There are plenty of Amlogic TV boxes around, but unless you buy from the big players, most devices won’t support Netflix FullHD/4K because certification is hard to get for smaller companies.
The Hailstorm device scaling program launched in 2018 aimed to make the process easier on Amlogic and Hisilicon processors, and HiMedia S1 TV dongle was one of the first to get approved. But now MECOOL KM2 joins the rank of Netflix 4K certified devices. The TV box is powered by an Amlogic S905X2-B processor running Android TV 10, also known as Android TV on Android 10.
MECOOL KM2 specifications:
- SoC – Amlogic S905X2-B quad-core Cortex-A53 processor
- System Memory – 2GB DDR4
- Storage – 8 GB eMMC flash, MicroSD card slot
- Video
- Output – HDMI 2.1 up to 4Kp60 with HDCP 2.3, HDMI-CEC support
- Codecs – H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, VP8 & VP9
- HDR – HDR10+, HDR & HLG
- DRM – Widevine L1, Playready 3000
- Audio
- Optical S/PDIF, digital audio via HDMI;
- Codec – AAC & HE-AAC; Dolby Digital & Dolby Digital Plus & MS12; Dolby Atmos Passthrough
- Networking – Ethernet, Dual-band 802.11b/g/n/ac WiFi 5 2R2T & Bluetooth 4.2/5.0 via Realtek RTL8822CS
- USB – 1x USB 3.0 Type A port, 1x USB 2.0 Type A port
- Misc- Power button
- Power Supply – 12V/1A via DC jack
- Dimensions – TBD
- Certifications
- Google ATV, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
- MS12 including DD & DD+/HDMI 2.1 (with CEC)/HDCP 2.3, CE/FCC, RoHs, PoPs, REACH
Besides Netflix 4K, the TV box supports Chromecast, Google Assistant, Amazon Prime Video, Youtube 4K, and firmware can be upgraded through OTA or USB firmware upgrade. MECOOL also says that Disney+ and other apps can be installed “during FTI via PAI”. When asked what that means I was told “apps could be suggested to be selected to install recording to user location” together with the screenshot below.
Commenters suggested FTI means “First Time Install”, while PAI likely refers to (Google) “Play apps installation”.
The TV box will ship with a Bluetooth & Infrared remote control coming with Netflix & Amazon buttons. Pre-orders have just opened on Aliexpress for $62.99, and using coupon GH7NHUDRFF69 may shave $5 off the price.
[Udpated: Initially published on March 9, 2021, the post was updated on April 6, 2021, as pre-orders have opened]
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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This is a pretty interesting device, it ticks all the right boxes. Would it be possible to dualboot coreelec, or the certification makes it harder/impossible?
Won’t be possible no.
Sure? The Magenta TV Stick (Deutsche Telekom) supports Netflix, Prime, Disney and more. And on this device you can easily boot CE.
With a Locked Boot loader, that’s going to be difficult.
So why a company like Mecool suddenly got certified for Netflix when in the past it would never happen ?
Well, that’s because they are not the one making the KM2, it’s another OEM.
Indeed, on the retail side, Google now works with only 4 OEMs (SDMC, SEI Robotics, Skyworth & Askey) on special Reference Design devices that are already Netflix and Prime Video certified. Even the remote is now mandatory (that’s the Google Reference Design remote).
Here Mecool is only putting its logos on the box and remote, all the rest is done by Skyworth in this case (just search on Google the “ACT Fibernet Stream TV 4K”, it’s the exact same design). Benefits: Fast time-to-market, all the certifications are done, updates are monitored by Google, etc.
Check this list, except Nvidia and Xiaomi, all the rest is done by the 4 OEMs I talked to you about.
https://www.androidtv-guide.com/streaming-gaming/netflix-amazon-atv-certified
Unfortunatly Xiaomi boxes are heavily bugged but build construction is nice.
This seems a good solution if it will have not broken updates.
Ethernet is a good thing that on my mibox is missing!
This is the main problem with mecool, going by their history, no support, no updates except for the firmware issued. Bugs will never be fixed by them.
will you be able to download spectrum tv app?
I wonder, why HDMI is 2.1 when the device can only output 4k60hz? is it a requirement from Google? even so seems a little push up as only high end devices support 8k60 videos right now 🙁
Some of the processor support HDMI 2.1, not for the extra resolution, but some HDMI 2.1 specific features like eARC or Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). I’m not sure which of those S905X2 supports, if any.
Ahh, yep, it makes sense. Thanks for the clarification 🙂
Just guessing here:
FTI = First time install/initialization
via
PAI = Past (or Play?) apps install
Meh it’s probably going to be expensive and the SOC is quite outdated by now. I just have a generic S905X3 box which works decently.
OK so you pay for Netflix but then you need to pay more to watch in 4K and they also tell you exactly what boxes to buy , no thanks.
Any suggestions for a cheap tv dongle that runs Ubuntu and can handle Netflix 1080p in Chrome?
The best bet would be with an Intel HDMI TV stick. There used to some selling for $70 with Ubuntu, but now all I can find are $150+ devices.
“Bluetooth 4.2/5.0 via Realtek RTL8822CS”?
@Jean, Isn’t the RTL8822CS 4.2 only?
It’s possible. I did not look into any datasheet, I just searched for the part and most links show Bluetooth 4.2/5.0 or just Bluetooth 5.0. But most are links on Alibaba or Aliexpress…
AFAIK the 802.11ac capable RTL88 familiy (successor of 802.11n capable RTL87) is coded this way:
The 1st number after the RTL88 determines wireless capabilities: RTL881 = WiFi 5 only, RTL882 = WiFi 5 + BT. Then comes number of antennas, then the chip revision and then the interface type:
Very useful. Gracias.
BTW: part of ‘driver installation’ is bringing a certain BLOB into position that contain’s the device’s firmware. The 1st thing the driver will be doing is loading the BLOB to the controller. And if you happen to use a driver shipping with rtl8822b.bin instead of rtl8822c.bin you might end up with a RTL8822CS only capable of BT 4.2 instead of 5.0
Seems not
http://www.wifibtmodule.com/sale-12650682-rtl8822cs-chipset-wifi-bt-module-5ghz-sdio-support-802-11ac-for-pico-projector.html
BT Capable:4.2/5.0
Thanks. Looks like the spec section in the link is wrong then:
“Bluetooth: 4.2 BR/EDR/LE”
Bluetooth transmit sound has visible lipsync delay when playing you tube videos on the KM2.
Anyone know a fix for this?
FTI == First Time Install
@CNX
Do you know what the B on this S905X2 indicates ( S905X2-B ) ?
B is for the Dolby Audio license.
Cheers ?
Its sad that this model with really outdated and low end hardware gets netflix certification while the km6 deluxe with up to date and much better hardware, does not….
Screw you netflix and your bs