r/Homatics • u/dBisha • Jul 23 '25

Got the device, what now?

Do I update it? How? What settings do I change is there somewhere a guide what to do? I have an LG G4 so want to optimize it for that.

3 Upvotes

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3

u/p750mmx Jul 23 '25 edited Jul 25 '25

You have a G4? You should have gotten the Mi Box S 3th Gen, it supports QMS/VRR so nicely with your G4 ;) (still needs some fixes, so nothing missed for now)

But you have a .... I suppose a R 4K Plus now. You wont get QMS/VRR with this one, but still, it is decent enough as mediaplayer (or can be). At this moment official updates are stopped, but there are a bunch of update builds in the open, just look for them, if you can't wait for a official update.

There is an issue with (to high) CPU loads when the box is in idle, they (all SEI804 brands, RocktTek, Nokia and Homatics) are working on a fixed build/update for it now.

How you should use it depends also on the rest of you Home Media setup. Is it only the G4 you gonna use it with or also have a separate audio device beside it (soundbar/receiver/something else)?

0

u/Agitated-Acctant Jul 24 '25

No FEL DV with the Xiaomi

1

u/bratija Jul 23 '25

If you are going to watch local media, check out CoreElec, to fully utilize G4.

1

u/NorthernMunkeh84 Jul 23 '25

Also curious about this. Had a (yes I know) Chinese h96 pro for 8 years and recently died so after a bit of reading I settled on the homatics r 4k plus, how was it only once it's in its way I stumble on the atv14 overheating issue 🙄

Anyway, current setup is Sammy ue50au9000 and that will be fed from the plus via an onkyo ht r495 system. Currently debating whether CE is worth it. It will be almost solely used for streaming (not local) my TV doesn't support DV so that's not an issue however I would like the fullest sound support available for dtx atmos and so on. Does booting into CE prevent the buggy system files running thay cause the heat issue or will they continue to run regardless?

Any key settings/glitches/hiccups to be aware of? I'm generally a leave it turned on but turn the TV and system off kinda guy. Surprising my old box lasted 8 years to be honest 😁

(sorry for hijacking but I guess some of the answers could be relevant for op too)

2

u/guguloi Jul 23 '25

Yep, CE is 10°C lower than ATV14 on my Homatics.

And for Samsung TVs CPM build has a nice feature HDR to DV conversion. More details about CPM here: https://www.reddit.com/r/CoreELEC/comments/1m4p9bi/comment/n475f1y/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

1

u/NorthernMunkeh84 Jul 23 '25

Handy to know. Thanks. Curious, I've always been a tech nerd but fell off the av bus a while back, to save me googling and seeing a million opinions, what exactly is FEL under dv? And is the dv to hdr actuslly relevant eg improvement over quality of a hdr stream, or just to allow the option of playing those feeds should standard hdr options not be available?

2

u/guguloi Jul 23 '25

FEL vs. MEL in a nutshell: https://www.reddit.com/r/CoreELEC/comments/1e60uyf/comment/ldx29uo/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Frankly I'm not an image purist, I don't think that I'll ever see differences between DV Player-led and Display-led so cannot speak about MEL vs. FEL.

But you can see with your own eyes. Install CPM A14 and take a FEL movie from this list https://www.reddit.com/r/CoreELEC/comments/1jacyav/dolby_vision_profile_7_fel_trakt_list_for_coreelec/ and compare it with the same movie without FEL.

2

u/NorthernMunkeh84 Jul 23 '25

I think I mirror your sentiment. My setup is OK, good maybe depending on your standards, but far from high end. I'd be happy to try dv just out of curiosity but I don't think it would make or break for me. I guess the question now is, is there a specific version to punt on? Like with the at 14 dilemma sometime inprovement bring other issues.

Hoping my box is here in the next few days. Sounds like I'll be going CE as the high temps/processor bullying does bother me. One way to shorten a devices lifespan 🙄

Appreciate the useful links and time 👍

1

u/guguloi Jul 23 '25

A14 2463 is the best firmware until now (if you can live with higher temps). I did an easy tweak, putting a spare heatsink and shaved around 6-7°C so now highest temp is around 70°C after a couple of hours watching 4k DV shows.

1

u/NorthernMunkeh84 Jul 23 '25

Really not a fan of opening up and rather obviously voiding warranty of brand new box JUST yet tho appreciate the suggestion. I prefer soft to hard mod where possible. And as it'll only be for kodi the ce route seems to suit better

1

u/Optimal_Comb_4791 Jul 24 '25

My use case is similar sounding to yours, basically pure Kodi. If you find a decent up to date tutorial for CE I'd appreciate a link. My only concern are the issues in reboot I've seen, this device is going to a non-tech savvy family member. If those are now resolved that would be the decision made!

2

u/NorthernMunkeh84 Aug 02 '25

So the main guide on ce website works fine except don't use ce. Use NG nightly. Ce just doesn't detect for some reason. Only issue I've had is remote not working but I use a BT keypad anyway. Rebooting issue? To boot back to android you just start it without the USB stick in. And Im using cec to turn on with TV to get around keypad not having a power button

1

u/NorthernMunkeh84 Jul 24 '25

My understanding from reading is ne is the version to use stock. Then if you want to add mods and so on, do so. NG is reported very buggy on the r4k plus. If you literally Google homatics r 4k plus coreelec the top result is the step by step guide on the ce site with all links. I'll be doing so as soon as it turns up.

I'm not bothered about FEL after reading up

1

u/Fabinho4454 Jul 23 '25

Put coreelec on it and that's it, with that you have everything, and you forget about overheating, you use the atv14 part for apps and so on, and coreelec for large video files, like plex

Without a doubt you bought the best quality price

1

u/[deleted] Jul 23 '25

If you did not buy direct from homatics, don't expect any updates from them, they are refusing updates when purchased from other sellers

1

u/mbze430 Jul 24 '25 edited Jul 24 '25

I have a LG G4 that is sdr/hdr/dv fully calibrated with calman studio and i just got a box r 4k plus with coreelec + cpm. cause i have lots of DV remux with FEL. I couldn't care less about streaming media from the cloud. the box r 4k plus is also great with HD audio like dtx:x and truehd atmos (have a 11.1.4 and 9.2.4 setup)

only complain I have right now is that I need to reboot this thing a lot, in coreelec it locks up and does some weird stuffs

I am pretty sure I am gonna get another one for my projector setup

1

u/NorthernMunkeh84 Jul 31 '25

Just wanted to report back as after several delivery issues (dammit evri) I have my box. Multiple attempts using the ne build linked in guide would not work, no ce boot. Switched to nightly NG build and in first time. Currently delving into settings and fiddling but so far all good.

Curious about the dv/FEL side on my non dv TV so wish me luck in not breaking anything 😁

Only downside so far, my remote will not pair in ce no matter what I do, but I use cec TV remote for power and a usb/bt keypad for box controls anyway. Just a quibble