From time to time some pretty good deals come up in my news feed, and today I’ve found out MECOOL KM8 P, a TV box powered by Amlogic S912 octa-core processor is sold for $21.28 and up including shipping. The lowest price is for the 1GB RAM / 8GB flash version, so you may consider selecting the 2GB/16GB model for $33.60 instead if you are interested in this type of device.
Mecool KM8 P specifications:
- SoC – Amlogic S912 octa-core ARM Cortex A53 processor @ up to 1.5 GHz with Arm Mali-820MP3
- System Memory – 1 or 2GB DDR3
- Storage – 8 or 16GB eMMC flash, micro SD slot up to 32GB
- Video & Audio Output – HDMI 2.0a up to 4K @ 60Hz with CEC and HDR support, and 3.5mm AV port (composite + stereo audio)
- Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, dual-band 802.11 b/g/n/ac WiFi 5
- USB – 2x USB 2.0 ports
- Misc – IR receiver, status, and network LEDs
- Power Supply – 5V/2A
- Dimensions – 97 x 97 x 10 mm
The device runs Android 7.1, and ships an IR remote control, a power adapter, an HDMI cable, and a user’s manual.
Since the TV box launched in 2017, there are several reviews already, but most of them based on the older Android 6.0.1 firmware, and likely not representative of the current status of the firmware. The hardware might have changed slightly as well since I can now see dual-band 802.11ac WiFi support, while the model released in 2017 only supported 2.4 GHz 802.11n WiFi. Finally, MECOOL KM8 P should also not be confused with MECOOL KM8 model based on Amlogic S905X and Android TV OS.
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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Armbian support?
Armbian does not support yet amlogic S912 SOC
I have three of these KM8p Mecool’s 1G ram 8gb storage.. I am really happy with them.
I run this image of Corelec Kodi CoreELEC-
S912.arm-8.95.7-S912.img.gz
https://coreelec.org/
It works fantastically as a super powerful Kodi player with surround sound. (Wifi may not be detected so you may need a usb Wifi dongle.) The S912 Processor can decode 10bit 1080P X265 compressed files. The video decoding is excellent.
I run this version of Ubuntu – Armbian by Balbes on my Mecool KM8p and it works fantastically. https://yadi.sk/d/pHxaRAs-tZiei/5.67/20181228
Here is the Balbes Armbian forum. https://forum.armbian.com/topic/7930-armbian-for-amlogic-s9xxx-kernel-41x-ver-555/?page=12&tab=comments#comment-68965
The current Balbes s912 Armbian is REALLY stable and working very well.
My only regret is that my 3 units are only 1gb Ram as the S912 Octa-core processor is REALLY powerful and is only constrained by ram. If you are going to run the wonderful Balbes Armbian get the 2 GB ram KM8p model for $34.00. The Ubuntu S912 armbian version uses Zram and works really well.
Also I have cut the case and mounted a small raspberry pi fan on top of the heatsink with just two cable ties to hold it on. Now I have no heating problems.
Hi…….i think i will get this 21 dollar box….i would be happy withe the box running Balbes Armbian on 1 gig of ram….via SD card….and also coreELEC via sD card….and also the box’s own Android…….i also use the free website called CAMEYO from any regular browser for installing and running any other WINDOWS tools that i like……..so this box becomes a very fast all round computer….Android, Linux, Kodi, Windows…….great
i wonder if you can tell me…..when i boot Linux off microSD card….do you get to use the box’s internal hard drive (8 gigs) as storage for your Linux pc?
I can’t find the internal storage when running linux via microsd card.
I am running Balbes image ubuntu server (5.37) but shows only 786 of RAM (1GB Version) and I can’t find a way to see the wifi card there, any ideas ?
And there is H6
https://www.geekbuying.com/item/TANIX-TX6-Allwinner-H6-4GB-32GB-Android-7-0-TV-Box-409349.html
And here is some other random BS on sale!
https://www.geekbuying.com/item/7cm-C-GREAT-BALL-Pokemon-Ball-370641.html
Beer o’clock time again in Germany. So how much did Stephen of Orange Pi pay you for software support, again?
Orange pi have such a great software reputation for support, why are you so shy about it?
Is there anywhere a a collection of roms for those 912 boxes? Mine is a x92 2/16g based on meson-gxm-q201 and so far the really crappy android from 2016 runs it better than coreelec…
So i hope android 7 might improve some stufg…
Have you tried freaktab forums?
Seems increased to 22.80 / 36 USD
23.18/36.60 now, and offer is about to run out.
Guess this is exchange rate related
I strongly doubt the 802.11ac claim.
Other places do not list this.
I also have my doubts on the 5Ghz support as I could not find that elsewhere either.
Also: the text says 2.4/5 Ghz wifi but the picture at the top of the page says WiFi 2.4G
If it sounds too good to be true, it often is (especially on aliexpress and ebay)
Some Apps from App Store won’t load as the box doesn’t support them. Hoe do you get newer firmware for this box?