The 64-bit ARM TV boxes are coming either with Rockchip Rk3368, Amlogic S905, or Allwinner A64, but so far I could not find much price information. The good news is that the first 64-bit ARM mini PCs will be cheap, as Beelink i68, powered by Rockchip RK3368 octa-core Cortex A53 processor, is listed for as low as $66.35 with 1GB RAM on Gearbest, but you can also select the 2GB RAM version for $81.68. Using coupon BI68 will reduce the price further by one or two dollars.
Beelink i68 specifications:
- SoC – Rockchip RK3368 octa core Cortex A53 processor @ 1.5 GHz with PowerVR G6110 GPU
- System Memory – 1 or 2 GB DDR3
- Storage – 8GB eMMC flash + SD card slot up to 64GB
- Video Output – HDMI 2.0 up to 4K @ 60Hz
- Audio Output – HDMI, optical S/PDIF
- Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, dual band Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0
- USB – 3x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x micro USB OTG port
- Misc – Power button, IR receiver
- Power Supply – 5V/2A
- Dimensions – 12.0 x 12.0 x 2.4 cm
The box will ship with a US power supply and a EU adapter, an HDMI cable, a remote control, a USB OTG adapter, and an English user’s manual. Like other pre-announced RK3368 boxes, it runs Android 5.1, with Kodi pre-installed supporting H.265 hardware decoding up to 2160p @ 60Hz.
It looks like the product is basically ready to ship (i.e. not a pre-sale), but somehow GearBest mostly uses 3D renders in their product page, except when showing the full package with accessories.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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pity there’s no analog AV output.
and surprisingly, the wifi isn’t AC and isn’t 5GHz.
this is in contrast to csa90 (that costs 20$ more) which is apparently made exactly according to Rockchip’s reference design of rk3368 devices.
according to Rockchip’s past reputation: is it probable that it would receive an update to android M? (which brings several technical updates concerning video playback on TVs).
and could there be TV boxes, rather than the nexus player, with the official AndroidTV (not the tablet/smartphone android), which is more optimized for TVs and remotes (rather than small touchscreens and air mice)?
and I forgot to mention that surprisingly, the Ethernet isn’t gigabit.
I wonder how the new Amazon Fire TV will perform against this device.
Will use a A53 1.5Ghz Mediatek CPU and a more powerful PowerVR GPU
http://www.aftvnews.com/fire-tv-stick-2-leak-shows-more-powerful-quad-core-device-running-android-5-1/
Why Android 5.1? Also Geniatech seems that the ATV1900AC Quad Core Gold comes with Android 5.0 not with Android TV.
In february Mike Decker talk about the advantages from Android TV for a TV Box.
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoavEDYR1eI
And the Amlogic SW on http://openlinux.amlogic.com/ calls MBox 4.2 -5.1, i do not read Android TV.