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

**ol' boy** · 19-03-16, 07:14 AM

Back to Continue Review

Well, after a week of being away, i returned to see the U4 was still working nicely
Turned my TV on to see WIN HD playing as if it were the TV itself.

Next job will be to update to the latest firmware and continue

Oh, for those that way inclined, they are working on a Linux Firmware version for the U4, so you can all play with OpenElec when that is released.

Looking forward to getting some IPTV streams running on the box using the default IPTV player on eOn Centre next.
Should have taken the box away, the Onsite Cabin way stayed in had an old Flatscreen TV with no MPEG4

I knew i could have plugged in the U4 and had a total solution in under 5 minutes.

**ol' boy** · 19-03-16, 01:57 PM

Adding IPTV

Firstly, the box has been the easiest box i have ever added IPTV links too.
No need to use the Remote, just cut and paste on your PC or Lappy into the HTS TVheadend interface.
Go to box, and all your new IPTV channels are there and ready to play
I added 8 IPTV channels and went and tested them in under 5min.

Use this Tutorial to add your IPTV links

IPTV Channels play directly from the Home Screen, under the TV tab
How easy is this box!

All channels i added played and that is over a 3G connection

Can't tell the difference from Free to Air DTV or the IPTV

(some channels said "failed" at the bottom of the screen, but went on played anyway)

So IPTV.... TICK

Note: I still haven't used Kodi on the box.
But it would work like any instance of Kodi and we all know what it does anyway.

To be honest, its nice not to have to live inside an App like Kodi, and be able to conduct TV watching, Movie Playing and IPTV streaming all from a very simple Home Screen

Instead of hopping in and out of Kodi just to get simple tasks done.

**ol' boy** · 19-03-16, 03:42 PM

Firmware Upgrade

1. Download Firmware
2. Copy to USB stick in root
3. Plug into U4
4. Follow Menu to System Upgrade
5. Done

I just upgraded the firmware in less then 40 seconds
Was watching V8 Supercars on lap 8, upgrade happened, box rebooted, didn't loose a single setting, back watching V8 Supercars on Lap 9
Without touching a single button! No re scanning, nothing.
All IPTV entries and Scanned in DVB-T and DVB-S2 channels remained in tacked and working

Seriously Impressed!

Upgrade added "Smart IPTV" in the TV tab (very handy)
Just another reason not to use Kodi

Outside that, i'm not sure what the new firmware had to offer
The File Manager network scan is now a nicer process.

**admin** · 19-03-16, 04:10 PM

Firstly, what a cracker of a review by Oceanboy. This is what I used to post for many years on here......its fantastic to see someone else step up to the plate and spend a bit of time posting up something detailed that will help others. I also hope it inspires others to have a crack themselves. If you buy a technology item, take the time to do what oceanboy has done.

Its good to see my decision to allow the seller/manufacturer to post has been worthwhile. We are receptive if we are contacted beforehand......so many just want to post spam and somehow think people are attracted to it

Anyway, I think Oceanboy has sold me. Just one question , does it have Sat softcam support ?

**ol' boy** · 19-03-16, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by admin

Anyway, I think Oceanboy has sold me. Just one question , does it have Sat softcam support ?

Yes, all the usual suspects

**ol' boy** · 19-03-16, 04:18 PM

On a side note

Android is really proving itself for these types of applications
And after my dealings with the M8 and U4 and my other various Android Devices, there is no way my next Car Stereo would not be a 2 DIN Android product.

Back to the U4 Quad Hybrid

Unlike many of the Android boxes out there, this unit and the team behind it have clearly poured in months and months of time in custom software development
Which has made this box a stand out in the pack
(a few other may do the same, but i cant comment has i don't own them)

Its this software development and continued development that makes all these components work so well together.
Also note, they use a unique CPU that isn't easy to source by the clone makers

So code for the product is unique to them.

**ol' boy** · 19-03-16, 04:59 PM

Soft Cams

There is a hidden menu in the U4, where you find Oscam and Servers and other things i don't understand.
To access this menu, on the remote press: Menu > 2580 > INFO

You will be greeted with the following screen

**serdar22** · 20-03-16, 08:22 AM

hi
I have download the SDK file from but after this my box is killed or dead! after the recovery freeze the box on starting menü
I do not understand why publish this chinese untested firmware on their Forum.

there all Firmware unstable!

**ol' boy** · 20-03-16, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by serdar22

hi
I have download the SDK file from but after this my box is killed or dead! after the recovery freeze the box on starting menü
I do not understand why publish this chinese untested firmware on their Forum.

there all Firmware unstable!

As we have no idea exactly what you have done
Maybe take your issue up with the manufacturer or make a post on the forum you got the firmware from.

I have upgraded firmware twice with no issues
Now testing a firmware that is not public yet, and once again, no issues.

I have never got anything Chinese as you describe
You problem does not seem to be represented by the wider U4 community

**serdar22** · 20-03-16, 08:46 AM

after my Problem there have removed the sdk file! they have upload today SDK 62 Firmware im download this on the box after this freeze the box wen i go to OSD menu
after recovery the box load and loading endless and freeze
bought $ 119 for nothing

**ol' boy** · 20-03-16, 08:47 AM

Playstore and Apps

Playstore comes Pre-Installed and working (unlike some other boxes)
The box comes up in Playstore as "Hisilicon Hi3796MV100"

Some of our popular Apps are not compatible at present
ABC iview and World Surfing League are 2 i have found that are not compatible

Yet, SBS On Demand and Dream Droid are
So it might be a case of suck it and see

Shame i couldn't get ABC iview to work though
(although there is a pirate version which works)

Side Load Apps

Side loading Apps also works
Whether the App is compatible with the CPU in the U4 is another thing
But you can Side Load successfully
You will need a File Managing App like Total Commander or Similar to search for and install side loaded apps

**ol' boy** · 20-03-16, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by serdar22

after my Problem there have removed the sdk file! they have upload today SDK 62 Firmware im download this on the box after this freeze the box wen i go to OSD menu
after recovery the box load and loading endless and freeze
bought $ 119 for nothing

Have you downloaded the correct firmware for this exact box?

Start a post on their support forum, this is a unboxing and review thread

Judging by your posts here and at smartstb, i'd slow down and post in english with details.

**fandtm666** · 20-03-16, 09:29 AM

has been a long time since i have bought a toy to play with mate and this
review has me thinking about the good old days to the point im considering grabbing
one of these units.

One thing i would like to ask you to try and that is to see if foxtel go app will install
and work on the unit.

cheers
666

**ol' boy** · 20-03-16, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by diavalo13666

One thing i would like to ask you to try and that is to see if foxtel go app will install
and work on the unit.

Yes
Installs and works

**fandtm666** · 20-03-16, 09:55 AM

nice thanks for that makes it even more interesting now

**ol' boy** · 20-03-16, 10:00 AM

PVR function

Press the "record" button on remote
Use the arrows to set up your recording destination if it is your first time.
I set it up to record on a NAS over wired LAN.
Recording will then start
To stop recording, just hit the stop button

On my NAS, the U4 created a "pvr" folder
With in that folder it will create a folder for each channel you record from, eg: "9HD Melbourne"
With in that folder you will find your recording and subsequent recordings under that channel.

Recordings are saved as .ts files
They will have an attached .ids file, as with E2 systems.

For those looking for a guide to PVR set up, look here.

I tested the PVR function with 3 HD TV channels, all recorded to NAS, all worked smoothly, with no issues caused to the U4 box.
I then check the recordings via my laptop and accessed the NAS.

I have not found an easy to playback recordings that have been saved to a NAS
If you attach a USB drive, playback is simple, it is all from the PVR menu in the U4 (doesn't seem to support NAS though)

**Dishtrackted** · 20-03-16, 11:01 AM

Great review Im going to buy 1 maybe 2

**mandc** · 20-03-16, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by oceanboy

Firmware Upgrade

1. Download Firmware
2. Copy to USB stick in root
3. Plug into U4
4. Follow Menu to System Upgrade
5. Done

I just upgraded the firmware in less then 40 seconds

Where did you get your firmware and which version?
I saw some on smartstb.net but they seem to be for the US model with a different terrestrial tuner and the latest seems to be dec 2015.

Mine hasn't arrived yet but I want to update when it does.

**mandc** · 20-03-16, 11:37 AM

double post

**ol' boy** · 20-03-16, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by mandc

Where did you get your firmware and which version?
I saw some on smartstb.net but they seem to be for the US model with a different terrestrial tuner and the latest seems to be dec 2015.

Mine hasn't arrived yet but I want to update when it does.

I am running a version thats not public yet, it has a few bugs, so i'd stick to what is public for now.
Its all in the thread i linked above.

In fact, there is nothing wrong with the firmware it came shipped with, i'd leave it as you find it until you actually find a need to update.
Because, if you start having issues, you will wonder, was it the update or the app you loaded etc

Sometimes it is easier to just do one step at a time and see what the effects are.