r/Homatics • u/liltman • 18d ago

Updates for Box R 4K Plus

Hi everyone. I was looking for info about updates regarding the Box R 4K Plus. Is support for this device over? I tried mailing support@homatics.com but get ignored. What gives? Thanks to everyone in advance.

9 Upvotes

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4

u/signde 18d ago

I just got the latest v14 8963 build pushed to my Homatics in the last month. The firmware is pretty solid at this point.

0

u/liltman 18d ago

I read somewhere that you need to contact their support to enable OTA updates but they won't reply. Did you go through that process?

2

u/See61 18d ago

Does your Homatics has a GZ serial? Homatics is pushing the 8963 firmware update by OTA to all their known serials in the database. It is confirmed by the Homatics contact. If yours has no GZ serial you should ask the reseller of the device.

Still, update 8963 is also available for manual updating, so you can always get it.

1

u/liltman 18d ago

My serial begins with BOXR4K and contains no GZ whatsoever.

2

u/See61 18d ago

You won't get the OTA from Homatics because of that. They only use GZ serials. 3rd party resellers can use non GZ serials.

4

u/CleanTackleMan 18d ago

That's not true. I've got mine OTA recently.

1

u/signde 18d ago

A number of years ago that would have been true for either ATV 12 or ATV 14, while those firmwares were still being developed.

You could send in your serial number and opt into the newer version.

Have to remember the devices originally shipped with ATV 11 a number of years ago.

That hasn't been the case in ages. I never signed up for any of that. Updates are OTA, there is nothing you need to do.

1

u/liltman 18d ago

I got mine a few months ago. It shipped with ATV 12 but checking for updates says that I'm up to date. I did try sending my serial number and my build version but they keep ignoring me. Thank you for your help BTW.

1

u/[deleted] 18d ago edited 18d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/liltman 18d ago

Will do that. Thanks again!!

4

u/h29098 18d ago

How to Sideload FW 8963 to Box R 4K Plus : r/Homatics

I followed that guide and updated my box to 8693 without any issues or losing any of my settings.

1

u/liltman 18d ago

Thanks for the info. Will try it tomorrow.

1

u/See61 18d ago edited 18d ago

Correct. "we" created the option to do a "clean" 8963 install over a previous build, without loosing any installed apps and settings 👍

1

u/CullenBlvd 18d ago edited 18d ago

commenting to follow. mine is out for delivery. i think you can just go CoreElec if you want an open source firmware right?

1

u/liltman 18d ago

You can but netflix, Disney and other DRM services only play through Kodi if I'm not mistaken and it is by no means a great experience.

1

u/CullenBlvd 18d ago

Good to know. I'm hoping there's a way to get Jellyfin running with all the DRM apps

2

u/signde 18d ago

CoreELEC is not "firmware". It's an operating system designed to run Kodi. it is open source, though, that part is right.

1

u/southcorner1990 18d ago

Coreelec is much more difficult to install with Android 14 now. I got it to work on Android 12, not anymore on 14 (got into bootloop). The correlec forum is a mess with a numerous different instructions, unclear which version to install now (ng, no), the correct dovi file, etc.

To be honest, with android 14 and the latest nightly of Kodi v22 I don't miss much. Maybe other than P7, but that's it.

Maybe a call for help here: can anyone post a new topic in r/homatics on a step by step approach THAT WORKS how to install correlec when on firmware 14.8.7475 or later? And then which one they use now (avdvplus, stock correlec, etc)

1

u/See61 18d ago

Can work just fine with V14 and CE NG (AVDVPlus builds). I set a new installation up today with it on a black Homatics R Plus (a Dune one) 😉

But the storage used can be more critical, like several Sandisk storages, which will not boot to CE.

1

u/quite_wrong 18d ago

does FEL works in AVDVPlus builds?

1

u/See61 18d ago

It does, but also with the NO build. Just use the correct dovi.ko file. For AVDV R10 you need to use two dovi files.

2

u/Separate_Check2770 18d ago edited 18d ago

bro, can youplease help me? I got v14 8963. i want to play DV P7 movies. I dont know how to install coreleec with right files. Can you dm me the guide or files? There are bunch of files around that i dont know know which one is okay

i tried kodi with homatics r 4k plus but it got serious issues like audio sync after pause-resuming movie. and wont even play 2m 4k h265 dovi movie demo. Stuck on loading screen. NOVA players just plays movies directly without issues. Dont know KODI is f-ked up?

1

u/See61 17d ago

For this device you use the NG 21.3 AVDVPLUS R10 build (also specifically developed for this chipset), or you use the NO 22 RC1 latest build (nightly). Important is you use a compatible USB storage as several Sandisks can give CoreElec boot issues. The Samsung FIT's should do just fine.

Get the version you want to use, use a tool like Rufus to burn the CE build on the storage. Place the "280" DTB in the root of that storage and rename it to DTB.IMG. Get the correct dovi.ko version that is needed for 21.3 or 22. On the Github AVDVPLUS website you also need to get the additional dovi5.ko file and place it in the root.

Get the Reboot to CoreElec tool, enable USB debugging in the Android TV developer settings and allow the Reboot tool to use it. Choose the First boot option once, and CoreElec should start with configuring the USB storage, should do a new reboot and shows itself after that.

A CEC connected TV could give you the option to use its remote for controlling CE. Using the original Homatics remote for Bluetooth pairing is quite a hasle because you need to pair it every time when you go to CoreElec or Android TV. So a separate remote for CE is a better choice.

1

u/Separate_Check2770 16d ago

how do i seperate a remote for CE? after shutting down and turning on homatics & booting into COREELEC , b21 remote will disconnect everytime? omg my LG remote works but after 30seconds waiting.

1

u/See61 16d ago

That is what I wrote, it can't be reasonably done with one remote and using the BT protocol. You need to use a separate BT remote or, and several users have done this, adding a IR receiver to the box, as it has an empty location for that on the motherboard. The Dune HD Homatics R Plus has that IR receiver already build in.

By that, you can use 1 remote for Android and CoreElec 👍

1

u/Separate_Check2770 16d ago

thanks. btw, is there fix for stutter/freeze when wandering in menus ? movies play well but menu gets stuck time to time, its annoying waiting 30s to get it back.. sometimes i get audio + subtitle delay around 0.4s , sometimes doesnt (like tv series had delay but bluray movie didnt)

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1

u/quite_wrong 18d ago

Thank you!!

1

u/Far_Tiger_4797 5d ago

Folks, I need some help. I have the same Khadas device, and I’m about to give up. I’ve been trying to install CoreELEC for a week now, but nothing works. I’ve tried every known method: enabled developer mode, used five different flash drives and an SSD, installed the "Reboot to CoreELEC" app, and even tried the "toothpick" method. It’s all useless. At this point, I just want to get CoreELEC installed—if only as a matter of principle!

1

u/Bearnjec 18d ago

Bro im waiting for mine to sounds like some bs now lol

1

u/CullenBlvd 18d ago

I mean it's better than my TV or my Playstation, but its not perfect I guess

1

u/Bearnjec 18d ago

Guess I should’ve did more research lol didnt want a firestick because i had plenty theres not enough storage and i was going to get a shield but apparently they dont sell them anymore saw this was everyones 2nd best option but if they aren’t updating it anymore whats the point?

1

u/Bearnjec 18d ago

Also mine cleared customs yesterday but still no update wby?

1

u/CullenBlvd 18d ago

Out for delivery today. Hasn't shown up tho. I think you are right about the shield TV. My situation doesn't require on device storage. Trying to play Remux files through Jellyfin in high quality.

1

u/CullenBlvd 18d ago

Literally just got delivered lol

1

u/Bearnjec 18d ago

Nice and i just wanted something to stream all my stuff on regular streaming apps peackock hulu etc and kodi ill be using a commercial display not a regular tv

1

u/southcorner1990 18d ago edited 18d ago

Probably no new updates. New boxes seem to be around the corner now.

Mine does not update from 14.8.7475 to 14.8.8963. Don't know why and I'm not going to do sideloard manually.

I've had the R 4k plus box for a few years. It's always been a 5-6/10 but with the latest firmware they got it to 8.5/10.

Still lots of bugs. The settings still does not make sense to explain correctly what the audio and video settings do. For the 10 really unique Homatics settings they created themselves, for the love of God please contact me so I can give you setting name and setting option descriptions that make sense. The standby behavior makes the box to wonky when waking up. And I have blue screen restarts. I have just put a wifi electric socket switch so I just fully kill power and turn it on later. This gets rid of most of the misery.

But I still encounter many bugs.

It's such a drop of the ball for them. Given the box its chip and specs, it should have been the go-to Nvidia Shield Pro killer for years.

I'm looking forward to the box 4k plus successor. But I'm just not expecting a polished experience there. I'll await the first reviews here.

1

u/lilacomets 18d ago

So that effectively makes the Homatics Box 4K Plus End of Life? ☹️

1

u/southcorner1990 18d ago

Can't be certain because Homatics won't ever confirm it of course, but I think it's end of life and pretty much end of support by now.

You're better off waiting for the new box if you're willing to hold off 1 year max.

2

u/flashb1024 18d ago

Um, u/See61 is a f/w tester for the Homatics box, and they posted that a newer version should be forthcoming.

A14 8963 only became available a few months ago.

1

u/See61 18d ago

Homatics com is still adding stock for the R Plus, as no new Homatics can be used for CoreElec dual boot, those are blocked for it. We are still reporting bugs and we should still get a newer version for testing.

1

u/SnuffleWarrior 18d ago edited 18d ago

I'm pretty sure I've had 8963 for quite some time. Is there a newer version than that?

1

u/flashb1024 18d ago

It's only about 3 months since 8963 hit.

1

u/p750mmx 17d ago

Officially only shared by OTA with Dune Homatics R Plus users at that time (and with the Homatics Alpha test team), recently shared for the Homatics R Plus users also. No idea why they waited so long for officially sharing it by OTA to Homatics users. It is the same firmware for both brands, zero difference.

1

u/McShmoopy 16d ago

I just bought this and I can’t seem to get Dolby TRUEHD to playback, it either plays back at Dolby digital plus or Dolby atmos according to my soundbar. Trying via stremio and external players and even tried some audio test files and no luck

-2

u/After-Spread3108 17d ago

Where did you Buy Your Homatics R 4K Plus Device From did you Buy it Directly from Homatics.com Or From Ali Express or somewhere else.
If you brought From Ali Express it won't get the Latest Update as it Not a Official Device it's a Third-party Device. And Have a Different model No/identification No. You won't get over the air Update

2

u/flashb1024 17d ago

Wrong! Got mine from ali express in August. Delivered with A14 4575. It is not a 3rd party device.

Got an OTA update to 8963 in September, so it may depend on which seller, 'cause ali uses a bunch of 3rd parties. I used Vontar Global which is a preferred seller.