24 replies to this topic

[fced]

Hello,

I downloaded the latest stable Openpli release for the Octagon SF8008, but i how should I flash the receiver ?

I have found upgrade procedure tutorlals on internet, but they speak of a Octagon folder + usb_update.bin, and in the Openpli release there is no Octagon folder...

 

Any help please ? Should i create the Octagon folder on the USB stick and put everythig in it ?

I really don't want to brick the box.

Thanks

 

[WanWizard]

The SF8008 is a multiboot box with a system partition which has its own menu (sometimes called recovery menu).

 

There are two zip files available, the USB one contains both the system partition and the OpenPLi image, and flashing that will erase everything in flash (so other multiboot images you may have installed), the Multiboot one allows you to install OpenPLi in one of the multiboot slots without touching the other slots.

 

So the first question is, which of these do you want to flash, because the procedure is different.

[fced]

The SF8008 is a multiboot box with a system partition which has its own menu (sometimes called recovery menu).

 

There are two zip files available, the USB one contains both the system partition and the OpenPLi image, and flashing that will erase everything in flash (so other multiboot images you may have installed), the Multiboot one allows you to install OpenPLi in one of the multiboot slots without touching the other slots.

 

So the first question is, which of these do you want to flash, because the procedure is different.

Hi Wanwizard,

Thank you for your answer,

I would prefer Multiboot, so I could continue to explore the OpenATV image installed on it...

[fced]

But if erasing the image installed on the box is the only way to install Openpli, no problem.

[WanWizard]

You can download the multiboot zip, and use the flash option in OpenATV to flash it into a free slot?

 

Alternatively, you can boot the box into the system or recovery menu, and flash a slot from there:

1. Power off the receiver using the back on/off switch.
2. Ensure no other USB devices are plugged in to the receiver.
3. Insert the USB stick containing the multiboot image in to the rear USB port.
4. Hold down the front Standby button, then Power the receiver on using the back on/off switch.
5. Release the front button when ‘updt’ appears on front display of the receiver.
6.  Wait for the recovery menu to appear on TV,

Then from the menu select a free slot and flash it.

[fced]

In OpenATV Menus -> Multiboot Manager -> I only have option to remove, not install

 

I downloaded the latest Openpli multiboot zip, unzipped it and put the Octagon folder on the usb key, then I followed your steps, but after the UPDT message on the front led, nothing happened.
It is stuck on "NECO" message on the front Panel, and nothing appear on the TV.

Any idea ?

Thanks

 

Seem more tricky than flashing the VuZero/Solo/DM800, or may be I am getting old.

Edited by fced, 11 January 2022 - 08:49.

[fced]

It is weird, because If I choose to flash online, I can install an OpenATV image on one of the two slots, but If i view the Multiboot manager in Menus, i have only the option to remove (delete -> Define 6.3, i don't even see the current image).

[fced]

OMG This is completely different than the other boxes I kew, Correct OCTAGON SF8008 flash procedure for Newbies is :

1 : Format usb stick FAT 32

2: Create an "Image" folder on the USB Stick

3 : Download an Openpli Multiboot image, and DO NOT UNZIP IT, put the .Zip in the Image folder

4 : Plug the USB Stick on the back of the OCTAGON SF8008

5 : In Menu -> Software Management -> Flash online -> Locale File (the upper option which correspond to the files downloaded on your USB Stick)

6 : Choose upgrade, with backup or without, better to clean install without restoring backup for a diferent image.

 

Now I still don't understand why the Recovery mode don't show when i Press the front Button while powering the box, may be it have something to do with the fact the 2160 resolution seem not working on my TV and this box, only 2160 30. 

[Dimitrij]

 

Now I still don't understand why the Recovery mode don't show when i Press the front Button while powering the box

It looks like it is not, just as it is not in DUAL 4K.

At least I couldn't do it.

Although SF8008 is here

https://github.com/o...liance/bootmenu

Edited by Dimitrij, 11 January 2022 - 10:28.

[fced]

After i Installed Openpli, and decided to try to boot in recovery mode (from Openpli Menu), the box is stuck in recovery mode, with "MECO" on screen, but the problem is now I can't exit this mode and boot Openpli or any other image.

Any help please ?
PS : the message on the TV mean no signal.

 

Edited by fced, 11 January 2022 - 10:52.

[stro11]

Hi fced,

 

If you download an image, then copy the image to a usb device (format fat32), and you can install the image via the Recovery Menu. (screenshot 1)

 

Or you can Install an Image online, if your box is connected to the internet via the LAN interface. (screenshot 2)

You can select an Image that you want to install (screenshot 3), and you can select a (free) Multiboot slot. (screenshot 4)

After that you select "Start Upgrade" and the image is installed.

 

If you use openATV or openEight you can also install an image via the Flash Manager.

If you copy your downloaded image to: /media/hdd/Images or /media/hdd/Downloaded_Images, you can select the image in the Flash Manager.(screenshots 5 & 6)

 

regards

stro11

Attached Files

•  USB_Multiboot_Image_Upgrade.jpg   77.54KB   19 downloads
•  Network_Multiboot_Image_Upgrade.jpg   77.58KB   11 downloads
•  Network_Multiboot_Upgrade_image_selection.jpg   79.14KB   11 downloads
•  Network_Multiboot_Upgrade_slot_selection.jpg   79.92KB   7 downloads
•  Flash_Online.png   685.56KB   10 downloads
•  Flash_Online_2.png   698.53KB   8 downloads

Edited by stro11, 11 January 2022 - 11:02.

[fced]

Thank you, but now the box is stuck on recovery mode,

While I was on Openpli, i decided to try to "boot in recovery mode" from Openpli menu, and since the box is stuck in recovery each time i power it up.

Nothing on my two TV except "NO SIGNAL".

 

I only would like to boot it on an image, any image installed, does anybody know how do I exit recovery mode to boot on one of the installed images please ?

 

PS : As I said, i tried the recovery mode (Front button + Power with back button until updt show on LED screen), but nothing appear on my TV (No Signal), Should this Recovery menu appear on the TV even if there is no compatible USB Stick plugged in the box? but main problem is Exiting the recovery mode.

 

Apologies but i am starting to panic a bit.

Edited by fced, 11 January 2022 - 11:49.

[stro11]

It looks like there is something wrong with the software that you have installed now.

You have to enter the Recovery Menu in a different way, @WanWizard explained that in post #5

 

1. Power off the receiver using the back on/off switch.
2. Ensure no other USB devices are plugged in to the receiver.
3. Insert the USB stick containing the multiboot image in to the rear USB port.
4. Hold down (keep pressed) the front Standby button, then Power the receiver on using the back on/off switch.
5. Release the front button when ‘updt’ appears on front display of the receiver.
6.  Wait for the recovery menu to appear on TV

 

regards

stro11 

[fced]

OMG it worked, After i returned the Octagon on my Main TV, and powered the TV,  i finally have the recovery menu on screen.

Edited by fced, 11 January 2022 - 11:56.

[fced]

It looks like there is something wrong with the software that you have installed now.

You have to enter the Recovery Menu in a different way, @WanWizard explained that in post #5

 

1. Power off the receiver using the back on/off switch.
2. Ensure no other USB devices are plugged in to the receiver.
3. Insert the USB stick containing the multiboot image in to the rear USB port.
4. Hold down (keep pressed) the front Standby button, then Power the receiver on using the back on/off switch.
5. Release the front button when ‘updt’ appears on front display of the receiver.
6.  Wait for the recovery menu to appear on TV

 

regards

stro11 

I was in recovery mode, but nothing showed on my TV (NO SIGNAL), It is only after i returned the box to my main TV, powered the Octagon first, then powered the TV 3 minutes later it worked...

Could it be a non supported TV Signal ? I have no idea.

[stro11]

 

It looks like there is something wrong with the software that you have installed now.

You have to enter the Recovery Menu in a different way, @WanWizard explained that in post #5

 

1. Power off the receiver using the back on/off switch.
2. Ensure no other USB devices are plugged in to the receiver.
3. Insert the USB stick containing the multiboot image in to the rear USB port.
4. Hold down (keep pressed) the front Standby button, then Power the receiver on using the back on/off switch.
5. Release the front button when ‘updt’ appears on front display of the receiver.
6.  Wait for the recovery menu to appear on TV

 

regards

stro11 

I was in recovery mode, but nothing showed on my TV (NO SIGNAL), It is only after i returned the box to my main TV, powered the Octagon first, then powered the TV 3 minutes later it worked...

Could it be a non supported TV Signal ? I have no idea.

 

 

I don't know why that happens, but atleast you have the Recovery Menu now.

If you have an image installed and working, you can make some tests to see if the tv or box still shows the same behaviour. 

Edited by stro11, 11 January 2022 - 12:08.

[fced]

 

 

It looks like there is something wrong with the software that you have installed now.

You have to enter the Recovery Menu in a different way, @WanWizard explained that in post #5

 

1. Power off the receiver using the back on/off switch.
2. Ensure no other USB devices are plugged in to the receiver.
3. Insert the USB stick containing the multiboot image in to the rear USB port.
4. Hold down (keep pressed) the front Standby button, then Power the receiver on using the back on/off switch.
5. Release the front button when ‘updt’ appears on front display of the receiver.
6.  Wait for the recovery menu to appear on TV

 

regards

stro11 

I was in recovery mode, but nothing showed on my TV (NO SIGNAL), It is only after i returned the box to my main TV, powered the Octagon first, then powered the TV 3 minutes later it worked...

Could it be a non supported TV Signal ? I have no idea.

 

 

I don't know why that happens, but atleast you have the Recovery Menu now.

If you have an image installed and working, you can make some tests to see if the tv or box still shows the same behaviour. 

 

Weirdly this problem didn't happen when the box was completely booted in Openpli or OpenATV, on Openpli 2160 (4K mode was not working, i had a black screen), and on OpenATV 4K 2160 30 (not sure what 30 is) was working perfectly, but if i wanted to test different images, it was because i have a problem with a plugin which is not working (not working on OpenATV 6.4 and on Openpli latest version), but I am not sure if it is allowed to speak about softcam on Openpli forum (Can we ? )

Edited by fced, 11 January 2022 - 12:55.

[WanWizard]

You can speak about anything that isn't illegal or commercial .

[fced]

You can speak about anything that isn't illegal or commercial .

Understood

 

After I rebooted in recovery mode, another time i got no signal on TV, until i remove the HDMI cable, and reconnect it.

It seem working now, thanks to everybody for your help ...

 

By the way, something i should have asked before I got this Box, was it a good replacement for my VuZero ? I mean it is the first time i heard about Octagon, is it a good brand/setop-box ?

[WanWizard]

90% if not more of the brands out there are OEM brands: distributors that have a box made, usually from a pre-existing design, with their own logo (and sometimes a different casing).

 

There are only a few hardware manufacturers, mainly in china.

 

Now that Broadcom seems to have left the OEM market for SoC chipsets, the only one left (that we support) is HiSilicon, a Huawei brand. 

 

Most boxes on the market therefore use the same few SoC's that are available, and the design and features are all similar.

 

As for the SF8008, it is identical to the Gigablue Trio 4K, the Ustym 4K Pro, and I'm pretty sure the Qviart Dual and the Zgemma H9 too (if not, the slept in the same bed ). In many cases, the only difference is drivers (as the SDK is supplied by the manifacturer, but the OEM needs to compile and tune the drivers themselfs).

 

Octagon is a brand focussing on Germany, hardware that in many other countries is branded Mutant (the Octagon AX series is the same as the Mutant HD series).

 

I think VU+ is struggling with what to do at the moment, as they were a large and dedicated Broadcom customer, and since they're not bsaed in China, I wonder if they will make the switch to HiSilicon too...