We’ve recently come across several TV boxes based on Realtek RTD1295 SoC which offers not only typical 4K Android TV box features like H.265 & VP9 video playback, and HDR support, but acts like a NAS function thanks to a SATA interface and OpenWrt, and provides an HDMI input port that allows for DVR, PiP, and UDP broadcasting functions. PROBOX2 AVA is another one of those device with the hardware extremely similar to Beelink SEA I model, but with an external antenna, and a different user interface. The box can also ship with an optional Remote+ air mouse, which could allow you to turn on the device without using the IR remote control (TBC), as I have to do with other boxes.
PROBOX2 AVA specifications:
- SoC – Realtek RTD1295DD quad core ARM Cortex-A53 processor @ 1.4 GHz with ARM Mali-T820MP3 GPU
- System Memory – 2 GB DDR4
- Storage – 16 GB eMMC flash, SD card slot, and 2.5″ SATA III bay
- Video I/F
- HDMI 2.0a output with HDR, CEC, and HDCP 2.2 support up to 4K @ 60 Hz (23.976 and 29.94Hz frame rates are also supported)
- HDMI 2.0 input with HDCP 2.2 support for PVR, PiP, and UDP broadcasting
- Audio I/F – HDMI with support for Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD 7.1, optical S/PDIF
- Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet, dual band 802.11 b/g/n/ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0
- USB – 1x USB 2.0 port, 1x USB 3.0 port
- Misc – Power LED, RTC + battery, IR receiver
- Power Supply – 12V/1.5A
- Dimensions – 200 x 125 x 21 mm
While many of the ports are placed in the same position as Beelink SEA I, the box is larger due to the external WiFi antenna. By default, the box ships with a power adapter, an IR remote control, a HDMI cable, and a user guide. The optional PROBOX2 Remote+ air mouse can be used as a game controller, an audio input for voice control, and of course an air mouse over a 2.4 GHz connection. The company (W2COMP) has sold TV boxes with Remote+ remote control for several years, and I used it during my review of PROBOX2 EX TV box in 2014.
At the time I liked the air mouse, including gaming and voice input modes, but missed the QWERTY keyboard on the back, and play/pause and trick modes keys that are useful in media players like XBMC (now Kodi). At the time, I could not turn on the device with the air mouse, so hopefully it’s something that has been addressed since then.
The device runs Android 6.0 and OpenWrt with support for Samba server, iTunes (DAAP) server, DLNA (UPnP) server, FTP server, AFP function (for Apple TimeMachine) and BitTorrent download functions as in most other RTD1295 devices. The change is the company’s APEX UI / launcher.
PROBOX2 AVA is now up for pre-order on W2COMP for $135.00, or with Remote+ air mouse for $149.99. Amazon and eBay purchase links will be up on July 28th. More details may be found on 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.
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Will you be reviewing this one? You did mention on the last device to use this chipset a difference in OS stability…
@Tarwin
Most probably not, unless I can find somebody else to do the review.
The company wanted to send me one, but I’m busy with other hardware platforms.
I can’t remember my comment(s) about OS stability. Maybe I wrote about some companies offer better software support, and some offer both Android and OpenWrt, while some only support Android.
I also had a problem with Beelink SEA I as something went wrong with the HDMI HDCP key after a firmware update, and it seems Beelink is not allowed to provide the HDCP binary to fix that. So the display will turn off after about 2 or 3 seconds.