[mrcleeo]

I just checked a bunch of av1 releases and they do come with dv profile 10 but I couldn't find one with a different profile. Im wondering if it's like some releases with their AI enhancement garbage. They range from 5gb to 35gb with Atmos and maybe 5.1?? The avg video bitrate was 15.9 Mb/s to 28Mb/s

i must be behind on this because i had to look up what profile 10 was (was pretty sure it stopped at 9)

found this reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/AV1/comments/1d...on_support
which seems basically accurate for a reddit post

chances of this being useful might be up for debate because it requires running kodi on an apple device that supports this (iphone 16?)
and i am not sure kodi even supports profile 10 (yet)

all the same though i love learning new things so thanks for bringing this up

Found this in an archive on one of the movies I looked at.



Guess the encoder was updated to reflect av1 with Dolby vision. Either way, I learned something new. HDS are cheap now so uncompressed is the way to go. If you have a big expensive setup, why go small on the media?unless you hoard/collect movies.

https://web.archive.org/web/201812301811...181025.pdf

[izprtxqkft]

I also cannot find any interest today for bandwidth saving at quality cost with broadband growing wider and wider every day. I'd rather see more quality improvement.

agreed, even my phone can get > 300Mbps on cellular network excluding dead zones and rural areas

and *IF  AV1 is so much better at compression then if you take a 100Mbps 4K movie i would rather see it compressed to 130Mbps AV1 to achieve a "same size" encode with better quality
of course, only if you're doing a restoration commercial copy from the original film medium or initial release encode
it would mean better use of BD100 discs
 

My 2 cents.

nice cost breakdown
i checked against my own current setup and it works out to ~$16/TB for "usable" storage, slightly higher than average discounting unusable storage such as the 1000->1024 byte conversion and file system

still 0.89c per 4K movie of 60GB

considering the energy cost i would imagine it would cost that or more in energy usage when using encoding hardware at X amount of watts for X amount of time for a movie to re-encode to save space
(no i didn't try to do that math)
 

HDS are cheap now so uncompressed is the way to go. If you have a big expensive setup, why go small on the media?unless you hoard/collect movies.

exactly, but when you hoard/collect you've spent a lot of money (like me) to have original so why waste that money by downgrading

seems like buying a movie that has a "photocopy" cover that looks like a steelbook release instead of buying the steelbook release, why?!

[clarkss12]

I came across the first post discussing the Homatics Box R Plus Android Box that states "VC-1 playback is problematic," but I'm not quite clear on what the specific issues are.

Could someone elaborate on this? Is the problem related to hardware or software?
Additionally, I'm curious if the issues pertain to the playback of Full HD BluRay content, specifically in progressive (1080p) or interlaced (1080i) formats.

So, VC-1 used to be problematic in general w/S905X4-based devices due to lack of h/w decoding, relying instead on s/w. It may no longer be--@clarkss12, think you have a Homatics & other S905X4 boxes; can you comment?

1:1 BD rips of 1080i & 1080p are not problematic for S905X4 as far as I'm aware.

Just ran some VC-1 test on Dune HD Homatics Box R 4K Plus (S905X4-K) and Ugoos SK1 (S928X-K).  I used "Battle of the Bulge" Format : VC-1 Format profile : Advanced Format level : 3 Codec ID : V_MS/VFW/FOURCC / WVC1

Using the Dune Homatics box:
Running Kodi under Android, too many dropped frames, unwatchable
Running under CoreELEC with Software, too many dropped frames, unwatchable
Running under CoreELEC with hardware decoding, to many dropped frames. Unwatchable.
However, using the "Dune" app, those pesky VC-1 videos play without issues.  (no way to check for dropped frames).

Using the Ugoos SK1 media player
Running Kodi under Android too many dropped frames, unwatchable
Running under CoreELEC with hardware and software, NO dropped or skipped frames.

My memory and too many media players, I forget which device supports the VC-1 codec without issues.  I thought the VC-1 played without issues, using CoreELEC with the Amlogic S905X4 boxes.  I do have a few of the X4 boxes that are running older versions of CE, but did not test them.

So, for those VC-1 videos, I recommend using Emby or Plex under Android that can transcode that codec, OR any of the Dune OS boxes can play that codec.

[cool0007]

I posted a piece of video, you can judge the quality of AV1 yourself. HandBrake + TopazVideoAI processing
https://mega.nz/file/yRYAXJBY#cF5464w220...1V6NYLBE1g
All modern video equipment has hardware support for decoding AV1, how soon it will take over the market depends on the media giants, but today this codec is already supported by Netflix, YouTube, etc.
https://bitmovin.com/blog/av1-playback-support/

[hdmkv]

Thanks @clarkss12. Last I checked, AM6B+ was also able to play VC-1 under CE w/o issue.

[clarkss12]

Thanks @clarkss12. Last I checked, AM6B+ was also able to play VC-1 under CE w/o issue.

Yes you are correct. I did not test that. I thought my other boxes also did it but they didn't.
Of course I run the nightlies on each of the devices so maybe that change things too.
It is hell getting old and forgetting everything.
Edit: just cranked up my 2017 Nvidia shield. It is running Kodi build 20.3 and play the VC1 codec perfectly.

Edit 2: just tested the Ugoos AM6B+ using the Omega nightly 2024 1104 And it played that VC-1 codec with both hardware and software decoding. I am running CoreELEC on the internal eMMC.

Edit 3: just tested The CPM CoreELEC build running on the Dune HD Pro Vision 4k using a micro SD card. (Amlogic 905 X4). Using software decoding the VC-1 codec was watchable but not perfect, but not watchable at all with hardware decoding.

[MrCrispy]

If you had the choice between - 

1. odroid N2
2. FireCube 2 unopened (so has old fw)
3. FireCube 3
4. FireStick 4K max

for about the same price which one would you choose? 1,2,3 will have higher speeds, equivalent to a Shield, 4 will be slower (but by how much?). One thing I'm also thinking of is AV1 support which is only in 3,4

on the other hand 1,2 can run CoreElec and probably have the nicest playback UI. But DV etc won't be supported.

I already have an old FireStick 4K which is perfectly fine for any streaming apps like Netflix, Prime etc so I don't need to run those. Although it would be nice to be able to run Plex/Emby clients, that's not a priority either. What would you pick?

[izprtxqkft]

1. odroid N2
2. FireCube 2 unopened (so has old fw)
3. FireCube 3
4. FireStick 4K max

of those options
i own 2 gen2 cubes which are not being used because they got replaced with 2 gen3 cubes
i would *never* pick the 4k max
i don't know much about the odroid

so i would go for the gen3

[MrCrispy]

1. odroid N2
2. FireCube 2 unopened (so has old fw)
3. FireCube 3
4. FireStick 4K max

of those options
i own 2 gen2 cubes which are not being used because they got replaced with 2 gen3 cubes
i would *never* pick the 4k max
i don't know much about the odroid

so i would go for the gen3

thanks for the reply. can you tell me why not the 4k max - when I looked at the device specs for both on Amazon's site - 
https://developer.amazon.com/docs/fire-t...layer.html

they appear identical w.r.t codec support. is it not usable in practice. I have a 6yr old FireStick4k that still works fine, I know the UI has ads but I've also run Kodi on it, it works ok but obviously doesn't do passtrhu etc. My understanding was the FireCube 3 was basically the same just a bit faster.

When you had the gen2 cubes where you running CoreElec on them or Kodi Android?

[izprtxqkft]

thanks for the reply. can you tell me why not the 4k max - when I looked at the device specs for both on Amazon's site -

there have been off putting reports in the android section about the 4k max which i don't know were ever resolved, ones like this one https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=375836
dolby vision profile 7 may or may not have issues so you have to run in a compatibility mode
and generally feeling like it is a lower end device than the cube gen3

since i can't guarantee it's not going to be a waste of money i'll stay clear in favor of proven devices
 

I have a 6yr old FireStick4k that still works fine, I know the UI has ads but I've also run Kodi on it, it works ok but obviously doesn't do passtrhu etc. My understanding was the FireCube 3 was basically the same just a bit faster.

pass through works perfectly on the gen3 and it is snappier than the gen2, i imagine t's going to be faster than a 6yr old stick
i've never gone in for the sticks so i don't have a comparison
 

When you had the gen2 cubes where you running CoreElec on them or Kodi Android?

just kodi on android and it wasn't primary use, i ran it along side a LibreELEC mini-pc (HP Pro 800 IIRC) because the cube was just a little too slow for me and at the time i was only running standard SDR BluRays so a PC was actually much better
mini-pc got phased out with the gen2 in favor of the gen3 so technically replaced 2 devices

[MediaPi]

1. odroid N2
2. FireCube 2 unopened (so has old fw)
3. FireCube 3
4. FireStick 4K max

of those options
i own 2 gen2 cubes which are not being used because they got replaced with 2 gen3 cubes
i would *never* pick the 4k max
i don't know much about the odroid

so i would go for the gen3

This is a quote from YadaYada

Sad to see the Amazon Fire TV 2nd gen Cube always getting excluded. It uses an s922z which is equivalent to the the s922x-j, does Dolby FEL etc. Also includes full DRM (Netflix, Widevine L1, Playready). Has good CoreELEC 15 & EmuELEC 20 support
It does require unlocking 68, but then you have FireOS with full Magisk control. All DRM streaming apps still working.
They can still be found on eBay new/sealed for $40-70 regularly.

https://discourse.coreelec.org/t/best-de...2024/52405

the odroid N2 is S298 , it's the first revision then you had N2+ which was like 30% improvement. then you have the S229-XJ that's in the AM6B+, which is the same in the gen 2 fire (s922z)

the 2nd gen is literally an AM6B+ but better because it can do things the AM6B+.  YadaYada is the developer who discovered suitable dovi.ko modules for the S905X4 and S922X, so he knows his stuff

@MrCrispy it's not even a choice, if you could guarantee the gen 2 will is old version then it spanks the N2 and it will spank the other boxes too. get the 2nd gen. you got yourself half price AM6B+

[MediaPi]

I posted a piece of video, you can judge the quality of AV1 yourself. HandBrake + TopazVideoAI processing
https://mega.nz/file/yRYAXJBY#cF5464w220...1V6NYLBE1g
All modern video equipment has hardware support for decoding AV1, how soon it will take over the market depends on the media giants, but today this codec is already supported by Netflix, YouTube, etc.
https://bitmovin.com/blog/av1-playback-support/

this was posted by Portisch CoreELEC Team

 
I hope you all know Blu-ray become obsolete and this is the cause Dolby Laboratories do not advertise/support P7 FEL anymore?
 

https://discourse.coreelec.org/t/best-de.../52405/339

seems the race is already lost for mel/fel, it's only a matter of time before that goes the way of 3D

[signde]

If you had the choice between - 

1. odroid N2
2. FireCube 2 unopened (so has old fw)
3. FireCube 3
4. FireStick 4K max

for about the same price which one would you choose? 1,2,3 will have higher speeds, equivalent to a Shield, 4 will be slower (but by how much?). One thing I'm also thinking of is AV1 support which is only in 3,4

on the other hand 1,2 can run CoreElec and probably have the nicest playback UI. But DV etc won't be supported.

I already have an old FireStick 4K which is perfectly fine for any streaming apps like Netflix, Prime etc so I don't need to run those. Although it would be nice to be able to run Plex/Emby clients, that's not a priority either. What would you pick?

I own 2, 3, and 4.

For option 2 in CoreElec, DV is absolutely supported, including profile 7 with FEL. This is a fun option but it takes some work and is a little janky on the CE side. It can't be remotely powered is my biggest hangup.  There are other minor things - it's just not as painless of an experience vs the AM6B+. On the FireOS side I've also found support in apps is a bit behind, as in the device does not get provisioned for the latest and greatest stuff the new Fire TV devices do. So yes it works but might be missing things. For example the Peacock app won't do HDR.

The latest Firestick 4K Max its definitely not as snappy as the Cube 3 but it's not that bad.

Personally I would buy a Homatics Box R 4K plus over all of those - they can be had on Aliexpress for less than a new Cube 3. It won't be as snappy in Android but it supports AV1 at a hardware level and can dual boot into CE with full DV including p7 FEL. CoreElec is lightweight enough that performance in that OS is pretty good.

[MediaPi]

what about Kinhank G1?

[MrCrispy]

1. odroid N2
2. FireCube 2 unopened (so has old fw)
3. FireCube 3
4. FireStick 4K max

of those options
i own 2 gen2 cubes which are not being used because they got replaced with 2 gen3 cubes
i would *never* pick the 4k max
i don't know much about the odroid

so i would go for the gen3

This is a quote from YadaYada

Sad to see the Amazon Fire TV 2nd gen Cube always getting excluded. It uses an s922z which is equivalent to the the s922x-j, does Dolby FEL etc. Also includes full DRM (Netflix, Widevine L1, Playready). Has good CoreELEC 15 & EmuELEC 20 support
It does require unlocking 68, but then you have FireOS with full Magisk control. All DRM streaming apps still working.
They can still be found on eBay new/sealed for $40-70 regularly.

https://discourse.coreelec.org/t/best-de...2024/52405

the odroid N2 is S298 , it's the first revision then you had N2+ which was like 30% improvement. then you have the S229-XJ that's in the AM6B+, which is the same in the gen 2 fire (s922z)

the 2nd gen is literally an AM6B+ but better because it can do things the AM6B+.  YadaYada is the developer who discovered suitable dovi.ko modules for the S905X4 and S922X, so he knows his stuff

@MrCrispy it's not even a choice, if you could guarantee the gen 2 will is old version then it spanks the N2 and it will spank the other boxes too. get the 2nd gen. you got yourself half price AM6B+

Yes, I do have a seller who has a unopened Cube 2. My only concerns are the steps required to block updates/flash new firmware etc - I've read the linked threads and its still not clear to me how to do it, and if you can still use the native FireOS functionality (e.g. apps, the voice control), how to switch between them, and then like you mentioned there is the issue of which remote to use etc. 

I have used custom rom's on my phone before and that involved TWRP and Magisk so this sounds familiar, but I also remember lots of things can go wrong.

I don't understand you said it spanks the N2, is that because N2 won't do DV? speed should be equivalent?