Rockchip introduced RK3328 processor for TV boxes at CES 2017. The processor is based on a quad core Cortex A53 processor and a Mali-450MP is some other competitors such as Amlogic S9xx series, but what made the processor stand out is that it already supports Android 7.1, and includes a USB 3.0 port. A5X Plus Mini is one of the first TV box based on the processor, and the first “Chinese” TV box I’ve seen running Android 7.x Nougat.
A5X Plus mini specifications:
- SoC – Rockchip RK3328 quad core Cortex A53 processor @ 1.5 GHz with Mali-450MP GPU
- System Memory – 1GB RAM
- Storage – 8 GB eMMC flash + micro SD card
- Video & Audio Output – HDMI 2.0a up to 4K @ 60 Hz with HDR10 and HLG support, 3.5mm AV port with composite video and stereo audio
- Video Codec – 4K VP9, H.265 and H.264. 1080p VC-1, MPEG-1/2/4, VP6/8
- Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi
- USB – 1x USB 2.0 port, 1x USB 3.0 port
- Misc – IR receiver, power LED
- Power Supply – 5V/2A
- Dimensions & Weight – TBD (Fits in hand)
The box runs Android 7.1 with Kodi 17.1 pre-installed, and ships with an HDMI cable, a power adapter, an IR remote control, and a user’s manual in English. Sadly the Fast Ethernet makes the USB 3.0 port advantage pretty much useless, as the bottleneck will be the network.
Since it’s a new processor with a new Android SDK, I’d expect a few issues at least in the first months. If you are interested in the device, you can purchase it for $44 including shipping on Aliexpress.
Via AndroidPC.es
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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Any support for ATSC tuner?
Very few of these boxes have any support for “free-to-air” channels. Geniatech advertises ATV1960 here but it is just vaporware.
@jqpabc123
Do a internet search of ” android tv box ATSC tuner ”
I just found several !
MyGica ATV 586 ATSC TV Recording PVR Android TV Box
@Theguyuk
Yes and eliminate those that are no longer being sold, have questionable stability or are seriously out of date (Android 4 ???) and you’re left with — almost nothing.
@jqpabc123
For ATSC, I’d check products from VideoStrong or WeTek. There are other brands, but I’ve never tested their models.
@jqpabc123
I normally add the “atsc” tag to related posts, so you can find some solutions @ http://www.cnx-software.com/tag/atsc/
Not all of which are TV boxes though.
Anyone know the state of mainline support for RK3328?
The main attraction of a USB3 port for me is the higher power capability, so I could run an external hard drive. This box only comes with a 2A power supply, does it say anything about the power through the USB3 port?
I wonder which part of Planet Shenzhen is responsible for this box. The remote looks Beelinkish 🙂
Also, it’s kind of funny/sad a box sporting USB3 is limited to just Fast Ethernet.
@GanjaBear
On AliExpress the USB is described as “High speed USB 3.0,1 USB 2.0”. I take that to mean “not SuperSpeed”. So it’s all a bit underwhelming really.
Can you load bsplayer on it? I really like that media player.
@Jim st
I guess it should work BSPlayer has been updated for Android N compatibility.
@RobBrownNZ Indeed, they also neither follow the recommended blue color-coding for the receptacle nor use the appropriate SuperSpeed logo anywhere so at least based on advertised ‘features’ no one can complain later dealing with 2 Hi-Speed only USB receptacles (though if they call one USB3 then this one should be able to provide up to 900mA for connected peripherals but you did the math already yourself — when connected peripherals might draw already up to 1400mA then a 2A rated PSU is maybe not the greatest idea) From this perspective saving the $1 for an external GbE PHY (RTL8211) could… Read more »
@RobBrownNZ
USB 3.0 should be SuperSpeed, probably just a copy/paste error.
GearBest has another model called “Z28 TV box” with 1GB/8GB for the about same price ($43), and 2GB/16GB for $54.99
http://www.gearbest.com/tv-box-mini-pc/pp_617661.html
You mean GearBest is advertising such a box, though it’s a crap shoot on of you’ll receive it.
Usb 3.0 with fast ethernet why they don’t use gigabit. Fail, I will not buy
You can download th firmware from here
http://chinagadgetsreviews.com/download-android-nougat-7-1-1-stock-firmware-a5x-plus-mini-tv-box.html
The price has dropped to $34.60.
A95X R2 is another RK3328 box with 1GB/8GB config for $39.99 -> http://www.geekbuying.com/item/A95X-R2-4K-KODI-TV-BOX-379168.html
Why can’t I update Kodi to 17.3 with is box.. I don’t even have a option to uninstall it
@Blue
It’s probably a custom version of Kodi installed as a system app, so you can’t uninstall it.
You should be able to install Kodi 17.3 separately from Google Play however. Bear in mind that it may not work that well on Rockchip boxes right now.