Hi All ! 😋
I am back after many months since a summer issue.
Thanks to Christian for fixing my account ID and for helpful notes on vdec issues, and to Oleg ( balbes150) for doing some magic including referral to two of his Armbian threads ( I posted him on his main Armbian thread for S9xxx.)
So I have a tip and many questions, after reading through the last 6 months of this thread and of the above 3 balbes150 Armbian threads:
1. Tips for many (including me) still confused about multiboot, and booting LE balbes builds after CE boot (from SD card or emmc.)
A. Here are the instructions from Post#1 of Oleg's Armbian S9xxx thread, if you are booting a fresh Android Box, i.e., one that hasn't had CE/AE/other distro booted from before:
ARMBIAN for Amlogic S905 and S905X (ver 5.44 =<) - TV boxes - Armbian forum
B. It's not clear to me if the above basic method will work for prior CE/AE boot, which has tripped many.
In this case, you should first follow below instructions to change u-boot (modified by CE/AE) back to the original Android u-boot.
(Thanks ukmark62 !)
This method looks simpler ( correct me) than having to change back to original Android u-boot via using USB Amlogic burn tool on PC that will then install original Android firmware on emmc of the affected Android Box:
Test LibreELEC images with KODI-18 for S9xxx
This method first resets Box to original Android reboot, then you follow partial (A) instructions ( A instructions minus the Update &Backup steps for restoring original Android uboot), in its later steps.
Edit. My concern about A v B is: In B, the (first) reboot occurs once and the box then boots to Android ( then you follow remaining instructions in A.) In the A scenario, there are two reboots ( boot into Android after first reboot?) and the box then boots to LE balbes OS.
It is also true ( from a subsequent @balbes 150 remark on method B) that the files required for B already are all part of the img.gz for LE balbes builds now.
So it appears to me that in both cases (a fresh Android S9xxx box or a CE/AE booted Android S9xxx box), method A should suffice. But I will wait for guidance ...
C. My 2c on why Oleg is using this more complex universal multiboot boot method:
To integrate development of various OSes ( LE versions, Armbian, Debian) and various hardwares ( Amlogic gxl, gxm, gxbb, g12, Rockchip 3288, 33**, Allwinner H series.)
He already is working on a single Armbian image for above hardwares, and might just do so for LE too.
Now my questions !
My use case here is a generic S905/x/w box with 1/8 or 2/16 GB, streaming 720p ( no 1080 p or 4K.)
2. Is LE mainline u-boot the same as above universal multiboot u-boot Oleg is using?
3. Which last kernel version for LE balbes does support emmc install?
4. The balbes Yandex Kodi 18 folder is grayed out.
Can I just use the Kodi 19 builds with the same features and compatible addons support as for Kodi 18, for 720p streaming on a gen S905/x/w box?
If not, where can I find the last LE balbes build for Kodi 18?
I ask because I was informed of video decoding issues with Kodi 19 ( need to be kernel compatible.) But I don't know if this suggestion of switching off hardware acceleration for gxl and g12 boards also affects the gxl variety for 720p streaming.
4a. On p66 of this thread, ukmark62 says that hardware video performance is better on another distro with bespoke kernel (3.14.29 ? 😏.)
Does this apply to 720p or higher res?
5. I am looking for some boot script(s) such that I don't have to go into Kodi menu after boot.
Rather, at boot time, after splash screen etc, the OS should have screen prompt for the user configuring WiFi ( AP mode, or input WiFi sta mode SSID available and password.)
I know some wifi chips like ssv6051P (e.g., on x96) don't work in WiFi AP mode, given old drivers. But Realtek wifi chipsets should.
Also a boot script for switching between HDMI and AV output.
( I am told LE mainline does auto switch, but don't know about LE balbes.)
This way I can SSH later and edit if I need to !
Unluckily I am not a dev/coder, but I can follow instructions and try to emulate someone else's script.
6. Is there a performance/features difference between Armbian Kodi and balbes LE distro for a S905* tv box with 1/8GB ?
How about for 2/16 GB variety for 720p streaming?
I guess the Armbian should be slower, but it'll be nice to hear from someone else.
And yes, Happy Holidays and a great New Year 🎉 2020.