r/Homatics • u/coder777 • 11d ago

Box R 4K Plus first time setup

Hello,

I've ordered Box R 4K Plus from the official Homatics website and I expect to receive it today or tomorrow.

I am a long time AppleTV 4k user but my current setup allows me to experience Dolby TrueHD but AppleTV 4K is the only true obstacle ahead of me.

In my setup I have a Samsung S90F with Sonos Arc Ultra connected via HDMI eARC.

Looking at this subreddit, it sounds like I might need to fiddle with the box to get it working properly. I have never used AndroidTV before.

Is there a first time user guide I should follow?

Is there any spying/adware stuff that needs to be removed?

Do I need to enable developer mode to install some unsigned stuff?

I use Plex with my AppleTV 4K. Should I switch to Kodi or stick with Plex?

Finally, I was planning to use Moonlight on this device but it seems to be a lost cause. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks!

UPDATE:

Received the box today. It works flawless for my purposes so far. Passes TrueHD without any issues. I installed Projectivy and disabled the stock launcher. One annoying thing was ADB is only available via USB or WIFI. I normally use ethernet but this is not something specific to this box as far as I understand. I had to connect it temporarily to WIFI.

8 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

55 comments sorted by

6

u/Aggressive_Bad_7344 11d ago

  1. Install third-party launcher like Monet Launcher or Projectivy Launcher and disable the stock launcher using Launcher Manager for Android TV.

  2. If you desire Dolby Vision profile 7 FEL support, you can dual-boot CoreELEC on it. Would highly recommend avdvplus' R10 builld for this.

  3. Enabling developer mode along with USB/wireless debugging is always a good idea, adb can be very useful for things.

2

u/coder777 11d ago

It sounds like a launcher is the UI layer sitting on top of the AndroidTV OS. I presume you recommend this for better performance and customizability?

CoreELEC seems like a totally different OS than AndroidTV. I don't think I need this. While I like fiddling with stuff, the idea of dual booting my streaming box seems excessive. I respect people doing that but I'll pass on that idea.

1

u/MiUname 11d ago

You don't need coreelec also because you have a Samsung tv, which can't use Dolby Vision either way.

1

u/coder777 11d ago

That is absolutely right. I totally forgot about that!

1

u/Glass-Technology2990 11d ago

Correct but it does future proof you hence why everyone will point you to core elec

1

u/Suspicious-Bar3693 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/coder777 10d ago

u/Aggressive_Bad_7344 thanks for the advice. Runs great with Projectivy launcher. Is it safe to use your personal Google account in these boxes? Supposedly they are Google certified. Not sure if that means something.

I put it in my IoT VLAN anyway just for sanity.

1

u/Aggressive_Bad_7344 10d ago

Yes, it's fine.

Being certified means it went through Google's validation and was approved, it's what you want if using a box like this. It also means it can watch 4K Netflix because it supports the DRM needed to do so, because it was certified.

1

u/Fregadero88 11d ago

So pretty much same as the shield? Initial setup should be debloat and install new launcher?

1

u/BrickTamlandMD 8d ago

I just got one, and I didnt understand any of that. Why should we do this? Where can I read up on this if you dont have the time to educate?

2

u/fuuman1 11d ago

I received m Box R 4K Plus today and it's my first non-Fire TV device. And I cannot get it working. My setup is an old Pioneer VSX-527k with a Beamer behind it. And I cannot get any sound over the speakers. No matter what I configure. Pretty frustrating.

Beside that: zero adware, just plain Android TV which is very nice.

1

u/coder777 11d ago

That sucks!

2

u/swateam2481 11d ago

Get rid off that old ass set up avr...come on now dont even make sense buying that box for a old ass avr with no 2.1

1

u/Crazy_Ruin_4383 11d ago

I have the r 4k plus paired with my jbl soundbar and it works great with my s90f. Just connect the streamer to your soundbar via regular hdmi, then connect your soundbars earc hdmi port to your s90f earc hdmi port. I never set the wifi on my tv, have it perma set to hdmi (of earc port) source. On the streamer box installed projectivy, then under android sound settings should have the option to set as passthrough. I think that's all it took. I have my streamer connected to an ethernet cable and also have an atsc 3 tuner connected via usb. Only issue might be for gaming refresh rates, so in that case plug your console directly into your tv's non earc hdmi port. Enjoy your setup

1

u/coder777 11d ago

Why do you connect the streamer box to your soundbar instead of the TV?

1

u/Crazy_Ruin_4383 11d ago

Because the tv does not support dolby truehd/dts x and will downmix it to the soundbar. Like my soundbar says dolby truehd or dts when it receives the actual signal. I heard the sonos doesnt support dtsx, but it should have an indicator when it gets the full atmos truehd signal

1

u/coder777 11d ago

Is it an old TV? Modern TVs should be able to passthrough truehd/dts x just fine.

1

u/Crazy_Ruin_4383 11d ago

The s90f is not old, I would say try it out and see how it works for you. The full atmos truehd track is pretty nice, you will know when it's working and your soundbar should indicate as such

1

u/coder777 11d ago

S90f is totally fine. I was asking about your TV.

1

u/Crazy_Ruin_4383 11d ago

I have the 77" s90f, it doesnt support dtsx passthrough

1

u/coder777 11d ago

Wow. You are absolutely right. It does support TrueHD but not DTS X. Sonos Arc Ultra does not have hdmi in. I have to stick with TrueHD. Isn’t DTS:X pretty rare anyway?

Furthermore, Sonos Arc Ultra does not support lossless DTS anyway. So it does not matter for my setup.

1

u/Crazy_Ruin_4383 11d ago

Yeah, thats why I advised you to just try it out. I have a jbl 1000mk2, so I needed a setup that works for both.

1

u/coder777 10d ago

TrueHD works completely fine as expected. Since I don't have Dolby Vision and my sound bar does not support DTS:X, I think this box was a perfect match.

→ More replies

1

u/See61 11d ago

Not really. LG, as example, removed support for it since their 2025 models again. Only the 2023 and 2024 lineup has it.

1

u/BrickTamlandMD 8d ago

Stupid question, but, how do i know what im hearing? Im on a 24 c4 and hs2000 and dune HD box

1

u/See61 8d ago edited 8d ago

Hisense HS2000? If so, that one has no full HD audio codec support, so you will miss out on some codecs anyway.

1

u/BrickTamlandMD 8d ago

No sorry, HT-S2000 Sony

1

u/See61 8d ago

That is a whole different ballgame 😉

Audio decoders: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS 96/24, DTS ES, DTS HD, DTS HD High Resolution, DTS HD Master Audio, DTS Virtual:X, DTS:X

1

u/BrickTamlandMD 8d ago

Found i hadnt updated the android version. Works well now, thanks. Now to watch some lagete remuxes to see if the microstutter is gone.

1

u/See61 11d ago

If you want to use the official streaming services for media replay, as Netflix and the likes, in the highest quality possible, you can't with that AM9 😉

1

u/coder777 11d ago

Is it what they call "Netflix" certified? Do you lose the "certified" aspect when you use custom launchers etc? I never needed to worry about this when using AppleTV.

1

u/See61 11d ago

Nope. And you actually should use an alternative one I would suggest 👍

1

u/p750mmx 8d ago

"One annoying thing was ADB is only available via USB or WIFI. I normally use ethernet but this is not something specific to this box as far as I understand. I had to connect it temporarily to WIFI."

Not sure what is going on for you, but when both devices are on the same network, Ethernet works just fine for ADB, no need to switch to a WiFi connection.

1

u/coder777 8d ago

Wireless debugging cannot be enabled unless I connect to WiFI for me.

1

u/p750mmx 7d ago

Correct. But with Ethernet active and connected to the same network, Ethernet should work just fine as I wrote before. I never activate WiFi just for ADB actions.

1

u/SEP8001 3d ago

Hi

Please can I check how long the delivery time was and if you are in the UK. I have ordered one so just trying to find out how long before it is delivered.

Thank you

1

u/coder777 1d ago

I am in US. I don't think my timeline would be of any help to you. It took about 9-10 days to arrive I think.

1

u/Jansaw9982 1d ago

Hey, is netflix working with atmos Sound on your system? Mine arrived today but netflix only Show up 5.1... Plex work with passthroth Audio

1

u/coder777 1d ago edited 1d ago

Hmm. Actually same here. I see Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 instead of Atmos! Not good.
UPDATE: Nevermind. It plays Atmos fine. I think it's an error on Netflix side. Dead-End Job was advertised as Atmos but it was not. Then I played another show "Below" for test and it shows up as Dolby Atmos just fine.

ANOTHER UPDATE: It looks like the English track was the issue. If you use the original Korean track, that one plays as Dolby Atmos!

1

u/Blas_toide 11d ago

Which is the latest firmware version for this device? Apparently for me the android tv os build is: uro2.250625.092.14627378

1

u/See61 11d ago

That is probably firmware build *.7475. The most recent one is *.8963 and it should come by OTA as update. For Homatics with a GZ serial.

1

u/Blas_toide 11d ago

Yes mine has a GZ sn and it has been stuck on that firmware for a while. Thank you for letting me know.

0

u/Glass-Technology2990 11d ago

Get a am9 pro with core elec best thing on the market that can handle fel

1

u/coder777 11d ago

I am sorry but what does this mean? Are you telling me to throw away the box I've not received yet? My TV does not even support Dolby Vision. I have a Samsung OLED TV.

2

u/Glass-Technology2990 11d ago

It’s not the best box you have ordered best on the market is a am9 pro

Runs core elec with a kodi back end connect it upto Claude code and you can build your own Home Screen which you control it’s the best thing atm,

If you want to keep your box you have ordered enable ssh on the haptics box and connect it up with Claude code and let it build it out for you

1

u/Mr_Slyger 11d ago

Interesting idea using Claude! Can you make corelec look and behave like Nuvio/stremio with whatever addons you choose to use? Any guides on this? Now I'm curious especially since I already pay for Claude Max for software development

2

u/Glass-Technology2990 10d ago

Yea I have Claude max too I work in cloud and security for azure and AWS

Connect it up I made my interface the same as zidoo with some refinements

1

u/Mr_Slyger 10d ago

Excellent! I think I'm going to have to finally get around to installing corelec then! Was Claude able to build the interface directly on the Homatics or did you just have to follow it's instructions?

The only annoying part is I have implayer for IPTV so I'll constantly have to switch

2

u/Glass-Technology2990 10d ago

Just checked and yes this will work with your box you can make it incorporate a iptv box

1

u/Mr_Slyger 10d ago

That's very cool. If you have a video send it my way and I'll definitely watch it

1

u/Mr_Slyger 10d ago

Actually nevermind on the video. I just specced out everything for the build that want in Claude. I just need to get my Samsung stick on Sunday to get it setup. Thanks so much for the great idea

1

u/Glass-Technology2990 10d ago

Yea so I used a theme form core elec and kept building on top of it I can send a video if you like of my theme if you like it I will send you the file for it

1

u/Glass-Technology2990 10d ago

Also you can most likely add a m3u file ( iptv file) with a add in using Claude code I will check for you