BETA OpenELEC Update (LibreELEC) For DroidBOX T8-S Plus

[ChrisM]

Whilst you can still use this method to update OpenELEC on your T8-S Plus if you have the old firmware, the easiest method (and involving Android updates as well) is to use the OTA Updates application on your device.

Announcement post

For checking if a repeatable issue has been reported already, please use here


This is not yet an official update.

Should this firmware work well, there is still no OpenELEC vs LibreELEC official policy. I suspect if/when they both have Kodi 16.x + it'll be a case of whatever works best (stable/behaving), but that is a personal assumption.

Installing this may lead to new problems being discovered, which may not be immediately fixable. Read the entire thread before doing anything.

We offer this firmware to interested parties who are happy to provide feedback regarding new issues found.

If all goes well, this update (or one very similar) will be made available and achieve official status.


THIS FIRMWARE IS FOR DROIDBOX T8-S PLUS DEVICES ONLY.


Don't own a T8-S Plus? Don't flash this please, you'll invalidate your warranty.

Don't know what the name of your device is?
It is possible you shouldn't flash the firmware then.

Still want to continue?
Click the Settings icon on your homescreen.

If you see a colourful tabbed interface, it isn't a T8-S Plus, do don't apply this firmware.

If you see a monochrome like interface, it is probably a T8 Mini or T8-S Plus. Scroll and look for the "About" entry and click it, the model should be listed there.

Requirements:
SD memory card or USB storage device. Always better to flash from an otherwise empty, and freshly formatted storage device. If you don't, any files lost during the process are not DroidBOX's responsibility. FAT or FAT32 partitions will work. You could experiment with others, but why risk deviating from safe approach.

Filed down match or sturdy cocktail stick. Paperclips/thin biros do work, but be careful to not push too hard, scratch the case or inadvertently short-circuit internal circuitry.


Still here?
OK, please download h**ps://droidboxcloud.co.uk/index.php/s/GkdluPWrG5zjm6n OLD LINK

Same file, new expiration date for the download itself - DOWNLOAD ME

Copy this file to your memory card or USB storage device. Just the ZIP file ( LibreELEC-DroidBOX.arm-T8SPlus-7.0.2-update.zip ) you have downloaded. If you accidentally extracted the contents and now have files and folders instead, go back and copy JUST the ZIP file.

Eject the memory card or USB device from your PC safely.

Turn off your T8-S Plus device.

Hold down the recovery button on the right hand side of the device. Do not let go.

Once you can see the Android Recovery menu, select
APPLY UPDATE FROM EXT

Now, if you are using an SD memory card, select
UPDATE FROM SDCARD
If you're using a USB storage device, select UPDATE FROM UDISK

Select the LibreELEC-DroidBOX.arm-T8SPlus-7.0.2-update.zip file

 

[ChrisM]

Allow the process to complete

Select the reboot option

You should see a new boot logo, as the OpenELEC operating system has now been replaced by LibreELEC.

If you see a iceberg/cloud wallpaper when you next boot to Android, don't panic. Click the spoiler button to confirm the appearance matches yours.

Spoiler

Power off your T8-S Plus, turn it on again and you should find the Android launcher has started correctly now.

Included below are some screenshots showing LibreELEC's version (7.0.2) and the corresponding Kodi build (16.1)

 

[ChrisM]

This post is for you if you find you're unable to access the Recovery menu for some reason. If that is your scenario, click the "Spoiler" button below.

Spoiler

You can still get there using an application called "Reboot". Click the circle with six dots and scroll down to this application.

If you've not used it before, you will need to wait around six seconds until the follow request pops up (you have about 4 seconds to respond). Click the GRANT button.

If all went well, you'll see a window with several options. You need to click the Reboot to recovery entry, then confirm you're certain.

Once you see the Android recovery menu, carry on with the original instructions in the first post above.

 

[ChrisM]

Things to note with this firmware:

To switch to Android, click on the LibreELEC shortcut found under the System menu, and scroll down the menu presented.
If you have installed a new pack or skin, then you can access this via your skin's Program/Program Add-ons shortcut.

THIS IS A BETA FIRMWARE.
Your add-ons should stay in place, Android should not be involved beyond the reboot required if the iceberg appears. That said, it is possible that both Android and LibreELEC will be totally wiped, or you will need to do this to recover from a fault.
In extreme and unlikely cases, your device may need to be returned to our London office for repair. We will cover the cost of reconfiguring and returning to you if instructions above were followed, but you may be without your device for some days.
Do not flash this firmware if you're not content with this possibility.
Flashing the right ZIP file to the right device should see you with LibreELEC 7.0.2 which brings Kodi 16.1 to the table. You may need to uninstall and reinstall some add-ons if expected Kodi 16.x requiring features still don't work.


You will find OpenELEC referred to in the shutdown image when you switch from Android (you can use the same DroidBOX Switch app for this). Purely cosmetic, the information shown within System Info and LibreELEC Config are correct. The image is just that, a simple graphic.

Surround sound, 4K video playback and automatic refresh rate change has not been tested (for 4K videos, only a 1080p monitor so far).

The remote control previously found within OpenELEC still works. With your DroidBOX on the same network as your PC/tablet/phone, you can visit http://libreelec (not https://liberelec as shown in the GUI) and no username or password is required. If you prefer, you can swap "librelec" to the IP address assigned to your device at the time/the one you set should you turn off DHCP and manually configure your WiFi/Ethernet connection within LibreELEC.
You can of course use Kore, Yatse or your preferred Kodi remote control application, if the requisite services are enabled.

[edit]
Thanks Sean and Wahed for pointing out missing info regarding likely status of add-ons post flash

 

[ChrisM]

OK, link is live, thread's initial posts are complete.

I will most likely fudge the terms at time, and type out OpenELEC when I mean LibreELEC. It comes from having typed out OE so many times in the past, I apologize in advance for confusion. People meaning "Kodi" still call it XBMC (the old name) sometimes, so hopefully this won't cause issues.

Please report here any issues found with the firmware.
Please note that bluetooth still doesn't work - this and some other issues are beyond DroidBOX's control, and will require changes from the LibreELEC team.

To learn more about LibreELEC, please visit https://libreelec.tv/
Things seem to have calmed down a lot with OE vs LE now, https://libreelec.tv/about/ has a measured tone in the references to the older OE project.

 

[Wahed v]

Great news in the morning ☺☺ but this going to wipe everything in my DroidBOX and delete all my data !! Right ?!

 

[sean99]

Great news in the morning ☺☺ but this going to wipe everything in my DroidBOX and delete all my data !! Right ?!

No it just installs LibreElec over openelec, whatever build/config you have now in o e will still be there after update.

 

[Wahed v]

No it just installs LibreElec over openelec, whatever build you have now in o e will still be there after update.

Great will try it tonight

 

[StringyMCFC]

Happy to try this tonight too. Feedback can be posted here right? Or does it go elsewhere?

 

[ChrisM]

We can try at here , but unless we close this thread, there'll end up with feedback in here as well

[edit]
Sniff. Ruined already . Beautiful structure planned out, and dashed to pieces already.

 

[Eddyad]

Openelec works fine if you install fusion and run the Linux tvaddons wizard and then run ares tweaks.

 

[ChrisM]

Thanks @Eddyad , this beta update is for people hunting for the latest Kodi build in OpenELEC/LibreELEC, but I don't doubt that many will stay on their existing version.

 

[Jack1948]

Tried to update t8_s pluss but when I click link it says file not found help please

 

[Jack1948]

maybe we got a update on the way

if you need the file i can upload it for you if you pm me i will give you the link.

 

[Jack1948]

maybe we got a update on the way

if you need the file i can upload it for you if you pm me i will give you the link.

Thanks for the file all done today not sure if I like the player think I might still use android (all went ok)

 

[skynet2001]

Can it be that the update to Libreelec, the performance of the box goes bad,slower and more hangups , anyone else who ahs the same problems

 

[Nigelar]

So far, people who have downloaded the official update are not reporting performance problems. Are you referring to the beta test version (as you are posting in that thread) or this weeks official update?
Is performance affected in android or Librelec or both?
Does the issue affect android apps (which ones) or Kodi?
If Kodi, android or Librelec version?
Any specific Addons?
The more information you provide the better it will be to help.

 

[skynet2001]

So far It appears only in Libre Elec.Android not tested.Question has update impact in Android settings

 

[skynet2001]

Tested Android works fine ,so appearently the problem is in Libreelec,any suggestion

 

[ChrisM]

If you've used a Wizard/build in LibreELEC (Wookie etc), it could be some entries in AdvancedSettings.xml or similar are causing issues. If you have the "Fresh Start" Program Add-on, run that please, once reset, reboot, then install JUST one video add-on manually. If the streams playback, let us know and we'll run through resetting AdvancedSettings.xml once the Wizard is run.