newby questions

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f6cvalkyrie

New member
Hi,
I'm completely new to this U9-H and need some assistance in setting up and using it ...
Is there a full user manual available anywhere ? In the box, I found only a quick guide with very little information.
Right now, I'm on the home WiFi, but I would like to have it on cabled ethernet ... how can I do that ?
Can I record TV programs to a usb stick ?
Can I program a TV show to be recorded while I'm not there ?
Is there a good (youtube) video about the use of the U9-H available ?

Thank you in advance for your info !
f6cvalkyrie !
 
f6cvalkyrie said:
Hi,
I'm completely new to this U9-H and need some assistance in setting up and using it ...
Is there a full user manual available anywhere ? In the box, I found only a quick guide with very little information.
Right now, I'm on the home WiFi, but I would like to have it on cabled ethernet ... how can I do that ?
Can I record TV programs to a usb stick ?
Can I program a TV show to be recorded while I'm not there ?
Is there a good (youtube) video about the use of the U9-H available ?

Thank you in advance for your info !
f6cvalkyrie !
Click to expand...

If you're already familiar with Android ultimately you're 90% there, the other 10% is just settings specific to the device such as display or sound settings you may want to configure depending on your specific TV or if you're using an AVR, etc. Having said that, in many cases the U9-H does a good job of choosing the correct settings automatically. If you have no experience with Android at all, let us know & you'll undoubtedly get a flurry of help & ideas :). You may also want to install your own favourite apps too of course.

Otherwise, to get you started, there is only the included quick start guide with the device as it's all pretty straightforward. These forums are an invaluable resource, however. ANYTHING you need to ask, just ask, (doesn't matter how silly you might think it is yourself), someone will help if they can :). With regards to videos, just search for the Minix Neo U9-H & watch a few of those available, some videos contain info others don't for example. (Some are obviously just unboxing etc. which you can skip.)

For ethernet, simply connect a cable to your router or switch & the U9-H should automatically switch from WiFi to ethernet. Just in case it doesn't, go into Settings, choose Network --> Ethernet --> Ethernet Switch, & simply choose On :). If switching back from ethernet to WiFi, you can use the WiFi icon from the quick launcher as you would any Android, or go into the network settings as above, select Wi-Fi --> Wi-Fi Device & turn it on ;).

Post up your specific TV & whether you're using an AVR or other audio equipment, people can help you with the optimal display, audio & playback settings if required for example. Again, however, in many cases the auto settings are already optimal :).

Some just stick with the stock Minix metro interface while others go much deeper with personalising the entire look & feel of their devices too.

I just use mine for playing local media & streaming online content, & other more general odds & ends. Kodi can record TV programmes, plenty of guides online to achieve that goal ;).

Enjoy your U9-H.
 
Thank you for your reply, ArcticWolf ! I'm not familiar with Android, unfortunately ...

I'm going to use the U9-H most for watching russian TV over the internet (my wife is russian), I downloaded a few apps that seem to work correctly but sometimes the playback stops because of internet speed problems (I have to use a VPN to simulate being in Russia) ... or maybe my WiFi transmission ...

My U9-H is connected to the TV via an AVR from Marantz, type 7010, that seems to work well both sound and vision ...

Even though I use Nord VPN, the VPN icon in the top row is grayed out, is that normal ? Should I use another VPN ?
I have an Ethernet cable connected, but the U9-H did not swith to ethernet, and via the settings, ethernet switch is on, but internet remains unconnected ... should I switch WiFi off ??

Good night from Belgium !
 
f6cvalkyrie said:
Thank you for your reply, ArcticWolf ! I'm not familiar with Android, unfortunately ...

I'm going to use the U9-H most for watching russian TV over the internet (my wife is russian), I downloaded a few apps that seem to work correctly but sometimes the playback stops because of internet speed problems (I have to use a VPN to simulate being in Russia) ... or maybe my WiFi transmission ...

My U9-H is connected to the TV via an AVR from Marantz, type 7010, that seems to work well both sound and vision ...

Even though I use Nord VPN, the VPN icon in the top row is grayed out, is that normal ? Should I use another VPN ?
I have an Ethernet cable connected, but the U9-H did not swith to ethernet, and via the settings, ethernet switch is on, but internet remains unconnected ... should I switch WiFi off ??

Good night from Belgium !
Click to expand...

If you're connected by ethernet it's & turned on as mentioned above in the network settings, yes, turn the WiFi off under the WiFi settings if it hasn't done so itself. If you're successfully connecting by ethernet you should also see this symbol <--> in your status bar up top.

I also use NordVPN & their Android app works fine using ethernet or WiFi :). You should see a small key symbol in the "status bar" at the top when the app or VPN is connected. IMHO, NordVPN also has better apps as well. I've also used IPVanish amongst other VPN's in the past but their Windows app isn't as good & lacks features.

OK, it's getting late now, will come up with a list of settings to double check for using an AVR, & some general android guides for you, etc.

Are you happy just using the Minix Metro launcher (home screen) too? Or if you have an a3 remote would you like to essentially make your TV screen have the same appearance as an Android phone or tablet for example??
 
ArcticWolf said:
If you're connected by ethernet it's & turned on as mentioned above in the network settings, yes, turn the WiFi off under the WiFi settings if it hasn't done so itself. If you're successfully connecting by ethernet you should also see this symbol <--> in your status bar up top.

I also use NordVPN & their Android app works fine using ethernet or WiFi :). You should see a small key symbol in the "status bar" at the top when the app or VPN is connected. IMHO, NordVPN also has better apps as well. I've also used IPVanish amongst other VPN's in the past but their Windows app isn't as good & lacks features.

OK, it's getting late now, will come up with a list of settings to double check for using an AVR, & some general android guides for you, etc.

Are you happy just using the Minix Metro launcher (home screen) too? Or if you have an a3 remote would you like to essentially make your TV screen have the same appearance as an Android phone or tablet for example??
Click to expand...
Hi
Can you please advise how, by using the A3 remote to achieve the appearance of a phone or tablet. Do you have to install a seperate launcher. I tried Apex launcher, but it completely malfunctioned time and time again. Thank you
Regards
 
dak7385 said:
Hi
Can you please advise how, by using the A3 remote to achieve the appearance of a phone or tablet. Do you have to install a seperate launcher. I tried Apex launcher, but it completely malfunctioned time and time again. Thank you
Regards
Click to expand...

The standard Android launcher is already included, however, it is very basic for use with TV's. You can switch to it by entering settings --> advanced settings --> home.

Otherwise, Nova Launcher (free) works well on the U9-H & it's highly customisable :). Once you have Nova installed & configured to your liking check out some live wallpapers too. (Some of them look incredible on a 4K big screen & can become captivating to watch by themselves.) "Day Night Live Wallpaper (ALL)" & "Vortex Galaxy" (with the "Galaxy Pack" addon) are 2 of the best I've found so far from quite a list, excellent displays with no serious impact on system resources :).

Enjoy :).
 
FYI, I added a wireless mouse to the setup, which makes operation sooo much smoother and easier ... also I have to take to have the TV set to "just scan" to see the whole screen ... otherwise, things disappear ...
 
f6cvalkyrie said:
FYI, I added a wireless mouse to the setup, which makes operation sooo much smoother and easier ... also I have to take to have the TV set to "just scan" to see the whole screen ... otherwise, things disappear ...
Click to expand...

The "just scan" setting on your TV is probably something to do with 16:9 Overscan (it's often labelled differently depending on the manufacturer). The setting usually needs to be set to off or as you've found, you lose the edges of your display.

Scan through this post for the best audio settings for your AVR & Kodi :). https://theminixforum.com/index.php...olby-atmos-on-a-minix-neo-u9-h.264/#post-1430 .
 
ArcticWolf said:
The standard Android launcher is already included, however, it is very basic for use with TV's. You can switch to it by entering settings --> advanced settings --> home.

Otherwise, Nova Launcher (free) works well on the U9-H & it's highly customisable :). Once you have Nova installed & configured to your liking check out some live wallpapers too. (Some of them look incredible on a 4K big screen & can become captivating to watch by themselves.) "Day Night Live Wallpaper (ALL)" & "Vortex Galaxy" (with the "Galaxy Pack" addon) are 2 of the best I've found so far from quite a list, excellent displays with no serious impact on system resources :).

Enjoy :).
Click to expand...
Many thanks for all the info. I will add Nova launcher and try it out. Just a wee bit confused by "settings>advanced>home. Cannot seem to find that.
Is this the settings on the minix or the tv settings?
Thank you.
 
dak7385 said:
Many thanks for all the info. I will add Nova launcher and try it out. Just a wee bit confused by "settings>advanced>home. Cannot seem to find that.
Is this the settings on the minix or the tv settings?
Thank you.
Click to expand...

You're very welcome :).

My apologies, I should have been clearer. I'd forgotten that this thread was for newby questions when I replied to your question lol ;).

They're for settings on the Minix, so navigate there first. On the settings page look for the "advanced settings" option. In the advanced settings you'll then see the "home" option. Under home, just choose the launcher you want to switch over to from the available options.

Settings --> Advanced settings --> Home, is simply the shorthand version of the above for navigating through menus, etc. ;). Hope that helps in the future.
 
ArcticWolf said:
You're very welcome :).

My apologies, I should have been clearer. I'd forgotten that this thread was for newby questions when I replied to your question lol ;).

They're for settings on the Minix, so navigate there first. On the settings page look for the "advanced settings" option. In the advanced settings you'll then see the "home" option. Under home, just choose the launcher you want to switch over to from the available options.

Settings --> Advanced settings --> Home, is simply the shorthand version of the above for navigating through menus, etc. ;). Hope that helps in the future.
Click to expand...
Great. Have done that now and just setting up nova home page. Thank you.
 
ArcticWolf said:
The "just scan" setting on your TV is probably something to do with 16:9 Overscan (it's often labelled differently depending on the manufacturer). The setting usually needs to be set to off or as you've found, you lose the edges of your display.

Scan through this post for the best audio settings for your AVR & Kodi :). https://theminixforum.com/index.php...olby-atmos-on-a-minix-neo-u9-h.264/#post-1430 .
Click to expand...

I just checked the sound settings, and did as indicated ... sound was good before and remains good after change ... thanks !
 
dak7385 said:
Great. Have done that now and just setting up nova home page. Thank you.
Click to expand...
I have been using Nova since we last corresponded and absolutel excellent along with galaxy pack. The only downside is to get to tge Minix settings, i have to click on the settings>advanced settings. There does not seem to be a direct route as with minix launcher. Not a real issue, just some feedback for you. Many thanks for all the great info.
Regards
 
dak7385 said:
I have been using Nova since we last corresponded and absolutel excellent along with galaxy pack. The only downside is to get to tge Minix settings, i have to click on the settings>advanced settings. There does not seem to be a direct route as with minix launcher. Not a real issue, just some feedback for you. Many thanks for all the great info.
Regards
Click to expand...
I have two Settings icons.
Settings (Left icon) and Advanced Settings.(Right icon)

Now I do recall this being mentioned in the old Forum and being a slight mystery. I think I found the solution on how to display the other icon, but at this moment it eludes me! :unsure: Edit: See next post!

Screenshot_2018-12-06-09-42-17.jpg
 
Last edited:
Go to Widgets by pressing and holding on the desktop. Select Widgets, bottom of screen.
Under Nova Launcher touch and hold to pick up the Activities widget and place on the desktop.
Scroll down to Settings...

View attachment 211


Select the Cog icon and now scroll down to Settings and select the first Settings.
You should now have the Advancd Settings icon on your desktop.

Screenshot_20181206-100530.png
 
dak7385 said:
Many thanks Villa. I will play with that and see how I get on.
Click to expand...
Tried that. But it did not place the cog onto the launch screen. No real problem. Don't mind the long way round. Also noticed with Nova thst there is no pull down nsvigation bar at the top of the screen, in the same way that you get with minix launcher. This only works when you open an app. But again, small problem that does not negate using Nova launcher.
 
dak7385 said:
Also noticed with Nova thst there is no pull down nsvigation bar at the top of the screen, in the same way that you get with minix launcher. This only works when you open an app. But again, small problem that does not negate using Nova launcher.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's always been a "feature"of Nova! :confused:

I don't know if the issue is with Nova or MINIX?
 
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