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Turning a TV set-top box into a Linux computer (2022)

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Re: Turning a TV set-top box into a Linux computer (2022)

#81

Post by wyldfire »

Klasiaster wrote: post #39

You can also get a similar board with that CPU here: https://libre.computer/products/aml-s905x-cc/ It's optimized for mainline Linux and since u-boot supports UEFI booting, you can just throw a downloaded Fedora arm64 image on it and it will boot.

I've had trouble sourcing reliable SD cards for these SBCs. I have had the Le Potato, ODROIDs, RasPis. And they will generally work really well 98% of the time. But I keep them in a closet and I hate that I need to service them once a year or so. I tried buying SD cards from several different retailers and never got reliable results like from SATA SSDs (or even rotating disks it seems).

I eventually just bought an intel NUC which I saw as a big defeat but also a remarkably practical solution.

Re: Turning a TV set-top box into a Linux computer (2022)

#82

Post by Jasper_ »

Klasiaster wrote: post #39

You can also get a similar board with that CPU here: https://libre.computer/products/aml-s905x-cc/ It's optimized for mainline Linux and since u-boot supports UEFI booting, you can just throw a downloaded Fedora arm64 image on it and it will boot.

Oh hey, the Amlogic chips. I worked for a company that wanted to turn an Amlogic S805 STB kit into a Linux computer. I think the reason that it works fairly well out of the box is because of some of the drivers we contributed to the effort :)

Their display controller driver was fun to figure out. https://github.com/torvalds/linux/tree/master/drivers/gpu/dr...

Re: Turning a TV set-top box into a Linux computer (2022)

#84

Post by bigape911 »

vctrnk wrote: post #75
NKosmatos wrote: post #49

Vendors of STBs should unlock them so that we don't get so much e-waste. These boxes are most of the times locked, whereas they could be repurposed for many interesting uses (linux machines, android boxes, educational devices...), now they will be thrown away, remain in closets/garages or at the best be recycled. Tried to unlock my Vodafone TV box (Sagemcom DIW387 if I'm not mistaken), but with no luck since there is…

I won't hold my breath. From the article: > In theory, we might be asked to give this device back. In practice, these devices are written off as soon as they’re sent to customers. In my country, there are various ISPs with the same OEM boxes from SDMCtech. They went to the trouble of asking manufacturer to put a custom SDIO encryption chip onboard. If someone dares to touch the firmware and/or included apps (not syst…

Then when it's time to get rid of it, throw it back at their door step since it doesn't belong to you

Re: Turning a TV set-top box into a Linux computer (2022)

#85

Post by beebeepka »

NKosmatos wrote: post #49

Vendors of STBs should unlock them so that we don't get so much e-waste. These boxes are most of the times locked, whereas they could be repurposed for many interesting uses (linux machines, android boxes, educational devices...), now they will be thrown away, remain in closets/garages or at the best be recycled. Tried to unlock my Vodafone TV box (Sagemcom DIW387 if I'm not mistaken), but with no luck since there is…

Good luck with that. I just don't see Arris or Sagemcom opening up any time soon. These things are fairly locked down and drivers are tuned for specific things.

I spent a few years dealing with some of these STBs and yeah, they make great little computers. Such a waste. Just like smartphones,

Re: Turning a TV set-top box into a Linux computer (2022)

#86

Post by avidiax »

mschuster91 wrote: post #63
NKosmatos wrote: post #49

Vendors of STBs should unlock them so that we don't get so much e-waste. These boxes are most of the times locked, whereas they could be repurposed for many interesting uses (linux machines, android boxes, educational devices...), now they will be thrown away, remain in closets/garages or at the best be recycled. Tried to unlock my Vodafone TV box (Sagemcom DIW387 if I'm not mistaken), but with no luck since there is…

Most of the common STBs have piss poor performance because their specs are barely adequate as providers don't give a fuck about anything except BOM cost.

They are really excellent at decoding video, as you would expect. They can't run a 4k UI generally, however.

I think it's holding the industry back somewhat. Having a bit more power might make these boxes a home hub, a video calling device, a gaming device, or at least a bit future-proof.

One thing I like to do with Android TV devices is install tailscale on them. At least I can ADB to them from anywhere, and I can also setup the exit node. They use hardly any power, so it's a nice solution to have access to your home network or home internet connection.

Re: Turning a TV set-top box into a Linux computer (2022)

#87

Post by avidiax »

kasabali wrote: post #50
haolez wrote: post #48

I've worked with STB hardware before and they usually suck. The processors that I worked with were all from MIPS and it felt like all useful instructions were removed, except for the bare basics. Forget anything related to vectorization, for example. They were painfully slow.

These boxes generally utilize stock Cortex A53/A55 which are quite good IMO.

"Good" as in they can do anything slowly. A7x boxes won't struggle.

Re: Turning a TV set-top box into a Linux computer (2022)

#88

Post by avidiax »

tinus_hn wrote: post #40

Has anyone ever tried to find out how one can connect to the TV servers and how the DRM works? In the EU you’d be allowed to get the keys from the provider.

Sometimes it is just an app that knows where the streams are, and sometimes there is a devices attestation certificate burned into a TPM. The latter you are probably not going to hack, and even if you could, the various pirate IPTV providers will provide it for less cost if you value your time at minimum wage.

Re: Turning a TV set-top box into a Linux computer (2022)

#89

Post by NotYourLawyer »

wyldfire wrote: post #81
Klasiaster wrote: post #39

You can also get a similar board with that CPU here: https://libre.computer/products/aml-s905x-cc/ It's optimized for mainline Linux and since u-boot supports UEFI booting, you can just throw a downloaded Fedora arm64 image on it and it will boot.

I've had trouble sourcing reliable SD cards for these SBCs. I have had the Le Potato, ODROIDs, RasPis. And they will generally work really well 98% of the time. But I keep them in a closet and I hate that I need to service them once a year or so. I tried buying SD cards from several different retailers and never got reliable results like from SATA SSDs (or even rotating disks it seems). I eventually just bought an in…

SD cards are flaky in general.

Re: Turning a TV set-top box into a Linux computer (2022)

#90

Post by NotYourLawyer »

BizarroLand wrote: post #74
NegativeK wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Given how quickly support is dropped for consumer electronics, not opening up access to them is unacceptable. And that isn't really addressing the fact that many companies don't have the funding or the will to secure these devices.

I mean, if nothing else when the device reaches EOL what would it hurt to release a bootloader unlock?

“What would it hurt” is the wrong question. The question is “how would it profit them”?

If it wouldn’t, they have zero incentive to do it.

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