futeko.com FORUM

Product Support => futeko MiniMX => Topic started by: MickeySlim on January 28, 2016, 11:38:33 AM

Title: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: MickeySlim on January 28, 2016, 11:38:33 AM
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: futeko.com on January 28, 2016, 03:10:54 PM
We don't have the full spec of Q5 Pro yet. Specs on our site are a mix of HiSilicon 3798CV200 specs and Himedia's published specs for Q10 Pro (which in terms of core features will be identical). As soon as Himedia publish final specs we will post them on our site. It will be after CNY, prob late Feb.

So I can only reply in general terms.

Q5 Pro will be more powerful. The GFlops per core figure on the Mali Wikipedia page states that Mali-450 scores 14.6 and Mali-720 81.6. This indicates a raw performance increase of some 5x per core. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mali_%28GPU%29

I would advise waiting until someone tests Moonlight. My suspicion is that Q5 Pro will work fine but MiniMX will struggle, but that's only a guess. I've done a few searches and can't find any reports of s905 being tested with Moonlight streaming. We don't have a suitable PC to test it here. If you want to test it we would refund all costs (i.e. postage and price) if it doesn't work and you want to return the MiniMX. PM me.



Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: hdmkv on January 28, 2016, 05:27:00 PM
MiniMX Android vs. HiMedia Q5 Pro are like apples vs. oranges.

Former is a cheap Kodi box for basic video needs (no 23.976, no HD audio, no 3D), with OpenELEC version of it doing partial HD audio & partial 3D for now (very early development stages).

With Q5 Pro, if anything like present-gen Q5, then a serious home theater box for enthusiasts who demand full 3D + proper framerates + great PQ + full HD audio support, and now also full 4K.
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: MickeySlim on January 30, 2016, 09:06:32 PM
So why does it say in the description of the MiniMX that it supports 4K and 7.1 HD audio?

I use an AV-Reciever so I'm looking for 7.1 passthrough for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD, Atmos and DTS:X would be a bonus but I know it's still early stages for this on android boxes.

Does it use the HiMedia wrapper to achieve HD audio as kodi on the play store doesn't passthrough hd audio (that I'm aware of) without an external player.
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: hdmkv on January 30, 2016, 11:19:16 PM
I have a stock Beelink Mini MX Android box... HD Audio videos have significant video & audio break-ups, and stutter with all:
- TrueHD 5.1 passed as 2.0
- TrueHD 7.1 passed as 2.0
- DD+ 5.1/7.1 = no audio at all
- DTS-HD MA 5.1 passed as standard DTS 5.1
- DTS-HD MA 7.1 passed as standard DTS 5.1
- LPCM 5.1/7.1 passed as 2.0
- 3D ISO's & MVC MKV's play in 2D mode

With the OpenELEC version:
+ TrueHD 5.1/7.1 bitstream well
- 3D ISO's & MVC MKV's play in HOU/TAB mode (not proper 3D); half-rez render (as with all AML boxes)
- DTS-MA 5.1/7.1 output w/core DTS (must disable 'Adjust display refresh rate to match video')
- Due to lack of refresh rate match (for DTS &/or 23.976 videos to not cause Kodi to blank out), all videos output at 60Hz (or whatever Kodi UI is set to)
- Framerate issues: skips, judders, etc. noticeable
- DD+ 5.1/7.1 = no audio
- Standard DD/DTS not working properly (reported in Amlinuxmedia forum)
- LPCM 5.1/7.1 = no audio
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: futeko.com on February 01, 2016, 11:28:42 AM
I have a stock Beelink Mini MX Android box... HD Audio videos have significant video & audio break-ups, and stutter with all:
- TrueHD 5.1 passed as 2.0
- TrueHD 7.1 passed as 2.0
- DD+ 5.1/7.1 = no audio at all
- DTS-HD MA 5.1 passed as standard DTS 5.1
- DTS-HD MA 7.1 passed as standard DTS 5.1
- LPCM 5.1/7.1 passed as 2.0
- 3D ISO's & MVC MKV's play in 2D mode

With the OpenELEC version:
+ TrueHD 5.1/7.1 bitstream well
- 3D ISO's & MVC MKV's play in HOU/TAB mode (not proper 3D); half-rez render (as with all AML boxes)
- DTS-MA 5.1/7.1 output w/core DTS (must disable 'Adjust display refresh rate to match video')
- Due to lack of refresh rate match (for DTS &/or 23.976 videos to not cause Kodi to blank out), all videos output at 60Hz (or whatever Kodi UI is set to)
- Framerate issues: skips, judders, etc. noticeable
- DD+ 5.1/7.1 = no audio
- Standard DD/DTS not working properly (reported in Amlinuxmedia forum)
- LPCM 5.1/7.1 = no audio

What firmware does your box have? It may be different to ours.

4K is no problem. MiniMX supports 4K.

HD-audio..

In Android with stock 'MoviePlayer' app:

- Dolby Digital 5.1. Passed as 5.1
- TrueHD 7.1. Passed as 7.1
- DTS 5.1. Passed as 5.1
- DTS-HD MA 7.1. passed as DTS 5.1

We don't say MiniMX supports full 3D. It probably never will.

In Android with Kodi:

- Dolby Digital 5.1. Passed as 5.1
- TrueHD 7.1. No sound.
- DTS 5.1. Passed as 5.1
- DTS-HD MA 7.1. passed as DTS 5.1

It performs reasonably for HD-Audio now. S905 is very popular so support in vanilla Kodi will improve with time.

Regarding stuttering, MiniMX will play 99%+ of videos the average customer will have with no problem. If you push the envelope then it won't perform as well as Himedia H8/Q5/Q10, but it is half the price.

I agree with your reported performance in OpenELEC, but actually think this is pretty good for a budget product. Refresh rate / framerate issues are the main problem at the moment, but the rest is a lack of support for formats which customers buying the box will probably never use. 7.1 audio and 3D are fairly niche formats. I see MiniMX as a good box for those wanting Kodi for the unmentionable + playing 99% of video they have now and will have in future (i.e. 4K).
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: hdmkv on February 01, 2016, 01:27:44 PM
There seems to be a good deal of attention on Mini MX @ Freaktab & at Amlinuxmedia forum, so it's a good thing.
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: futeko.com on February 01, 2016, 01:53:32 PM
Also, new 105 firmware released on Saturday.

I'm preparing an USB update package and will post a forum thread today / tomorrow.
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: hdmkv on February 01, 2016, 03:43:07 PM
Will look forward to that, thanks. When you install OpenELEC, it installs on NAND, so Android image is needed to get back to Android OS.

Still, OpenELEC firmware/progress looked better last I tested.
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: futeko.com on February 01, 2016, 05:20:04 PM
Will look forward to that, thanks. When you install OpenELEC, it installs on NAND, so Android image is needed to get back to Android OS.

Still, OpenELEC firmware/progress looked better last I tested.

We'll be posting a guide to getting back to Android from OpenELEC. I know it requires connecting to a Windows PC and the Amlogic flash app.
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: hdmkv on February 02, 2016, 12:24:30 AM
BTW, nice job w/this media comparison you posted (http://www.futeko.com/navpage/media-box-comparison.php).
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: MickeySlim on February 03, 2016, 12:31:34 PM
Thanks for the comparison, really useful. Can you use HiMedias wrapper on the MiniMX to point Kodi at Android's MoviePlayer as default?
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: futeko.com on February 03, 2016, 02:37:11 PM
No. The wrapper is just for the Himedia Q5/Q10/M3.

Something similar would be possible on MiniMX but you'd need to create it yourself.

See here: http://kodi.wiki/view/HOW-TO:Use_external_players_on_Android

The file you need to create is called 'playercorefactory'. There's loads of info and example files online. If you do get it working please post result here!
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: MickeySlim on February 03, 2016, 07:04:00 PM
Just ordered a MiniMx Android. Will have a look into the playercorexml and let you know how I get on plus thoughts on the box itself.

Thanks for all the help
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: MickeySlim on February 06, 2016, 11:15:29 AM
The MiniMX Android doesn't seem to support app multitasking. So when you click the home button it just closes the app you are using. This will make it difficult to use external players for kodi as every time you play something Kodi will close instead of continuing to run in the background.

I have added a playercorefile.xml which gives me the option to select an external player but MoviePlayer is not an option and the 17 choices available do not work.

Any ideas on the player that movie player actually uses?
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: futeko.com on February 08, 2016, 10:16:09 AM
I installed 'My App List'app from Play Store and it gives the name of Movie Player as 'com.droidlogic.videoplayer'. I think that's what should be used in playercorefactory.
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: MickeySlim on February 10, 2016, 10:38:53 PM
I've tried this and got nothing working. Have been struggling with it for a few days now and even dragged my brother in as he has good knowledge of android. We installed VLC from the play store and tried this as an external player and still nothing, it even breaks kodi's default player DVD player, just locks the box up. Think I will address again when I've got some more time!
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: Se7en on February 15, 2016, 06:11:20 PM
I have a Q5 previous not pro am interested in this MiniMX will it do most things the old Q5 could do bar the picture which was outstanding on Q5 I have to say.
If I bought the MiniMX and it turns out not to be quite as good could I swap it for Q5 pro etc down the line.
Many thanks
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: MickeySlim on February 15, 2016, 08:08:14 PM
I think the q5 pro would be worth holding out for. I like the MiniMx With openelec rather than android  but would say it's a bedroom/secondary box where audio isn't as important as it doesn't support DTS-HD very well. For a home cinema setup I will be purchasing the q5 pro as I am so impressed with the previous q5 which my dad has.
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: Se7en on February 15, 2016, 08:53:55 PM
I think the q5 pro would be worth holding out for. I like the MiniMx With openelec rather than android  but would say it's a bedroom/secondary box where audio isn't as important as it doesn't support DTS-HD very well. For a home cinema setup I will be purchasing the q5 pro as I am so impressed with the previous q5 which my dad has.

Yes i was very impressed with the Q5 however would you say the picture is as good on the miniMX as the old Q5 sound isnt as important as this box will just go to a Tv.
Unlike the Q5 i had which originally went to receiver.
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: MickeySlim on February 16, 2016, 12:20:25 AM
Depending on the size of your tv picture quality probably won't be noticeable if you are only playing 1080p so this box will probably be good for you. Futeko are really good and if this doesn't suit your needs Im sure they would issue a refund, although unlikely that you will need to .
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: Se7en on February 18, 2016, 11:27:39 PM
Got the MiniMX player and for the money it seems spot on.
A couple of questions can you expand memory via sd card slot and any way to get a better media player without using kodi etc as the himedia Q5 worked excellently for most USB Mkv files or iso's. Etc.

But seriously for the money wow
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: MickeySlim on February 19, 2016, 09:59:02 AM
I found the OpenELEC build had better support than the Android build. But as updates come out hopefully it gets better.
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: futeko.com on February 19, 2016, 12:17:48 PM
A couple of questions can you expand memory via sd card slot and any way to get a better media player without using kodi etc as the himedia Q5 worked excellently for most USB Mkv files or iso's. Etc.

You can use an SD card for storing video/music etc but not for apps. There should be ~ 5GB free as supplied for apps which is quite a lot for an Android box.

MX Player is probably the best Android video player app. It's available for free from Play Store and will work well with hardware acceleration on the MiniMX.

OpenELEC is worth installing if all you want is Kodi. It's very fast booting and through menus.
Title: Re: Futeko MiniMX Android vs HiMedia Q5 Pro
Post by: Se7en on February 20, 2016, 04:19:30 PM
A couple of questions can you expand memory via sd card slot and any way to get a better media player without using kodi etc as the himedia Q5 worked excellently for most USB Mkv files or iso's. Etc.

You can use an SD card for storing video/music etc but not for apps. There should be ~ 5GB free as supplied for apps which is quite a lot for an Android box.

MX Player is probably the best Android video player app. It's available for free from Play Store and will work well with hardware acceleration on the MiniMX.

OpenELEC is worth installing if all you want is Kodi. It's very fast booting and through menus.

Downloaded mx player used the audio fix spot on. Very impressed for the money. And that's coming from a Q5 4k3d  although I'm still after a Q5 pro as it sounds awesome.