Flashing Clougdate Android PC with Ubuntu

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Psykro

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I recently purchased a Cloudgate Android PC

http://www.takealot.com/cloudgate-circle-android-computer-optimized-for-playing-media/PLID32732413

Main reason was that I wanted to flash it with Ubuntu to use it as a Plex media server. The latest review of the device indicated that someone else has already done this.

I've only ever installed Ubuntu on PCs or Laptops before, so does anyone know how I would start with this box. I can only assume it runs an ARM processor or similar, I don't even know how to check what hardware is inside or how to set what device to boot it from.

Any assistance would be appreciated.
 
Thanks very much. Knowing the model for the device also helps tremendously.
 
oldhat said:
That Cloudgate Android PC is a RK3188 based device:
Click to expand...

If you don't mind me asking, how did you know which chip the PC is based on, I couldn't find that anywhere on the box or the site?
Would love to get a proper HW spec breakdown of the device.
 
This looks quite interesting, anyone know the difference between the Circle (android media player) and X (android desktop)?

On the tech spec page for the X it shows the processor details. No such page for the Circle, but they have some details in the Buy Now section. No processor number though. Are they based on the same hardware?
 
Psykro said:
Main reason was that I wanted to flash it with Ubuntu to use it as a Plex media server.
Click to expand...

It will be quite restrictive running on that device though, no transcoding but perfect if you maintain a strictly encoded media collection.
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
It will be quite restrictive running on that device though, no transcoding but perfect if you maintain a strictly encoded media collection.
Click to expand...

Interesting, by encoded, what do you mean specifically (very new to this, used to just have a mid range gaming rig which ran as the server)
 
Psykro said:
Interesting, by encoded, what do you mean specifically (very new to this, used to just have a mid range gaming rig which ran as the server)
Click to expand...

One of the main feature of Plex is the ability to re-encode media from one format to another on the fly (transcoding). This is useful as many devices that run Plex apps only support a very limited range of formats so if the original file on your Plex Server cannot be read by the device, then the Plex Server transcodes it to something that can be read by the device. This process uses a lot of processing power though, of which the Cloudgate has none.

When installing Plex Media Server on low power devices like this transcoding is generally disabled as the processor simply cannot handle it, however if the original media on the server is already in a format that can be played directly on the devices you're playing back on then it doesn't need to transcode and can just send the file straight over the network basically. This is what I mean be strictly encoded, making sure that the file is encoded in such a way that it does not require transcoding on your target device. The best format for this is almost always h264 encoded MP4 with the primary audio track in AAC stereo, the h264 level should be max 4.0 and the fast start flag should be set.
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
One of the main feature of Plex is the ability to re-encode media from one format to another on the fly (transcoding). This is useful as many devices that run Plex apps only support a very limited range of formats so if the original file on your Plex Server cannot be read by the device, then the Plex Server transcodes it to something that can be read by the device. This process uses a lot of processing power though, of which the Cloudgate has none.

When installing Plex Media Server on low power devices like this transcoding is generally disabled as the processor simply cannot handle it, however if the original media on the server is already in a format that can be played directly on the devices you're playing back on then it doesn't need to transcode and can just send the file straight over the network basically. This is what I mean be strictly encoded, making sure that the file is encoded in such a way that it does not require transcoding on your target device. The best format for this is almost always h264 encoded MP4 with the primary audio track in AAC stereo, the h264 level should be max 4.0 and the fast start flag should be set.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip.

The devices are Roku's, this is good info to know should something not work.
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
One of the main feature of Plex is the ability to re-encode media from one format to another on the fly (transcoding). This is useful as many devices that run Plex apps only support a very limited range of formats so if the original file on your Plex Server cannot be read by the device, then the Plex Server transcodes it to something that can be read by the device. This process uses a lot of processing power though, of which the Cloudgate has none.

When installing Plex Media Server on low power devices like this transcoding is generally disabled as the processor simply cannot handle it, however if the original media on the server is already in a format that can be played directly on the devices you're playing back on then it doesn't need to transcode and can just send the file straight over the network basically. This is what I mean be strictly encoded, making sure that the file is encoded in such a way that it does not require transcoding on your target device. The best format for this is almost always h264 encoded MP4 with the primary audio track in AAC stereo, the h264 level should be max 4.0 and the fast start flag should be set.
Click to expand...

So 'YIFY' then ;-)
 
So the Flash to SD card option worked, and now I can look at a pretty Ubuntu login screen, because no keyboard or mouse seems to detect *sigh*

I probably shoulda shelled out the R3k for the Windows variant...
 
Psykro said:
So the Flash to SD card option worked, and now I can look at a pretty Ubuntu login screen, because no keyboard or mouse seems to detect *sigh*

I probably shoulda shelled out the R3k for the Windows variant...
Click to expand...

Have you tried bluetooth or usb keyboard/mouse?
 
Last edited:
oldhat said:
Have you tried bluetooth or usb keyboard/mouse?
Click to expand...

Tried wired and wireless mouse and wired keyboard, nada. Don't have access to bluetooth options.

Next step will be to try and ssh into the box, hopefully it has a IP.
 
Psykro said:
Tried wired and wireless mouse and wired keyboard, nada. Don't have access to bluetooth options.

Next step will be to try and ssh into the box, hopefully it has a IP.
Click to expand...

Have one of these around can linux be installed them and working? Didyou atleast come right with keyboard and mouse issue?
 
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