2023-11-08, 21:36
I like when someone asks the question of what do they get over devices because it makes for an easy answer and a little self promotion never hurts. OSMC is obviously a popular media center distribution and some users alone prefer OSMC because it is an expansive system supporting apt-get and a full system environment. This allows users to fully utilise the capabilities of the device if they wish to or keep things simple and never touch the command line interface.
For those that like OSMC, Vero provides them with guaranteed support commitments. We introduced the Vero 4K platform based on S905X in early 2017. We promised a minimum of five years of updates, but we've extended this recently (link). CE deprecated the S905X platform some time ago and marked it end of life, no longer providing updates. They can do this because you didn't buy the hardware from them and no support guarantees were made. The Vero 4K and 4K + can still play 4K HEVC, output HDR10/10+, HLG and Frame Packed 3D. The six year old device will still serve many customers for many more years to come. We don't like obsoleting devices unnecessarily and moving on to the next shiny thing. Some open source projects like doing that and are easily enticed by free hardware samples from various manufacturers.
We make the hardware and software so they are fine tuned for the device. This leads to a number of advantages. We have a direct relationship with the SoC manufacturer (AMLogic) and can work with them to get issues fixed. We have engaged with their senior team in the past to get things done. This also allowed us to design a customised SoC for Vero (it is not an off the shelf AMLogic SoC) and was a huge step forward for us and we will be reaping the rewards of that from next year with Vero V. This allowed us to implement enhanced tonemapping with a special tonemapping engine running on secureOSMC's dedicated RISC-V core. We've also been able to implement features that other devices have struggled with, such as 3D MVC and we were the first to support multi-channel audio beyond a fixed layout (in the past 5.1 was output as 7.1 LPCM, which caused confusion for AV receivers). These changes were adapted by other projects later on.
The idea is to provide a device where everything you need is included that just works and is plug and play. Issues do come up though as they do with anything. But by paying us we have an obligation to help resolve your issues. Other open source projects do not have these same obligations. The Chinese company you buy that hardware from will provide limited support for the software they ship and little else. They are frequently chopping and changing parts (often second hand) in their devices using what they can get their hands on. This seems evidence in the CE forums where many people are buying what seems to be the same box on the outside but then having numerous compatibility issues with say WiFi and Bluetooth. Once you purchase an SBC for use with CE that uses genuine, high quality components, you will see that there is a significantly increased cost.
So if you want something that is ready to run, has a hardware warranty (and doesn't use recycled parts), has guaranteed software update commitments, consistent quality in both hardware and software and a wealth of support channels and resources, then the Vero V might make sense. We answer every post and support request. We don’t pick the ones to reply to.
If you want a budget box to run CE and are happy not to have any guarantee of updates or support if the hardware is problematic, then go with CE. That’s not our target market. We also believe it's a false economy. If you purchased a Vero 4K on launch in February 2017, then your device will have cost you less than £1.65 a month. This is based on 60 months of ownership, with the device purchased at £99 where we promised 5 years of support, due to expire in February 2022. But the device is still supported and receiving updates today -- just like Vero V.
For those that like OSMC, Vero provides them with guaranteed support commitments. We introduced the Vero 4K platform based on S905X in early 2017. We promised a minimum of five years of updates, but we've extended this recently (link). CE deprecated the S905X platform some time ago and marked it end of life, no longer providing updates. They can do this because you didn't buy the hardware from them and no support guarantees were made. The Vero 4K and 4K + can still play 4K HEVC, output HDR10/10+, HLG and Frame Packed 3D. The six year old device will still serve many customers for many more years to come. We don't like obsoleting devices unnecessarily and moving on to the next shiny thing. Some open source projects like doing that and are easily enticed by free hardware samples from various manufacturers.
We make the hardware and software so they are fine tuned for the device. This leads to a number of advantages. We have a direct relationship with the SoC manufacturer (AMLogic) and can work with them to get issues fixed. We have engaged with their senior team in the past to get things done. This also allowed us to design a customised SoC for Vero (it is not an off the shelf AMLogic SoC) and was a huge step forward for us and we will be reaping the rewards of that from next year with Vero V. This allowed us to implement enhanced tonemapping with a special tonemapping engine running on secureOSMC's dedicated RISC-V core. We've also been able to implement features that other devices have struggled with, such as 3D MVC and we were the first to support multi-channel audio beyond a fixed layout (in the past 5.1 was output as 7.1 LPCM, which caused confusion for AV receivers). These changes were adapted by other projects later on.
The idea is to provide a device where everything you need is included that just works and is plug and play. Issues do come up though as they do with anything. But by paying us we have an obligation to help resolve your issues. Other open source projects do not have these same obligations. The Chinese company you buy that hardware from will provide limited support for the software they ship and little else. They are frequently chopping and changing parts (often second hand) in their devices using what they can get their hands on. This seems evidence in the CE forums where many people are buying what seems to be the same box on the outside but then having numerous compatibility issues with say WiFi and Bluetooth. Once you purchase an SBC for use with CE that uses genuine, high quality components, you will see that there is a significantly increased cost.
So if you want something that is ready to run, has a hardware warranty (and doesn't use recycled parts), has guaranteed software update commitments, consistent quality in both hardware and software and a wealth of support channels and resources, then the Vero V might make sense. We answer every post and support request. We don’t pick the ones to reply to.
If you want a budget box to run CE and are happy not to have any guarantee of updates or support if the hardware is problematic, then go with CE. That’s not our target market. We also believe it's a false economy. If you purchased a Vero 4K on launch in February 2017, then your device will have cost you less than £1.65 a month. This is based on 60 months of ownership, with the device purchased at £99 where we promised 5 years of support, due to expire in February 2022. But the device is still supported and receiving updates today -- just like Vero V.
