[ FIRST IMPRESSIONS ]
Solid little device with a smaller form factor than the Odroid C2, but with the same Amlogic 905-H chipset. It has a good weight to the case and feels like a quality device, unlike my Odroid C2, whose case is light and cheap.
It has builtin WiFi/Bluetooth and comes with it’s own IR remote. An 8GB eMMC chip is sealed inside the case with a preinstalled Android Lollipop Version 5.1.1. The SD card slot is available from the outside. The design encourages running other OSes (like OpenPHT) from the SD slot alone.
The WeTek Hub has a more consumer experience to it, while the Odroid C2 feels more like a development device.
You can find someone else’s tear down of the hardware here.
[ SPECS ] - http://wetek.com/product/wetek-hub
Processor (CPU): Quad Core (AMLogic S905-H)
GPU: Penta Core Mali MP-450
RAM Memory: 1 GB DDR III
Flash memory: 8 GB eMMC
Wireless LAN: 802.11 B/G/N/AC
Supported Wi-Fi: 2.4/5 Ghz
Ethernet: 1000 Mbit/s
Bluetooth: 4.0
HDMI: 1x
MicroSD: 1x
USB 2.0: 1x
Serial Debug: Yes, external
IR Extender: Yes
Power socket: DC In
[ AUDIO SUPPORT ]
Technically supports all the same passthru formats as Odroid C2
Passthrough of AC3/E-AC3/DD/DTS 5.1
Passthrough of Dolby True HD 5.1 and 7.1 / ATMOS
Passthrough of DTS-HD MA/HRA 5.1 and 7.1
Passthrough of DTS 96/24
HDMI PCM 5.1/7.1 audio output is currently supported in OpenPHT 1.7.0 and above.
8 Channel DTS-HD audio decoding to PCM
[ VIDEO SUPPORT ]
Supports all the same formats as Odroid C2 so I’ve copied @NedtheNerd’s info
8/10-bit 720p/1080p/2160p HEVC all playback perfectly.
Refresh rate switches correctly with smooth video playback in 720p/1080p/2160p display modes.Direct Plays virtually everything you throw at it apart from those codecs listed below:
Maybe inaccurate, I’m still testing
- Interlaced Bluray Rips containing VC-1 content have stuttering playback. Normal VC-1 Movie Rips fine.
- No VP9 decoding, will be transcoded by PMS. This is a hardware limitation shared by Odroid C2.
[ SSH ]
UN: root
PW: openpht
[ WIFI STREAM EXPERIENCE ]
2.4ghz speeds were disappointing. However, this maybe because I wasn’t using AC on my WiFi access point. I had good throughput over my 5ghz with 20Mbs+ streams, but I had to specify a 5ghz network name. On a WLAN with a single name for both 2.4 & 5Ghz antennas, defaulted to the 2.4ghz, even though I use WiFi Band Steering.
[ MY FAVORITE FEATURE ]
The included Android version has Uboot compiled into it. This let’s you dual boot OSes right out the box without any special compiling of your own! Finally, I can boot to Android if I want to watch Netflix, Hulu, etc, then boot to OpenPHT for the best Plex client experience. You’ll want to upgrade Android via their updater first to make sure this works properly.
To change between boot devices, simply hold the included IR remotes power button during boot up.
[ BUILT-IN ANDROID ]
Compared to the Odroid C2 Hardkernel supplied version, it’s more full featured. They have obtained the proper licenses, so you can download apps from the Google Play Store including the Android version of Plex PMP if you like. They have Google Widevine and Microsoft Playready so DRM content is available. Android interactions do feel a little slow though. Especially at first.
Update 2016/11/28
Android is a touch deployment and does not have changes made to make it more remote friendly (like Amazon Fire TV). Included IR remote uses makeshift keyboard movements and can be tricky or inadequate to operate properly. For example, in the wife test, an airmouse had to be used to navigate Netflix as menu’s had to be ‘clicked and pulled’ to view all the episodes in a season as there is no scroll functionality. This is a known issue and appears WeTek users have been side loading other remote friendly versions.
See their forum thread with app links here.
[ INCLUDED REMOTE ]
Works with OpenPHT and the built-in Android out of the box with no configuration. Doesn’t feel like the cheapest remote but doesn’t feel like the most sturdy either. Has approx the same form factor as the Amazon Fire Bluetooth remote, but feels lighter. Wife test reports she had an issue with up and left arrow buttons briefly and switched to the CEC remote. I have not had the same problem, and may have been IR line of sight obstruction. Works pretty well, but it’s not as snappy as my WiFi or Bluetooth remotes.
Update 2016/11/28
IR remote signal appears to be a bit weak from more than 8 feet away. I recommend a good WiFi/Bluetooth airmouse remote for complete functionality. I’m using one that also has IR learning, so I’ve copied the included remote’s power button signal so it reaches properly across the room and I can switch between installs.
Update 2016/12/07
Remote does not power on WeTek Hub after a power off from OpenPHT. However, the internal Android installation will power on the WeTek after a power off. This must be resolved in WeTeks code. The OpenPHT team has sent them some code and we hope WeTek will implement them in a future WeOS update. Fixed in latest WeOS and OpenPHT 1.7.2
[ USB PORT ]
Update 2017/01/08
USB power is insufficient for use of power hungry devices. You’ll want to use a powered USB hub if you plan to use any USB device that requires significant power. Freezing and restarts are common complaints with the USB port in the WeTek forums.
Updates to come as they are available.
). Yes the IR receiver is fine, I’m using an Harmony remote (much better than the included remote 
