There are many Android set-top box based on single core AML8726 processor, but not so many featuring the dual core AML8726-MX (aka AML8726-M6) processor. Tronsmart Prometheus is one of them, it costs just under $100, has the shape of a spaceship, and the recent Android 4.2 firmware supports XBMC pretty well. But if you don’t like boxes with fancy shape, or/and are looking for a cheaper options, Bluetimes now manufactures two Android set-top box based on AML8726-MX that sells for less than $70 including shipping:
Bluetimes MX5 Specifications:
- SoC – AMLogic 8726 M6 dual Cortex A9 CPU + Mali-400 GPU
- System Memory – 1G DDR3 RAM
- Storage – 4 GB NAND Flash + SD card slot
- Video Output – HDMI + Composite
- Audio Output – Optical Audio Output (S/PDIF) + HDMI + Stereo RCA
- Video Codecs – M-JPEG, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264, VC-1, DivX, Xvid, RealVideo, VP6, Sorenson Spark
- Audio Formats – MP3, WMA, APE, FLAC, AAC, WAV, OGG
- USB – 2 x USB 2.0 host
- Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet (RJ45) + Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
- Power Supply – DC 5V/2A
- Dimensions – 182 x 135 x 42mm
- Weight – 480 grams
Beside the STB, you’ll get an infrared remote with English markings, and a power adapter. Cable are not provided.
The device is said to run Android 4.2 with a modified version of XBMC 12.0 and MX Player (XBMC Custom XAF?) and Agile Remote Server in order to use your smartphone or tablet as a smart remote control with Agile Remote client. I could not find the server app, so I suppose they just license it directly with STB manufacturers.
Bluetimes C150 Specifications:
- SoC – AMLogic 8726 M6 dual Cortex A9 CPU + Mali-400 GPU
- System Memory – 1G DDR3 RAM
- Storage – 4 GB NAND Flash + SD card slot
- Video Output – HDMI + AV
- Audio Output – HDMI + AV
- USB – 4 x USB 2.0 host
- Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet (RJ45) + Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
- Power Supply – DC 5V/2A
- Dimensions – 130 x 90 x 28 mm
- Weight – 160 grams
The device come with a simple remote control, a power adapter, and a user’s manual, but you won’t get any cables.
C150 hasn’t been upgraded to Android 4.2, so it still runs Android 4.1 with the same customized version of XBMC, but without the Agile Remote server.
MX5 is better looking IMHO, comes with a larger remote, S/PDIF output, and Android 4.2, but C150 is more compact, and features 4 USB ports instead of just 2 on MX5.
Despite AMLogic releasing AML8726-MX source code, I can’t find much Linux work on the platform. AndrewDB ported Ubuntu to an AMLogic AML8726-MX tablets (Ainol Elf II / Aurora II) a few month ago, but there hasn’t been much enthusiasm since then, and XBMC Linux community seems to focus their efforts on AMLogic AML8726-M3 based devices.
You may have noticed Shenzhen Bluetimes Technology has very little feedback on Aliexpress, but they are a Gold Supplier in Alibaba, so unless they are been impersonated by somebody else, it should be OK to order from them.
Thanks Gabe for the tip!
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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with DVB-t receiver needed +rockchip 3168 😛 (extra low power) = Android Media Player
Alibaba & Aliexpress are run by the same company – I don’t think they’d let someone impersonate an Alibaba seller on Aliex. But there’s a way to check: send a message using the Alibaba IM system, and get someone to relay it over the Aliex system.
@GIJoe: no 3D, no multichannel audio, no XBMC support = not a Android media player. Try ATV1200 with: 3d, multi channel audio, XBMC supported===>Android media player is here
Just ordered the mx5 from alibaba. Will let you know how well it works.
Would advise steering clear of ALL Bluetimes or Blue times media players. Bought the c500b based off the realtek 1186 chip. The Bluetimes firware crippled the Wifi functionality. Web browsing was greyed out, and if you even tried the youtube function, the unit would freeze requiring powercycling (unplug it) to recover. Remote is sluggish. Contacted Bluetimes . . . very responsive. They admitted their firmware crippled the advertised Wifi function and suggested a third party firmware, since they do not update their own firmware. This bricked the unit. Only way to get refund is to send it back to China… Read more »