Boyue T63/Shine update (sort of)

[downeaster59]

Originally Posted by SlantedChanter

I tried a number of Images and updates last week. None of the official boyue updates I could find had an English option, and this is quite a pain since many apps automatically use the system ui language as their own default language. It seems that later official updates disable USB debugging and advanced access too, though there is at least one modified image that is rooted and enables USB and adb. Boyue does seem to have made some useful improvements in the front light settings and perhaps other bug fixes but it may not be worth it.

The other option is a modified onyx c67ml Carta2 image. I found two on baidu, version 1.74 and 1.8 if I'm not mistaken. Both worked quite well and have many language choices. Neither included a built-in play store and I had some trouble getting sideloaded gapps to fully work, but that may have just required more patience or a fresh reboot after flashing.

Did you modify those C67 images, or were they already modified? When I had a Boyue T62+, I installed a C67ML Carta image on it, and it worked quite well. It needed to have build.prop edited so that I could control the frontlight. I wondered if an Onyx C67ML Carta 2 image or update.zip could work with my Boyue T63. I tried once but I couldn't get it to install at all.

[SlantedChanter]

Originally Posted by downeaster59

Did you modify those C67 images, or were they already modified? When I had a Boyue T62+, I installed a C67ML Carta image on it, and it worked quite well. It needed to have build.prop edited so that I could control the frontlight. I wondered if an Onyx C67ML Carta 2 image or update.zip could work with my Boyue T63. I tried once but I couldn't get it to install at all.

I didn't modify the C67ML images for the T63 myself. The two I tried are pre-modified images circulating on Baidu. Modification would definitely be necessary before flashing a C67ML image wouldn't it? And maybe the stock update files won't work since they will try to revert to the standard build.prop?

[downeaster59]

Originally Posted by SlantedChanter

I didn't modify the C67ML images for the T63 myself. The two I tried are pre-modified images circulating on Baidu. Modification would definitely be necessary before flashing a C67ML image wouldn't it? And maybe the stock update files won't work since they will try to revert to the standard build.prop?

This is true.

Let me explain what I had done before. Using this thread, I was able to create a system image from one device (my old Onyx C67 ML) and install it on my Boyue T62+. However, doing that requires that I know the addresses and sizes of the various partitions in each device. I had that info for my old devices; I don't have it for my current ones. So I can't install an Onyx ROM on a Boyue that way.

If you have a link to one of those modified C67ML images, I'd be interested in trying one, just to see how it would work. Does the frontlight control work properly for you? Thanks!

[SlantedChanter]

Originally Posted by downeaster59

This is true.

Let me explain what I had done before. Using this thread, I was able to create a system image from one device (my old Onyx C67 ML) and install it on my Boyue T62+. However, doing that requires that I know the addresses and sizes of the various partitions in each device. I had that info for my old devices; I don't have it for my current ones. So I can't install an Onyx ROM on a Boyue that way.

If you have a link to one of those modified C67ML images, I'd be interested in trying one, just to see how it would work. Does the frontlight control work properly for you? Thanks!

Here is the file a Taobao vendor sent me directly. The other Chinese-modified images should be in the links earlier in the thread.

location: https://pan.baidu.com/s/1qYBDmaC password: rjsi

I uploaded the two different 1.8 onyx images for the t63, not sure if there are any differences besides size. Also an older onyx image and a modified boyue official firmware that is pre-rooted with adb/debugging acess.

[downeaster59]

Originally Posted by SlantedChanter

Here is the file a Taobao vendor sent me directly. The other Chinese-modified images should be in the links earlier in the thread.

location: https://pan.baidu.com/s/1qYBDmaC password: rjsi

I uploaded the two different 1.8 onyx images for the t63, not sure if there are any differences besides size. Also an older onyx image and a modified boyue official firmware that is pre-rooted with adb/debugging acess.

Thanks. I'll check this out.

[stangri]

Originally Posted by SlantedChanter

location: https://pan.baidu.com/s/1qYBDmaC password: rjsi

What's different about this image? Does it have English UI, support adb, is pre-rooted?

[SlantedChanter]

Originally Posted by stangri

What's different about this image? Does it have English UI, support adb, is pre-rooted?

Three of them are versions of the Onyx Boox C67ML Carta2 firmware modified for the T63. They all have support for English and other languages as well. You can easily toggle usb debugging for adb access. Onyx software also has an A2 mode. I would probably try the streamlined version of 1.8 first. I think they are rooted but you may need to install google play manually.

The other image is a modified version of a recent build of the official Boyue firmware. It is rooted and allows adb access. The only language option is Chinese.


Here's my full folder of t63 firmware images.
Link: https://pan.baidu.com/s/1b6zOwm Password: 2ksx

[SlantedChanter]

On a different topic, I wondered why some of you prefer the T63 to the Onyx Boox C67ML+. Is it the flat screen, more compact design, dimmer light for night reading, or something else?

[downeaster59]

Originally Posted by SlantedChanter

On a different topic, I wondered why some of you prefer the T63 to the Onyx Boox C67ML+. Is it the flat screen, more compact design, dimmer light for night reading, or something else?

Since I have both, I'll share how my preference has evolved.

A few months ago, I would have said that I definitely preferred the Boyue T63. Main reasons? Better battery life and a much larger user app partition. At the time, the C67 series had only 339MB for user apps. Since Play Store and Play Services live there, that didn't leave a lot of room for other apps.

However, the 1.8.1 Onyx firmware changed that. My C67ML Carta 2 now has over 750MB of space for user apps - not quite as much as the 1GB in the Boyue, but plenty for my needs. This change has narrowed the gap between the two, for me. So has Onyx's Neo Reader 2.0. Better than the Boyue stock reader apps.

Now, I would list my feelings about the two devices this way:

The T63: Pros: Longer battery life, large user app partition, flush screen, quality feel.
Cons: Somewhat quirky/buggy firmware

The C67ML Carta2: Pros: Slightly lighter than the T63, sufficiently large user app partition (with 1.8.1), better firmware/stock reader apps, greater range in frontlight brightness, better contrast
Cons: Less battery life than the T63

Given all that, my preference is shifting to the C67, except when I want the better battery life.

I will try to find one of those modified C67 images from your link (I've only found the modified, rooted T63 image so far) to see how it might work on the T63.

[SlantedChanter]

Originally Posted by downeaster59

Since I have both, I'll share how my preference has evolved.
...
I will try to find one of those modified C67 images from your link (I've only found the modified, rooted T63 image so far) to see how it might work on the T63.

Thanks for the detailed run-down!

Can the C67ML get sufficiently dim in the dark?


Here's my full folder of t63 firmware images.
Link: https://pan.baidu.com/s/1b6zOwm Password: 2ksx

[downeaster59]

Originally Posted by SlantedChanter

Thanks for the detailed run-down!

Can the C67ML get sufficiently dim in the dark?


Here's my full folder of t63 firmware images.
Link: https://pan.baidu.com/s/1b6zOwm Password: 2ksx

Thanks for this link. I've downloaded one of the modified C67 image files for the T63. I haven't tried installing it yet. Would I need the RKBatch Tool or will it just install automatically when I put it in /sdcard/ on the T63?

As for the C67ML frontlight, I can turn it down quite low, or turn it off entirely.

[SlantedChanter]

I used androidtool to flash different images but I think the RKbatch tool may work also. Only update zip files will install automatically from the SDcard as far as I know. Be very careful about flashing images since you can brick your device if you flash the wrong one.

[igguk1]

Hi new boyue owner just received It yesterday and did not have much time to tinker with it, one problem I am getting is that is seems to freeze when entering a deep sleep state, it comes from banggood is it normal? Is there another way of waking up the device that does not involve the power button? Should I try a refund already?
@SlantedChanter out of all your listed roms which one is the best in your opinion?

[stangri]

Originally Posted by igguk1

Hi new boyue owner just received It yesterday and did not have much time to tinker with it, one problem I am getting is that is seems to freeze when entering a deep sleep state, it comes from banggood is it normal? Is there another way of waking up the device that does not involve the power button? Should I try a refund already?
@SlantedChanter out of all your listed roms which one is the best in your opinion?

Had the opposite problem -- without power off timer enabled it would freeze and drain battery. With the power off time it works great, but takes quite a bit of time to start up.

[igguk1]

stangri I believe you are describing the same problem that I have...
If i don't allow the device to shutdown I am getting freezes... it does not wake up from the sleeping mode.