Wetek Core

[tredman]

I thought this deserved a new thread as its a new box from wetek and a very different device to the wetek play.

Received my Core today and so far I'm very impressed. Kodi runs very well and netflix works in HD. The box itself is very well built and small - similar in size to a Roku.

Its pretty fast in android and in kodi, not as fast as my shield, but thats very quick.

PQ is superb, especially live TV in kodi (streamed from my wetek play). All in all its a very good box.

Cost £82 delivered, which is pretty decent for a box capable of 4k, very good kodi performance and good android apps (its google play certified so runs DRM apps too).

More details here:

WeTek - Wetek Core

 

[djcla]

Is this an older chips etc to the S95 based boxes?

 

[tredman]

It's an s-812 according to the specs. I'm not really up on the newer processors etc, but it definitely runs Kodi and Android L quick enough.

 

[bernado]

It's an s-812 according to the specs. I'm not really up on the newer processors etc, but it definitely runs Kodi and Android L quick enough.

Interested in this after a short unhappy Fire TV trial, where did you get it from? Don't suppose you've got any experience of running OpenVPN on it?

 

[JonMace]

What were you unhappy with?

 

[bernado]

What were you unhappy with?

Reliability, after two units faling in two days I gave it up as a bad job! To be fair they were Amazon refurbs which may account for that but even so.

The short time I did manage to play with it I could see it would frustrate me anyway, the parental controls were totally inept and lack of 4OD would mean I would have to hang on to my NowTV box when I'm really looking for a one stop shop. To cover my needs I'm currently running three devices hooked up to my telly - Now box for catchup, PC for Kodi and Youview box for Netflix!

 

[JonMace]

Why will the PC not run everything?

 

[bernado]

Why will the PC not run everything?

Yes that would be the ideal situation and technically it does, however running stuff via internet shortcuts for Netflix and TV catchup is a non-starter.

 

[JonMace]

OK so leave the PC running Kodi as it is and use a Roku stick for everything else. Then a nice harmony smart or Ultimate to run everything

 

[bernado]

OK so leave the PC running Kodi as it is and use a Roku stick for everything else. Then a nice harmony smart or Ultimate to run everything

Yep thought about that as that would at least reduce the tech, however Roku DNS manual entry is no go, don't really want to globally do it via router

 

[JonMace]

Alternative Idea

PC only + Flirc

F keys to open short cuts, and program them into flirc

Only problem is working out how to program an F key to close aps and return to desktop

 

[tredman]

Interested in this after a short unhappy Fire TV trial, where did you get it from? Don't suppose you've got any experience of running OpenVPN on it?

Yup openvpn should work, I'm using PIA and it works fine.

Got it from the wetek website.

 

[bernado]

Alternative Idea

PC only + Flirc

F keys to open short cuts, and program them into flirc

Only problem is working out how to program an F key to close aps and return to desktop

Lol, if it were just for me I'm up for that but I can see that ending in tears for the rest of the family and then ultimately me!

Yup openvpn should work, I'm using PIA and it works fine.

Got it from the wetek website.

That sounds encouraging, do you have to manually run it on Core startup or does it start itself up? Edit: To answer my own question the Android OpenVPN client does have an auto restart option.

Have you tried running an external hard drive from USB for purpose of Kodi media library?

 

[bernado]

Can anyone with one of these tell me how UK catchup channels and Neflix play on this box?
On Wetek's forum there are a few people with Neflix playback issues experiencing stuttering.

Thanks

 

[tredman]

Netflix works fine for me, for catchup I use the Kodi addons for iplayer and itv, all4 android app works fine.

 

[tredman]

This will make Netflix brilliant on the wetek core:

WeTek Core (24p HD Netflix / Android Lollipop / OpenELEC / 4K HEVC)

 

[Juiceloose]

Tredman,

I can only find the website that prices the unit in US dollars. Did you have yours shipped from the USA?

 

[tredman]

Tredman,

I can only find the website that prices the unit in US dollars. Did you have yours shipped from the USA?

I bought it from the wetek website (in €). It arrived next day, from Slovenia - pretty impressive!

Link:
WeTek Core - BUY NOW!

 

[Halium]

Well, i've got mine already and i've been testing it to it's limits hehehe

So far, i'm impressed
They've done a great job.
The only issue is still the network issues on the openelec, but it's still unofficial builds
But, i bought mine to use on Android since i want Neflix HD working.

Kodi delivers everything along side with some other good apps from playstore.
24p works like a charm and the support from wetek is one of the best i could find since the wetek play device

I'm still looking for a BT remote so i can test some games from playstore

 

[Juiceloose]

Tredman,

Thanks for the link to the Core. Mine arrived yesterday and I connected it up last night. I use a VPN though (IPVanish) and it won't connect to the internet. If I disconnect from the IPVanish server and reconnect direct via my normal ISP it connects fine.

Do I need to change some settings on the Core or within KODI to get it to work via IPVanish ?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

 

[tredman]

Tredman,

Thanks for the link to the Core. Mine arrived yesterday and I connected it up last night. I use a VPN though (IPVanish) and it won't connect to the internet. If I disconnect from the IPVanish server and reconnect direct via my normal ISP it connects fine.

Do I need to change some settings on the Core or within KODI to get it to work via IPVanish ?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Not sure, I gave up using a vpn and am using getflix, it's more flexible. Can you try with openvpn app?

 

[Halium]

This last update is awesome!

The dual boot works like a charm!

Well done Wetek

We're proud to announce that we start seeding the OTA update of WeTek Core OS 1.1.2

Changelog:

- Added dual boot. On WeTek Core splash screen press power key to boot from Internal storage or microSD card.<br/>

- The OTA should do it automatically but, in case it fails to perform this task, you will see a message: "Clearing U-Boot env at next boot" once the WeTek boots to Android. If at the next boot, the WeTek goes to recovery mode, please don't worry, just press "Reboot Now" on the already highlighted reboot entry to go back to Android/OpenELEC.
- Added WeTek Media Player v2 based on Kodi 16.0rc3 Jarvis build with fully working HD Audio passthrough (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master)
- Various fixes in Android and Kernel.


Best regards

 

[JonMace]

Damn it have to give back the mini mac and no Cores available, so having to consider a shield, it basically for Kodi use in the bedroom, have a Flirk and a one for all remote - so the remote quality does not matter.

Any ideas?

 

[plum23]

Any ideas?

If you don't need 4k there's usually Chromeboxes on Ebay for around £120? Runs nicely with Openelec. (Fritsch's OE build will give more accurate colours.)

 

[tredman]

Damn it have to give back the mini mac and no Cores available, so having to consider a shield, it basically for Kodi use in the bedroom, have a Flirk and a one for all remote - so the remote quality does not matter.

Any ideas?

Get a shield if you can stump up the extra cash. I really like my Core, but the shield is that much better.

That said if it's just Kodi and you will be using a flirc get a RPi (2 or 3)