Rockchip RK3328 processor has been getting some attention recently with low cost RK3328 TV boxes, Pine64’s ROCK64 development board, and now Zidoo has announced they are working on their X7 TV box with slightly better specifications and a product that should get better support than the cheaper models.
Zidoo X7 specifications:
- SoC – Rockchip RK3328 quad core Cortex A53processor @ 1.5 GHz with Mali-450MP2 GPU
- System Memory – 2GB DDR3
- Storage – 8GB eMMC flash + micro SD slot
- Video Output – HDMI 2.0a port up to 4K @ 60 Hz with HDR support + 3.5mm AV port (composite video)
- Audio Output – HDMI, AV (stereo audio), and optical S/PDIF
- Video Codecs – H.264/AVC Base/Main/High/High10 profile @ level 5.1; up to 4Kx2K @ 60fps H.265/HEVE Main/Main10 profile @ level 5.1 High-tier; up to 4Kx2K @60fps VP9, up to 4Kx2K @ 60fps
- Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, dual band 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth 4.1
- USB – 1x USB 3.0 port, 2x USB 2.0 host ports
- Power Supply – 5V/2A
- Dimensions – 109 x 109 x 20.3 mm (ABS Plastic case)
The TV box will ship with an IR remote control, a HDMI cable, a power adapter and a user manual.
GearBest is already taking pre-orders for $69 with shipping scheduled for “after July 2nd”. However, Zidoo told me that their “technicians are still working on the firmware, and no idea when it is gonna release out”, so while it may indeed ship after July 2nd, this could mean August or later. ZIUI user interface has apparently also gone through a facelift as shown in the rendering below. A few more details may be found in the 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.
Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress
Now that the illegal kodi addons are been hammered at the moment. How well will these boxes sell going into the future?
I don’t agree with the “better support” part. I own a Zidoo X6 Pro and they’ve left all the customers in the lurch with the Android version stuck at Lollipop! That’s what it was released with when LL was in fact getting phased out.
Their forum spills the beans on how frustrated Zidoo’s customers are. I was shocked to see the apathy and decided against my upgrade to the Zidoo X10.
Just how many variations of cheap android tv boxes does the world need? The market is inundated with these things.
I agree with Peter, but expose the gpio ports and sell it running Linux and you’ve got something cheaper then a RPI (rpi+power+case+remote) and looks great doing it 🙂
@Chris Lee
There is already
Khadas Vim. http://www.cnx-software.com/2016/11/17/khadas-vim-amlogic-s905x-android-and-linux-development-board-sells-for-50-and-up/
Several Nanopi http://www.cnx-software.com/2017/04/13/40-nanopi-k2-board-is-powered-by-amlogic-s905-processor/
You can also connect a Arduino to your TV box by USB.
Adding gpio. http://www.cnx-software.com/2014/10/20/add-gpios-to-windows-linux-android-computers-and-devices-with-ftdi-usb-adapters-breakout-boards/
@theguyuk
The problem with those is they don’t have a nice case worthy of the name to go with them. Personally I think that if someone can come up with an attractive case, the ability to connect terabytes of storage and a powerful board with complete Linux support that sells for a reasonable price they’d clean up but sadly no one wants to serve that market.
I tried to build something like it around the Raspberry Pi using the Media Pi+ case but it constantly complained about excessive power draw (even though it had a built in USB powered hub) and after a matter of days would get so slow I had to give it up as a bad bet.
@bornagainpenguin
GeekBox has a nice case: http://www.cnx-software.com/2015/12/19/geekbox-tv-box-unboxing-and-development-kit-assembly-guide/
The problem if you want a board with Linux support, price will increase due to the extra workload, and niche market. Few people need a TV box with GPIOs.
They do if they want local storage instead of trusting to the cloud (someone else’s computer) to get everything. Mostly I want something all contained in a nice package with as I said terabytes of storage so I can load it up and have everything presented nicely in Kodi. The idea is to have one for my use at home and another stored in a backpack with my small projector for backyard movies.
I really had hopes for the Raspberry Pi with the Media Pi+ case but the power draw on the builtin internal hub was simply too much for the power supply. The unit got slower and slower as it attempted to read and play video. I had to give it up as a bad bet.
@cnxsoft
Many would of said who needs a phone board with GPIO
According just Aliexpress over 1452 Orange Pi 2G IOT have sold. Whether that is a good number or cover design and build costs, I don’t know.
As you said prior CNX in 2014, there are USB GPIO boards you can use.
@bornagainpenguin
Well Android TV boxes with GPIO and even 3G 4G LTE WCDMA, GSM exist. Running on Android 4.2 upwards and with Allwinner, Amlogic Soc etc. They are sold as industrial PC or Digital Signage.
@Jay
I got a HiMedia Q10 Pro after reading a little on the Internet at a very good price. As soon as firmware based on Android 7.0 Nougat appeared, a lot of complaints also appeared. I was actually thinking about selling my Q10 Pro and getting a Zidoo X10 because there were some users that praised Zidoo for their updates and fixes.
Bottom line: there is no perfect TV box. HiMedia released a firmware that was too buggy and made people complaint more than the usual. I did not update to that firmware and I am pretty satisfied with it. Your claim is quite well founded. I stopped buying LG products because of the same issue, sporadic software updates in more than 4 years of owning a G Pad 8.3 and an international G4. But I hear that the newer Zidoo is not that bad. I do not mind getting a new Android version if everything works as good as it should. People want full BluRay menus, perfect subtitle display and download, perfect playback of all formats (10bit and 8bit with all types of resolutions) and so on. Some companies have learned their lesson.