This thread will try and detail changes due to the UK's unfortunate exit from the European Union on 1st January 2021.

Our hope that things would stay very much the same looks not to be the case, with the UK planning to exit from both the EU Single Market and Customs Union. In practical terms this means:

1. From 1/1/2021 all our prices for European Union delivery will be quoted exclusive of VAT.

For example, Dune Pro 4K II currently priced at £289.99 for EU delivery including VAT at 20% will be priced at £241.66 exclusive of VAT.

In simple terms this is a lower price so European Union customers will pay less at source. However, the VAT (IVA, sales tax) element will still be due in the European country so domestic customs authorities may try to collect it.

In practical terms it will be extremely costly for European customs authorities to intercept all small parcels sent from the UK, so they may introduce a lower limit for collection (e.g. they only attempt to collect VAT on items declared for customs at 100 Euro or higher). This is how it works in the US where items declared at less than $750 are allowed to pass into the US without federal taxation.

So, it could be that Brexit allows our European Union customers to pay a lower total price. Only time will tell.

The Customs Union changes come into force for items shipped from the UK after 31/12/2020, so everything shipped by us before that includes VAT.

We may close for orders (except Dune Pro 4K II Plus pre-order if it's not done by then) between 23-DEC and 2-JAN (5 working days) to smooth the transition. Details in next post.

We have made some changes to our website so it detects your location and is able to deliver different pricing and delivery options dependent on location. A knock-on effect of this is that pricing for Rest of World orders has also changed. We now quote prices exclusive of VAT but inclusive of shipping for US/Canada and Rest of World. This has resulted in lower prices for these regions.

2. Shipping may be delayed, at least initially.

It seems unlikely that either the UK or European Union will be fully ready for customs checks on the UK border. This might result in shipping delays between the UK and EU. At this stage with (ludicrously with 4 weeks to go) no deal agreed, this area is a big unknown. It would make sense to include a period of gradual adjustment in whatever deal emerges, but making sense and politics often do not align!

3. Warranties and Consumer Rights.

After 1/1/2021 all our orders will be governed entirely by UK Consumer Law. In reality the UK never fully signed up to EU directives in this area anyway, so very little will change. We'll still offer 2 year warranty plus 30 day returns, and we'll honour all warranty/terms for past orders.

Tips

* Recommended Display Settings? See this excellent thread: http://forum.zidoo.tv/index.php?threads/recommended-settings-for-rtd1619-players.82695/

Zidoo Home Theatre

* Easier editing of Zidoo Home Theatre library? Find the IP address of your Zidoo box on your local network. Home screen - About (e.g. 192.168.0.33) and access that IP address with :9528 added on a web browser connected to same network (e.g. 192.168.0.33:9528). You'll have access to comprehensive media database management including posters/backdrop/collections.
* How to name video files for best scraping (matching correct details to video)? For best results the video should be named the same as IMDB / TVBD. In most cases this will be 'title (year)'. The idea is the same as for Kodi, guide here: https://kodi.wiki/view/Naming_video_files/Movies#Media_Tags_.2F_Flags
* Some video still not being scraped? Try to rescan several times in Zidoo Home Theatre. It shouldn't be like this, but you will find that the first scan may not find all videos. The next scan (Home Theatre - Settings - Source - Update) will find some of those missing, and the scan after that will find more. After about 5 scans you will have reached final total. When it's complete, and with reasonably named video files, Zidoo Home Theatre will auto find 95%+ of mainstream movies.
* DivX files not playing? DivX files play if fourcc headers are changed to xvid. This is a licensing problem coming from the DivX Corporation. Use this app (Windows / Linux / Mac) to change fourcc from divx to xvid: https://www.tweaking4all.com/home-theatre/fourcc-changer/

Google Play Services / Play Store

* Install Google Play Store? Zidoo RTD1619DR device firmware is available in two versions, one with Google Play Services (Play Store) and one without. The reason to not install Google Play Services is that it can cause small interruptions to video playback because it works in the background. Both the firmware versions are available in our firmware thread: https://www.futeko.com/newforum/index.php?topic=4888.0
* How to Certify Play Store? The device is not Certified? After installation of a Google Play Services firmware you may need to certify the Zidoo box before Play Store will run. Do the following: 1. Open Play Store, then close it - this generates the GSF ID. 2. Go to Settings/Other/About in Zidoo quick settings and take a note of the GSF ID. 3. In a web browser, go to www.google.com/android/uncertified, log in and enter GSF ID and hit <Register>. 4. Restart the Zidoo box.
* Where to get apps without Play Store? Android apps are simple .apk Java packages and do not need Play Store to run. They are available on many sites, e.g. apkmirror, uptodown. Either download .apks to a USB or network location then access using Zidoo file browser, or download using Chrome on your Zidoo box. Apps installed in this way are visible in box menus and function exactly the same as if downloaded from Google Play Store.
* An alternative to Play Store? There are alternative app stores which do not alter the system or run in background. An example is Aptoide, it will give you easy install of latest apps. https://en.aptoide.com/

Remote Control

* Zidoo box Android/iOS remote app? Available through Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zidoo.control.phone and Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/zidoo-controller/id1477712512 Also available on Zidoo's website: https://www.zidoo.tv/Support/release_apk.html

Storage

* HDD Type? The drive should be AF or 512E type (not 4KN), max size 16TB.
* HDD Format? GPT partition table with either FAT32, ExFAT, NTFS, or EXT2/3/4 format.
* How to format HDD? Either format in a PC with parameters above or format using the Zidoo box (FW6.3.30 and later) using this guide: https://www.futeko.com/misc/External%20Storage%20Devices%20Formatting%20Guide-1.pdf

Kodi

* Kodi with Zidoo hardware acceleration? Zidoo have created their own fork of Kodi called ZDMC. It uses Zidoo's external player for playback of local video with full hardware support (7.1 audio, 4K, HDR10+, DV etc). Downloads here: https://www.zidoo.tv/Support/release_apk.html
* Which versions of regular Android Kodi work? All versions run, with the limitations of software video decoding and max 2.0 channel audio.

Firmware

Firmware downloads? See our Z1000 Pro, Z10 Pro, Z9X firmware thread: https://www.futeko.com/newforum/index.php?topic=4888.0
Zidoo official firmware downloads? https://www.zidoo.tv/Support/downloads.html

System

* Box losing time/date when power off? All of the Zidoo 1619 products ship without a CMOS battery so they need power to be plugged in to retain time/date. This is intentional from Zidoo to avoid problems with couriers rejecting packages due to CMOS batteries being restricted on many airlines. The CMOS socket is present on the PCB, so it is possible to open up the casing and insert a CR1220 3V battery. Without the battery the box retains time/date as long as power is attached. It retains time/date in standby and when off using the switch on back.
* Control4 drivers? See here: https://drivers.control4.com/solr/drivers/browse?q=zidoo

Alternative sources for FAQs?

* Excellent thread by forum user Nice Monkey with Zidoo 1619DR box capabilities and FAQs http://forum.zidoo.tv/index.php?threads/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-rtd1619dr-based-models.80434/
* Zidoo support pages https://www.zidoo.tv/Support/support.html

Pre-order up now.

Be aware that the stock ETA dates we give are liable to move a bit (forwards or backwards). Zidoo are telling us early August with Z9X coming first.

Official Firmware

Official firmware is the latest stable firmware. Your box will attempt to auto-update to this firmware if connected to the internet and auto-update enabled:

https://dune-hd.com/firmware/

Alpha Testing Firmware

Alpha firmware is early test firmware used to test new features and fixes. It should not be used in a production box because it is very likely to be non-functional in some ways.

Use at your own risk!:

http://dune-hd.com/firmware/alpha/

Dune Model Naming Explained

Useful for identifying which firmware is correct for your player.

TV-175V - Dune HD Pro Vision 4K Solo
TV-175U - Dune HD Real Vision 4K
TV-794A - Dune HD Max Vision 4K
TV-994A - Dune HD Ultra Vision 4K

NEWEST FIRMWARE AT THE END OF THIS THREAD.

THANKS TO PCRISTI FOR HIS CONTINUING SUPPORT.

SEMI-OFFICIAL Q10 PRO FIRMWARE. FUTEKO. HMD-2.1.4 2019-09-11

Internal build number: HMD-2.1.4 2019-09-11.161658

This firmware was never publicly released for download by HiMedia but we have received it direct from them, so it is official in that sense. It is the firmware pre-installed on very late production Q10 Pro (so never sold by us).

** THIS FIRMWARE IS FOR Q10 PRO RUNNING ANDROID 7 FIRMWARE 2.0.4 OR LATER.

** THIS FIRMWARE IS FOR EUROPEAN HIMEDIA Q10 PRO ONLY!

** DO NOT INSTALL ON CHINESE HARDWARE VERSION Q10 PRO OR OR PREVIOUS GENERATION Q10 4K3D.

** YOU WILL LOSE ALL USER INSTALLED APPS AND SETTINGS! PLEASE BACK UP BEFORE UPDATING (Kodi backup: http://kodi.wiki/view/backup).

INSTALL AT YOUR OWN RISK. WE HAVE NOT TESTED THIS FIRMWARE THOROUGHLY.

There is no official changelog. Observations:

1. New home screen interface (same as Q100).
2. ASS subtitles fixed for Himediavideoplayer.
3. Any type of install (including from the menu) will wipe Q10 Pro.
4. Q10 Pro only, not Q5 Pro.

Download & Instructions

THIS FIRMWARE CAN ONLY BE INSTALLED ON A EUROPEAN Q10 PRO RUNNING ANDROID 7 FIRMWARE 2.0.4 OR LATER!
Information on how to update from earlier firmware to Q10 Pro version 2.0.4 is here.
Your current firmware version can be found at Settings - About - Device Info - Build number.

Download: https://www.mediafire.com/file/ulboc20mo659g4x/Q10_PRO_FIRMWARE_2.1.4_V2_SEMI-OFFICIAL._INSTALL_ON_ANDROID_7_v2.0.4+_ONLY._FUTEKO._HMD-2.1.4_2019-09-11.zip/file

1. Extract update.zip (using an unzip program like 7zip, winzip etc) from the downloaded zip archive to the root of a FAT32 formatted USB pen drive. (the USB pen drive should contain a single file called 'update.zip'). Note, there is no need to rename anything!
2. Insert the USB pen drive into any USB port of Q10 Pro.
3. With Q10 Pro turned off, use a paper clip or pen to press and hold the the pinhole UPGRADE button on the back of Q10 Pro (next to the power port).
4. While keeping the UPGRADE button pressed, turn on the Q10 Pro.
5. Q10 Pro will showthe Android 7 coloured circle logo.
6. When you see the circle logo you can release the restore button.
7. A progress bar will indicate update progress. Do not turn box off or use the box/remote during update!
8. When update is complete the box will automatically reboot.
9. First boot will take 3-5 minutes. The box will reboot into new firmware. Allow boot to complete.

HiMedia S500 comes with Android TV Play Store pre-installed. This works well but Android TV Play Store only features apps specifically designed and certified for Android TV, so many standard Android apps are missing.

However, S500 can run mostly all Android apps. This thread details how to install non-Android TV apps on an S500: https://www.futeko.com/newforum/index.php?topic=4697.0

If you want a simpler way to do it you can install an alternative app store. These work a bit like Play Store but are much simpler, being just an index of Android apks rather than requiring the installation of Google Play Services ecosystem.

https://en.aptoide.com/ (General app store with all big apps - the closest replacement to Play Store)
https://f-droid.org/ (Free open source Android apps)
https://www.getjar.com/ (Another general app store)

Note that these apps require a pointing device (USB mouse/airmouse).

1. Install a file explorer. Try X-plore from Android TV Play Store. It works well with S500 remote and is very comprehensive including SMB access.
2. Change settings to enable what Google calls 'unknown apps'. Go Settings - Device Preferences - Security & restrictions - Unknown Sources. Find X-plore (or whatever file explorer app you installed) and set the toggle to on.
3. Download Aptoide (or alternative as above). https://en.aptoide.com/download
4. Open X-plore (or other file explorer), find the Aptoide apk file you downloaded (insert USB stick first if you have the .apk on a USB stick!) and press OK on remote.
5. The apk will install just like any other app.