There are plenty of Android media players on the market, and Linux only TV boxes with recent processors have become a rarity. One of them is Armada Mach 8 Pure Linux based on Shenzhen Tomato / Eny M8 hardware, and a new device called Xunity Aurora, also powered by Amlogic S802 quad core processor, will run Linux based on an hardware platform that looks very much like Zoomtak T8.
Xunity Aurora specifications:
- SoC – Amlogic S802 quad core cortex A9r4 @ 2 GHz with Mali-450MP6 GPU @ 700 MHz
- System Memory – 2GB DDR3
- Storage – 8GB NAND flash + SD card slot
- Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, dual band 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi with external antenna, Bluetooth 4.0
- Video Output – HDMI 1.4a up to 4K30, composite output (RCA)
- Audio Output – HDMI, stereo RCA, and optical S/PDIF
- Video Containers – DAT, MPEG, MPE, MPG, TS/TP, VOB, ISO, AVI, MP4, MOV, 3GP, FLV, MKV, M2TS, MTS, M4V, WMV, ASF, RM/RMVB, etc…
- Audio Formats – MP2, MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG, OGA, FLAC, ALAC, APE, AAC etc…
- USB – 3x USB 2.0 host ports
- Misc – IR receiver, LED display on front panel, and power button.
- Power Supply – 5V/2A
- Dimensions – N/A (Aluminum enclosure)
The box comes with an IR remote control, a 5V/2A power adapter, an HDMI cable, an a user’s manual. XBMC 13.2 is pre-installed in the box, together with iStream add-on, a “smart media aggregator that stores media preferences, creates a digital online library in the cloud, and let you watch TV shows, movies, and YouTube videos without the need to pay for cable TV subscription”.
Zoomtak T8 can also feature an optional SATA bay under the device, but it has not been included in Xunity Aurora, so the company recommends to use a USB hard drive instead.
Linux based TV boxes are normally more expensive than Android ones, which I understand as sales should be lower, and software developers need to be pay somehow. But here the price gap is a little more than expected, as while Zoomtak T8 sells for $95 shipped, Xunity Aurora goes for 160 Euros (~$190 US) + shipping, although it can also be found on Ebay for $169.95. I guess this could be still attractive for people who want to get rid of their cable subscription, and don’t know how to install an XBMC add-on. If you have a twitter account, the company also organize a giveaway to win this Linux box. Further details may be found on Xunity Aurora product page.
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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“Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet”
Why do most of these boxes never have true Gigabit ethernet?
“and let you watch TV shows, movies, and YouTube videos with the need for cable TV subscription”.
Without the need surely? Of course what has happened over the years is that an ISP subscription is replacing a cable TV subscription, so as they say, there is no free lunch, especially with people also adding on payments to services like Netflix.
@Alfred Braithewaite
Amlogic S802 only supports 10/100M. See: http://www.cnx-software.com/2014/04/25/amlogic-stb-socs-comparison-aml8726-mx-s802-s805-and-s812/
Thanks. I’ve corrected the mistake.
Used this companies units before and they were complete muck. Really cheap build quality, terrible performance. Don’t like the piracy angle that they are clearly advertising. If you want to throw your money away this looks like a great option…
@a1danslat3
what unit did you get??
“I guess this could be still attractive for people who want to get rid of their cable subscription, and don’t know how to install an XBMC add-on.” CLASSIC QUOTE!!! Gotta love it.
@jeff
Xunity eclipse. Muck. The remote last for about 2 days on brand new batteries, xbmc is both unsecure and unstable on the platform. The unit constantly quits from xbmc/Istream. Even on the latest update. Overprice and comes preloaded with heaps of piracy content and porn. No thanks.
You will be factory resetting the device just for fun.
I had an eclipse and thought at first it was good but zero support and no updates is very disappointing. not sure why I would try the new box. the company shut down their chat group and no info on website for months. now they relaunch it with a new box and no mention of the eclipse, its like they gave up and started over and said screw it to whoever bought an eclipse this is a shit company and box.
I bought the box back in November, had to factory reset it about 8 times due to my inexperience setting it up, yet in the same token my inexperience shouldn’t be fully to blame, why? well it is not a bottomline price device is expensive therefore should come with instructions for setup of each of the features it offers. To be fair, now 3 months later I have it working the way it is supposed to work, and it works great, love the ability to listen to radio stations from all over the world, watch TV channels from my country Colombia, sports etc, a friend said, hey I can do the same with my computer, I reply, yes, but the ability to use the box as a true multimedia device with a remote control, and the interphase is priceless, of course this features are not provided by Xunity, rather by KODI. It took me 3 months to figure out how to configure the build in VPN on the box, a great convenience because it allows me to isolate VPN usage just for the particular device instead of setting my primary router as a VPN device and having to route all traffic via the same. Now as far as support from XUNITY, my personal experience is that they don’t have personal support to clients period, in other words, I called 3 months ago to Dublin, explained to the guy who answered that I was happy with the box and ALL i was looking was for help configuring the VPN, and the ability to browse my pictures via the ISTREAM pictures area, he said, no problem, here send us an email and we will respond to you, that should be simple, 4 months later never got an email back, and everytime after that I called from North Carolina they would not pick up the phone (blacklisted my number 🙁 ). My thoughts for anyone looking for a good streaming device, if you are persistent, technical, and don’t mind spending a few hours researching online, and getting your device to work as you want it them XUNITY Aurora is a great choice, now that will be the case for must devices “I THINK” as KODI use premise is you setup the addons that will personally fulfill your needs, in other words, you won’t install SPORTS addons if you hate sports, therefore personalization of the device is something that you will have to do regardless of which box you get. Final thoughts, I love my xunity aurora now that is working as I want it, it was not overnight (almost like marriage) I had to work at it, configure, break, fix (reset) , start all over which after you have done it 4 times becomes as easy as frying eggs without breaking the yolk, them the fun starts, and once it is where you want it, you always adding something new, always curious as to what new feature is coming etc.
Hi My friend I have recently got the same box as you off a mate of mine nothing works on it I c you managed to get yours up and running properly do you think you would be able to assist me in setting mine up the way it should be thanks in advance
Hi Ramiro,
Sorry to bother you, but I too brought a xunity aurora now that is not working.
Tried reset, Jodi etc… still can’t get it to work. Long shot(&despirate for help!)
Could u direct me as to how you got your box working with istream & kodi?
Any help/directions would be greatly appreciated.
Regards
Hi All,
I bought a Xunity Aurora Tv Box from the makers in Ireland. When I received it I could not get it to work properly. The CUSTOMER care was absolutely useless. I only had the box for three weeks and after contacting them about a problem they said the box was bricked and useless and I would Have to fork out another £133 pounds for a new one. PLEASE Stay clear of this company. There customer service is bad, the box is not as good as they say it is and you can get a different box out there for less money.