So far most of the Android receiver with digital TV tuners I covered on CNX Software are based on Amlogic processor, with a few exceptions such as Infomir MAG277 based on STMicro STiH301 processor. There’s now another choice with U4 Quad Hybrid, an Android 4.4 TV box powered by Hisilicon Hi3796M quad core Cortex A7 processor that supports DVB-S2, DVB-T2/C, and ATSC tuners.
U4 Quad Hybrid specifications:
- SoC – Hisilicon Hi3796M quad core Cortex A7 processor with a Mali-450MP GPU
- System Memory – 1GB DDR3-1600 MHz
- Storage – 8GB internal storage and micro SD slot
- Video Output – HDMI 1.4a up to 4K @ 30Hz + AV port (CBVS)
- Audio Output – HDMI, AV and coaxial S/PDIF (optical S/PDIF available as an option)
- Video Decoding – Up to 4K @ 30 fps for H.265, H.264, MPEG-4, AVS, VC-1, VP6/8, etc.. Full HD 3D video (MVC) and blu-ray navigation supported
- Tuners (one or the other)
- DVB-S2 – Hi3136 demodulator; freq range: 950 to 2,150 MHz; symbol rate: DVB-S: 1~55 Mbps; DVB-S2: 1~44 Mbps; Input level: -65 to -25 dBm
- DVB-T2/T/C – AVL6762 demodulator; freq range: 43 to 1,002 MHz; bandwidth: 6/7/8/1.7 MHz; signal level: -80 to -25 dBm
- ATSC – LG 3306A demodulator; freq rage: 52 to 860 MHz; mode: 8/16 VSB | IT-T J83 Annex B; input level: -86 dBm to +10 dBm
- ANT IN and LNB IN connectors
- Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, built-in WiFi
- USB – 1x USB 3.0 host port, 1x USB 2.0 host port
- Misc – 2x LED, IR/LED connector (looks like mini USB)
- Power Supply – 12V/1.5A
- Dimensions – 135 x 135 x 33 mm
- Weight – 900 grams?
The device runs Android 4.4.2 with “eOn center UI” and Kodi 15.2. The specs also mention a video player capable of handling HLS/TS over UDP and RTP/RTSP/HTSP video player, a Linux front end for Live video, as well as PVR/Time-shifting support. Only FAT32 and NTFS (read-only) file systems are supported, which could be an issue for longer movies. Hopefully the latter is a mistake in the specs.
Shenzhen Vivant Technology, the manufacturer, is selling the set-top box on Aliexpress for $119.99 including shipping by DHL [Update: Another link has it for $106.69 by China Post]. Accessories are not listed on the product page, but I should receive a sample, so I’ll check this out soon…
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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Test, whether it can act as streaming server for it’s tuners, too! (tvheadend)
@TC
ali express page mentions TV headend
Btw it is a bit unclear what tuners are supported and how to select one. Also if this is single tuner then why is there both a terr and sat input on the box.
Also a bit of a pity that this is Android 4.4
(and dhl shipping means guaranteed taxes when importing in EU)
Here is the box with China Post shipping:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/New-Arrival-DHL-Free-Shipping-KODI-4K2K-Ultra-HD-U4-Quad-Hybrid-with-DVB-S2-DVB/1987779_32600308977.html
effectively, it supports TVHEADEND, and the software side seems much better rich than the competition, especially the native support for TVheadend, but the Cortex A7 and the android kitkat are a bit outdated and a deal breakers
Expensive device with only 8bit hevc support. What about cccam and oscam? Netflix only in SD?
@Techy
for a 60 USD free shipping it could be a very nice device, UI and TVheadend makes a plus value
@CNXSOFT
We tried test of beta U4 PVR settop of 100 users in korea.
(ATSC & DVB-S2 Tuner Type)
http://muritzy.tistory.com/1070
It is nice & easy control UI for remote-con and include in TVHeadend.
It has nick name that is Grandparents settop. ^^
also we can watch real time tv(Terrestrial, cable. Satellite broadcast)
& EPG Scheduled recording settings form outside for smartphone.
It will be insert IPTV & CCTV address in tvheadend index. and watch IPTV & CCTV.
but it can not support of recording.
I want to recommend a product to you. ^^
PCB is designed in korea.
@EddyLab
very nice, I just watch the review, the UI is excellent but the SoC could be better
do you intented to support OPENELEC with your device
the UI seems very nice and easy to use but a little bit slow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOxNKKMsQ5c
Amlogic mpeg2 video pictures quality very poor or bad. Other issue dvb video and audio secronizasyon problems. I think that hisilicone has much better video pictures quality. and no hotter. Only problems I think can not playh 265 10 bit dvb-s2 channels and no support linux distro (openelec enigma lubuntu etc.) Amlogic advantages support a lot of open sources project but all time devoloping 🙂 all time beta issue.
EddyLab it can play h265 10 bit dvb channels?
@taki
is there anyway to make the MPEG2 “Software” decoding instead of “HW” on amlogic, ffmpeg mpeg2 decoder could easily handle it on cortex A7 or above
Natsu can you say hisilicone hi3796m no hw decode mpeg2. I know ffmpeg sw decoding. (Amlogic cpu much more powerfull than other. Only video pictures qualiy not good for sd contents). can do you can test 10 bit h265 dvb channels
Other question.
Hisilicone uses special kodi or official kodi. Official kodi dont support hi android library?
Do kernel sources and tuner driver puplic for all people.
@taki
sorry taki I don’t have the device, EddyLab does I suppose, but it seems that hisilicone has a closed source kernel and drivers, anyway EddyLab could shades more light on that matter
@taki
Hi3796M does not decode 10bit HEVC. Chipset can decode up to HEVC 4K@30. I believe you want next generation of this chipset ( http://www.cnx-software.com/2015/09/15/hisilicon-hi3798c-v200-64-bit-arm-processor-supports-hdmi-2-0-10-bit-hevc-usb-3-0-sata-and-more/ ).
@Tachy
Original firmware have OSCAM on it (Korean version of firmware did drop that feature).
BTW,
Over a month I did test this device, it is really awesome.
One of Korean user made some reviews for this device (of course it was Korean). So I will try to translate that to…
Am I the only one that has noticed that every new Kodi build has the audio/visual sync bug when installed on any Android box? I also have a Windows 10 box and the Kodi version works fine but the same build for Android will not sync audio/visual properly.
Yes need to cpu upraged 3798c but I think good dvb reciver
@taki
It is support of MPEG2 by themself,
and native Kodi 16 RC support to them.
hisilicon-hi3798c-v200, it is very nice full UHD HW spec,
but very very expensive price.
http://androidtvbox.eu/himedia-q10-next-gen-tv-box-powered-by-hisilicon-hi3798c-v200-coming-soon/?platform=hootsuite
In korea, already started of Korea Terrestrial UHD Broadcasting experiments – 4 major Terrestrial broadcast.
I also have 3 kind of UHDTV.
I don’t konw, why are you need hisilicon-hi3798c-v200 settop ? ^^
Need to watch of neflix of Ultra 4K UHD ?
I do not recommend of that video quality to you.
I’ll make review of U4 PVR settop today.
@NIPSZX
I did not heard about audio/visual sync bug. ^^
Could please more detail explain ?
I cannot find this device on list of Dolby Digital and to watch HD DVB-S2 channels need to have AC3 legal license for Europe and USA. They maybe use some sw hack? HiSilicon dont support hardware decoding natively in Kodi which is bad bad thing.
@Kusta
In korea, Licensing issues are serious. ^^
I checked about Dolby license issue form design company.
Dolby license: certification in progress.
Certified Product: HWA-5000
Support of HW Codec from chipset of Hisilicon Hi3796M.
It is not include of Dolby logo in outbox.
@cnxsoft
did you come across linux support for this box (or any of the Hisilicon socs), i’ve looked a bit and found nothing.
@mdel
I’ve never seen Linux on Hisilicon boxes. However, Hisilicon Hikey board does support Linux, but that’s another SoC…
@cnxsoft
what’s the hw video decoding performance in kodi on that hisilicon android ?
I’ve been testing that on my beelink h3 soc with android 4.4.2 with kodi 16 from the playstore, and cpu load is pretty high (50-60%, h264 1080p ac3), it shows amc-h264 hw codec, the origial kodi 14 had a different codec (aw-h264 ?) and i believe had less cpu load so it may have been a custom version for the h3 soc.
I’m quite confused as to what hw video decoding really means on android, from what i read, the player can show a hw codec but the android api could be only using “parts” of hw decoding and leave the rest to the cpu ?
How do you install oscam?
I’m trying to find out where to buy this receiver in Canada or the US.
Thanks
BJ
@B.J. SWYERS
You can get it here from Ebay, http://www.ebay.com/itm/U4-Quad-Hybrid-Receiver-/262394466048?hash=item3d17edcf00:g:NggAAOSwIUNXFbtE
A8 PLUS has similar hardware & it’s cheaper $90:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/A8-Plus-DVB-S2-DVB-T2-DVB-C-Android-Combo-Receiver-Satellite-Receptor-Decoder-hi3796-chipset/32715415899.html
Dear All,
Please let me know manufacturer of STB in India.thanks