Dune HD Homatics Box R 4K Plus Revisited

This Android Dune Homatics R 4k Box is one of the best on the market. IF it supported the DTS-HD MA audio, it would definitely be a Nvidia Shield killer. At the less than $150 price point, I would get this box over the shield.

[@catalaman6157]

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN MY FRIEND YOU HELPED ME SO MUCH

[@clarkss12]

Thank you

[@SikSlayer]

Hope your holidays were good Ronnie! Shame this doesn't support DTS-HD MA, I think your conclusion is correct about it vs the NVIDIA Shield.

[@clarkss12]

I much prefer this device over the Shield.

[@yasabdul4962]

Hi Ronnie, thanks for this useful video. Does the dune box support installing IPTV apps, such as OTT navigator? Some of these apps can't be found on the Google store, so these are installed using the (downloader) app. Kind regards.

[@clarkss12]

I am not sure, I have never tested any of the IPTV apps. I can test for you if you want me to.

[@NickHark]

Thank you for great review. I just ordered a Dune HD Homatics Box R 4K Plus on Amazon. I haven't received it yet, but I'd be interested to know what community forums are a good resource get up to speed?

[@clarkss12]

This is the AVSforum >> www.avsforum.com/threads/dune-hd-homatics-box-r-4k-plus-streaming-home-media-player.3268689/page-44?post_id=63518470#post-63518470 This breaking news for this box running CoreELEC as a dual boot media player. If you have your own media, you will be interested in this OS. discourse.coreelec.org/t/ce-ng-dolby-vision-fel-for-dv-licensed-socs-s905x2-s922x-z-s905x4/50953

[@r0hamkuka]

Hi, have a few question, hope you can help: 1. this box will also support DTS-HD MA passthrough with Android TV 12 like the other Dune device called "Dune HD Pro Vision 4K", correct? 2. I see that this device doesn't have Android TV 12 yet (only beta available), does the Dune HD Pro Vision 4K already has a stable official Android TV 12 ? 3. can you decrease playback speed of Netflix and KZbin on any of these devices? I have a small daughter and this is a key feature I'm looking for. 4. My requirements are playback of 4k HDR/DV with HD audio passthrough incl. DTS HD MA and ideally with playback speed setting possibility for KZbin and for Netflix. Which device would you rather recommend for these requirements: native Dune box, the Homatics+Dune or maybe something else ? Thanks for your input in advance!

[@clarkss12]

1. This media player plays all of the HD audio codecs, including DTS-HD MA with Android 12. 2. Dune HD is now providing Android 12 via OTA, if you contact their tech support and giving them your serial number of the device. The Dune HD Pro Vision 4k is based on the modified Linux 64bit OS. Android can be installed as a second OS, but not sure if it is Android 12 or Android 11 natively. 3. I am not sure about playback speed using Netflix, I don't see a setting for it. The "stock" KZbin has a speed setting, but says it is not available on this device. Not sure about alternative KZbin apps. The Dune HD Pro Vision 4k does NOT support Netflix in HD or 4k.

[@r0hamkuka]

​@@clarkss12Thx for testing it and for your quick answer! I read somewhere that this modified linux based Dune box has also some advantage over the Homeatics version: better optimized, faster, more stable, gets fixes/updates faster, can output LPCM format in 44-192 kHz (so not limited to 48 kHz) if needed and it can decode all HD audio formats or bitstream passthrough all HD audio ... though the product specs doesn't state specifically DTS HD MA support... Do you know if that's also ment in these statements from the product's website "passthrough of all Dolby/DTS formats (up to Dolby TrueHD Atmos and DTS X)" and "multichannel decoding (up to 7.1 channels) of all Dolby/DTS formats (up to Dolby TrueHD Atmos and DTS X) " ? If yes then from my PoV I think the Dune HD Pro Vision 4K is a better option as the advantages of Homatics would be only the support of Netflix and similar premium streaming apps, but my TV (LG OLED) has these apps anyway. As none of these options support playback speed setting (only PC/MAC or iOS/Android tablets) that's a irrelevant aspect.

[@clarkss12]

@@r0hamkuka Yes, it supports all of those codecs that you mention. The ONLY thing it does NOT support is the Dolby Vision profile 7 WITH FEL (it decodes that codec into profile 8 and plays it). IF you have UHD media with that codec, then you could boot into CoreELEC. The Dune Homatics box can also boot into CoreELEC and has support for that same Dolby Vision profile 7 with FEL. Personally, I use the Dune HD Pro Vision 4k more than the Dune Homatics media player.

[@r0hamkuka]

​@@clarkss12that's odd, looking at their product website they specifically mention the support of Dolby Vision profile 7 FEL and they don't mention - at least not literally- that they convert it into profile 8, sounds to me that it's fully supported by the Dune hd pro vision 4k.

[@clarkss12]

@@r0hamkuka That is what it shows. I tried to find the documentation on how it does not really support the Full Enhancement Layer, but no luck. Don't misunderstand me, this media player plays the DV profile 7 with FEL. There is a video clip that shows if it indeed supports true FEL. I am by no means an expert and can't see any difference if it is true FEL or not. By dual booting into CoreELEC, it DOES support true FEL, at least that is what the experts say. Take a look around 16:20 and you willl see what I am referring to. This IS the best budget Media player on the market for your own media. I don't want you to get the idea that it is not the best player on the market. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqXEaWyrhrCViNksi=1LCCbP1DBfsf72yo&t=988

[@Bill-ps2wt]

If you set the sound to pass through and let the soundbar do the work will it play dts hd?

[@clarkss12]

Unfortunately, it will not.

[@catalaman6157]

HAPPY NEW YEAR

[@clarkss12]

The same to you. :)

[@sreekumar604]

Hi, is there any difference between dune homatics box r 4K plus and homatics box r 4K plus?

[@clarkss12]

From my understanding, The only difference is, The Dune version has the Dune app. The Dune app is fantastic in my opinion.

[@renesonse5794]

It would have been good for you to show how to install the DHD APK since it doesn't come installed.

[@clarkss12]

I never thought about it. It is installed just like any other apk app.

[@jarod3371]

Itmis Widevine L1 for proper HD netflix playback?

[@clarkss12]

Yes, Netflix plays in Dolby Vision WITH Dolby Atmos audio.

[@richardsmith1161]

Do these still only play phone quality on Apps like Netfix/Amazon, No Dolby Vision/Atmos?

[@clarkss12]

No, they play in Dolby Vision. With Dolby Atmos

[@VishalKanwar]

Hi can u review it with latest ATV12 now ?

[@clarkss12]

I have been testing the new version of Android 12 at this moment.

[@VishalKanwar]

Great looking forward to have updates and guidance from ur side. I m getting my box tomorrow- i ordered once i saw it got ATV12 update. I m hoping that now it will play all high end audio on Plex etc

[@clarkss12]

@@VishalKanwar I don't use Plex, I prefer Kodi, so far it is playing perfectly. The only video codec that it will not play is the VC-1 codec. Then I have to use either Plex or Emby. Or use CoreELEC.

[@clarkss12]

@@VishalKanwar I think you will be most pleased with this box.

[@78riotact]

Gin-rays?

[@moisessilveira4241]

Menu de DVD e bluray em iso ele está a ler ?

[@clarkss12]

I will have to check, I have forgotten. I have been testing other media players, so I forget what device does what.

[@moisessilveira4241]

​@@clarkss12o dune hd pro one 8k plus roda Manu iso de DVD ou só de bluray?

[@clarkss12]

@@moisessilveira4241 It plays the DVD ISO's very well.........

[@MAUROOO]

Because of this good review and your enthusiastic comments on reddit I bought this box, but I must say I am immensly disappointed by it. The firmware is just really buggy with lots of issues. I got black screens every 20 minutes during movies, TrueHD audio was not working, ... When contacting Dune they said these were ''known'' issues when used with Samsung Soundbars. So I would place this as a disclaimer since the product experience for me was really bad. I returned and bought a shield instead. It's sad to see there is still no contender.

[@clarkss12]

That is strange, I have never had any black screens. I use a Yamaha AVR, so all of the audio codecs work for me EXCEPT the DTS-HD and DTS:X. I guess if it doesn't play well with your Samsung sound bar, no use in keeping it. Sometimes when I am not impressed with a device, I keep testing it for find out what it is that I do not like.

[@MAUROOO]

​@@clarkss12Yeah, I have been testing it for a week. It is definily only the software side. I installed CoreELEC for testing purposes and everything works really great. But I do not buy a box of 150 dollars of which I can't even use the software. They promised the problems would be gone with the Android 12 update, but that is still a long time.

[@timmturner]

That's interesting you say black screen, I just got the Mecool KM2 Plus Deluxe which is essentially the same device as this and I randomly get black screen blackouts for a second. Are you using a Samsung TV?

[@MAUROOO]

​@@timmturnerno, but I have it connected with a Samsung sound bar and the soundbar sends the image to my (Phillips) tv. If I connect directly with tv I have this problem not, or if I use a opensource software (CoreELEC).

[@carlosmendoza8064]

could you solve it?

[@rene.s.s]

Does this play BDMV folders?

[@clarkss12]

What is a BDMV folder?

[@ZakAFC_]

This or the Nokia 8010?

[@clarkss12]

The Nokia does not have that Dune app.

[@ZakAFC_]

@@clarkss12 I use Stremio so that’s not an issue. Just looking for an alternative to the Shield with updated spec.

[@clarkss12]

@@ZakAFC_ In my opinion, it is better than the Shield. The only thing that is lacking, is the DTS-HD MA, but it uses DTS instead. I have always hated my 2017 Shield, because of the design and the remote was/is horrible, I used a different remote. So, my Shield has been retired for a long time.

[@carlosmendoza8064]

​@@ZakAFC_Which one did you finally buy?

[@ZakAFC_]

@@carlosmendoza8064 Bought the Dune but it was too buggy, so I returned it. Currently using the Fire TV Cube.

[@richardzeedijk1976]

Hello ron still love your videos. can you please try Dolby Vision on the dune homatics .or the tox3 via kodi. Thats my go to app on my shield . I am looking to Buy the dune.or the tox Thanks Ronnie Waiting for the next one. There it does not work on my 2023 Panasonic tv.only via HBO I get Dolby Vision als not in the custom kodi builds.

[@clarkss12]

Dolby Vision does not work on the TOX3, it does not have the Dolby certifications. It does play all of the other video codecs including HDR 10+ while using CoreELEC. Dolby Vision does work using the Beta version of Kodi (kodi-21.0-Omega_beta3-armeabi-v7a) under Android. However, Kodi under Android does NOT play the Dolby Vision profile 7, the setting, in Kodi has to be decoded to profile 8. However, CoreElec runs on Dune Homatics and everything plays as it should.

[@richardzeedijk1976]

Hi Ronnie thanks for your reply. Than the tox3 is not for me I have managed to find the slimbox firmware for my H96 pro plus the android 9 version.and it plays perfect frame rate switching works also and also hdr 10 plus and that for a box from 2017 that came with 7.1 the s912 amlogic. I think video is beter than the shield hdr on KZbin also works. Thank you again for your information about the tox3 and the dune. Greets Richard.

[@clarkss12]

@@richardzeedijk1976 Yes, slimbox firmware's are fantastic.

[@carlosmendoza8064]

A question it is the same homatics box R 4k plus?

[@clarkss12]

Yes, they just added the dune app.

[@carlosmendoza8064]

@@clarkss12 wich is better

[@clarkss12]

@@carlosmendoza8064 The dune is much better.

[@carlosmendoza8064]

@@clarkss12 can you explain to me why

[@clarkss12]

@@carlosmendoza8064 The Dune just upgraded to Android 12 and it now plays all of the audio codecs and supports AFR. The Dune app is what sets it appart from the other devices. That app is an amazing media indexer and player.