Useful Android TV Box with potential for hobbyists

This is my second Android TV box, after the first (Orbsmart S92) was not smoothly playable
I decided, because of the many positive recessions to try it with the HiMedia Q5quad box.
Maybe this will help my recession someone who is struggling with similar problems or can give me advice. Here my
(Previous) experience:

General:
The box comes from China and is also provided for these markets. While there is a custom Image from
Distributor (myhdplayer.de) for the European market, but you can tell the origin. The box can without much
tinker be put into operation, but is not satisfactory for my needs on delivery
usable. Therefore, one can not avoid to deal extensively with the box. A technical
Understanding is it absolutely necessary. Now for the pros and cons. I'll start with the advantages:

Benefits:
- Plays all without jerking off!

More I can not think with respect. Advantages a. Now the downside:

- Box is quite warm during operation. In winter you can use the box as a hand warmer in the summer certainly a
Disadvantage. The Box You should therefore place it in a cool, shaded place.
- Box has no on / off switch and can not even complete shutdown of the system. She runs
So constantly in standby. If you do not want, should be a switched outlet to buy the box
To fully take the current. Despite the standbys the box needs to high starting more than 30 seconds.
- Box has a very bright display on the front that can be neither dim nor off. Showing only
the time of day. Those who do not want the screen with something seal or relocate so should it not
interferes.
- Box has only a basic remote control. Easier to use it is a airmouse (eg: Mele F10
Deluxe). Disadvantage: so that the box can indeed switch to standby, but I have not managed it
so again. The box then you have to turn on the device itself, the original remote control
or use (which I did not) let the Mele-FB "learn" the power-on command.
- Box does not support CEC (Consumer Electronics Control). For me it has the communication between my
Panasonic VT20 plasma and home theater soundbar so disturbed that the plant was no longer usable. Everyone
Manufacturer calls the CEC control differently. When they called Panasonic VIERA Link. This allows devices that
are connected via HDMI, control with only one FB. But if the example of Android Box HDMI1 from plasma TV
was connected (Box had not depend on electricity), the TV does not recognize the soundbar.
After much research I have but then found a solution: one must either the HDMI cable to Pin13
(The CEC channel) or Disconnect (because I did not want to tinker) find a cable that is not the Pin13
joined. After several attempts, I then found a cable that works. If there
Someone interested in: (also known as Wentronic HDMI cable HiSpeed ​​0300 G) Goobay HDMI connection cable 3m
Part Number 51,821th to find at Conrad and Amazon.
- Box does have installed Google Play Store but most apps can not install it. It
I get the message that the app with the Android version is not compatible. But there is a possibility,
but apps (relatively comfortable) to install: the installation APK you have previously downloaded on your PC,
Copy on a stick and then simply call on the box the file via the File Browser. The app is
then installed automatically. Thus one but the APKs not have to search laboriously on the Internet itself, are
it in the Chrome browser a very useful extension that APK Downloader called. After the installation,
it simply calls play.google.com in Chrome browser, searches and selects the desired app from. After a short
Time appears an additional butts next to Install, the download is APK. This allows the
Download associated APK.
- The box has installed apps that are not suitable for the European area and not
uninstall leave, including a Chinese calendar or even two TV apps that attempt to
Chinese access content. This is annoying, because these apps unnecessarily consume resources. The only
Possibility is to ignore them.
- The box-GUI is cruel schiach for my needs. Too, I've found a workaround: I
my GO Launcher installed from the Google Play Store. This means that the surface can be very extensive
Setting up and beautify. Those who invest some EUR can buy the Pro version. Thus one has also
advertising away and a few additional features.
- XBMC: pre-installed is a customized version 13.1. This should also as far as possible remain so. The
Version used for media content integrated HiMedia player who really everything happens easily.
Only one problem I had with HDMI audio passthrough. Had I checked, played the Soundbar
no reasonable sound from. Only after I had the option AC3 or DTS-compatible player disabled.
Perhaps it is also the Panasonic TV.

Conclusion and alternative:
With the right HDMI cable and the GO Launcher the box is really great to use and can play any. In the
my case, all media content on a Synology NAS using XBMC. This has the box with me to Dune HD Smart
H1 player replaced. The media content I entered with Yadis. This is now easier with XBMC. With
the ability to install Android apps, you can make its TV really smart. In addition to media libraries and
Video services such as Youtube, I have various online video stores such as max cathedrals, Amazon Instant
Video, Sky Go and Snap available.

Finally, I want to point out an alternative, the Orbsmart s92. As already mentioned, I had
this box previously in use. Unfortunately, the box is relatively new on the market and XBMC / Kodi is not yet on the new
Hardware RK3288 optimized. Therefore, I had, like many other users report stuttering during playback. The
relates DVD ISO and media files. Some (Windows Media Files) Liesen did not play.
Meanwhile I also get this problem under control. It is important that the original
XBMC version of the current image (see orbsmart.de) used. The following setting in XBMC under
Settings-> Videos-> acceleration has helped me in the decoding method Use Hardware everything
deselect up to Media codec, then it'll work with this player. But anyway I will the HiMedia Player
further leave in operation since are sure to come some updates for the Orbsmart S92, the teething problems the
fix.