like it at all.

Its only usefulness was to make sure that the real resolution that the set-top box produces is really 1080p.

I liked the IPTV application, it’s a pleasure to use, the main thing here is to put together the playlist correctly.

HD channels are pleasing to the eye, it immediately becomes clear that the purchase was worth it.

Antutu returned 18,047 parrots, not many, but quite enough.

It was more interesting to look at the result of AnTuTu Video Tester. The set-top box fully supports 23 codecs and only partially supports 7.

AnTuTu Video Tester

As is tradition, I also looked at the data produced by CPU-Z.

As I noticed, AIDA64 is still trusted on the forums, well, let’s take a look.

Additional Information

Due to cost reductions, I had to switch to the cheapest Internet tariff with a speed of 20Mb, which is actually quite enough.

When buying MXQ, I was frankly afraid that there might be problems with Wi-Fi reception, because... It does not have an external antenna. But the fears were in vain, the set-top box picks up the signal well.

Thanks to the WiFi Analyzer program, I learned that I should use channel 6 or 14, they will have a better signal.

It's time to check the operation of the set-top box with external devices, which, unfortunately, I don't have very many of. The wireless mouse worked with a bang, but I was more interested in the ability to connect external media.
The 1 TB hard drive started up without problems, no external power was required.

Old IDE HDD connected via a Chinese adapter also worked without problems. Please note that the set-top box produces about 1A per USB port, you can charge your mobile phone. ;)

Out of the box, the console is crammed with “unnecessary” software, I immediately removed everything that was installed by the manufacturer and installed only those applications that I needed. In my opinion, this is the optimal list for a TV set-top box:

The prefix was not rooted by the seller. The forum came to the rescue, although there was no method for my specific firmware, nevertheless people write that the method works for all MXQ. At my own peril and risk, I decided to try and was not disappointed, the root was successfully obtained.
Whether you need it or not, decide for yourself. I need it for ADFree to block annoying ads in IPTV and FS VideoBox applications.

Instructions for obtaining root

1. Download.
2. Place the downloaded file in the root of the internal memory of the set-top box; there is no need to unpack it.
3. Launch the standard updater, press the button Select.

4. Select the downloaded file from the list that appears.
5. Click the button Update. After which the console will reboot and the long-awaited root will be received.

Dear, please do not carry out any manipulations with updating and/or firmware of the set-top box without first making a backup..

I wrote to the seller, hoping to get the latest firmware and instructions for getting root from him, but he refused to help me. I, they say, sold it, and then you can do the rest yourself, just don’t forget to give it five stars.
Due to the fact that for the MXQ console there are a large number of firmwares that are not compatible with each other, if there is a high probability of getting a brick. Be sure to make a backup of your firmware, share it with people, for example, and only after that, root it or try other firmware.
I backed up my firmware using TWRP and shared it with the people, because... There were already at least two people on the forum who destroyed the console with the same firmware version as mine. I hope my backup will help them. Just in case, you can download my already rooted firmware from the link:

Firmware instructions

1. Unpack the archive to the root of a clean SD card.
2. Insert the SD card into a de-energized set-top box.
3. Using the AV connector, hold down the button and apply power.
4. When the TWRP logo appears, release the button.

Overall, I was pleased with the console. My wife is happy that she can now watch those channels that have stopped broadcasting on cable. I once again amused my brain by understanding the device and now I’m seriously thinking about buying a used monitor and another set-top box for the kitchen instead of the planned TV. ;) According to calculations, the console should pay for itself within a year, and then only profit. :)

Update 1: The time on the console flies, but in the Android settings it is set to auto-update. However, after each switch on, the time zone moves to Chinese. We need to find which config this is written in and change it to ours.

With all respect, Andrew.

The product was purchased with your own hard earned money.

I'm planning to buy +38 Add to favorites I liked the review +35 +81

Modern TVs with Smart technology today are close in their functionality to personal computers. They provide the opportunity not only to watch cable, digital, satellite and analogue television programs displayed on a wide screen, but also connect to the Internet. Most models of the new type do not require such a connection at all. additional devices. Thus, with their help you can watch TV shows, movies online directly from sites, the sites themselves, and connect to a laptop and TV.

Since Smart TVs go beyond a standard receiver, it software needs to be updated periodically, as it becomes outdated anyway. The main reasons why an update becomes necessary are:

Identifying errors in the operation of the TV;

Device failure;

The user's desire to receive new functions and capabilities available after the update.

Before flashing the TV on your own, you need to take into account that, most likely, all user settings will be reset; they cannot be restored, you can only configure everything again. In addition, you should soberly assess your strengths, since due to incorrect firmware the TV may be broken, and accordingly, the services of a specialist will become much more expensive. What is also important to keep in mind right away is that you should never turn off the TV while the firmware is being installed.

In automatic mode

By following the sequence of simple steps, you can be sure that the performance of the TV will not be damaged. Haste and failure to follow step-by-step operations, on the contrary, will lead to small or large problems that can cause a complete technical breakdown. Therefore, if anything in the instructions below is not entirely clear, it is better to call a qualified technician.

There are only two ways to reflash the device yourself. The choice depends on whether there is access to the Internet through the TV, whether there are any traffic restrictions, and what the data transfer speed is. If access is available, speed and traffic allow, it is most convenient to use the automatic update method. The standard sequence of actions includes:

Connecting the Internet to the TV (whether it is Wi-Fi or a cable connection);

Entering the settings menu via the remote control remote control(Menu – Settings);

Go to the support tab;

Selecting an item with a software update;

Starting the update.

After launching, the user does not need to do anything, just wait for the process to complete. If everything went well, the TV firmware is completed, the TV itself will turn off and then turn on.

In manual mode

Before updating the firmware on your TV manually via USB, you must use personal computer or laptop. This method is relevant if automatic updating fails, when, for example, the firmware is almost completely out of order and a new one is required. Here you will need a USB flash drive.

First, the user should check the model of their TV (by looking at the sticker on the back panel, looking at the technical data sheet, looking in the settings using the remote control). Next, you need to go from your computer to the official website of the company that is the manufacturer of the TV, go to the support section and select the download updates tab. The model number is entered into the search bar, after which a list of available firmware will appear on the monitor. It is important to take into account that if the device has previously been regularly flashed and updated, you need to select the latest one from the proposed options; if not, download all versions, starting from yours to the latest one.

Next, you need to take a blank USB drive (formatted or initially new), and copy the previously unzipped files onto it. Many Smart TV models begin the so-called automatic update directly from the flash drive, as soon as it is inserted into the corresponding connector on the TV. However, not always.

The sequence of actions with a flash drive manually:

If automatic updating from USB does not start, use the remote control to go to Menu - Support;

Activate and wait for the process to complete without turning off or touching anything.

The software is not updated too quickly, since the weight of the files is significant, so if you have not previously updated the TV yourself, do not panic because the process is slow. In the event that the device suddenly does not see the flash drive, you should reboot it.

Tronsmart T1000 Plus Miracast is a new device that allows you to stream pictures to your TV directly from your phone, tablet or computer that supports 802.11ac. New standard wireless connection will speed up the operation of the device and make its use more comfortable.

This is the first build based on Android lollipop 5.1.1, all basic features should work well, but some bugs may still be present. Some functions may also be missing. The system is still being tested and will be further developed.

If your V5 has the following problems, you can fix them with a system update.

On May 15, 2014, new official firmware for the Rikomagic RKM MK902 console was released. Download the firmware Firmware using the Rockchip Batch Tool v1.7 utility, use the “RESTORE” button

New SmartQ Z Watch firmware has been released, version 3.7, Android 4.4. The firmware is Russified and slightly modified ZaYAC_ua. Changes: Everything has been translated into Russian. Added applications: Browser, Calculator, Play Market (hacked). Changed the display on the clock widgets from MM/DD to DD/MM (DD - day, MM - month) Removed the Chinese market and WeChat Added root (full access) + BusyBox Corrected the scrolling of the list of permissions when installing applications.

The firmware for Rikomagic RKM MK902 is based on the latest official firmware release dated 2014/03/08. (MK902_140308.zip / RKM MK902_140308.img)

A new type of media player. Designed to transmit images from various devices to the TV. Using it, you can display the screen of your smartphone/tablet/computer on a TV or monitor.

The manufacturer of Tronsmart CX-919 has once again changed the layout of the console. As a result, older firmware versions, including Finless 1.6b, do not work (screen blinking) due to a mismatch in the kernel.img file. If you replace the file with a new one, everything will work. You can get the correct file from maximry from the 4pda forum or download it here. New versions have been produced since the end of last year.

A system update has been released for the Tronsmart MK908II model. Tronsmart MK908II is an updated version of the popular Tronsmart MK908 set-top box, with a built-in external antenna that improves the quality of WiFi signal reception, Android 4.2 OS, Bluetooth and an improved cooling system.

Attention! The manufacturer has recalled the firmware for revision. Minix has released new firmware for the popular Minix NEO X7 model, version 007 1080p. Let's see what has changed: 1.) Added 1080p video overlay self-detection; (works on stock player, MX player, etc.) 2.) Improved video playback quality; 3.) Removed Google search from the main screen; 4.) Added settings for the NEO A2 airmouse remote control;

Tronsmart T1000 Plus Miracast is a new device that allows you to stream pictures to your TV directly from your phone, tablet or computer that supports 802.11ac. The new wireless connection standard will speed up the operation of the device and make its use more comfortable.

If your V5 has the following problems, you can fix them with a system update.

On May 15, 2014, new official firmware for the Rikomagic RKM MK902 console was released. Download the firmware Firmware using the Rockchip Batch Tool v1.7 utility, use the “RESTORE” button

The firmware for Rikomagic RKM MK902 is based on the latest official firmware release dated 2014/03/08. (MK902_140308.zip / RKM MK902_140308.img)

A new type of media player. Designed to transfer images from various devices to a TV. Using it, you can display the screen of your smartphone/tablet/computer on a TV or monitor.

Attention! The manufacturer has recalled the firmware for revision. Minix has released new firmware for the popular Minix NEO X7 model, version 007 1080p. Let's see what has changed: 1.) Added 1080p video overlay self-detection; (works on stock player, MX player, etc.) 2.) Improved video playback quality; 3.) Google search has been removed from the main screen; 4.) Added settings for the NEO A2 airmouse remote control;