Support for TV Boxes with Amlogic S905X4

[calusbr]

I’m using the DEVMFC version [https://github.com/devmfc/debian-on-amlogic]. Additionally, I took the `/boot` partition and copied all the files from the Devmfc_Ubuntu-Oracular_6.12.11-meson64_Minimal-25.01.24.img.xz image. Then, I downloaded the same version available from the Armbian community, but with a graphical interface: Armbian_community_25.5.0-trunk.4_Aml-s9xx-box_noble_current_6.12.12_xfce_desktop.img.xz.

 

I first flashed the Armbian image onto a USB drive. Then, in the `/boot` partition, I moved all existing root files into a `/backup` folder. After that, I copied the files from the DEVMFC version into the root of the `/boot` partition on the USB drive.

 

Surprisingly, when I tried to boot this setup on a TV Box similar to the Vontar X4, which has an S905X4 processor, it actually booted! It prompted me to create a root password, a regular user, set the language, and select a time zone. Then, it successfully launched into X for the graphical interface. However, it seems that USB ports were either disabled, or the system froze—the login screen was visible, and the keyboard cursor was blinking, but no input was possible.

 

I believe this is a solid starting point for getting Armbian images with a graphical interface running on S905X4 (Meson SC2), S905W2 (Meson S4), and S905Y4 (Meson S4) processors. Even without hardware-accelerated graphics, it should still be usable for basic applications like Notepad, text editors, spreadsheets, calculators, terminal access, and other simple tasks.

 

Has anyone else made progress running Armbian on the S905X4?

[Amalia]

Just wanted to post the "news" here too

Will add the changelog from devmfc, maybe the devs can work with the informations

 

Quote

Update kernel to version 6.12.11

Add DRM/HDMI support for SC2 and S4 SoCs (S905X4, S905W2, S905Y4)!!!!
Amlogic has started upstreaming patches for DRM/HDMI support for the S4 platform.
I backported the first round of patches to the 6.12 kernel and added support for the SC2. It is now possible to run a graphical desktop on these boxes. However, in my opinion, these boxes are waaay too slow to use as a graphical desktop.

 

[calusbr]

@Amalia Could you share your image? To test on the batch of TV Boxes that I have, I would like to test these Boxes in graphic mode. I appreciate any help in advance!

[Amalia]

I think we both talk about the same Image?

The one from devmfc

https://github.com/devmfc/debian-on-amlogic