Cubieboard is a low cost board based on AllWinner A10 with lots of ports and expansion pins, that supports Linux and Android. There’s now a new version called Cubieboard2 based on the same board but powered by AllWinner A20 dual core Cortex A7 processor instead, and still with 1GB RAM and 4GB Flash.
As you can see the specifications are the same as the original Cubieboard except for the SoC:
- SoC – AllWinner A20 Dual core ARM Cortex-A7 processor with Mali-400 MP2 GPU
- System Memory – 1GB DDR3
- Storage – 4GB internal NAND flash, up to 64GB on micro SD slot, and up to 2TB on 2.5″ SATA disk
- Video Output – HDMI
- Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, plus optional Wi-Fi module
- USB – 2x USB 2.0 HOST, 1x USB 2.0 OTG
- Expansion headers – 96 pins including I2C, SPI, RGB/LVDS, CSI/TS, FM-IN, ADC, CVBS, VGA, SPDIF-OUT, R-TP, and more
- Misc – IR sensor
- Power – 5VDC input 2A or USB OTG input
The board supports Linux (WIP) and Android, although I don’t seem to find images right now [Update: Android image are here, and Ubuntu 12.04 there. You’ll also find links to source code in those pages]. But there’s definitely progress on the Linux side for AllWinner A20, as Olimex released a preliminary Debiam image for their A20-OlinuXino this morning. Later, a new version of the board will be released with Gb Ethernet since this is supported by A20, and possibly 2GB RAM, but this version only support 10/100M Ethernet. [Update: “CubieTruck” is the name of the upcoming board with AllWinner A20 + 2GB RAM + GbE + on-board Wifi+BT + HDMI/VGA]
Cubieboard2 is now available for $59 + shipping ($10 more than the Cubieboard), and comes with a USB cable for power, and a SATA cable (data + power).
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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PCBs for another one (“CubieTruck”) with 2GB RAM appeared in the cubieboard mailing list recently too…
There is alsoalready the marsboard A20, although it is sold out.
http://www.hotmcu.com/marsboard-a20-dev-board-p-60.html?cPath=33
So how is hardware accelerated playback in XBMC coming along on the Allwinner platform ?
Last i heard they screwed over the XBMC devs, lied to them, and that made Allwinner pretty worthless
1. Can I try these linuxes on my Jesurun ?
http://dx.com/p/jesurun-a19-android-4-2-2-dual-core-tv-box-media-player-w-hdmi-av-vga-usb-host-black-215514
2. Can I try the linuxes for the A10 as well ?
As they seem to be almost identical to A20, AND, the directions for use are to me, an experienced Noob, a bit clearer
Noooo, I hoped in 2gb ddr ram!
Why not?
@monk
At best, XBMC Linux will the same as A10. But it’s also possible there’s no video acceleration at all, since AllWinner do not provide Linux SDK. For XBMC in A20, you probably have to run XBMC XAF in Android. The only SoC I really like for XBMC (Linux or Android) is AMLogic AML8726-M3 / MX.
@pingpong
It might work, but you have to change script.bin (evb.bin) to match your hardware, and possibly u-boot.
AllWinner A10 images won’t work in A20.
@pinko
Price must be one reason, and the second might be the current PCB only supports 1GB RAM. Cubietruck is coming with 2GB RAM, and a few other goodies.
More details and PCB foto about cubietruck:
http://cubieboard.org/2013/06/22/the-2nd-pcb-model-cubietruck-discussion/
Another A20 board called A20 Bull DEV:
http://www.wesage.net/index.php?case=archive&act=show&aid=35
@Gabe
Thanks!. I’ve contacted the company for more information as at first I missed the price…
At $250, it’s not really a low cost board.