Aura Android 14 update now

[trog]

I have seen mention of the firmware for the Aura 4K is similar to the new AuraEZ 4K Recorder and that the hardware is not much different with just Freely added.
Possibly the reason for us getting an unexpected update.
If it was not my issues with the USB it is working very well and lots of the irritating bugs seem to be fixed, it even feels more responsive in VLC but that may be my network faster than my USB.

I thought the EZ was only Android 12 unless they updated that too.

 

[EEPhil]

I have seen mention of the firmware for the Aura 4K is similar to the new AuraEZ 4K Recorder

My understanding is that the Aura is certified with Google and can access the Play Store and the EZ isn't certified.

If the update has fried one of your USB drives I'd be tempted to complain to Humax and tell them that their update has cost you money. They probably won't do anything about it, but if you don't ask...

Even if I get offered the update I think, like davey64, I might wait until other members report back - especially on the USB and maybe ftp.

 

[EEPhil]

I've a vague recollection that Android 14 itself might further restrict access to external drives. There was a problem with Android 9 in that some external drive access requires you to grant permission using a missing app that can't be side-loaded. If they've clamped down even further and not included the "files" app we're stuffed.

 

[Andrew!]

My understanding is that the Aura is certified with Google and can access the Play Store and the EZ isn't certified.

If the update has fried one of your USB drives I'd be tempted to complain to Humax and tell them that their update has cost you money. They probably won't do anything about it, but if you don't ask...

Even if I get offered the update I think, like davey64, I might wait until other members report back - especially on the USB and maybe ftp.

 

[davey64]

Aura 4K FVP-4KGTR

I have had the update for a couple of weeks and it is a story of two halves.
My Android version is now 14 and I then got an update for VLC which I looked for manually as it was misbehaving with audio issues after the changes.
It has fixed loads of issues for me like the freeview TV app having a black screen after using other apps and needing full power-downs to fix.
It has transformed my usage where I use the box to play locally stored films in MKV format 4K HDR and music etc via VLC.
The downside has been my USB drives give an error saying Ejected Safely when plugged in , IE I cant use USB any more despite checking the Android system in developer mode.
I used to use USB to play back files from a few sticks, one a 2TB SSD in size and have had to switch to running from my PC via my local network , needing the PC on for long periods.
Worse still my metal Kingston 50Gb stick got very hot even though the Aura said ejected safely and is now unusable on any system.
I have seen evidence that Android 14 for TV can give USB issues similar to mine and there has been a patch but I have not received it yet via Humax.
And no sign of any updates on their web site either.
I have put in a request to them via their web site but no response has happened.
The TV recording side has continued normally as far as I can tell with no issues as of yet.

Re your issues with USB ports no longer working after the update, does your TV not have USB ports you can use directly
instead of networking the PC to the Aura.

When my Sony TV updated from Android 9 to Android 12 I had a slightly similar problem with viewing the contents of USB devices.
After the update the inbuilt Media Player no longer played content viewable previously (nor would VLC or Kodi, etc).

The resolution to this was to erase and reformat the USB devices, after doing this and adding files back they were now playable.
I surmised that the new Android system was incapable of updating the previous versions of Android system files which are copied
over to the USB device when it is inserted into the TV for the first time. Perhaps the same is true for the Aura.
Something you could try if you haven't already.

 

[Norrette]

This may well end up with everyone standing one pace back when we're looking for volunteers to update it and report back.

I'll need to back up my last few recordings before I take the plunge, maybe next month....

Edit. Have had to restart both telly and aura following end of BST. Both seem to not know what day it is.

 

[Owen Smith]

I surmised that the new Android system was incapable of updating the previous versions of Android system files which are copied
over to the USB device when it is inserted into the TV for the first time. Perhaps the same is true for the Aura

What business does Android have writing any files to a USB stick that has been plugged in purely for the purpose of playing files? Apple devices do the same thing and I absolutely hate it. Leave my media alone damn it, they're my files!

 

[MartinLiddle]

I assume there is a reason why so limited a number are getting the option, beta testing started ages ago but could this just be an extension of that ? How are people getting chosen could it be as simple as alphabetical? I am about in the middle. I am surprised Martin has not appeared yet to say "I told you so" as he seem to be the only one with any inside knowledge. I know myself and EEPhil both have ongoing issues with our Aura's and we may find this update has achieved more than you have noticed but patience is a virtue and at least it now has more credibility than one of Trump's speeches.

I told you so! All I can say is that my Aura has been running much better over the last few months so I would suggest users give it a go.

 

[trog]

I told you so! All I can say is that my Aura has been running much better over the last few months so I would suggest users give it a go.

Here is some pie for my doubt. I will be giving it a go when I get the chance as long as no other issues that will affect me appear. the ones already mentioned are of no concern to me. All I want is an end to failed recordings for no valid reason, I have even had them fail when I have watched the show live on the Aura without not so much as a single pixilation in the whole show with it claiming there was a loss of signal.

 

[davey64]

I told you so! All I can say is that my Aura has been running much better over the last few months so I would suggest users give it a go.

Are you able to list the bug fixes that Humax have introduced with this update.
The software update screen is not very informative and the Humax UK Aura support> software page is still
showing information for the last major update in August 2021.
And by that I mean the fixes to the Auras own Humax firmware/ software and not the Android app/ streaming side of things.
For instance does the update address the issue of unstable tuners.
The Aura often suffers from pixellation during broadcast whereas if I switch to my TVs tuners the same signal is perfectly fine.
The signal meters on the Aura often show less Strength and Quality than the TVs even though the TV is looped via the Aura.
I can add a Humax 5000T in to the chain so it goes Aura> 5000T> TV.
The 5000T and the TV will have stable picture and sound, and both signal meters will show almost exactly the same signal strength and quality
across all corresponding multiplexes whereas the Aura will always be lower and less stable.

Other things would be that the Aura can get itself into periods where it loses picture and sound for a second or two whilst either just watching TV or recordings.
This can be an isolated instant or more infuriatingly many times in quick succession, regardless of whether it has been on for a short or long time.
The only resolution to this at the moment is to do a full power down and unplug, wait a few minutes and then start up.
Most of the time this works and the rest of the day will be fine, even for a few days, occasionally it doesn't so several power cycles may be necessary.

Other times the Aura will decide to abruptly shut itself down and restart, again this can happen whilst only watching live TV and not anything else that should give
the device stress. Again this can be an isolated incident or on occasions several times in quick succession.

Other times while watching live TV or recordings it will jump to the Home screen.

Failed recordings occasionally happen for no good reason, even though there was no disruption to the broadcast.

These are a few of the irritations I experience with my Aura, it would be nice to
know if these are some of the things addressed by the update.

Although I am pleased to see that Humax have finally released an update after 5 years, even though it is two years since it was first
disclosed be in the pipeline there is a sense of trepidation with the lack of detail and the possibility it may introduce further problems.