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Old Product Support => Egreat A11, A10, A5 => Topic started by: Nice Monkey on August 07, 2019, 11:12:29 AM
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Updated: 24-11-2020
Egreat kept their customers in the dark for a long period on the actual work/progress made on the promised upgrade from Android 5 to Android 7. The early Beta upgrades for some models had some serious flaws and development stopped totally after a while.
For the Chinese market Stable versions were released recently though and this time for all their current models! These Chinese versions includes English as a second language.
For the Chinese market there are multiple APP's included in the CN versions doing: IPTV, Online TV, Cinema On Demand etc. All in Chinese and some illegal to be distributed in Western Countries. Your shop may be shut down when selling these bundled so they will never come in western FW versions! These add-on APP's are all removed in the CFW versions referred to here.
Warning: The Upgrade/Downgrade of Android versions is extremely picky on the USB stick being used for it.
What I know is that the actual short initial process the emergency procedure starts with is using the extra 3 files. This process will swap the bootloader and reformat the flash storage of the player to be used by Android. This is obviously extremely critical but also essential to change Android generations. Next the new Egreat FW (=update.zip) is being flashed identical to a normal OTA/USB update.
The good news: It may be frustrating doing it but finally everybody could upgrade and I did not hear of a single player being bricked trying to do so.
This is what I saw to get it done following the emergency procedure with the Reset PIN pressed at power-on!
- Not good: When the flash disc led starts immediately constant flickering fast then the box is actually copying update.zip only. The red standby led will be flickering fast too and you will typically also see the Droid on the TV screen. This process will always crash at roughly 30% with a red triangle on the droid with ERROR written below. No use to repeat this as it will never work that way and you must get a different stick instead.
- The formula that works: Use the USB2 port for upgrading only (yes there is a difference). Use a stick (not all will work) that results in the USB led flashing without the front standby led starting to flicker fast immediately while the PIN is kept pressed. Using that drive you need to release the PIN being pressed fairly quick (a few seconds) after power-on. The flash drive will after a few seconds start to a constant quick flickering showing that update.zip is being copied (this may take many minutes). The front standby led will remain steady on all the time with nothing shown on the TV screen which is a kind of scary. Just let it go as it will reboot to Android 7 automatically.
Very neat Custom FW (CFW) EN version are provided for Egreat players by E_CS facilitating additional enhancements plus swapping bundled Chinese APP's for some popular legal Western APP's.
http://en.egreatworld.com/comunity/index.php?threads/cfw-egreat-a5-a8-a10-a11-a13-a5ii-a15-base-on-egreat-v3-0-6-9-update-zip-no-eta.19383/#post-31810
With some tweaks also KODI can be used using the Egreat Player.
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There are unfortunately again DTS HD sound dropouts in Android 7 FW for Egreat A5 ( 2.0.1 + 2.5.0.2).
All other audio formats i use are working properly.
Important: You do not notice this in a short test run, these dropouts occur approximately just every 15 - 30 minutes.
I have a USB 3.0 hard drive directly connected to the 3.0 port of the Egreat A5, these are ideal conditions; and in Android 5 I never ever had this problem.
Maybe the Egreat team did not realize that because you have to watch a whole movie and not just short test sequences to experience those little sound dropouts with DTS-HD.
This is a shame because the DTS-HD sound format is very common and contains more than 50% of my files.
Cheers Ben
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Have maybe someone the Egreat Email address from technical support / software developers?
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I have tried they never answer it is the same with facebook etc so there is no point trying contacting them
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There are unfortunately again DTS HD sound dropouts in Android 7 FW for Egreat A5 ( 2.0.1 + 2.5.0.2).
All other audio formats i use are working properly.
Important: You do not notice this in a short test run, these dropouts occur approximately just every 15 - 30 minutes.
I have a USB 3.0 hard drive directly connected to the 3.0 port of the Egreat A5, these are ideal conditions; and in Android 5 I never ever had this problem.
Maybe the Egreat team did not realize that because you have to watch a whole movie and not just short test sequences to experience those little sound dropouts with DTS-HD.
This is a shame because the DTS-HD sound format is very common and contains more than 50% of my files.
Cheers Ben
Using SATA attachment for my playback and after listening to one of my favourite Concert BD's can confirm the problem. These are actually very short but annoying. Will add this problem to the list. Also do confirm this was not a problem with Android 5.1.1
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Thank you for adding in list.
I hope Egreat can fix the DTS-HD dropout issue in the future.
The problem is maybe Egreat-Team did not watch a whole movie, just short test sequences.
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Here you can find the most recent stable Chinese FW 3.0.xx for all Egreat models.
http://egreatworld.com/egreat-download-for-media-player-v2.html
These FW use Android 7 and are fully functional including a DTS fix and SACD ISO playback.
Warning: There is only English support (with occasional hardcoded Chinese pieces) and it boots up in Chinese. The first setup item (top) is language so easy to get really started.
Tried it myself with my A10. Works fine including Wireless. Does not like my AK87 BT remote though.
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Dear Nice Monkey,
I am trying to install new Chinese Android 7 firmware many times and ways into existing English firmware 1.5.1.0, but failed. Kindly advise how to change from English firmware to Chinese firmware on A10.
Regards.
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It is easier to use the CFW version as it is modified to use English.
The creator and myself can help you then with any problems on the Egreat forum.
http://en.egreatworld.com/comunity/index.php?threads/cfw-egreat-a5-a10-a11-base-on-egreat-v3-0-6-5-update-zip-2020-04-10.19380/
Came myself from the beta Android 7 FW 2.0.1.2 which was difficult also to initially upgrade Android.
The problem is changing from Android 5 to Android 7 needs a change of bootloader/flash partitioning. Once there it is again easy to change FW versions being all Android 7 showing a Ring during updating instead of the Droid Robot shown by Android 5.
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Dear Nice Monkey,
Due to upgrade installation CN3.0.6.5 Android 7 failed, I changed existing EN 1.5.1.0 to CN 1.3.1.6-->OK. Then install again CN 3.0.6.5 (download via Chrome) --> also failed.
Today I install your EN3.0.6.5 -- also failed. Reinstalled EN 1.5.1.0 from CN1.3.1.6-->OK, then install EN3.0.6.5-->Failed.
then tried CN3.0.6.5 (download via Microsoft Edge) again --> also failed.
Kindly advise.
Regards.
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Dear Nice Monkey,
I used USB 2 for upgrading and USB 3 is used for mouse only.
Every upgrading is following instructions as per recommended. Pressed RST while turn ON the power supply. It reads half way and failed.
Regards.
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Dear Nice Monkey,
Recently I had used USB 2 as my A10 audio output. I pulled out the USB cable and inserted Pen drive 16G with FAT 32 format when upgrading.
Regards.
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Dear Nice Monkey,
I had triad not less than 30 times following the special method. And all A10 files from EC also failed. No luck for me.
TQSM & Regards.
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Trying more often does not help, trying a big bunch of different small sticks does. :)
As soon as you get to immediately seeing the front standby led flickering fast and/or the Droid on the TV you know already it is wrong. Time for the next stick! ;)
Don't ask me why it is so picky specifically about the stick being used for Upgrading/Downgrading Android. Having found one that works it can be repeated with a single try.
Not all media players do it this way. Zidoo emergency recovery for example uses the bootloader to flash a full ROM-image of a working/running player including Android. This in fact clones the total install in one step using mostly the initial factory FW version. There are Pro's and Con's to each method imposed by the SOC supplier being HiSillicon for Egreat and Realtek for Zidoo.
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Noted with thanks,
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Installed CFW's based on A11BD_CN_N_Firmware_20201116_v3.0.6.9_pd on my A11 and an equivalent CFW based v3.0.6.9 on my A10. All thanks go to E_CS for making these available.
Main post updated accordingly.
Anyway good to see some development goes on. The main change with this release is the Egreat Controller APP (Android and IOS versions) advancements made. It is in English now and also has an additional generic remote control function added to it. In combination with the Music Player update this FW is a substancial improvement for those listening to music using Egreat Controller like me. :)
For the Chinese market there are multiple APP's included in the CN versions doing: IPTV, Online TV, Cinema On Demand etc. All in Chinese and some illegal to be distributed in Western Countries. Your shop may be shut down when selling these bundled so they will never come in western FW versions! These have all been removed with the CFW versions.
The good news is that Music Player works quite well with a simple, nice and intuitive GUI despite a few flaws. In fact it works better for me than even the most recent Zidoo equivalent. Hi-res music reproduction missing dearly obviously.
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All model FW versions updated to v3.0.8.0 with several small fixes. Using myself on A11.
Front display level does not reset anymore after power cycling.
Double play with SACD ISO or HD Music is now not happening anymore.
If you use Music Player then an update is highly recommended.
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Dear Nice Monkey.
Try what you advice but still no luck.
I am on 1.5.1.O FW and try to upgrade to EN 3.0.6.5.
Using 2 difference USB Stick but the size is 16gb and 32gb. Work good when i am upgrade from 1.3.1.6 to 1.5.1.0
Already order 2x 4gb USB and 2x 8gb USB but not received yet and will try again later.
I will info again tomorrow.
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@Argetho
It finally worked for you?
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https: //m.tb.cn/h.4pcuTMm?sm=d7e716
Finally this pendrive works.
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Dear Nice Monkey,
Any possibility to have a manual proxy server setting setup in Egreat A10 at wifi setting. A10 wifi setup is not like handphone, cannot find proxy LAN setting. I would like to share my Ovpn hotspot in my hp via Every Proxy, but not working unless I can manually setup Proxy LAN. Kindly advise.
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Dear Nice Monkey,
How can I update my A8 Pro firmware to 3.0.x.x? Is this possible? Or am I stuck with the stock v2.5.1.0?
Cheers!
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I had upgraded to A13 and had installed all the latest FW, Desktop and Player version.
When I connect HDMI audio output to my DAC I2S input, there was no sound.
I had purchased 2 items for further trial.
1)https://m.tb.cn/h.fXrsjDU?sm=ff0b2d
2)https://m.tb.cn/h.fXrHXKn?sm=031a21
Upon arrival, I will try, Egreat A13, HDMI audio-->I2S converter, HDMI I2S-->DAC I2S input.
I found someone also used this convertor.
https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/at-long-last-listen-to-your-physical-sacds-through-an-outboard-dac-r971/page/3/
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Parcels received yesterday.
Tested sucessfully with high quality sound from IIS output.
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For those interested FW 3.0.9.1 ia available for all models including A5, A10 and A11 now.
English only with Chinese set as default. It is a big remaining smaller bugs fix release.
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Hello Community,
I'm trying to update my egreat a11 to Android 7 and I was playing around with the 2 Sticks I have.
Just want to say, that Stick A with 2GB and FAT filesystem and Stick B with 128GB NTFS Fileystem both crashed at 30%. But after I formatted stick A with FAT32, it seems like it is updating the player now. It's scary, because it is working since 20 minutes now, but I'm sure it is processing update at the moment. Because red front light does not flicker and I hear a very quite sound out of the box (not the fan; maybe capacitors), which I never noticed before.
The stick is very slow, at about 3 MB/s. So I will be patient and hope not to brick my player :)
edit 1: after 2 hours and no reaction on the remote, I decided to power-off and -on again (switch on the backside, very risky). Fortunately the old version booted without a flaw. Now I will test with stick B and FAT32...
edit 2: Stick B didn't work -> 30% Problem
So I searched all Sticks, I could find in the house. Tried some other 1GB to 8GB Sticks, wich all stopped on 30%, except one! This is a 2GB "hama" Stick without product code. I think it was an ad giveaway. I was sceptical, because this stick has very poor overall performance, but the process took less than 5 minutes!
Something was really strange and different than in the first post described: unlike my first try, the players red front light was off while the process! But this stick has a led, so I could see, that something happens.
Ah, and I removed the internal hdd after the first try.
so my suggestions for the update process are:
- FAT32 filesystem, the working Stick had "native" FAT32, I didn't need tools for formatting
- stick with LED is good for controlling the process
- remove internal hdd
- press PIN max 3 seconds
- be patient and don't worry, if front red LED isn't on while process
I hope, this will help other visitors of the forum (I registered only to document my small "odyssee" ;) )
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@Nice Monkey,
I finally got my A5 upgraded to the 3.0.8.0. Five USB sticks didn't work, two SDcard readers with various SD Cards also no, finally third SD Card reader with 2gb Kingston SD Card did the trick. Talk about fussy!!
Anyway, all up and running but a couple of question I thought you may be able to help me with:
1. The Posterwall is picking up some but not all of my films, no obvious reason for why. I tried to access "settings" but all I get is the version number of Posterwall at the bottom of the screen (v3.4.1)
2. I've tried the Kodi version built in (v18.2) and worked out I need to manually add the mount points in to get access to my SMB NAS video share. All good apart from there is no menu (main or popup) during playback nor is there any chapter control. Am I missing something? I thought it would use the great player?
Thanks in advance if you do read this and reply
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@Nice Monkey,
I finally got my A5 upgraded to the 3.0.8.0. Five USB sticks didn't work, two SDcard readers with various SD Cards also no, finally third SD Card reader with 2gb Kingston SD Card did the trick. Talk about fussy!!
Anyway, all up and running but a couple of question I thought you may be able to help me with:
1. The Posterwall is picking up some but not all of my films, no obvious reason for why. I tried to access "settings" but all I get is the version number of Posterwall at the bottom of the screen (v3.4.1)
2. I've tried the Kodi version built in (v18.2) and worked out I need to manually add the mount points in to get access to my SMB NAS video share. All good apart from there is no menu (main or popup) during playback nor is there any chapter control. Am I missing something? I thought it would use the great player?
Thanks in advance if you do read this and reply
Yes being very picky about the source card/stick is very strange but a fact.
Yes maybe it must be a real slow stick/card to work? Never thought about that but only real old stuf seems to work.
1) No can't do anything about PW3. It is not very good and don't use myself.
2) No Egreat isn't optimized for KODI and just works as-is. The alliance with VidOn (=XBMC), which was very nice, stopped when those pulled out of that market years ago. That is also the way Egreat got BD-menu working reasonably good. Vidon XBM171020s.apk should still work?
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I installed the APK you mentioned from this thread (https://www.futeko.com/newforum/index.php?topic=4238.0). It started ok but after setting up and scanning my movies and tv show SMB shares it was unable to play any media. Every kind of file from 4k to SD displayed bit of text saying "Working" at the bottom right of the screen and then nothing.
I checked the video acceleration settings and they were switched on and set to HISICODEC which is different to Kodi which is set to SURFACE
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hi, do u know how -where to input new themes on A10 to select besides the ones already included ? Kindly let me know, regards from Portugal , Pedro
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Any idea what is the maximum internal HDD size i can use for Egreat A8 Pro? i remember i read before is 8TB and would like to confirm anyone using 10 or 12TB?
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Can somebody link me a USB that works for upgrading to android 7? I tried every USB I have in my house with no luck: 2/4/8 GB USB 2.0, even old ones, but none of them worked and gave me 30% error. I even tried many fws: 3.6.9, 3.8.0, etc. Any tip would be really helpful. I'd be very grateful, if somebody could link a working USB. Thank you in advance