U4 Quad Hybrid Android TV Box Unboxing and Teardown with DVB-T2, DVB-S2 and ATSC Tune

**ol' boy** · 10-03-16, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by hidefdave

Re HD audio, I guess hard to test if you don't have a capable receiver. But wondering if there was any obvious settings in the menu for HD audio passthrough?

D.

Ok, i am playing "The Croods" 1080p Blue Ray with DTS-HD 7.1.
Audio Pass Through works for an AV Receiver
Or you can have it downgraded to play on a normal TV

This was just using the units default player, not Kodi.
(there really is no reason to open Kodi, it will handle all files with its native player with out need to fiddle with settings)
Default player will also Bookmark movies you have played for when you return etc.

I also feed it a 4Gb .mp4 movie "Closer to the Edge", high bit rate with DD 5.1 Audio, plays as smooth as silk
No jerky frames, none.... My WDTV will not even play this file without choking.

Played a IMAX 3D in 1080p (1080 x 1920 50p), played perfectly on the Samsung Series 6 3D capable TV.

The 1080p OSD really helps you read file names when you are 5 meters from the TV also, very helpful.

**ol' boy** · 10-03-16, 01:41 PM

Review Continued

Device Name
The firmware comes with the ability to rename the device, in the situation you had 4 units in the one house on the same network.
The default device name options are:

Living Room 1
Living Room 2
Bedroom 1
Bedroom 2

Just click and select which ever you need

Unit comes with Developer access

Channel Data Base
Scanned Channels can be Backed up or Restored using the menu functions
And when updating the firmware, you can choose from 2 files
1 overwrites everything the other saves your Channel DB

USB Drive
Connect a USB drive (in my case it was 2 TB with loads of content already on there)
And the U4 Quad Hybrid will create 2 new folders; "timeshift" and "snapshot"

Screenshots or Snapshots can be taken at anytime using the "function key"
Snapshots are saved as a .jpg file

**ol' boy** · 10-03-16, 01:56 PM

I walked into Dick Smith last week, just to see if they had any cheap HDTV PVR units
(for a TV that can not get MPEG-4)

Dick Smith with its super sale was still going to cost me $120AUD

So a box like the U4 Quad Hybrid is a viable option for this application

My other option was the latest Vu+ Duo2 with the optional DVB-T tuner, but that is quite a price jump
Probably $600 to $700 shipped to Australia.

I could also have got any bare bones HDTV Set Top box for $40-60
But i've owned these units before and they are a pretty horrible experience.

**hidefdave** · 10-03-16, 05:05 PM

Thanks for that. Does look very, very impressive. So at a guess I'd reckon it'll do Netflix in HD?

D.

**mkhannah** · 10-03-16, 05:46 PM

Thanks for the excellent reviews oceanboy. Now nbn ready so will keep an eye on this thread and may pull the trigger in a couple of weeks.

**ol' boy** · 10-03-16, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by hidefdave

Thanks for that. Does look very, very impressive. So at a guess I'd reckon it'll do Netflix in HD?

D.

Gave up Netflix 1.5 or 2 years ago
So maybe someone else can test that out.
Unless there is a Free HD Netflix stream i can try with?

**ol' boy** · 10-03-16, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by mkhannah

Thanks for the excellent reviews oceanboy. Now nbn ready so will keep an eye on this thread and may pull the trigger in a couple of weeks.

No worries mkhannah
Probably the most confusing thing about the U4 Quad Hybrid, is which reason are you buying it for?
Do you want a Android Box for Kodi and IPTV?
Do you want a DVB-T mpeg-4 set top box?
Do you want tiny Sat Box (DVB-S2)?
Or do you want an all-round Media Player?

I will say at this point, some of the "Open" Android OS has been hidden behind the Custom Firmware.
Which i think, is good for 98% of people and End Users.

If you are someone that wants to write your own Android script, this may not be for you.
In saying that, everything seems to have been sorted, so why would you want too?

For those reading, my unit is running on old firmware.
I might update it tonight
Latest firmware is 04/03/2016
(mine is 3 months old)

**LeroyPatrol** · 10-03-16, 07:39 PM

Great review OB. Probably the most comprehensive I've seen for a very long time, well done! Would be great to see others do reviews! I miss them

.........Leroy

**ol' boy** · 10-03-16, 07:57 PM

Thanks mate
To be honest, i have been pumped for time and doing other things
Leaving for Bermi tomorrow morning
So i'll be very quite in this thread for 10 days or so.

Yes, it has been nice to have a product that brings back all the good about the hobby we do.
I have spoken to the Manufacturer a few times today, they are brilliant with help and hungry for suggestions.
Your messages also gets to the Software Engineer directly.

It is obviously a new product and there is a couple of similar items in the market now.

But, i have been amazed and grateful for the personal help the Manufacturer has provided.
I am sure, Android will overtake the E2 boxes in time.

I still love my Vu+ Ultimo Triple Tuner Sat Decoder, its on 24/7 and has never failed.
But i can see room for these Android based solutions in market.

Unlike a lot of things i test, this one will keep me busy for quite some time yet, which i love about it.

The other great thing, is the manufacturer is all about developing it, making it better and continuing on.
The same can not be said for the 1000"s random Android OTT boxes out there!

**Xplorer** · 10-03-16, 10:08 PM

oceanboy - excellent review. Your effort is very much appreciated. I'm almost sold.

Have you played around with kodi?
If yes, does it allow you to install alternative skins?

Can you rename both terrestrial and satellite channels?
Can you sort/move channels around, or even change the channel numbering?

**ol' boy** · 10-03-16, 10:16 PM

Haven't even touched the Kodi 15.2 that comes pre installed yet
(plus Kodi kind of bores me now i have found a better solution for me, but i will try it out)
I really cant see why it would not let you change skins... Is that a problem with other boxes?

Rename Channels? Do you mean rename them from the name that comes with them when scanned?
(EG: Fox Sports 5 then rename it to a name you choose?)

You can rename every entry using the HTS Tvheadend, call it what ever you like.
You can sort/move using HTS Tvheadend also

As shown below

**ol' boy** · 10-03-16, 10:41 PM

Adding IPTV services

Open HTS Tvheadend
Follow the tabs, then enter your IPTV Stream Details

**Xplorer** · 10-03-16, 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by oceanboy

Haven't even touched the Kodi 15.2 that comes pre installed yet
(plus Kodi kind of bores me now i have found a better solution for me, but i will try it out)
I really cant see why it would not let you change skins... Is that a problem with other boxes?

Rename Channels? Do you mean rename them from the name that comes with them when scanned?
(EG: Fox Sports 5 then rename it to a name you choose?)

You can rename every entry using the HTS Tvheadend, call it what ever you like.
You can sort/move using HTS Tvheadend also

As shown below

I've only ever used kodi on a laptop, never had an android box apart from a WDTV, so didn't know if the small boxes allowed one to download and install extra software, and bogging it down.

The cables and laptop connected to the tv is unsightly.
Getting an all-in-one box like this could be a really good laptop replacement.

I should have known from your post about TVheadend and being able to re-sort, re-name channels, as I've used it may times on my MOI.

Even though it doesn't have a CI slot, I'm going to order one.
Thanks again for your help.

**ol' boy** · 11-03-16, 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by Xplorer

I've only ever used kodi on a laptop, never had an android box apart from a WDTV, so didn't know if the small boxes allowed one to download and install extra software, and bogging it down.

I've been able to do everything i can with Kodi on my laptop, with Kodi on my M8 Android box.
Both work in exactly the same way, skins, themes, addons, you name it
I can not see why Kodi on the U4 Quad Hybrid will be any different, apart from it will work faster due the Quadcore processor.

Mate, laptop connected the TV, come on, time to get out of the dark ages

**Xplorer** · 11-03-16, 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by oceanboy

I've been able to do everything i can with Kodi on my laptop, with Kodi on my M8 Android box.
Both work in exactly the same way, skins, themes, addons, you name it
I can not see why Kodi on the U4 Quad Hybrid will be any different, apart from it will work faster due the Quadcore processor.

Mate, laptop connected the TV, come on, time to get out of the dark ages

Thanks champ. Dark ages I live in... yes.

At least this will get me the new MPEG4 channels, including IPTV and FTA sat channels, all in one box.

Enjoy your holidays.

**joshy12** · 11-03-16, 02:05 AM

Originally Posted by oceanboy

Haven't even touched the Kodi 15.2 that comes pre installed yet
(plus Kodi kind of bores me now i have found a better solution for me, but i will try it out)
I really cant see why it would not let you change skins... Is that a problem with other boxes?

Rename Channels? Do you mean rename them from the name that comes with them when scanned?
(EG: Fox Sports 5 then rename it to a name you choose?)

You can rename every entry using the HTS Tvheadend, call it what ever you like.
You can sort/move using HTS Tvheadend also

As shown below

if only those channels played

**johnjoo815** · 11-03-16, 10:44 PM

Hi guys.

here is link of manual for U4 Quad Hybrid.

I think it is official forum for U4 Quad Hybrid.

**hidefdave** · 12-03-16, 09:15 PM

I'm just about sold on one of these. Has anyone had an opportunity to check what resolution(s) Netflix will output?

**mandc** · 12-03-16, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by hidefdave

I'm just about sold on one of these. Has anyone had an opportunity to check what resolution(s) Netflix will output?

From what I have read, most android netflix apps only do SD unless it is a big name box that has got past netflix certification. As this is new I would find it highly unlikely it will do HD.
I have an older WDTV live streaming (not android) that does 1080 on Netflix but my no name inphic i5 android's netflix app only does SD.

I also hear there is a hacked Netflix apk that does allow HD. When my U4 arrives I will be putting this to the test

**hidefdave** · 12-03-16, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by mandc

From what I have read, most android netflix apps only do SD unless it is a big name box that has got past netflix certification. As this is new I would find it highly unlikely it will do HD.
I have an older WDTV live streaming (not android) that does 1080 on Netflix but my no name inphic i5 android's netflix app only does SD.

I also hear there is a hacked Netflix apk that does allow HD. When my U4 arrives I will be putting this to the test

Thanks for that. That's what I had thought too. Be interested to hear if the hacked Netlix app does the business!

D.