After posting on xda-forums the other day I was pointed to this page. Umax is Noontec’s distributor in the Czech Republic and have published a couple firmwares that Noontec haven’t. They are:
- 8/11/2011 (probably what was preinstalled on my device?)
- 1.1.06 29/11/2011 (also published by Noontec, the firmware I’m currently using)
- 1.2.04
I’m yet to try the 1.2.04 myself, but I will soon and naturally I’ll blog about it.
I have made some small steps in rooting the Noontec… in that realizing root is available by default through the adb shell when connected via USB to a PC.
I also realized that the /system partition on the Noontec firmware is cramfs, and therefore read only, and therefore I cannot modify it even with Super User installed. This seems like an absolutely stupid move by Noontec considering the device’s tech specs mention it has 2GB of NAND memory (so its capable of being in a writeable format) and the advantages of root on Android include things like playback of videos over CIFS network shares (which would be a target market for a “Smart TV Box”).
It seems like I’ll have to work on my own firmware image. I’m just a little fearful of this considering the Noontec also lacks a /recovery partition which makes the recovery menus non-existent.
Hi, I am glad to find some other users of the noontec A9 box.
Am I right in assuming that to connect the box and PC using the USB device port that you have to change the setting .I think mine is currently set to Host?
I am using windowsXPpro on the PC but it is at the other end of the house away from the box. Do you or does anyone else know what to do with the VPN settings and those of windows to enable the box to be networked, i think I have read that the ESexplorer android app can also be used.
Connecting to your PC via USB is primarily intended so you can access some of the A9′s internal storage as if it were a memory card or USB flash drive directly attached to your PC. The other use is the adb shell (advanced android users, and probably how rooting will be solved).
ESExplorer is the only method I know of to play media that is stored on your PC. And you have to do that over the ethernet cable.
ESExplorer works fine to play media over wireless.
I’m also using bsplayer to play avi and mkv files off my server – also wireless.
I’ve installed the 1.2.04 firmware. No exciting changes I can see. It apears upnp is added, not DLNA as suggested on the umax.cz web site.
Would you be able to tell me the kernel version of 1.2.04 firmware?
Kernel version is 2.6.32.27
Steve, have you installed bsplayer on the A9 ? What are the audio tracks of the MKV files – are they AC3 .
cheers
Hey,
I’ve just put the new firmware (1.2) on my A9 – apart from some good cosmetic improvements (the status bar is in better proportion on the tv), I’ve found that this update has somehow triggered videos streamed from my NAS to work properly.
Haven’t tried to root it yet on this version (I had the same difficulties as yourself).
Hi Criten – the mkv files are AC3 audio, H.264 video. About 1G file size.
I’m playing them with bsplayer.
just checked – they play fine using ES File Explorer with the default movie player too.
Edit to that last comment – you might need to update the video player.
The apk file is here:
http://www.umax.cz/download/drivers/DH/A9_VideoPlayer_app.rar
The web site (in Czech) is here:
http://umax.cz/index.php?modul=produkty&strana=detail_podpora&cislo=UMNP00178&skupina_zbozi=DH-NON&kategorie=DH&stare_cislo=UMNP00178
Anyone managed to get Skype Video working yet?
Well it should work… the retail box advertises Skype functionality.
thanks steve, ihave loaded the updated video player app . it works fine for me now. have just bought a new tv so looking forward to trying it out properly tomorrow. i am still using the 1.1.06 upgrade.
where did you get the 1.2.04 ? i have been given a camera so i will als try to get skype working.
cheers
Hi Ian – the link to the 1.2.04 firmware is in the original post. It’s off the same Czech website as the video player. I’m not sure that includes the updated video player. You might need to reinstall it after the firmware.
Hi All! Greetings from Barcelona, Spain. I got the same model from Woxter. 2 days playing around but didn’t managed to run Skype. Please share your experience with Skype. cu
Wel … Got an answer from the distributor. There will be an specific webcam towards the end of the month. Someone with more luck than me?
The firmware from umax.cz is unfinished, I wouldn’t recommend using it just yet personally as I’ve found it less stable. It also has not been tailored to the A9 entirely as things like cellular modem settings and operator selection etc. are still present. I hope someone comes out with a custom ROM for this soon as it’s a bit hampered as it is… I’m used to my lovely ZTE Blade with Cyanogenmod – it’s a shame that Noontec have set up the OS for the A9 as they have… especially as the firmware updates mean a complete wipe of settings each time and a proper backup tool needs root. Room for improvement but I’m nevertheless very happy so far
When I navigate to USB it says USB “Unmounted” – could that be reason nothing can be read/viewed from USB memory? Where dous it access camera from for Skype video?How do I get access to USB memory stick? Neither of the two options work in USB settings as it always defaults back to master mode? Absolutely useless on screen instruction manual and no hard copy supplied!
This might be of interest:
http://www.slatedroid.com/topic/19808-rk29xx-imagetools-v21/page__st__60
Hi
Just bought one of these. How is it streaming online video from bbc iplayer for example?
It seems fine to me, although iPlayer and some other programs look specifically for “wifi” connection and completely ignore ethernet, so if you’re plugged in then you’re out of luck for the moment at least.
I’ve been streaming video over my network and from youtube etc. and rarely notice a problem though
Noontec has released new firmware A9_V1.2.06_en.zip on their web site.
Uhh see http://www.criten.org/2012/02/noontec-publishes-v1-2-06-firmware-for-a9/ ?
hi,
just wondered if anyone knows how to get the bbc iplayer working. iplayers need flash player 10.1 or above. i`ve checked all the android sites but can only find flash11 which android market tells me isnt compatable with my device ?????.
have updated the firmware to v1.2.06 but noticed no changes.
@bennet. I’m on 1.2.06 and I’ve got flash 11.1 installed. You must be doing it wrong
@Bennet
try dl a .apk file for flash, flash for me never worked out of the box even with the second update but I installed higher version of flash through apk just google it, got a question my daughter has broke the wireless keyboard that came with it will any type of wireless keyboard with touch pad work? Like that Logitech one with the 3.5″ touch pad that looks ace .