When Android media players based on Amlogic S802 first launched a little over 3 months ago, they all sold for over $100. Since then various products have come to market, with prices slowly edging lower. But none comes as cheap as MX3 (aka M82), whose name is probably inspired from Gbox Midnight MX2, as it sells for $72.22 on GearBest including shipping. [Update: It can be found for $70 on DealExtreme]
Let’s go through the specifications:
- SoC – AMLogic S802 quad core ARM Cortex A9r4 at 2.0GHz with ARM Mali-450MP6 GPU
- System Memory – 1GB DDR3
- Storage – 4 GB NAND Flash + micro SD card slot
- Video and Audio Output – HDMI and AV
- Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n,
- USB – 2x USB 2.0 host ports + micro USB OTG
- Misc – IR Sensor, Power LED, power button, and recovery/update switch via AV jack
- Power Supply – 5V/2A
- Dimensions – 11.5 x 11.5 x 2.5 cm
- Weight – 192 grams
The box comes with HDMI & AV cables, a power adapter, an IR remote control, and a user’s manual. In order to achieve a lower price, they’ve cut a few corners with just 1GB RAM, 4GB flash, and Bluetooth and SPDIF found in many other S802 have been dropped. The biggest issue might be the 4GB flash if you plan to install many applications.
There’s another reseller, Earnwisdom, that sells the box, and they made a review video showing the unboxing and the device in action. It’s still running Android 4.4 with XBMC pre-installed, and the usual metro style user interface.
The MX3 on Earnwisdon is sold for a more standard $99.99, but comes with 2GB RAM, 8GB flash, dual band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so clearly there are several variations of the same model.
Via AndroidPC.es
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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Is possible used the same firmware of minix neo x8?
How does the wifi stack up compared to it’s competitors? Tronsmart Vega S89, M8, Mele X1000, T8, Mi Pro? Thanks
i think if the system is configured properly it would not make too much difference to the eye if the ram was 1GB or 2GB just look at stane1983 prometheus rom. as for the rom being 4GB is also a no big deal couse xbmc does not require too much space.
@Danilo
Different wifi, different flash size, and maybe other differences so no it would not work. Although with Linux 3.10 it might be possible to make some modifications to run MINIX NEO X8 firmware on other platform…
@nipszx
Hard to know without a sample.
@adem
For XBMC, I think 1GB RAM, 4GB flash should be fine (what about video add-ons?), but so is a dual core processor, unless you want to play 4K videos, where few dual core SoCs support 4K video decoding.
NO,YOU CAN’T. This one use the Realtek RTL8188, so the firmware is different, we will share the stock firmware for MXIII in our blog today later.
I can tell, the wifi is not good compare with the Tronsmart vega s89. and it also don’t support bluetooth. But if you use the ethernet and want to try the S802 chip, it’s a good choice right now.
Geekbuying decided to undercut Gearbest’s price, and now you can buy it for $69.99 – http://www.geekbuying.com/item/MXIII-Amlogic-S802-2-0GHz-Quad-Core-Google-Android-4-4-2-Octa-Core-GPU-4K2K-TV-BOX-HDMI-HDD-Player-1G-8G-Built-in-XBMC-Miracast-DLNA-OTG—Black-330268.html
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
i just ordered one!
i hope i will find firmware updates in cnx-software.com in the future.. do you think we will get a linux distro working on this box in the near future?
thanks
CX-S806 is another one, now $68 – http://www.geekbuying.com/item/CX-S806-Amlogic-S802-Quad-Core-2-0GHz-Android-4-4-4K-TV-BOX-HDMI-HDD-1G-8G-Player-Support-XBMC-1080P-HDMI-2-0-WIFI-331010.html
New firmware
For 1GB RAM MX3 -> http://download1945.mediafire.com/rbfb5bi2lfng/5hme9bcrtdxlums/M82_108k4_1gddr_rtl8188.img
For 2GB RAM MX3 -> http://download1896.mediafire.com/ltav1y4n11sg/d5v6kvyqjp208pw/M82_108k4.img
I bought a MXIII Amlogic S802 2.0GHz Quad Core Google Android 4.4.2 from Geekbuying. It broke after a few hours of use. It just wont power up and the power led stays red. After I leave it unplugged for hours it might turn on, but freeze after Google logo is displayed.
Based on this experience I would really suggest you avoid that one and get one that is of better quality.
Available for $69.82 on DX -> http://www.dx.com/p/mxiii-4k-quad-core-android-4-4-2-google-tv-player-w-1gb-ram-8gb-rom-wi-fi-tf-black-uk-plug-346826?Utm_rid=93072394&Utm_source=affiliate
MXIII comes in 3 variants. 2gb version is same hardware as Beelink S82 / Tronsmart Vega S89. 1gb version comes with 2 wifi modules. Only 1st batch was with realtek 8188 wifi module. All other batches comes with ap6181. For Linux it will not be a problem for one firmware to handle both wifi modules on 1gb box, but Android might be. I’ll know more when I start to work on it.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
What is the version of the new firmware please? I want to see if I need to upgrade or not.
@MCV
Based on the filename it should be 108k4
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
That sounds more like a play of words with 4K and 1080p rather than a proper version. I’m only asking because you’ve linked to img files on mediafire and I need to see if it’s the same firmware I have or if it’s a more recent one. For example, mine has XBMC kodi alpha 1.
Also, where did you find the firmware from please?
@MCV
They have 106k4, 108k4, 109k4… So that’s the version you should see in Android settings. I can’t remember where I got it, something manufacturers sent me links, and there’s a guy on Mini PC G+ community that often puts links to firmware files.
Looks like this one:
https://www.chinavasion.com/china/wholesale/Android_Media_Players/Android_TV_Box/4K_Android_4.4_Smart_TV_Box_-_1.6GHz_Quad_Core_CPU_2GB_RAM_8GB_Internal_Memory/#specsa
MXIII for $53.79:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Newest-Android-TV-Box-MXIII-Amlogic-S802-Quad-Core-Android-4-4-1G-8G-WiFi-4K/2041380579.html
Looks like CX-S806 can be bought for $55, but specs aren’t clear:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-A31S-Quad-Core-1G-8G-RK3188-Android-TV-BOX-Smart-IPTV-Media-Player-Bluetooth/32215142883.html
Kindly can you tell me which Android tv box is the latest from MXQ and MXIII please?
@Yani
MXQ must be the latest, but MXII is faster with an S802 processor, instead of the slower S805 processor used in MXQ.
@Gabe
Probably for a lot of 10Pcs… Or so it seems now…
Though what a burn that this doesn’t support Bluetooth. I guess I’ll have to waste a USB Slot on a Dongle now.
But is the MX2 really that much better then the MX3 at the moment. Can we expect this to change?
My nephew bought an MX3, it worked great for a few days and now it won’t come on: the light stays red. I will try to flash the firmware and see what happpens.
@A piece of c…
Good day,
I’m having the same problem with a box the same, has only two days of use, and simply does not work.
I wonder, could you somehow solve your problem?
If so, could you share!
thank you,
Joaquim Xavier
can say how to do the firmware flash
@Joaquim Xavier
Find the right firmware for your box, then http://www.cnx-software.com/2014/04/16/how-to-firmware-upgrade-amlogic-s802/
cnxsoft : @Joaquim Xavier Find the right firmware for your box, then http://www.cnx-software.com/2014/04/16/how-to-firmware-upgrade-amlogic-s802/ My Box is : MX III Android 4.4 Smart TV Box XBMC Quad Core Mali450 4K 8GB Miracast WIFI US I downloaded this firmware (M82_108k4) is it correct? after unzipped, is an image file. Sorry, but my knowledge in this subject is very basic. If you can help in any way, I am very grateful. I bought the equipment in China, and currently live in Brazil, then it is very difficult to solve with the seller. Also if you want and have availability we can exchange e-mail,… Read more »
@Joaquim Xavier
downloaded the firmware of this page: http://chinagadgetsreviews.blogspot.com.br/2014/11/download-kitkat-442-firmware-for_19.html
I bought one. the wifi maxes out at about 13mbs. My galaxyS4 sitting beside it get 31mbs.
@nipszx
Dear all,
I need some help with this MX3 Quad Android kitkat TVbox, Who know’s to put your systems language to another language. I followed the initial setup after first power on.
And it’s on english but my box from china has al lot of apps on it and have chinese titles.
Either the in the menu home screen > settings > other > more settings > are title are in chinese at this moment. Every help is welcome!
@Duurs
The Chinese apps are usually only in Chinese, so you can’t change their language.
Stane1983 : MXIII comes in 3 variants. 2gb version is same hardware as Beelink S82 / Tronsmart Vega S89. 1gb version comes with 2 wifi modules. Only 1st batch was with realtek 8188 wifi module. All other batches comes with ap6181. For Linux it will not be a problem for one firmware to handle both wifi modules on 1gb box, but Android might be. I’ll know more when I start to work on it. How can you tell which wifi module a unit has, so that I can get the correct firmware update? I have an MXIII, model-M82 (K200), manufacturer-MBX,… Read more »
I am looking for an Android box and it sound like there are a lot out there, but how do you choose.
Here are the top three that I think sound the best.
MX3 MXIII
http://www.amazon.ca/MXIII-Android-Quad-Core-Remote/dp/B00R0BS56S/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1429895516&sr=1-1&keywords=android+tv+box
Matricom G-box
http://www.amazon.ca/Matricom-x24C7-G-Box-Quad-Android/dp/B00PT5DVLQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1429895516&sr=1-2&keywords=android+tv+box
INL3D
http://inl3d.com/products/ultra-quad-core-media-stremer
Any comments or suggestion would be help a lot!!
Any news on Lollipop for the MX3 (1GB)?