OTT TV box (Clone?) firmware upgrade M8S

[Seegoon]

Hi guys.
I have a tv box (not from Droid box unfortunately) that I am trying to upgrade the firmware from Android 4.4.2 to at least 5 , so I can use Kodi17 and up
Iv'e tried quite a few firmware files that "Look" to be the correct firmware , but no luck. Some do update , but the wifi or remote then does not work. Also they still show 4.4.2 as the version number.Some temporarily bricked the box , but recoverable. This was bought from a 3rd party in China most likely , so support is obviously a no go :0(
There are no markings on the pcb that I can see. I realise these things can have various wifi chipsets as well just to make things easier :0) It's going to be hardwired , so I'm not to fussed if wifi breaks and everything else is ok. I'm attaching some pictures of the box , and one of them is a screenshot of my last firmware update attempt. It shows this is a "n200C_m8_dz" device. any idea if I can get a firmware update for this device?
The bootscreen shows it as a Amlogic quad core S812 device.
any help or pointers appreciated.

Cheers
Seegoon
Out of interest , is there a reason why you must not upgrade the firmware from within the OS?
If you go to settings , system update and choose upgrade and then select the file on SD or USB it seems to go through the same process as doing the "hold reset pin , and repower" option. Is there any real difference?
I realise that if you have already bricked your box the first option is obviously not available to you :0)

 

[Nigelar]

Hello.
Technically android 5 should run on the amlogic s812 chip. (This is not the case for the s802 chip)
The problem, as you have found, it finding an appropriate firmware. Even given the same name there may be subtle differences in the chip architecture which compromise a seemingly workable f/w.
The normal place to look is the freaktab site but I guess you have already been there given the number of unsuccessful attempts you've had.

However, all is not lost. Several clever people have re-engineered Kodi to provide kodi17 type functionality for older machines. Examples include Cemc (from google play), ftmc (from the freaktabs site) and mygica (from the entertainment box). I run the first successfully on an older 4.4.2 android box.

Regarding OTA updates, most newer boxes including those from Droidbox, support ota (over the air) updating from within the OS.

 

[Seegoon]

Thanks for the help. I have tried freaktab , but I'll keep trying. There are so many variations I think it's going to be a long haul :0(
I have 2 of these boxes. Is it possible to "read" the firmware out of an original box. I can then reflash the box I'm experimenting on
if I don't find what I want?
Cheers

 

[sean99]

Hi have you tried the 5.1.1 f/w from chinagadgets? Get it from here:- https://goo.gl/PWrKGS
Or Megatron f/w from here:- https://goo.gl/4x9vBW
If those fail entertainment box have their own 4.4.2 f/w with their working kodi 17.1 version from here:-
https://goo.gl/q3rtB4 Goodluck!

 

[Seegoon]

Thanks. I'll try the first 2. I've tried the last one , boots but no wifi :0(
Any idea if it's possible to read the firmware out of a working box?
Cheers

 

[sean99]

Thanks. I'll try the first 2. I've tried the last one , boots but no wifi :0(
Any idea if it's possible to read the firmware out of a working box?
Cheers

Not sure thats possible at all to clone a f/w but good luck

 

[ChrisM]

@Seegoon If you can find and install a compatible TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) to your Android device, you might be able to use it to backup your existing firmware, then install TWRP on the 2nd device and "restore" the 1st machine's firmware to it.

https://twrp.me/
https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-install-twrp/
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.twrp.twrpapp

As ever, be careful and only attempt if hard bricking the device won't cause too many sleepless nights!