Clik here to view.
Image courtesy of Facebook user Dennis Woo.
It looks like TM has a newer set-top box (STB) for new UniFi subscribers but what really makes the news is that it comes with Google Play Store too. However, this is not the first Android based STB box by TM but it still is the first to come with Play Store pre-installed. The Huawei EC6108V8 STB first came to light when it was featured in a forum back in May but has received a bit more attention again after a recent FB post.
Comparison between the new (left) and the old (right):
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Image courtesy of YouTube user En Ad
According to a YouTube video, the new STB packs a lot more goodies hardware wise compared to the older EC6106V5 (athough Reuben seems to have an even older EC2108E unit which is also by Huawei). The newer EC6108V8 is claimed to be powered by a dual-core Hi-Silicon CPU (Hi3719C) with speeds of up to 1.2 GHz. It is said to have 1 GB of RAM and 4 GB of internal memory (but the video above claims that it only has 2 GB worth). Below are the differences between the two as shared in the video:
| EC6108V8 (New) | EC6106V5 | |
| RAM | 1 GB | 512 MB |
| Android | 4.4.2 KitKat | 4.0.3 ICS |
| Storage | 2 or 4 GB | 1 GB |
| Ports | MicroSD x1, USB x2, HDMI x1, and AV | USB x2, HDMI x1, and AV |
Moving on the Google Play Store itself, according to the FB post by Dennis Woo, users will not be able to access the contents of the store (or the internet) using the default setup: where the STB is connected to LAN port 4 of the router. In order to make Play Store to work, he found out that he had to connect the STB to the other LAN ports. He commented further that LAN port 4 appears to be dedicated for IPTV only, which is why the web browser and Play Store app on the STB did not work when connected this way. Still connecting to port 4 is deemed necessary for HyppTV channels to work. Dennis finally managed to get it working on LAN port 4 by enabling the wifi (under Android settings) for the STB, and connected to the router wirelessly for access to the internet.
Interface showing the browser and the Play Store at the bottom:
Clik here to view.
Image courtesy of YouTube user En Ad
Going back to the forum, one user had commented that although Play Store works, some apps were not compatible. He pointed out that Astro On-The-Go didn’t install at all and that he was not able to load anything from a network or USB drives with the MX Player app, but he did mention that Kodi (formerly known as XBMC Media Player) works. His other pain point was on how difficult it was to use the remote and the built-in keyboard.
In any case, the YouTube video at the top did show that it’s possible to sideload other streaming and video apps (that are not found on the Play Store) on to the STB, giving users more options, in case installing from Play Store is not an option they’d want.
Now for the question on everyone’s mind: “Can I get it?”. The answer is ‘Yes’ but it seems the device is only available to new UniFi subscribers. We’re still unable to confirm though if it’s applicable for all UniFi plans.
We are also still checking with a HyppTV contact if these units will be made available to Streamyx users too, and if it will be possible for current UniFi subscribers to trade in their existing units for an upgrade or if they can get a new one if they upgrade their UniFi plans.
In any case, existing users of the older EC6106V5 who aren’t too squeamish about ‘hacking’ their unit can follow the exploitation method made possible by one @akifrabbani (instructions available in Bahasa Malaysia and in English) to install Play Store on the device. Check out his thread for more info on the EC6106V5 development and see if you too could get an ‘upgraded’ STB on your own.
As for Reuben, he managed to get a little more information from the TM Customer Service Center and it looks like he will only get the new STB if his existing one becomes faulty. When he queried if it’s possible to purchase the new STB and set it up on his own, the support personnel asked him to check with the nearest TMpoint outlet. Speaking of purchasing, the Set Top Box (STB) page on the TM site does list a price tag of RM 318 (with GST) for one unit but this is probably meant for the older ones. Another user did manage to get the price from the Service Desk and was quoted RM 315 (but this info is unverified). In a related matter, the page also notes that HyppTV Remote Control is also sold separately at RM 25 each.
Do leave us a comment if you guys have better luck than us with getting more info or have more to share.
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