Back in 2016, I read news about STMicro exiting the set-top box chipset market, so I just assumed all their STiHxx processors would be phased out, and I was surprised to come across 4Kopen, described as an open 4K UHD video development platform powered by STMicro STiH418 media processor, especially it was just showcased at 2019 Integrated Systems Europe (ISE 2019) at the beginning of the month.
The development board comes with 2 GB RAM, HDMI 2.0 output, HDMI 1.4 input, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0, a mini PCIe slot fitted with an 802.11b/g/n WiFi module, an eSATA connector and more.
4Kopen (B2264) hardware specifications:
- SoC – STMicro STiH418 quad-core Arm Cortex-A9 processor @ 1.2 GHz, quad-core Mali-400 GPU, and 4x ST231 DSP (Each Core Quad issue) @ 650 MHz
- System Memory – 2 GB DDR3 @ 2133 MHz
- Storage – micro SD socket, eSATA port
- Video & Audio I/O
- Output – HDMI 2.0 Tx up to 2160p60, 3.5mm AV jack with composite video and stereo audio
- Input – HDMI 1.4 Rx up to 2160p30
- Video Decode/Encode
- Ultra HD Decoding, up to 2160p60
- Full HD Encoding, up to 1080p60
- Networking – Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11b/g/n WiFi 4
- USB – 1x USB 3.0 port, 2x USB 2.0 ports
- Expansion
- Mini PCIe slot (wireless module included)
- 40-pin GPIO header
- Debugging – JTAG header
- Misc – Reset button
- Power Supply – 12V DC
- Dimensions – TBC
The board appears to be truly designed as an open source hardware 4K development platform with OrCAD and PDF schematics, Gerber files, and datasheet all available for download. There’s also a Wiki explaining how to get started with Raspbian or buildroot built Starkl Linux distributions, and how to use the GStreamer media APIs. A user forum and a Bitbucket account where the source code is updated complete user’s support. One downside is that you need to be the owner of a board in order to download any of the images provided since the MAC address of the board is required before any download.
You can purchase a board for 150 GBP on Amazon UK, or about $195 US including VAT. Alternatively, you could try your luck via an Electronics Weekly contest where they will offer 10 boards for free to randomly selected contestant by the 31st of March.
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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Finally, a SBC with proper Linux video input support!
Met them at ISE. Turns out they’re ex ST employees that were involved in the development of the SoC. Unfortunately they’re on Linux kernel 3.19 right now, but are working on 4.14 and later, which should hopefully be done in a few months. The main issues they’re working on is the graphics driver and the video input/encoding.
Nice people, interesting to talk to and apparently ST has committed to offering the SoC for a few years through the channel, although MOQ is 800 chips… Obviously not an insane number, but you better buy a few boards and test them before designing your own.