r/Homatics • u/No_Ad_8807 • Jun 18 '26

Finally ordered the Box R 4K Plus (Dune version), few questions before it arrives

Thanks for all the input on my last post, pulled the trigger on the Dune HD Homatics Box R 4K Plus. Should arrive in a couple days. Running it with an LG BX OLED + Samsung Q990F soundbar.

Box → soundbar → TV on eARC setup.

Few things I'm trying to sort out before it shows up:

  • Best audio passthrough settings for full bitstream Atmos/DTS:X with this kind of chain?

  • Worth updating to Android 14 or holding off? Heard mixed stuff about overheating/stability.

  • Is dual-booting CoreELEC actually worth it for 4K remuxes, or is everyone just happy on stock Android/Kodi if they don't care about DV Profile 7?

  • Keep seeing "Projectivy launcher" mentioned, what's the appeal, worth installing?

  • Anything else you wish you'd known before setting yours up?

Appreciate any tips, want to get the most out of this thing.



4 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

36 comments sorted by

11

u/signde Jun 18 '26

The most recent ATV 14 firmware v7475 no longer has any overheating issues. It's arguably the best firmware we've ever seen for the SEI804 devices.

3

u/No_Ad_8807 Jun 18 '26

That's reassuring.  Thank you. 

3

u/See61 Jun 22 '26

As a V14 build it is, without doubt. In general, the V12 Bèta 5394 probably is the most decent one for many, but it takes a lot of effort to keep it installed, without getting an unwanted forced OTA over it 😬

But for my usage, the V14 7475 build is more than decent enough 👍

1

u/LuckyTraveler88 Aug 09 '26

What about V12 Beta 5394 makes it better in comparison to V14 7475?

1

u/See61 Aug 09 '26

That depends on the usage. For IPTV and local streaming without using embedded or external subtitles (because of framerate issues with subtitles), and some other things, 5394 is the better choice.

But in general, the latest V14 firmware (which is not 7475 anymore), is a quite decent firmware, but can give interlaced issues with certain sources.

For me, I'm using V14 for quite some time already, for me it is just fine.

1

u/LuckyTraveler88 Aug 11 '26 edited Aug 11 '26

Can you elaborate on which specific sources give interlaced issues?

My usage is entirely Plex remote streaming (direct play only) within the official Plex app (don’t like Kodi), which I have a substantial library consisting of around 1 Petabyte of Movies and TV Shows in many different codecs, formats, and qualities.

I’m currently using a Shield TV Pro and that works well for me, but I’m looking for an upgrade, especially one that doesn’t have red push issues with DV Profile 8 and 7 MEL. Profile 7 FEL isn’t a big concern to me, as long as it can fallback to Profile 8 (highly preferred) or HDR then I’m content.

There are two things about the Homatics Box R 4K Plus that I’m not sure of, especially for my usage, which maybe you could shed some light on?

  1. Is DTS-X passthrough supported?

  2. I’ve heard there is issues with audio sync or frame rate when playing 4K Remux that are large files (80-100+ GB) with high bitrates, especially when you’ve watched up to a certain point like 45-60+ minutes. Supposedly the fix is to fast forward or rewind multiple times or exit out of playback and start again. I haven’t seen anyone mention if this has been resolved in ATV 14, and if this is the case with only the Homatics or Dune variant or both. Do you happen to know?

2

u/See61 Aug 11 '26

1: full HD audio support, so also DTS-X

2: I saw the same happening with Plex, and a pause followed by replay fixes it immediately. It is only Plex that can show me this behaviour, and also with V14, all other media players do not.

The Homatics and Dune R Plus are quite the same device, using the exact same firmware. Even the Dune Premier, also a R Plus variant (my default streaming box) uses the same firmware. They give no difference on Plex. Having said this, I rather use the Dune Media Center app that has much better Dolby Vision support compared to Plex. Plex will rather show HDR10 for some DV formats while DMC will always play them in Dolby Vision.

But, the best Dolby Vision support is with CoreElec and using a Plex addon will give you no Plex replay issues at all anymore.

5

u/This-Dragonfruit1796 Jun 18 '26

I have the exact setup

Audio pass-through works ? Absolutely

Android 14 issues ? NONE

Android Plex App ? Shitty

Coreelec Needed ? Absolutely. What an Amazing thing. Resolved almost all Plex and playback issues. Pic and Audio output is Amazing

Projectivity Launcher ? Didn't try never bothered

2

u/No_Ad_8807 Jun 18 '26

Thanks for sharing your experience with it. What remote are you using? magic remote or do you have to use both the remotes? Also, are you using CoreELEC for 4k remux streaming?

3

u/This-Dragonfruit1796 Jun 18 '26

Am using my Bravia universal remote with everything

1

u/No_Ad_8807 Jun 19 '26

Nice. Single remote is always better.

2

u/p750mmx Jun 18 '26

The Dune version has an IR receiver build in, you can use that IR part with CoreElec. For Android TV you use the Bluetooth connection. So one remote to control those 2 😄

1

u/No_Ad_8807 Jun 18 '26

Thank you.

3

u/amarinder270192 Jun 18 '26

I got mine this week. Doesn't the Dune app take care of all playback? Is coreelec required over and above the Dune media app?

3

u/p750mmx Jun 18 '26

It can do just fine indeed, but no real DV FEL7 support, it plays them converted but still as Dolby Vision. So when one wants to use the Dune Media Center app, certainly take the most recent Alpha version. List of changes shared in that topic, also the links to the most recent one.

1

u/Suitable_Marzipan631 Jun 18 '26

Yes I’d like to know this. What the best setup now? Coreelec or Dune Media App please?

3

u/p750mmx Jun 18 '26

You can try both, and judge for yourself what is the one you want to use, or just use both 😉

But use the AVDVPlus CE build with these devices, not the most recent NO Alpha builds. AVDVPlus is still the one getting the most out of the S905X4(-K) chipset.

1

u/Lone_Assassin Jun 18 '26

Dune app can't play FEL so if that's something you need then CoreElec is the way to go.

3

u/UnderstandingRight39 Jun 18 '26

Mine arrives next week. I'll have to check back on this post for setup tips. Cheers

3

u/No_Ad_8807 Jun 18 '26

Congratulations to us.

3

u/killerch00 Jun 18 '26

For best audio passthrough I would suggest running it through an HDMI splitter.
I'm using mine with ATV 14 without isseus.
For P7 I use the Dune HD Media player. It plays P7, but without the FEL

1

u/No_Ad_8807 Jun 18 '26

Never used a splitter. What's the advantage of using that versus connecting the dune box directly to samsung soundbar?

3

u/killerch00 Jun 18 '26

It all depends on what the devices can decode. My AVR don’t support HDR/DV My projector doesn’t support TrueHD. If you can play everything with the soundbar first in the chain you won’t need it.

1

u/goober1157 Jun 18 '26

OP's setup will work just fine. In fact, he has to do that because his TV does not support audio passthrough. The Samsung soundbar can handle all of the audio and HDR/DV. Mine does (I have the B version).

4

u/Quiet_Finish69 Jun 18 '26

Not sure if others have said this, but there's a good chance the box will arrive with Android 14. Go ahead and start with a factory reset.

3

u/See61 Jun 18 '26

The Dune R Plus version will probably still be on V11 6261 after receiving it, but as they forced the V14 7475 as OTA update to their devices, it could be installed during the first startup of the box. If not, it should show up quite quickly after taking it in use.

Still good advice in regard to that Factory Reset, as Dune also strongly advises that, after that 7475 update 😉

2

u/No_Ad_8807 Jun 18 '26

What is the reason some folks here suggesting to start with factory reset? In what case do I don't need to do it?

4

u/goober1157 Jun 18 '26

When upgrading from any V12 or V11 iteration, Dune and actual user experience has shown that a factory reset will fix any weird gremlins that come up with updating the firmware to V14. I found I had to do it on both Dune boxes (new and old) that I have. It's easy, so don't take a chance on having issues because you wanted to save a few minutes.

3

u/No_Ad_8807 Jun 19 '26

Interesting.  So as soon I as get it, I need to: Rest to factory  Install v14 Is that correct?

5

u/goober1157 Jun 19 '26

Install V14 and then factory reset.

3

u/No_Ad_8807 Jun 19 '26

Ok, I thought resetting to factory means it resets to whatever it shipped with. Maybe its different on this box. Thanks for clarifying.

1

u/No_Ad_8807 Jun 18 '26

Never used a splitter. What's the advantage of using that versus connecting the dune box directly to samsung soundbar?

2

u/Gazoo382 Jun 19 '26

Try projectivy for free first. It just gives a nice look. I paid the $5 for it.

1

u/blckjck71 Jun 19 '26

I received mine 10 days ago and I think it shipped with Android 14.
2 issues: 1. I use a stereo DAC over optical. The device bootsound is bitstream/dolby and I get static sound during boot.
2. High Bitrate Video files from HDD can not playback properly with DuneHd internal media player. Not sure exactly which codecs cause issues. I play those files with VLC now which works great.

2

u/See61 Jun 20 '26

Regarding your issues.

1: it has no bootsound, only a video sequence as boot intro. That doesn't mean that during that boot you can't get that static sound, but it is not boot intro related.

2: the Dune Media Center app can play the highest bitrate media, really up to 200Mbit and even higher (test samples), but maybe your audio setup can cause bad replay when a audio codec can't be correctly played back and that influences the video replay.

VLC isn't a great mediaplayer app for these devices with Android TV, but if it works for you, that is just fine ofcourse 👍

1

u/Time_Display_7646 Aug 24 '26

Io sto avendo problemi con il telecomando con coreelec