Legacy v9.2 (LTS) builds for Amlogic S805/S8X2, S905/S912 and all WeTek boxes

Latest version: LibreELEC 9.2.8.14 (Release date: 2024-04-06)

Automatic updates are enabled on all devices except the WeTek Play, which had a bug preventing updates until version 9.2.8.6.

There is a workaround below the device description to fix this. Automatic update for WeTek Play is only available from version 9.2.8.7.

NOTICE: If the auto update is enabled, but the installed version is not the latest, then the supported devices will automatically download and install it after restarting. If anyone has any issues with the update, please let me know in the comments.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR MY IMAGES:

Please note that I am still maintaining these images because the current version of LibreELEC (v12) does not officially support AMLMX devices, and there is no kernel driver for AMLGX devices with built-in tuners.

The official LibreELEC support for Amlogic devices is being prepared using the mainline kernel (v6.x), but since the quality of the original Amlogic kernel code (it was made for Android) is very poor and also quite outdated, so the migration to the mainline kernel is a very slow process. The implementation of hardware-accelerated video decoder drivers is already in a pretty good state, but support for most of the built-in dvb drivers is not yet implemented.

The use of legacy kernels (v3.x) has security risks, keep this in mind when using my legacy LE 9.2 images. At the same time, the version of Kodi v18 (Leia) is no longer developed, so it may happen at any time that an external add-on stops working (especially online add-ons) and no longer receive updates for this version of Kodi.

If you are interested in the current mainline kernel-based version, please visit this topic:
Official LE12 Test Images for Amlogic (Kodi-21)

1. Amlogic Meson GXM (S912) SoC on Linux kernel v3.14.29 (LTS):

• Generic_S912 | Generic image for multiple S912 devices (multiple GXM devices with different specs):
  This build is not especially device-specific, it is a general image that can be used for a lot of S912 SoC based devices. The image will only boot with the appropriate DTB, which must be copied from the 'device_trees' folder to the root directory and overwritten the existing 'dtb.img' file.

Driver addons: dvb-latest (media_tree: 2019-07-11), crazycat_aml (media_tree_cc_aml: 2018-09-23).

Maximum supported resolution: 2160p @ 60Hz.

Amlogic S912 images: Index of /images/S912/.

2. Amlogic Meson GXBB (S905) and GXL (S905x) SoC on Linux kernel v3.14.29 (LTS):

• WeTek_Play_2 | WeTek Play 2 (a.k.a. WP2) with S905-H SoC (2 GB RAM, 8 GB eMMC) and a modular removable tuner (AVL6211 DVB-S/S2, Sony CXD2841ER DVB-C/T/T2 / Panasonic MN88436 ATSC):
  Working services: Power status LED, CPU temperature sensor, Analog+S/PDIF+HDMI audio output, Gigabit Ethernet, Wireless (2.4+5 GHz), Bluetooth, IR remote control (amremote), HDMI-CEC, NAND boot (installtointernal, amlpkg*), modular removable tuner (native kernel support).
• WeTek_Hub | WeTek Hub with S905-H SoC (1 GB RAM, 8 GB eMMC):
  Working services: Power status LED, CPU temperature sensor, HDMI audio output, Gigabit Ethernet, Wireless (2.4+5 GHz), Bluetooth, IR remote control (amremote), HDMI-CEC, NAND boot (installtointernal, amlpkg*).
• Generic_S905 | Generic image for multiple S905x devices (multiple GXBB/GXL devices with different specs):
  This build is not especially device-specific, it is a general image that can be used for a lot of S905x SoC based devices. The image will only boot with the appropriate DTB, which must be copied from the 'device_trees' folder to the root directory and overwritten the existing 'dtb.img' file.

Driver addons: dvb-latest (media_tree: 2019-07-11), crazycat_aml (media_tree_cc_aml: 2018-09-23).

Maximum supported resolution: 2160p @ 60Hz.

Amlogic S905 images: Index of /images/S905/.

* Please read the description beginning with "NAND install image for SD card" in the IMPORTANT NOTES section below.

NOTICE: The Mecool/Videostrong K-series device images migrated into the 'Generic_S905' image.

3. Amlogic Meson8m2 (S812) SoC on Linux kernel v3.10.108 (LTS):

• M8S-Plus | OTT M8S+ and Videostrong KII with Amlogic S812 SoC (2 GB RAM, 8GB eMMC/NAND):
  Working services: Power status LED, CPU temperature sensor, Analog+S/PDIF+HDMI audio output, Gigabit Ethernet, Wireless (2.4+5 GHz), Bluetooth, IR remote control (amremote), HDMI-CEC, NAND boot (installtointernal, amlpkg*).
• WeTek_Core | WeTek Core with Amlogic S812-H SoC (2 GB RAM, 8 GB eMMC/NAND):
  Working services: Power status LED, CPU temperature sensor, Analog+S/PDIF+HDMI audio output, Gigabit Ethernet, Wireless (2.4+5 GHz), Bluetooth, RF+IR combo remote control (HID+amremote), HDMI-CEC, NAND boot (installtointernal, amlpkg*).

Driver addons: dvb-latest (media_tree: 2019-07-11).

Maximum supported resolution: 2160p @ 30Hz.

Amlogic S8X2 images: Index of /images/S8X2/.

* Please read the description beginning with "NAND install image for SD card" in the IMPORTANT NOTES section below.

4. Amlogic Meson8b (S805) SoC on Linux kernel v3.10.108 (LTS):

• HD18Q | MXQ "all black" versions with Amlogic S805 SoC and 1 GB RAM (1 GB RAM, 8 GB eMMC/NAND):
  Working services: CPU temperature sensor, Analog+S/PDIF+HDMI audio output, 10/100 Mbps Ethernet, IR remote control (amremote), HDMI-CEC, NAND boot (installtointernal, amlota*).
  
• m201d | MXQ "all black" versions with Amlogic S805 SoC and 512 MB RAM only (512 MB RAM, 8 GB eMMC/NAND):
  Working services: CPU temperature sensor, Analog+S/PDIF+HDMI audio output, 10/100 Mbps Ethernet, IR remote control (amremote), HDMI-CEC, NAND boot (installtointernal, amlota*).
  

Driver addons: dvb-latest (media_tree: 2019-07-11).

Maximum supported resolution: 1080p @ 60Hz.

Amlogic S805 images: Index of /images/S805/.

* This is a standard update package in OTA format for the factory recovery. This can also be used for S805 devices that do not have an SD card slot.

5. Amlogic Meson6 (AML8726-MX) SoC on Linux kernel v3.10.108 (LTS):

• WeTek_Play | WeTek Play (a.k.a. WP1) with AML8726-MX SoC (1 GB RAM, 4 GB NAND) and a modular removable tuner:
  Working services: Power status LED, CPU temperature sensor, Analog+S/PDIF+HDMI audio output, 10/100 Mbps Ethernet, Wireless (2.4 GHz), Bluetooth, RF+IR combo remote control (HID+amremote), HDMI-CEC*, NAND boot**.

Driver addons: not available.
Maximum supported resolution: 1080p @ 60Hz.

WeTek Play image: Index of /images/WeTek_Play/.

* On some TVs, this can cause instability, but in this case it is worth turning it off:

Settings -> System -> Input -> Peripherals -> CEC Adapter

** Please read the description beginning with "NAND install image for SD card" in the IMPORTANT NOTES section below.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: How to fix the update issue on WeTek Play:

My WeTek Play images before v9.2.8.7 as well as the official v9.0.x images contain a bug that prevents the update from being performed. The following workaround can provide a solution for this issue:

mount -o remount,rw /flash
cd /flash
wget http://libreelec.dtech.hu/misc/wp1-fix-updates/post-flash.sh
chmod +x post-flash.sh
cd ..
sync
mount -o remount,ro /flash

6. Experimental images for 3rdParty devices:

NOTICE: I don’t have these devices, so although I try to support, but I can’t test them directly.

Universal images for multiple S8X2 devices:

• Universal_k200_2G | Universal image for k200 devices (S802 SoC, 2 GB RAM, 10/100 Mbps LAN, Broadcom or Realtek WiFi):
  This build is not especially device-specific, it is a general image that can be used for most M8 clones, as well as a bunch of further Chinese noname boxes with S802 (Meson8) SoC and 2 GB of RAM.
• Universal_n200_2G | Universal image for n200 devices (S812 SoC, 2 GB RAM, 10/100 Mbps LAN, Broadcom or Realtek WiFi):
  This build is not especially device-specific, it is a general image that can be used for most M8S and MXIII clones, as well as a bunch of further Chinese noname boxes with S812 (Meson8m2) SoC and 2 GB of RAM.

MXIII series S8X2 images (based on Demetris work):

• MXIII-1G | Image for MXIII (S802 SoC, 1 GB RAM, 10/100 Mbps LAN, AP6330/AP6181 WiFi),
• MXIII-Plus | Image for MXIII-G and MXIII Plus (S812 SoC, 2 GB RAM, Gigabit LAN, AP6234 WiFi),

Minix series S8X2 images (based on datrh work):

• X8-X8H | Image for MINIX Neo X8/X8-H (S802/S802-H SoC, 2 GB RAM, 10/100 Mbps LAN, AP6330 WiFi),
• X8H-Plus | Image for MINIX Neo X8-H Plus (S812-H SoC, 2 GB RAM, Gigabit LAN, AP6335e WiFi).

Other images:

• Odroid_C1 | Image for Ocroid C1 and C1+ board (S805 SoC, 1 GB RAM, Gigabit LAN, without WiFi).

3rdParty images: Index of /images/3rdParty/.

How to create bootable media, boot, install to eMMC/NAND and update:

• Create bootable media (SD card or USB flash drive*):
  To create bootable media you need to download the LibreELEC-AML USB-SD Creator tool. Select the file you want to download and click the Download button, or click the Select file button and browse the previously downloaded disk image (*.img.gz).
  * Only the S905/S912 can boot from USB devices, the S805 and S8X2 devices can only be booted from an SD card.
• Boot LibreELEC from your previously prepared bootable media:
  If you want to boot the device from your bootable media, you need to perform the toothpick method first:
  Disconnect the power plug, insert the prepared boot media, and then press and hold the reset button*. Reconnect the power jack while holding down the reset button, then release it after about 3-5 seconds**.
  * The reset button on MXQ and M8S+ is located behind the A/V connector, but on the Mecool and WeTek devices, the reset button is located behind the hole on the bottom of the device.
  ** If the Android recovery menu appeared, you pressed the button for too long.
  
• Install image from bootable media to internal NAND/eMMC:
  If you want to install the image into the internal memory, you need to log in via SSH and run the installtointernal script.
  IMPORTANT NOTICE: It will completely overwrite the installed OS (e.g. Android), so it will no longer be possible to boot that system!
• NAND install image for SD card: Download the NAND install image (*-sdcard.zip), extract it, and copy the contents of the file to the root folder of an FAT32-formatted SD card. Disconnect the power cord from the device, insert the prepared SD card, and plug in the power jack while pressing the reset button*. You need to hold the button about 8-10 seconds until the LibreELEC installation begins.
  * The reset button on M8S+ is located behind the A/V connector, but on the Mecool and WeTek devices, the reset button is located behind the hole on the bottom of the device.
  IMPORTANT NOTICE: It will completely overwrite the installed OS (e.g. Android), so it will no longer be possible to boot that system!
• Install an update package:
  To install the update, you need to download, and then copy the update file (*.tar) to the Update folder via SMB, and then restart the device. The update process will start automatically after the restart.

IMPORTANT NOTES - Please read them carefully before asking:

• If you have any questions, please determine the type of your device first. During troubleshooting, you may need to SSH into the device and run some commands. I would be happy if I didn't have to explain these operations to you, because it is very time-consuming.
• If you need to log in via SSH, the default password for the root is 'libreelec'. Changing the password after logging in is recommended for security reasons.
• The built-in LibreELEC packages for these devices are not installed from the official repo, because they are located on an external server. If the LE add-on server is not available, please let me know only if it has been unavailable for more than 24 hours!
• The remote control configurations are integrated into the image for all devices, so those can be used immediately after the first boot.
  To install a remote control for an unsupported device, follow the instructions here: Index of /remote.conf/.
• Keep in mind that only "amremote" is supported, the "meson-ir" configurations for these images are not supported!
• Using an external DTB only works with the S905 and S912! If you have a device with one of these SoCs, but the rest of the specification is different, you can try one of these: Index of /device_trees/.
• External DTB cannot be used with Meson8* (S805/S8X2), because there it only takes into consideration those that are integrated into the kernel!
• Support for tuners has been expanded in the release '2021-04-02' with the dvb-latest package.
  It is also the last updated and most recommended driver package for external USB tuners!
• Docker only works under 64-bit SoCs (S905/S912), it is not available on 32-bit systems (S805/S8X2)!
  
• I can't do miracles with the wifi and bluetooth drivers built into the kernel, so I can't do anything about "cannot connect", "the signal is weak" or "the connection is slow" errors either, so please don't expect a solution from me.

OpenVFD display configuration and usage:

NOTICE: Support for FD628-style displays and its clones has been supported since v9.2.8.8, but built-in configuration files are only available in Generic_S905 and Generic_S912 images from v9.2.8.11.

Configuration file installation methods:

• SD card in offline mode (card reader): If you boot from SD card, you need to copy the appropriate configuration file for your box from the openvfd_confs directory to the root of your card, and rename it to openvfd.conf.
• On eMMC/NAND or SD card in online mode: You need to copy the appropriate configuration file for your box from the /usr/share/bootloader/openvfd_confs/ directory to the /storage/.config/, and rename it to openvfd.conf.

The OpenVFD linux driver will be active after restart and the display will work properly if you have selected the correct configuration file.

Additional display features: In addition to displaying the current time, some displays can display playback status, network connection status, and some other things. However, this also requires OpenVFD service, which can be installed from Add-ons -> LibreELEC Add-ons -> Services -> OpenVFD.

Fix the "power-on bug" in uboot for Meson8* boxes (S805 and S8X2):

This new power management option has been added since version 9.2.8, and it is only visible from the advanced level.

NOTICE:

Enable this option only in case of detailed condition, otherwise it may cause a system error or data loss during shutdown.

This option has been tested and works on an M8S box with M8S+ image (labeled: "AM8228 2G+8G 2016-03-19", PCB: "S812_M8_REV1.1 15/05/21").

The source files are available here:

GitHub - dtechsrv/LibreELEC-AML: 'Just enough OS' for Kodi for some Amlogic TV boxes

Acknowledgments:

Thanks to those who have worked on Amlogic devices before as I have used a lot of resources from their work:

kszaq, codesnake, drieschel, wrxtasy, Demetris, datrh, afl1 and many others.

Requests:

• If you find an error in the image, please report it in this thread.
• If you tested an image on a device other than the devices I support and it worked, please indicate it here in the thread as well.
• If you have a device that belongs to the supported SoC family, still feel free to write and I will try to find a working solution for it.
• If you have usable information for how to troubleshoot known issues, please post in this thread, or start a conversation with me, or send a pull request through GitHub.

Finally, you can invite me for a beer if you think my work is worthwhile.

Thank you.

Quote from gjstroom

Hi, I was just looking for an updated image for a M8S+.

I installed it and it boots up and works (network/wifi/bluetooth all is present), but when I try to play a video from whatever video addon I only get a spinner.

Looks very promising, hope you can fix the video playback !

It was a clean install or an update?

And which image did you use before?

Okay, that's weird. My old version works, but the new one doesn't.

Can you send me a Kodi log?

Quote from gjstroom

I reinstalled the 9.2 version. Installed the Dumpert addon and played 2 video's. The first one worked, the second one froze kodi.

It seems to have problems stopping video's and starting a new one.

Okay, I guess what the problem might be. After startup, try changing the resolution to 1080p to 720p, and try playing the video and then rewinding or stopping.

If the problem still exists, it will be different than what I'm thinking.

Tomorrow I will try to find a better solution for this problem.

gjstroom

I replaced the buggy initramfs script, so the freeze issue was solved.

The new version has been uploaded to GitHub.

Quote from gjstroom

Thanks, looks like it's fine now !

One more issue, when using the Retrospect add-on no video shows until I pause and play. Any ideas about this ?

Normal video playback from a smb share also works fine.

I'm missing the hdmi audio outputs, only spdif and analog is listed at the audio settings. So can't do audio pass through.

I'm trying to find a solution for online video stream problems (like pvr.iptvsimple), because in Kodi 18.5+ the extraction of stream info has been pretty reworked, and amcodec doesn't really like that. (It reports 0 fps, 0x0 resolution, and it cause other anomalies when starting a live stream.)

The "Default (analog)" seems to be equal to HDMI output, but I don't why. (The analog output has not worked since OpenELEC v6.)

I also use it with this settings and it works properly without passthrough, but I will check the passthrough mode with my TV.

akican

If I remember correctly, we’ve already talked about this in another thread.

Then you wrote that there was a version that worked with wifi, just the power on did not work.

You should copy dtb.img from that version to the SD card and try it out.

gjstroom

I added a couple of fixes, the new version has been uploaded to GitHub, it is available on the releases page. (9.2.6-20210209)

I tried a few previous M8 audio configurations, but none of them changed the situation, only Analog and S/PDIF options are displayed in the ALSA list.

I tried passthrough on M8S+ with basic settings, and my TV recognized Dolby AC3 correctly, but I couldn't try DTS because unfortunately it is not supported on the LG OLED TV.

Another question: What kind of S805 device do you have? Maybe an MXQ-HD18Q (a.k.a. "all black" with 1GB of RAM) or an MXQ-m201d (512MB)?

Quote from gjstroom

My S805 is a M8S. About your 9.02 builds for both M8S and M8S+, they do freeze quite often. Not sure yet when, looks also stopping/starting video related. For the M8S+ the 9.2 build does a better job.

For M8S-S805 (M8Q) devices, I will also be trying to make an image soon, because there is the same problem with the initramfs script.

Quote from Samui

Hi dtech,

your image is working great on my Mecool KII Pro - thank you very much for your work!

Would it be possible for you to compile the makemkv addon to this release.

I connected my external BDROM to the box for use it as BD Player also, but many of my original BDs

are protected.

Thank you for the feedback. I'm glad it works under KII Pro as well.

I tried to find something meaningful for makemkv, but what I found so far only included PKG_ARCH="x86_64".

Does it work on Amlogic device at all? If you had such an earlier version, I would like a link.