MK918, also known as K-R42-1, CS918, or MK888, is an Android TV box powered by Rockchip RK3188T with 2GB RAM, and 8GB Flash. This is a pretty standard device, and I already featured it, but GeekBuying is selling the device for $49.99 as part of their second anniversary, which looks to be good deal, but it turns out some Aliexpress sellers are also doing promotions for about the same price ($50+). The promotion on GeekBuying will last about on more day, and around 50 units are available, and on Aliexpress promotions runs between 1 and 3 more days. The usual price seems to be between $60 and $70, but I guess some companies may get rid off old stocks with products based on Amlogic S802 already there, and Rockchip RK3288 and AllWinner A80 products soon to hit the market.
Let’s remind ourselves of the complete specs:
- SoC – Rockchip RK3188T quad Cortex-A9 CPU @ 1.4 GHz + Mali-400 MP4 GPU
- System Memory – 1 or 2GB DDR3 SDRAM
- Storage – 8GB Nand Flash + MicroSD slot (Up to 32GB)
- Connectivity
- 10/100M Ethernet
- WiFi 802.11 b/g/n with external antenna
- Bluetooth 4.0 (optional, may not be found in all models)
- Video Output – HDMI + AV output jack
- Audio Output – HDMI + + AV + optical S/PDIF
- Video Codecs (Decode) – MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264 (up to 60 Mbps), AVS, VC-1, RV, VP6/VP8, Sorenson Spark, MVC @ 1080p60
- Video Codecs (Encode) – H.264, VP8, and MVC @ 1080p
- Audio Codecs – MP1,MP2,MP3,WMA,WAV,OGG,OGA,APE,FLAC,AAC,M4A,3GPP…etc
- USB – 2x USB host ports
- Misc – IR port
- Power – 5V/2A
- Dimensions – 142x95x21 mm
- Weight – 135 grams
The device runs Android 4.2.2 and comes with a power adapter, HDMI and AV cables, a user’s manual, a micro USB to USB cable, and an IR remote control. Please bear in mind that Bluetooth may not be available in all models, and some feature 2GB RAM, others only 1GB. MK918 in GeekBuying features BlueTooth and 2GB RAM, but you’d better check if you purchase a box via Aliexpress. The remote control may also be different between sellers. The one provided on GeekBuying is pretty basic, and the picture above is from a seller on Aliexpress with more buttons. I never use the provided IR remote control myself, but maybe some people do :)… The latest firmware may be available here.
It’s pretty amazing how prices have come down, and you can now buy a quad core mini PC delivered to your door for just $50.
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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on geek buy it shows a mother type of remote controll wasent too sure if it was ir or rf
Go with aliexpress GeekBuying had me waiting more than two eeks for ac device they claim was out of stock and wouldn’t allow me to choose another device so their customer service and bait and switch tactics is what I warn you about. They may not even have it for that price and are just trying to lure you in. For TV boxes aliexpress has more of a selection anyway
I have a newer/cheaper device like this, and is a LS_X6_V12 motherboard, with no custom ROMs available, so be careful.
CNXSOFT: why does aliexpress list these with just 1GB RAM, while Geekbuying lists them with 2GB RAM?
Confused!
@dmsc
Some more details about LS_X6_V12. It’s also a CS918/MK918 board, but possibly a newer version? -> http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?12834-LS_X6_V12-Motherboard-with-RK3188-T
Cheaper? Where?
@FossXplorer
There must be model with different options, some come with 1GB, others with 2GB. I’ll update the post to mention this “detail”.
I have seen this case with different motherboards
hey guys here is a few different types http://blog.geekbuying.com/index.php/2014/01/25/whats-the-difference-between-t-r42-mk918-cs918-q7-quad-core-tv-box/#.U6oYJo0kHRy
not too sure but after helping a few friends flash their firmware’s on these devices some of them did not have wifi or bluetooth working some had problems with the ir remote it is a massive head ache. also the remote on geek is a ir remote and i dont think it has a curser button witch i think is very important when it comes to the android side of thing some apps do require curser support.
Model 1:T-R42 Shopping link: http://www.geekbuying.com/item/T-R42-Quad-Core-Google-Android-4-2-2-RK3188-28nm-Cortex-A9-1-6-GHz-Mini-TV-BOX-HDMI-HDD-Player-2G-8G-BT-RJ45-External-Wifi-Antenna-with-IR-Remote-Controller-Black-317424.html Price: $79.99 Free Shipping T-R42 is the first generation products, and we sold this at first. Most of people begin to know this model through our site. so how to know you are getting the real T-R42? 1 Check the lable in the back cover. We ask the factory to print the model on the back cover label directly; 2 PCBA Board, here is the pcba board photo for T-r42 and you can find the PCBA Board model is B351_V2.0 2013/09/22. 3 the wifi and bluetooth chipset use RTL8723AS. 4 Firmware: Stock firmware for T-R42… Read more »
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
I mean “cheaper than the original CS918”, I bought mine on eBay for $60.
I know that thread, I posted there 😉 , I have tried a couple of things but still can’t compile a working kernel for my device, I will keep trying on the weekend.
well, now there is a 19.99 price tag on geekbuying.com…
@jn
:O Cool. Now that’s a deal!
jn, adem, it’s out of stock. Any idea if it will be back in stock?
don’t know dude sorry
I have bought one of these had for 3 months now it won’t start up all I get is the logo andriod any ideals how I can restart it please
@chris
Try to reflash the firmware. There are many different boards as mentioned by Adem, so make sure you have the right firmware for your device.
I got 10 none of them will stay connected to WiFi or load a WiFi list
Dear Adem, bought a box in this model http://pt.aliexpress.com/item/CS918-MK888-Android-4-2-TV-Box-RK3188-Quad-Core-Mini-PC-RJ-45-USB-WiFi/1877438874.html?s=p it worked normally for 60 days but now the boot displays ‘Type password to decrypt storage’ and I can not do anything else. The Android is 4.4.2.
I tried solution with the seller without success. I need to reinstall the Android? Thanks for any help.
@adem
aliexpress only need $34.5.
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/CS918-XBMC-fully-loaded-Android-4-4network-TV-Box-MK888-2GB-8GB-Quad-Core-RK3188-Cortex/1735358_32308509841.html
I have this board in mine HLSX_X6_V10 and cant seem to fine firmware that works. Can anyone help
does anybody know if the cvbs = tv out works on these devices ? is it needed to shutdown and restart box after wanting to use cvbs video RCA instead of hdmi after having selected that mode in screen options ?
@data
I used to test this, and it worked at the time (2014/2015), but I stopped since I did a survey a while back and nobody used the AV port.
You normally don’t need to restart the box, if HDMI is not detected, it should fallback to the AV port.