Here’s another tiny device based on AllWinner A10 processor. The MINI X is an Android 2.3.4 set-top box with 512MB RAM and 4GB NAND Flash that costs 77.50 USD including worldwide shipping.
Here are the device specifications:
- CPU – AllWinner A10 (Cortex A8) with Mali-400 GPU
- Memory – 512MB DDR3 RAM
- Storage – 4GB NAND Flash, microSD slot
- Video Output – HDMI 1.3
- USB – 2x USB 2.0 host
- Connectivity – WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
- Video Formats – MKV, TS, TP, M2TS, RM/RMVB, BD-ISO, AVI, MPG, VOB, DAT, ASF, TRP, FLV etc
- Video Codecs – MPEG1/2/4, H.264, VC-1, Divx, Xvid, RM8/9/10, VP6
- Subtitle – SRT, SUB, IDX, SSA, SMI
- Audio Formats – MP3, ACC, OGG, WMA, WAV, M4A, APE
- Image format – JPG, BMP,GIF, TIF, PNG
- IR Remote Control
- Dimension: 72 x 61 x 13mm
- Weight: 51g
This device is half-way between the MK802 HDMI stick and the Mele A1000 STB. It has about the same hardware specifications (and price) as the MK802, but is about twice the size and comes with a IR Remote Control and an extra USB 2.0 host port. There is no Ethernet port, SATA connector nor VGA and composite outputs, so it you need one of those ports, you’d be better off with the larger and slightly more expensive Mele A1000. The MINI X is the only A10 device I’ve seen with an external Wi-Fi antenna which might be an advantage for WiFi performance and range.
You can find more pictures and a 12-minutes video demo of the device on lowyat forums.
If you are interested in this device, you can buy it for 77.50 USD on Dealextreme.
Update: For those who want to buy in large quantities, MINI X manufacturer is PineRiver.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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hello
Do you know if we can use a webcam with this computer ?
thx 🙂
@ joker
Yes, you can use USB webcams with AllWinner A10 platforms.
Both a reader and I have been able to use a Skype in the Mele A1000 (Android 2.3 STB based on A10) with audio and video working.
no ethernet (or sata) .. just a cheap tablet board inside for a right royal price ..
@ mac me
I would not go as far as calling the price a royal price, but it’s true that considering we can get A10 tablet for about 90 USD (inc shipping) and A10 STB with Ethernet and SATA for 90 USD, the price could be more competitive.
Despite all the (relative) hype on the Internet about this type of products, it’s still a niche market, and I think that if there is real demand for tiny ARM Android/Linux PCs and they sell by millions, the price should drop below 50 dollars, considering the BOM cost is about 20 to 25 dollars.
@ cnxsoft
Actually make that 76 USD for a VIA 8850 (Cortex A9) Android 4.0 7″ Tablet and that includes shipping! I wonder if that’s a mistake…
@ cnxsoft
Hi cnxsoft
I have an Mele A1000.
Which is the brand and model of webcam with microphone you used on the A1000 for Skype ?
Thanks
Sergio
@ sergiol
It’s a Hong Kong brand: PCHOME. I can’t see the model number on it. I bought the cheapest webcam I could find at the time.
I have not been able to buy this player on Dialextreme.
Manager replied: “The order is out of stock. It is difficult to tell when it will be in stock again.”
@ Different
It looks like it is available. I’ve tried to go through checkout (before payment) and they don’t say it’s out of stock.
I’ve also found it on Aliexpress, but it’s much more expensive (nearly 100 USD with shipping).
@ cnxsoft
Yeah, I’ve already bought it on AliExpress for $87 with free shipping. The seller sent the product after 3 days. It’s not cheap, but there is Android 4.0 and audio output. I want to connect my display.
@ Different
Thanks. That link is cheaper than the other Aliexpress link I showed you.
@ cnxsoft
I got the Mini X yesterday. Inside is really Android 4.0.4. CPU clock speed is 1008MHz. The device is very hot during operation.
Did you have the chance to test the composite AV out connection on a regular 4:3 tv?
Hello, I got the Mini X 3 days ago.. But it is not booting right now. Is there any way to fix or recover? While booting, desktop is not coming, it keeps wait android loading logo. Do you have any suggestion?
@Astron
Did it use to boot? If so, try to get the firmware. If it never booted, there could be an hardware issue.
If it shows the boot logo, then reboot, then show the boot logo in a loop, it could be a power supply issue.
@cnxsoft
Hello friend,
I dont know where i can get firmware to recover.
As you told that the first android screen is coming after 1 or 2 sec. android logo appears in a loop. And it waits like this. I realized that power supply is 5Volt 2Amper but in my car i’m using usb charger. After reading your comment, i connect with electricity with again usb chager over OGT port it is still android logo in a loop. I’m my be find AC-DC power supply 5Volt 2Amper by connecting over DC input. Thank you suggestion. It may not be hardware problem, it may be power supply problem. I’m going to share with you the result when i get correct power supply.
Thank you again.
@Astron
Hi again,
I found its orginal power supply. Now there are 3 scenario,
1- I have connected over DC 5V socket with orginal power supply (5V and 2A) but not working even i cannot see Android logo in a loop.
2- With other power supply (1A) first green android splash screen comes and after 2 sec. android logo apears in a loop but desktop is not coming 🙁
3- It has hardware problem because its cover was too hot when it was working.
When i think completely the problem, it is loading and looping it may be software problem is occured 🙁 I dont know how to fix with firmware because i have no firmware and tools for writing rom again.
Here is the link, while it is working in my car plugged in usb charger (sorry for video language, it is Turkish)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFCopfdI2m0
Check DX.com forum ( they sell this item ) , u can find some links to update process and update files ( to copy on a SD card , insert and switch on ) i don’t really remember where but i’ve seen how to…
@Astron
That looks like a really cool project! But I suppose you need to have a Mercedes Benz for this project…
I think I did clearly explain the potential power supply issue. It works like this:
1. Power on
2. Splash logo
3. Android logo
4. Automatically reboots and go back to step 1.
And this process takes place for over. But in your case it looks like you are actually stick in the Android logo for ever so it must be another issue.
Try @exxerg solution, if it does not work you may have to return the product for a replacement.
@cnxsoft
🙂 Yes, i also like very much my project. When i manage to run again mini-X, i’m going to share with Mercedes Benz 🙂 In Turkey, Mercedes Benz has big market.
Sorry for my english i may sometimes misunderstand the subject.
As you described that,
1. Power On
2. Slash logo
3. Android logo comes and start to loop forever.
There isnt 4th step. Not reboots. I’m going to try @exxerg solution but, it is very hard to find firmware for Mini-X and how to recover steps. 🙁
In an article, (may be see here i’m not sure) there are recover steps for Mk802 but it isnt for Mini-X. In this article they say Mk802 has a hole and put into hole a paperclipper to press button but Mini-X hasnt any button for reset or power. You are just connect to power supply that’s all.
If you know that recover procedure for Mini-X and firmware link please let me know.
Thank you for everything.
@Astron
Have you tried that? http://club.dx.com/forums/Forums.dx/threadid.1193433
@cnxsoft
Hello, I have found the solution 🙂 Now, i am very happy, my miniX is running 🙂
Here is the procedure that you have to do;
The android in the initial links are base on mele 2000 (same A10 chips ) obviously is no a specific to minix, today find a most recent version of fimware developed to minx Minix Firmware (4.0.4 July version 2012) called -> H24_en_0710.img it is from the manufacturer http://www.pineriver.cn/UploadFile/20126815924703.jpg
here the links
http://www.4shared.com/rar/-pV7Ik7q/PhoenixCardV306_20120302.html
http://www.4shared.com/rar/XReqMDWb/YangxiMinix_0710.html
passw: 0122753030 for the compresed files
to download the file you need a free registration and affter can download the files
here the manual
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/70650158/MINIXmanual-0625.pdf
inside of the files find the instructions to install the update
before install the update save all your data
1- Download these two files.
2- Extract img file to a folder
3- Extract PhoenixCardV306_20120302 to a folder.
4- You MUST HAVE external mini SD card reader (I have bought TRUST card reader today.) You cannot use SD slot of your laptop because laptop’s SD reader doesn’t have Partition write properties, only external SD card read have.
5- Run PhoenixCard.exe
6- Browse image location
7- Select PRODUCT mode from PhoenixCard.exe
8- Click BURN button to write miniX firmware image to your miniSD (min 2GB required)
9- Put SDcard into miniX
10- Turn on the miniX for firmware update
11- Wait about 5 minutes. If you connect your miniX by HDMI cable you cannot see anything while burnning firmware. If blue light is off which means firmware is burned image to miniX, you can turn off your miniX and then turn it on again. That’s all. 🙂
Thank you Cnxsoft for helping me.
@Astron
I’m glad you worked it out, and thanks for taking the time to provide the firmware, manual and detailed instructions here.
@cnxsoft
Your welcome dear @cnxsoft 🙂
I have realized that after recovering miniX, AV output didn’t work. I found another firmware image.
Burned it again, now AV output is functinally working..
@cnxsoft, do you know that how to enable usb Bluetooth driver to android?
Sorry i forgot the link: http://www.4shared.com/archive/J0UtKXN-/MK802_II_recove_tool_120822.html
Maybe try something like that: http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/Android_wireless_build_and_porting_guide#Project:_kernel
@cnxsoft
Dear @cnxsoft,
I think, this is for onboard solution. But, as you know that there is no onboard bluetooth module in MiniX. To define usb bluetooth may require different solution. In my opinion, there can be an APK file without kernel base compile.
Is this from the same company? http://www.myhdplayer.de/Android-TV-Box/MiniX-NEO-X5-Android-4-0-Dual-Core-Smart-TV-Box.html
@Jarcho
I guess not. The Mini X above is manufatured by Pineriver, but the NEO X5 appears to be done by a company called MINIX (http://minix.com.hk/product-items/neo-x5/)