After all the Rockchip RK3066 mini PCs (UG802, MK808, UG007…), and a few AMLogic AML8726-MX mini PCs (announced but yet to be available), there’s a new dual core HDMI TV stick platform in town: Kimdecent T21 based on Nufront NS115 dual core cortex A9 processor with a dual core Mali-400 GPU.
Apart from the new processor, the specifications are pretty standard:
- SoC – Nufront NS115 Cortex-A9 Dual-core @ 1.2GHz + Mali400 GPU
- System Memory – 1 GB DDR III
- Storage – 4 GB NAND Flash + microSD card socket (Up to 32 GB)
- Connectivity – Wifi 802.11 b/g/n
- USB – 1x USB Host port + 1x micro USB (Host or OTG?) port
- Video Output – HDMI 1.4 (Up to 1080p)
- Video Formats – 3GP, MPEG4, AVI, RMVB, MKV, FLV…
- Video & Audio Codecs – H.264, MVC, SVC, MPEG-2/4, DivX, VC-1, RealVideo, AVS, VP8(WebM, WebP), Sorenson, MJPEG, MVC, AAC+, WMA, MP3, MPEG
- Dimensions – 86.2 x 26 x 11 mm
- Size – 27g
Kimdecent T21 mini PC runs Android 4.1.1 (Jelly Bean) and is shipped with a AC Charger Adapter (5V/2A), a USB Cable and an English user manual. There’s no indication if the micro USB port is OTG or just host. In the later case, it means you must use the power adapter to power the device. The company also claims it supports XBMC, but I would doubt it makes use of hardware decoding.
Nufront NS115 was announced in May 2012 as the third generation processor designed by the company, and appears to be used in a limited number of products (Tablets) starting from August/September 2012. Some benchmarks (done in June…) appear to indicate Nufront NS115 performance is between AMLogic AML8726-MX and Rockchip RK3066. Please note that the benchmarks were performed at 1.5 GHz (Antutu: ~7000), but the processor is just clocked at 1.2 GHz as for the Rockchip RK3066 mini PCs to avoid overheating. Since the processor is not very widely used it might be difficult to get the firmware files, let alone some source code, although Kimdecent usually makes the firmware available on its website.
Kimdecent T21 is available now on Aliexpress for $49 including shipping, which is a very competitive price for a dual core mini PC, even though I have seen UG802 for as low as $46.50 once but they’ve raised their price since.
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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Would Linux be available (boot from SD)?
@nghia
Given the lack of documentation, it’s hard to say if it can boot from SD or not, and I can’t find any kernel source code for NS115.
Here are some more stuff about NS115:
http://www.androidodm.com/ns115-cortex-a9-dual-core-1-2g.html
http://www.androidodm.com/ns115-antutu-test-results.html
http://www.androidodm.com/hardware-compact-design-for-ns115.html
Kimdecent also informed me they have an application to control the mini PC remotely via an Android device.
The application is called BiggiFi VMG+.
Download link: http://www.kimdecent.com/application/107.html
(incomplete) user manual: http://www.kimdecent.com/blog/108.html
I haven’t checked it out. I don’t know if this is a VNC type or Droidmote type of application yet.
@cnxsoft
They confirmed me it’s similar to Droidmote.
Hi!… i have one unit to make a review in http://www.androidpc.es
¿Someone knows the Root method for NS115?
@Naismith
When will the review be posted on your website? Does the T21 support HDMI-CEC? I ask, because the datasheet of NS115 says that it is supported. Is the wifi signal good?
@Naismith
It’s a pretty new (and not so popular) platform, so when it comes to rooting you’re probably on your own at the moment.
@cnxsoft
Yes… i found some info in achinese website about the tablet Acho C905t this mounts NS115 SOC
http://bbs.imp3.net/thread-10768919-1-1.html
Uses “kingroot” (dont know, cant download… mirror?) and “TPSparkyRoot.bat” (this i know)
The next week i hope have time to release the review… i will check the CEC feature.
Its already rooted & full recovery mode in the preinstalled software 😀
Review next week… looks good.
It’s also sold on Dealextreme as J21 Google TV Player for $54.90.
I have purchased one of these and can tell you XBMC works perfect- sports, movies, live tv. It’s also very responsive and the biggifi remote works just fine with my android tab meaning no extra mouse or keyboard. I have it installed on my Samsung smart tv and it adds the finishing touch in terms of xbmc.
Here are the kernel sources for a similiar NS115 device (Uptek manufactured / Equiso Pro):
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0By6VL5JBm65ubWtaS3hrTDRUY1k/edit
http://www.equisoforum.com/Thread-Equiso-Pro-Linux-Kernel-Sources?pid=1484#pid1484