Android TV Boxes based on dual core processors usually sells for north of $50. But you can now get an AllWinner A20 based Android media player for just $43.39 including shipping thanks to Ruach A20 also featuring 1GB RAM, 8 GB Flash, Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity, two USB ports, and more. Ruach A20 specifications: SoC – AllWinner A20 dual core Cortex A7 @ 1GHz with Mali-400MP2 GPU System Memory – 1GB DDR3, Storage – 8GB NAND Flash Video Output – HDMI, Composite Audio Output – HDMI, Stereo RCA, Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n USB – 2x USB host ports Misc – IR receiver, power button Power Supply – 5V Dimensions – 11.8 x 7.8 x 3.0 cm This Android 4.2.2 TV Box comes with an IR remote control, an AV cable, a power adapter, and a user’s manual. The manufacturer has a website in Chinese only, but I could […]
Shenzhen DigiCasting LX-N10 Is an AllWinner A31s Powered Board for Digital Signage Applications
Shenzhen DigiCasting, a Shenzhen based company specialized in digital signage solution, has recently introduced LX-N10 board specifically designed to connect to LVDS display for applications such as digital signage players. The board is powered by AllWinner A31s, comes with up to 2GB RAM, and optional 4GB eMMC, and various ports and headers. LX-N10 board (aka DS-108) specifications: SoC – AllWinner A31s quad core ARM Cortex A7 processor @ 1.2 GHz with PowerVR SGX544MP2 GPU System Memory – 1 GB DDR2 (2GB optional) Storage – micro SD slot up to 32GB, and optional 4GB eMMC Video Output – HDMI, LVDS + backlight + touchscreen header Audio – HDMI, 3.5mm stereo jack. Built-in 4R/20W, 8R/10W amplifier Connectivity – Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, 10/100M Ethernet USB – 2x external USB 2.0 host ports, 2x internal USB headers Other Headers – GPIO (3 GPIO, 1 ADC), 3x RS-232 (2x Tx/Rx, 1x Tx/Rx/CTS/RTS), Audio 1 & 2 […]
How to Boot a Headless Linux Image on Amlogic S802 TV Boxes (Tronsmart Vega S89 Elite)
As some of you already know, I’ve been playing around with Tronsmart Vega S89 Elite, an Android TV Box powered by Amlogic S802 quad-core ARM Cortex A9r4 processor at 2 GHz. Today, I’ll show how to boot a headless Linux image on any Amlogic-based S802 TV Box from the network. The instructions can mainly be used as a starting point for developers, as it requires access to a serial terminal via UART, but if you’ve never done it before, the instructions should be easy enough to follow. Everything is loaded from the network, the kernel (via boot.img) is loaded via TFTP, and the rootfs (Linaro ALIP image) is mounted via NFS, so it’s nearly impossible to brick your device using the method provided. Linaro ALIP rootfs comes with LXDE, but at this stage, the desktop environment is not showing, even though my HDMI TV is properly detected by the drivers. […]
Upcoming MeLe and Egreat A-Series 4K Android Media Players to Feature Realtek RTD1195 SoC
AndroidPC.es has reported that Mele is preparing to launch a new set-top boxes based on Realtek RTD1195 STB SoC with a dual core ARM Cortex A7 (or A9) and a Mali GPU (TBC), and Egreat will also launch their A-Series STB based on the same SoC according to a video by charbax which also features older Realtek and Rockchip Android TV Boxes, and an RK3188 based game console (Egreat K3). RTD1195 supports 4K, H.265 video decoding, and products usually come with USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet ports, and in some cases, even a SATA drive bay. Here are the preliminary specifications from the the upcoming (and unnamed) Mele boxes: SoC – Realtek RTD1195 dual core ARM Cortex A7/A9 @ 1.2GHz with Mali-400 GPU (TBC) System Memory – 1GB DDR3 Storage – 4GB flash (8GB optional), internal bays for 2.5″ or 3.5″ SATA drives up to 3TB Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11n WiFi, and Bluetooth […]
Rikomagic MK902 II Android TV Box with Rockchip RK3288 Coming Soon
Rikomagic MK902 is an Android mini PC powered by Rockchip RK3188 quad core processor, and there’s even a Linux version. The company has announced it has been working on an upgrade of the device named MK902 II, and powered by Rockchip RK3288. It will initially sell with Android, but I would not be surprised with a PicUntu version is also sold later, and even an MK 902 II Chromebox could hit the market, since Rockchip released Chromium OS overlay files for RK3288. They’ve also provide MK902 II specifications: SoC – Rockchip 3288 quad core ARM Cortex A17 up to 1.8 GHz with Mali-T764 GPU System Memory – 2G DDR3 Storage – 8 or 16 GB flash + micro SD slot (up to 32GB) Video Output – HDMI, AV Audio Output / Input – HDMI, stereo audio (via AV port), optical S/PDIF, microphone Video Codecs – MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264, […]
MINIX NEO X8 and X8s Android TV Boxes are Now Available for Pre-order for $119 and up
Last month, MINIX announced their NEO X8 and NEO X8s Android TV boxes powered by Amlogic S802 and S802-H (with Dolby/DTS support). The company disclosed the specifications but they did not provide price information. This morning, I noticed the devices were available for pre-order on DealExtreme for $132 and $151.56, and I went to look for it on Aliexpress where NEO X8 sells for as low as $119 and NEO X8s for $148. All prices include shipping. One shop also sell these for well over $200 with the new MINIX NEO M1 air mouse. Both devices come with 2GB RAM, HDMI video output, stereo and optical S/PDIF audio outputs, Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity, and 3 USB ports. Whereas NEO X8 features 8GB flash, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Amlogic S802 SoC, NEO X8s boasts 16GB flash, dual band 2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi, and Amlogic S802-H which properly supports Dolby and DTS audio pass-through via […]
Amlogic STB SoCs Comparison – AML8726-MX, S802, S805, and S812
The second quarter of 2014 is promising to be an exciting time for Android TV boxes based on Chinese SoCs with lots of announcements. Devices powered by Amlogic S802 quad core SoC such as M8 and Vega S89 are already available, Rockchip RK3288 Android TV boxes are likely to sell in May, together with AllWinner A80 development board and tablets, and Android media players probably coming to market in June or July. But Amlogic S802 is not the only new quad core processor announced by Amlogic, with S805 and S812 soon to be featured in HDMI TV sticks and TV boxes. Amlogic IP/OTT STB SoC page has a comparison table for their four STB SoC. Let’s go through this table to see which processor may better match different end-users requirements. Multi-core CPU Dual Core ARM Cortex A9 Quad Core ARM Cortex A9 Quad Core ARM Cortex A9 Quad Core ARM […]
Xiaomi Unveils $64 Mi Box Pro TV Box Powered by Amlogic S802 SoC
Xiaomi, now just called Mi, has announced three new products today. Two 802.11ac Wi-Fi routers: Mi Wi-Fi Router for 699 CNY ($112), and Mi Wi-Fi mini for 129 CNY ($20), and one Android TV box called Mi Box Pro featuring Amlogic S802 quad core Cortex A9r4 processor with 2GB RAM, 4GB eMMC Flash, and 802.11ac Wi-Fi that will sell in China for just 399 CNY ($64). Mi Pro Box specifications: SoC – Amlogic S802 quad core Cortex A9r4 processor @ 2GHz with ARM Mali-450MP6 octa-core GPU System Memory – 2GB RAM Storage – 4GB eMMC Flash + micro SD slot up to 64 GB Video & Audio Output – HDMI (Up to 4K30) and 3.5 mm AV Audio / Video Playback – MKV, AVI, MP3 and MOV up to 4K resolution. AC3, Dolby and DTS audio support Connectivity – Dual band 802.11 b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi up to 120 Mbps (vs 40 […]