Most Android TV boxes now come with either 8 or 16GB, and in my experience it’s usually enough for most users. However, as we’ve seen recently, while not being as powerful as Nvidia Shield Android TV box, Amlogic S912 TV boxes are suitable for gaming, and games may use a lot of space, and for example a PSP street fighting game took 500 MB space when I tested it. So if you need more storage space, you may consider devices such as YOKATV KB2 that comes with 32GB eMMC flash.
YOKATV KB2 specifications:
- SoC – Amlogic S912 octo-core ARM Cortex A53 processor @ up to 2.0GHz with ARM Mali-T820MP3 GPU @ up to 750MHz
- System Memory – 2GB DDR3
- Storage – 32GB eMMC flash, micro SD slot up to 32GB
- Video Output – HDMI 2.0a with HDR, CEC and (maybe) HDCP 2.2 support + 3.5mm AV jack
- Audio Output – HDMI, AV, and optical S/PDIF
- Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, and Bluetooth 4.0 with external antenna
- USB – 2x USB 2.0 ports
- Misc – IR receiver, power/standby LED, recovery pin hole
- Power Supply – 5V/2A
- Dimensions – 109 x 109 x 21 mm
- Weight – TBC
The device runs Android 6.0 with Kodi 17.0, and ships with IR remote control, a HDMI cable, a power adapter, and a user’s manual.
I first found about KB2 on GeekBuying where it is sold for $84.99, but the remote control is exactly the same as MECOOL BM8, and naming scheme is typical of Videostrong, so the latter is likely the manufacturer. I have not found any specific info about Videostrong KB2, nor MECOOL KB2 yet, but MECOOL BB2 look and specs are very similar, except the 32GB flash is replaced by a 16GB flash. KB2 is also only found under YokaTV brand in Alibaba, so it’s possible the companies have signed an exclusivity deal for the 32GB storage version, which appears to be based on Videostrong KB3 TV box design.
[Update: GearBest now offers the device for $63.99 with GBKB2 coupon]
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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Raises the question should Android go with quick internal storage or quick affordable external storage?
HD drive or Blue Ray, DVD ?
Sdcard, TF to slow for big programs, games?
“not being as powerful as Nvidia Shield” thats the understatement of the year.
Shield can score up to 130.000 Antutu Points.
RK3288 can score about 55.000 Antutu Points.
S912 scores what ? 38-41.000 Points ! You should have wrote “Allmost as powerfull as a RK3368 which scores around 43.000”
S912 is the biggest dissapointment so far !
@Hulk Hogan
Use the shield’s thermal colling on a s912 and looks at it’s real performances ….
Can’t compare 10w to 3w solution ;).
We have to wait a test of a well made product with a correct cooling before quote this SOC as a joke.
@Hulk Hogan
How many dollars is a Nvidia Shield?
You have some proper sw and hw tests on various devices which supports that statement?
His grandfather is ZIDOO X6 Pro 🙂
S912 will be perfect SoC, 4K, VP9, HDR, GigErhernet….
@Rodrigo
only if auto-frame switching and DTS-HD audio pass through are supported. Otherwise yet another disappointing chipset and wait for the next chipset in the hope it has those essential media player features.
Wetek boxes support both, i dont have any s905 from them but i see on kodi forums it is working, Shield support also
@gizmomelb
The lack of automatic frame rate switching and DTS-HD audio support is not an issue with the SoC, and both features can be implemented on S912. So if you get a model from a company with a good history of providing firmware updates at some point in time both will be supported.
i notice on my s905 that the screen and resolution settings are spread about.
Play back settings to ensure hdmi self adaptation is on.
in Anddoid 5。1。1
So, these much cheaper S912 boxes could benefit from a simple 40mm fan mod?
On the internal memory limitations, since Android 6 allows apps to be stored to SD card using its new Adoptable Storage feature, can these boxes be set to do that and, if not, why not?
Some models of YokaTV have 2 HDMI IN ports. Do you know anything about them?
@Winston
I think they all support using micro SD card as internal storage. Some, but not all, also support using external USB HDD are internal storage.
@Raven
I haven’t seen those models.
@Winston
It might …
s812 soc runs at 1.6ghz (but 2.0ghz in benchmark ….). Initial heatsink were too small to keep full performance on long terme use (more than 10sec ….).
I changed the heatsink of mine but needed a firmware update to allow the soc to run at 2ghz for else than benchmark …
Similar Mod might be do-able for the s912.
Note : with initial heatsink, A9 runs at 1.6ghz but the GPU was throttling …. Without the firmware update, I already gained 50% 3d performances ….
@Paulin ARBOUX
My s802 box still gets higher scores in 3Dmark than a s905, but the s802 gets warmer. It is a wonder why AMLogic did not bring the 8 core GPU to the s905 design. If the s802, s812 really run slower, that is a big jump on GPU drivers that were not mature, optimized.
Why no 8 core GPU on s905
Was it cost?
Lack of silicon space on the s905?
Licence costs or power saving?
@Winston
If it helps,
on Android 5.1.1 go to more setting in the add-on settings app, select apps, select download, have a memory card inserted or USB memory.
Click the apps one at a time. Some in their settings will allow move to USB storage, moving will free up internal rom storage.
Hope it helps others.
Note, I just use a generic SDcard. Slow cards may? Affect some programmes speed.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
I’m hoping it will be useful for something like HDMI input streaming over the network, like this:
https://blog.danman.eu/using-tronsmart-pavo-m9-for-hdmi-input-streaming/
On the Videostrong product page I am trying to figure out the difference between YokaTV, Mecool, KM8 and BM8. All with pretty much identical specs. Looks like it’s only the mold and price. Then for each logo there are multiple listings with identical units except for the price. Do you know why they keep it so complex?
@Raven
Probably for some marketing or business reasons.
@Raven
ZIDOO X9S support HDMI input streaming via UDP or Multicast
On DX for $78.03 -> http://www.dx.com/p/kb2-amlogic-s912-android-6-0-tv-box-w-2gb-rom-32gb-ram-445054?Utm_rid=93072394&Utm_source=affiliate
On GearBest for 63.99$ with GBKB2 coupon -> http://www.gearbest.com/tv-box-mini-pc/pp_436946.html
It is VideoStrong device (got one yesterday from VS as sample S912). Based on VS q20x device tree. I’m not impressed with firmware (Android 6.0.1). It supports OTA but no new fw available atm. WiFi chip is BCM4335 (same chip as used in AMPAK 6354) but not AMPAK solution.
And I dont get why they are claiming SD card up to 32Gb. Mine 64Gb Sony Class 10 works fine on all Amlogic devices (did not tested on MX and below).
@Stane1983
All vendors have to claim “up to 32GB SDHC card only” or MS wants to collect ExFAT patent license fee. ExFAT is the default format for SDXC with 64 GB+.
Most of the small vendors still add ExFAT Linux driver (but probably don’t tell or pay). The big names either don’t add it or they pay MS.
There’s no hardware difference between SDHC and SDXC. With EXT4 all cards work, no matter the size. But you have to format them yourself and Android doesn’t help you with that.
My wifi keeps turning itself off and now won’t turn back on, does anyone know where I can get the network rest code from. Or if there is another fix.
Also the similar case MECOOL BB2, do 2GB+16GB, only 32GB change to 16GB, other specifications are the same, videostrong has two brand, “YOKATV” and “MECOOL”
http://www.gearbest.com/tv-box-mini-pc/pp_428934.html
now the MECOOL BB2 2GB+16GB is only sell 59.89USD now !
What a piece of crap! I just wasted 70€’s on a brick that lights up bue, when you plug it in. You might think we’ll ok if I just tap the Power Button, it should work right? Nope How about depressing the reset switch, then plugging it in? Nope that refuses to work to… About the only thing to haven’t done was to try hooking it up to a Windoze PC to see if it still registers there. And, thats only ’cause I run Linux on all my machines now. I would recommend looking elsewhere…. Or is this more of… Read more »
@Ichijoe
Have you been back to the seller?
Still in warranty?
@Theguyuk I was able to get a replacement from Deal Exreme. Sadly with whatever Firmware update it got in the past few weeks, both the WiFi, and Bluetooth have packed it in. Such WiFi that does exist goes up, and down like a Hooker. Thankfully the Ethernet seems largely stable. It’s my hope that a newer Firmware will turn up and, fix these bugs. Kodi v17 is as One would rightly assume is NOT ready for Prime Time. This said this Box seems to hate Jarvis (Kodi v16), just as much. Spend to much scrolling through a playlist, is almost… Read more »
@Michael
You could try the latest SPMC build ( Android Kodi fork )
Yes Kodi Android 17 is still a beta.
What are you needing to watch with Kodi ?
Can you change home launcher in main settings?
It is claimed
So What Features Does SPMC Have Over Kodi?
SPMC incorporates specific Android fixes and improvements too specific for the main code base
SPMC brings all Kodi features and provides some additional Android-specific fixes. Some of the changes include:
Registration as an Android launcher
AC3/DTS passthrough
Better H/W acceleration via private API
OUYA specifics
Enhancements for Amlogic and Rockchip devices
@Michael
You are not the only one as another reviewer says:
Aside from that, as mentioned below, the box did not start well. I experienced multiple crashes from Kodi (16.1 and SPMC 16.4) to the home screen, and video performance issues in 4k and even 720p/1080p videos.
However, this was (almost) all resolved once I uninstalled the pre-installed Kodi 17 Alpha, and switched to the newer 17 Beta. The 4k content played fine (at least locally), and I haven’t experienced another crash so far.
source http://www.eyalo.com/2482/review-yokatv-kb2-s912-tvbox/
With some understanding that the AmCODEC (Amlogic Hardware acceleration), would no longer be actively supported past Kodi v15. I’ve given more thought towards SPMC, since these Boxes are largely its target. Alas even SPMC suffers these same crashes too. As to the things I like to watch. These are largely streaming sites like Kiss Anime, or USTVNow. @theguyuk Have you updated to the 20160929 Firmware? From the sounds of it… Probably not, if not I would recommend you give it a miss, or at least manage a TWRP Backup first. For me some 4k stuff seems to play ok but,… Read more »
@Michael
Then try
Mobdro internet search it.
Showbox on Amazon or other app stores
Videomix internet search. go in to Videomix settings to enable all sources.
ccloudtv.org
channelpear.com
If you like anime try Viewster app
This will be my next development/demo server, since it has everything I need: – 802.11ac: bcm4335 with external antenna should do ok – at least 16GB eMMc: 32gb emmc is very nice – powered by usb: I’ll downclock this thing until I can power it by usb 3.0 (4.5W), should be possible – headless Linux support: with the source release by amlogic a working kernel should pose not a big problem, otherwise I’ll just use a chroot environment at first – only downside: crippled crypto extensions in all amlogic chips, otherwise 8 cores could be a real boost for my… Read more »
Seems they have a 1GB model too
http://www.gearbest.com/tv-box-mini-pc/pp_597284.html?wid=21
Going of Geekbuying and Gearbest the Yoka kbs1, s905x based has two HDMI in ports on the side of the box. Whether you can record of them who knows?
@Theguyuk
Based on the price of the box, they are most likely acting as a simple HDMI switcher.
Can anyone suggest me a wi-fi extender that is certainly compatible with Videostrong YokaTV kb2?
I tried 2 WiFi extender Netgear but the tvbox does not see at all the signal provided by them