X88 Pro 20 (RK3566) Set top box

[AlwinLub]

Hello,

 

Software developer (web) from the Netherlands here.

Just picked up a "X88 Pro 20" box from AliExpress: Link to AliExpress. I'm wondering if it is any good and if it will run armbian. I've looked at several other SoC's, but this one looked quite nice, especially at this price point (49 euros). I needed a bit more GPU power and RAM because i'm planning to do a electron (chromium+node.js) based home control app for the thing.

 

If somebody got armbian working with some features (hardware acceleration is quite important), i would be thankful if you would like to share your thoughts and methods on how to install it since i'm (very) new to this whole SoC/SoB thing. I've just placed my order and it will arrive in about 4-10 days. I am always happy to test builds for it.

 

Thanks so much, and have a nice week.

- Alwin

 

 

Edited August 25, 2021 by AlwinLub

[SteeMan]

moved to the TV Box's forum

[therealbene]

Hi, I'm interested in this particular TV box as well. Where I live, these TV boxes sells for 1/3 the price of Raspberry Pi 4. I'm trying to find a cheap SBC to be used as NAS and USB audio sink. Would be helpful if you could share your experience. 

[yknot7]

Here are the steps: This will remove android from the system entirely USE AT YOUR OWN RISK

 

1) Get the debian firmware and SD Firmware Tool from here https://en.t-firefly.com/doc/download/page/id/93.html

2) Burn the debian firmware onto a sdcard using update firmware checked in the sdtool. This creates a FAT partition and adds a .img file

3) Boot into recovery and go to fastboot > System Recovery

4) you will get a prompt sd_update and wait till it is done

5) eject the sdcard

6) Now got to https://disk.yandex.ru/d/JXi9c6YUxpn46A and download the .img file and burn it to the sdcard using balena

7) Once done insert the sdcard into a linux machine and open the boot folder

8 ) take the .dtb file and drop it in the /boot/dtb/rockchip folder from here https://fastupload.io/en/NiNDQTV5toCFPA1/file

9) go back to the boot folder > extlinux > extlinux.conf and change the dtb line to devicetree.dtb

10) in the same file change the root device by removing the UUID and replace it with /dev/mmcblk2p6

11) save the file and remove sdcard

12) insert the sdcard back in the x88 pro 20 and it will boot into the debian system username root pass firefly

 

ENJOY! I assume someone smarter than me will figure out how to boot into the system without the sd card inserted all the time. If you do please post.

 

If you want to go back to stock android use https://drive.google.com/file/d/14dx01V70W8ONYPMa2kGURuooJ_zZ_Scx/edit and burn onto sdcard using the SDTool above, but this time select SD Boot

 

 

 

 

[BrunoMerz]

I‘m Not able to download devicetree.dtb

could you please add a new link to it 

[tmm1]

You can use the same instructions as t95plus.com

[yknot7]

Here you go, updated .dtb devicetree.dtb

Edited August 10, 2023 by yknot7