The new firmware FW004 (20151228) for MINIX NEO U1 TV Box Release

We have good news, there is a new firmware for MINIX NEO U1 TV Box (FW004, 20151228 release). Another good news is that the users with FW003 may update to FW004 simply by OTA update (via MINIX OTA app).The MINIX company cares aboutgood relations with users and tries to provide good support their devices. In mid-December we wrote about firmware FW003, and at the end of 2015, the company has prepared an update FW004, nice !!!. If someone has not yet decided or are planning to buy, MINIX NEO U1 is available on Geekbuying for $129.90 and $149.90 with Minix NEO A2 Lite Air Mouse, onAmazon and Gearbest. NEO U1 TV Box review coming soon.

For those who have not yet had an opportunity to look at the MINIX NEO U1 remind its specification:

• CPU –  Amlogic S905 quad core ARM Cortex-A53 @ up to 2.0GHz
• GPU – Penta-core Mali-450MP Up to 750 MHz
• Memory – 2GB DDR3
• OS – Android 5.1.1
• Storage – 16GB eMMC 5.0 flash + micro SD card slot
• Video Output – HDMI 2.0 up to 4K @ 60 Hz with HDMI CEC support
• Audio – HDMI, optical S/PDIF, and 3.5mm headphone and microphone jacks
• Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi (2×2 MIMO) and Bluetooth 4.1
• USB – 3x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x micro USB OTG port
• Misc – Power button, IR receiver, Kensington lock ready
• Power Supply –  5V/3A
• Dimensions – 12.7 x 12.7 x 2.2 cm / 4.99 x 4.99 x 0.86 inches
• Weight – 0.278 kg

New firmware FW004 – 20151228, now can be update only via F.O.T.A (Firmware Over-The-Air). What we find in the new firmware FW004 update list:

1. Added USB device unmount shortcut to MINIX Metro UI – this is a very convenient feature
2. Fixed storage device showing wrong storage size bug – the “10MB” bug
3. Fixed Bluetooth game controller bug (e.g. G910)
4. Fixed file copy permission problem, e.g. ES File Explorer
5. Fixed Google services/apps related problem (Google+, Google Play Games, etc.)
6. Improved video self-adaption towards web contents
7. Added DTS-MA passthrough support for MINIX XBMC (Experimental, new MINIX XBMC apk required) Download link to the new apk: http://www.minixforum.com/downloads/download.php?file=MINIX_XBMC_20151230.apk
8. Fixed H.264 video buffer issue (e.g. Samsung Oceanic Life demo)
9. Fixed UI navigation low volume issue
10. Fixed some HDMI-CEC bugs
11. Enabling “manual” all tasks killer functionality (disabled automatic tasks killing)
12. Updated some preinstalled applications (e.g. Google+, Photos…etc)
13. Fixed Bluetooth audio output causing video stuttering issue

OTA package size:
From FW003 -> FW004 : 189.3MB

OTA update procedures:
1.) All Apps -> System update (MINIX OTA app) -> Check for updates
2.) Download the OTA update package
3.) Confirm to update and let the system to reboot and complete the update process
[Please clear the app cache if the check update failed, or showing network error]

To enable the new Kodi passthrough:
1.) Go to Settings -> Audio -> Digital Sounds
2.) Configure as “HDMI” or “SPDIF” depends on your amplifier type
3.) If you don’t have an amplifier, simply leave this option as “PCM”
4.) In Settings -> Security & Restrictions -> Unknown sources -> On -> OK to confirm
5.) Download and install the new MINIX XBMC apk which supports the new passthrough mechanism
http://www.minixforum.com/downloads/download.php?file=MINIX_XBMC_20151230.apk
6.) Enable passthrough in Kodi settings, you DON’T have to if you don’t have an amplifier.
(DO NOT enable those receiver options that your setup does not support.)

MINIX team also prepared applications for NEO U1 for remote control for smartphones with Android, can be downloaded here.

Source: minixforum