We’ve heard about Amlogic S905X4 processor for 4K TV boxes with AV1 support for about year, and while we’ve written about upcoming S905X4 TV boxes such as SDMC DV8919, none of them have launched so far, as silicon design and/or software development have taken a bit longer than expected, and we’re now far from the Q4 2019 launch date shown on the roadmap.
But we may not have to wait much longer, as I have been offered a review sample – which sadly, I may have to refuse due to local import regulations – for Mecool KM6 TV box based on Amlogic S905X4 quad-core Cortex-A55 processor coupled with up to 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, Gigabit Ethernet and WiFi 6 connectivity, and running Android 10 on Android TV (Android 10.0 ATV).
The company will sell two models with Mecool KM6 Deluxe and Classic editions with the following specifications:
- SoC – Amlogic S905X4 quad-core Arm Cortex-A55 processor @ up to 2.0 GHz with Arm Mali-G31MP2 supporting OpenGL ES3.2, Vulkan 1.1, and OpenCL 2.0
- System Memory & Storage
- Classic Edition – 2GB RAM and 16GB eMMC flash, MicroSD/SDXC card socket
- Deluxe Edition – 4GB RAM and 64GB eMMC flash, MicroSD/SDXC card socket
- Video Output
- HDMI 2.1 up to 4K @ 60Hz with CEC, HDCP2.2, HDR
- AV output with composite video
- Audio
- Analog stereo audio via AV output, digital audio via HDMI
- Deluxe Edition only – Optical S/PDIF
- Video Playback
- Codecs
- AV1 up to 4K @ 60 fps
- H.265 HEVC MP-10 up to 4K @ 60fps
- VP9 up to 4K @ 60fps
- AVS2-P2 up to 4K @ 60fps
- H.264 AVC up to 4K @ 30fps
- MPEG1/2/4 ASP, WMV/VC-1, RealVideo8/9/10,
- HDR – HDR 10, HLG, PRIME HDR, TCH PRIME, options HDR10+, optional Dolby Vision
- Codecs
- Network Connectivity
- Classic Edition – 10/100M Ethernet, dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi 5, and Bluetooth 4.2
- Deluxe Edition – Gigabit Ethernet, dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0
- USB – 1x USB 3.0 port, 1x USB 2.0 port
- Misc – Power button; Power, IR & Network LEDs; IR receiver
- Power Supply – 5V/2A via DC jack
- Dimensions – TBD
The TV box will ship with an IR and Bluetooth voice remote control, a power adapter, an HDMI cable, and a user manual.
Mecool told CNX Software they need more time to decide on pricing but expect Mecool KM6 TV box to become available on October 30th, at which time you should be able to purchase samples directly on Mecool online shop.
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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AV1 decode, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, Wi-Fi 6. Looks nice.
The only thing I can think of is maybe you want a faster core for some applications.
I already have a Mecool device gathering dust for a couple of years because it lacks Netflix certification. No mention of Netflix here so I guess I’m not interested.
There’s probably a way to do it, like this guide on this very site:
https://www.cnx-software.com/2016/11/28/how-to-play-netflix-hd-on-any-android-device-with-widevine-level-1-drm/
Personally, I’m not looking for the DRM feature.
Many thanks for your reply but I’ve moved on. My last 2 TV box purchases have been a Xiaomi Mi Box S and a Vodafone TV, both of which are properly certified and fully functional with Netflix, Chromecast & Google Assistant. I’ve been very satisfied with both products.
Thanks for pointing this out 🙂 It should be noted that those hacks often only work for a period of time, and based on the comment I think this method does not work anymore.
Both models are already sold out. Any idea about the price?
Out of curiosity what are the import restrictive that prevent you from reviewing it? Is it technology related? Pandemic related? Something else?
Like I said, just curious, if you don’t want to answer that’s fine.
Importing restrictions because of the US-China trade war maybe?
I’m curious too.
My bad, he lives in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Basically, that’s because I’d need a “broadcasting license” from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission in Thailand. That’s required for all TV boxes, media players, etc… If the license is missing, they’ll just confiscate the box. The law also has provisions for fines and jail time, but I have never heard it being enforced for single units.
In theory, I could do it. The license is very cheap, about 70 cents (USD) per box. That’s all the traveling and paperwork that is the problem. I’d need to apply for a license for each TV box as follows:
I’m not quite sure why steps 2 and 3 cannot be done at the same time… But anyway, if everything goes smoothly, which in my experience here almost never happens, I’d have to waste at least three days, pay for 3 return flight tickets, and possibly a hotel night (for step 3).
Local companies that import thousands of TV boxes have no problem doing so, but obviously in my case that’s way too time-consuming and costly for a sample. So my only option is to get TV boxes locally, but most Chinese vendors don’t have distributors in Thailand. The law also affects the sales of second-hand TV boxes, as online classified ads selling second-hand devices are often taken down to comply with regulations.
Wow!, that’s heavy.
When I say people that France is not *that* awful 🙂
I’m always willing to review it for you. I love the Amlogic SoCs. Got the X96Air with S905X3. Also Odroid C2, KhadasVIM3, Odroid N2/N2+, Khadas VIM2,… with Amlogic.
Yesterday I made a review video about the Tanix TX6. It overheats a lot.
Check NicoD on Youtube, Armbian and many other SBC fora.
Greetings.
Did you try the tx6 with jernei’s libreelec iimage? Is it also overheating?
Still using a USB 2.0 port and and no adoption of USB-C in 2020.
Not much of a progression really.
It’s meant to be put below your tv and never touched again.
What would you want to do with usb-c? My usb sticks are i.e. all still usb a…
USB-C potentially offers more flexibility than a barrel and like the old micro usb, makes for use of a more common standard of connectivity.
Everything of this class should be USB-C by now.
So you want usb-c for charging?
Did you compare pricing on power supplies w/ barrel vs usb-c w/ pd?
From an engineering pov nothing beats a purpose built power plug wrt to resistance/voltage drop, usb-c only makes sense when a higher voltage can be negotiated (at the price of the complexity of a communications corquit for pd), but the barrel also allows for 12 or 20 or x V at the sole discretion of the designer (within the economic boundaries of his management…).
So usb-c is probably more chic and more versatile for a user, but economy and engineering are not it’s strengths. 😉
Plug in a USB hub into the blue one. Then duct tape it to the top of the box.
Yes that is one option but 2.0 is so legacy that it is essentially prehistoric now.
A couple of 3.0 ports would make for greater flexibility of use and greater performance when connecting external drives such as SSD.
I don’t believe the SoC supports “a couple of 3.0 ports” except via a USB 3 hub. ie more $s, PCB real estate etc. This box seems to be aimed at providing a good user experience for streaming videos at an affordable price. The SBC market provides ample choices for those who wish for more expansive configurations. IMHO, USB 2.0 is still a very valuable backward compatibility feature.
Here I’m with you!
but I still wouldn’t do that except for movies, due to the SW usually never kept up to date. My data is too valuable for that (even if backups exist –> recovery=waste of time)
So real Android TV?
Yeah, it should whip the Chromecast. But they didn’t announce pricing.
Chromecast (no Netflix sub) is $50. It could drop to $40 in sales, starting with Black Friday.
What’s the KM6 Deluxe worth? $100? And the Classic?
I’ve been informed of supply issues, so Mecool KM6 won’t be available by the end of this month. No ETA was provided.
That’s a shame. I was really considering getting one.
Me, too. Now I guess
Mecool KM6 is now available on GeekBuying for $69.99.
https://fave.co/2XolCKK
The H96 MAX X4 joins the s905x4 tv box ranks
DTS support?