Announced in summer of 2017, Khadas VIM2 was the first Amlogic S912 development board, and I had the chance to review the board with a dual DTV tuner add-on board shortly after launch, eventually explaining how to use VIM2 as a live TV streaming server in Android.
Shenzhen Wesion has however recently launched Khadas VIM2 v1.4 with various improvements they neatly describe in a PDF document.
Before I go through the main changes, I’d like to remind readers there are three versions of Khadas VIM2 (v1.2) boards:
- VIM2 Basic – 2GB DDR4, 16GB eMMC flash, Ampak AP6356S wireless module with 802.11 b/g/n/ac WiFi 5, and Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity
- VIM2 Pro – 3GB DDR4, 32GB eMMC flash, Ampak AP6359SA wireless module with 802.11 b/g/n/ac with RSDB and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity
- VIM2 Max – 3GB DDR4, 64GB eMMC flash, Ampak AP6359SA wireless module with 802.11 b/g/n/ac with RSDB and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity
One of the first change in VIM2 v1.4 is the update of AP6359SA module to AP6398S which gives VIM2 Pro/Max support for Bluetooth 5.0. VIM2 basic gets the original Ampack AP6356S module.
Khadas VIM2 v1.2 board thermal design was, let’s say… not quite optimal, especially with the optional DIY case, as the fan would just push hot air against a side without any ventilation holes. This would lead to overheating due to poor heat dissipation and making the fan work more than necessary, in turn generating unnecessary noise. So for VIM2 v1.4, the company redesigned the heatsink and changed to a quieter “almost silent” 3705 cooling fan controlled by PWM instead of GPIOs, as well as directing the hot air to the button holes.
Another improvement was to increase the SPI flash capacity from 2Mbit to 16Mbit which should allow for more flexibility and features in the bootloader. Other changes are more a matter of moving ports around, and/or make some adjustment for the new heatsink. For example, the Ethernet transformer was changed to a thinner one (Pulse H5120NL) to make room for the heatsink. The fan header and RTC header were so moved around, and the VIN port close to the USB-C port was replaced by XPWR pads on the side of the board to connect an external power switch. The “F” button can also be used to easily enter upgrade mode by pressing it 3 times within 2 seconds, just like in Khadas Edge.
Software had to be changed as well since the fan now uses PWM to control the speed instead of a GPIO to turn it on and off, and the SPI flash is larger. But luckily the same firmware images can be used on v1.2 and v1.4 since each board stores a Version ID which will be detected at boot time.
The new Khadas VIM2 v1.4 SBC can be purchased for $99.90, $119.90, and $139.90 on Khadas store for respectively the Basic, Pro, and Max versions.
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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Ridiculously overpriced, give me a Odroid N2 at half the price!
The prices stated are only for the bare board. Heat sink, cooling fan and case add additional cost.
Hate to be Grammar Nazi, but you need to proof read before posting your articles:
“Khadas VIM2 v1.2 board thermal design was, let’s say… not quite optional” – I think you meant “optimal”.
“3705 cooling fan controlled by PMW” should be “PWM”.
Funny, I see on this site appeared “no named creatures” who are trying to use my name. 🙂
The funny thing is, they wanted to create problems for me, and the result was the opposite. This “no named creature”, showed everyone that the system, which is a fan of this” no named creature”, so not popular that you have to use someone else’s name for its advertising. If this “creature” will write the information from its name, no one will pay attention to it. When this “no-name creature” uses my name, it draws the attention of hardware developers and vendors to the systems I’m involved in developing. Now I was approached by many more representatives of manufacturers and sellers of various devices, with a proposal for cooperation (to add support for their equipment in the systems with which I work). So I thank those “without personal beings”, because they drive the message, raise my credibility and the rating of those systems, in whose development I participate. 🙂
P. S. The information in the first message, allegedly written on my behalf, does not meet the reality (“no named creature” does not even know how to count numbers). Having such an opportunity for “no named creatures”, to use someone else’s name, greatly reduces the credibility of the information on this site. Any “no named creature” can write on behalf of any authoritative user any nonsense. The administration of the site will be useful to track such fake messages and publish a list of those who do it. Then, serious representatives of manufacturers and sellers will be able to assess how much their reputation is reduced by cooperation with such deceivers.
It’s complicated because I don’t have a solution to please everyone.
Because many people like anonymous postings, so requiring an actual login via (Facebook/Twitter) would not be welcomed.
It’s also difficult for me to monitor everybody’s names. I only realized somebody used a nickname similar to yours, albeit not exactly the same, after reading your comment (twice).
I’m surprised any vendor would want to work with you after you shot yourself in the foot with your recent postings that you have made on various forums, ie. talking garbage about unreleased products, you lost all credibility after that.
I really think you need to learn some humility before further embarrassing yourself even more.
For whatever reasons, it looks like somebody is trying to impersonate Balbes150, and posting with similar names. For example, the first comment (https://www.cnx-software.com/2019/03/12/khadas-vim2-v1-4-sbc-bluetooth-5-thermal-improvements-larger-spi-flash/#comment-561405) in this post was not by him.
@cnxsoft the following post https://forum.libreelec.tv/thread/14783-trash-talk/?postID=112645#post112645 by balbes150 was certainly not somebody impersonating him and this is the point that I was trying to make with my comment.
Seems you told Khadas company how to make proper cooling solution you talk so much about it on different forums. And solution was so simple: just adding holes 🙂 Who would think on that…
And congrats on all your new cooperation with different companies. You truly deserve it.
As a comparison it will be interesting see what price these start with AML-S912-PC (Tartiflette)
Kickstarter Campaign April 2019
Libre computer. April is not far off.