Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 23 Comments on Rockchip RK3229 based MXQ 4K System Info and Antutu Benchmark

Rockchip RK3229 based MXQ 4K System Info and Antutu Benchmark

Since MXQ-4K TV box is not working well enough, even after a firmware update, I’ve decided not to do a full review. But since this is the first Rockchip RK3229 device I’ve received, I’ll still share some system information (CPU-Z) and Antutu benchmark results. Rorkchip RK3229 is detected as a quad core Cortex A7 processor between 408 MHz and 1.46 GHz with a Mali-400MP GPU. CPU-Z does not know about it, so it only detect RK3066, meaning the manufacturing process (40 nm) is wrongly reported, and RK3229 is manufactured using a 28nm process. The model us MXQ-4K (rk322x) with the board simply called rk30sdk. They’ve also set the framebuffer resolution to 1280×720 probably due to the limited performance of Mali-400MP GPU. Internal storage is shown to be 3.81GB large, but that’s because I modified the firmware, and it’s now 1.44GB with the latest firmware. Rockchip RK3229 does not support Android […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments on Decode or Generate QR Codes in Ubuntu with QtQR and zbar-tools

Decode or Generate QR Codes in Ubuntu with QtQR and zbar-tools

Sometimes I’ve found myself having to decode a QR code on my computer, and usually I’d just get my Android smartphone, use a QR code app to decode it, and send the results to my computer by email. It works, but wouldn’t it be better to simply do this straight from my computer instead? After a few minutes searching, I eventually found out QtQR graphical utility that can both generate and decode QR codes. In Ubuntu and Debian, you can install it as follows:

You can create a QR code with a given pixel size and level of error correction for text, URL, bookmark, email, phone number, SMS/MMS, WiFi network, and so on, and then use the Save QRCode button to save the resulting picture. If instead you simply want to decode a QR code from an image or your webcam use the Decode button, and the tool will […]

ArmSoM CM5 - Raspberry Pi CM4 alternative with Rockchip RK3576 SoC
Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 14 Comments on GearBest 2nd Anniversary Promo Offers Cheap TV Boxes and Routers

GearBest 2nd Anniversary Promo Offers Cheap TV Boxes and Routers

GearBest has become fairly popular since it launched two years ago, mostly thanks to aggressive pricing, promotions, and coupons, and the company is celebrating its anniversary with some more discounts with recent TV boxes as low as $23, routers for $12 and up, and other accessories. Some potentially interesting deals include: Chiptrip MXV S805 TV box with Amlogic S805 and Android 4.4 for $29.99 Beelink X2 TV box with Allwinner H3 and Android 4.4 for $26.89 MX4 TV box running Android 4.4 on Rockchip RK3229 for $22.99 Xiaomi Mi WiFi mini 802.11ac router for $28.49 (Update: also found on eBay for  $21.70 shipped) oops that’s the Youth Edition, only 802.11n) EasyCast WiFi Display Dongle for $11.99 NEXX WT3020F OpenWrt compatible router for $12.74 Please note that some are flash sales with 100 to 300 pieces, and discounted prices may not be active right now. [Update: Finally, only the flash sales […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 30 Comments on MXQ-4K RK3229 TV Box Firmware Update – March 8, 2016

MXQ-4K RK3229 TV Box Firmware Update – March 8, 2016

MXQ-4K is one of the first TV boxes based on Rockchip RK3229 processor, and while it promised a lot with regards to high bitrate 4K H.265, H.264 and VP9 videos, it failed it deliver when I tested some videos from a USB hard drive, and its Antutu score varies from 12,000 to 19,000 depending on the ambient temperature…  The company has now released a new firmware, albeit without any changelog. The build number is rk322x-eng 4.4.4 KTU84Q eng.hotack.2016.03.08.102208 test-keys meaning it was build on March 8, 2016. There are about three apps for OTA firmware update in the January firmware, but none of them worked, so I had to update firmware using the “USB OTG” method, meaning all your settings and apps will be wiped out, so if you don’t have a backup, be prepare to re-install everything. So first, you’ll need to download the firmware (MXQ-4K_ota_20160308.zip), and extract it. […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments on Avnet Introduces Zynq Based MicroZed Industry 4.0 / IIoT Ethernet Kit

Avnet Introduces Zynq Based MicroZed Industry 4.0 / IIoT Ethernet Kit

There’s a lot of buzz around IoT, and the industrial sector is also trying to build smarter factories using protocols or standards part of Industry 4.0 or Industrial IoT (IIoT) depending on the country or group you belong too. Avnet has just launched MicroZed Industry 4.0 Ethernet Kit (I4EK) based on Xilinx Zynq-7000 ARM & FPGA SoC to address this market with support for the most common industrial protocols such as EtherCAT, Powerlink, PROFINET RT/IRT, EtherNet/IP, and Modbus-TCP. The “brain” of the development board is MicroZed module powered by Zilinx Zynq-7020 dual core Cortex A9 processor with FPGA fabric, and coupled with 1GB RAM, 128 MB SQPI flash, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and various I/Os. The module is connected to MicroZed FMC Carrier board with the following features: 2x 100-pin board-to-board MicroHeaders Xilinx PC4 header for download/debug – Accesses PL JTAG 5x Digilent Pmod compatible interfaces 39 user I/O 1x […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments on Ugoos AM2 is a Tiny Amlogic S905 Android TV Box with HDMI & AV Ports, an IR Extension Jack

Ugoos AM2 is a Tiny Amlogic S905 Android TV Box with HDMI & AV Ports, an IR Extension Jack

Ugoos UM3, a compact Rockchip RK3288 Android & Ubuntu TV Box that would fit in your hand, has now a little brother with Ugoos AM2 in the same form factor but featuring Amlogic S905 processor instead, but still with an AV jack (composite + stereo audio) and an HDMI 2.0 port, as well as an IR extension jack allowing you to place the box behind the TV. Ugoos AM2 specifications: SoC – Amlogic S905 quad core Cortex A53 @ 2.0 GHz with penta-core ARM Mali-450MP GPU System Memory – 1GB DDR3 Storage – 8GB flash (Hynix) + micro SD card slot (up to 32 GB) Video & Audio Output – HDMI 2.0 up to 4k @ 60 fps, 3.5mm AV output with composite and stereo audio Connectivity – dual band WiFi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0 (Ampak AP6330 module) + external antenna USB – 2x USB ports including one USB […]

Rockchip RK3568/RK3588 and Intel x86 SBCs
Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments on Astro Carrier & XBG201 Breakout Boards Are Designed for Nvidia Jetson TX1 Module

Astro Carrier & XBG201 Breakout Boards Are Designed for Nvidia Jetson TX1 Module

Nvidia unveiled Jetson TX1 system-on-module powered by their latest Tegra X1 processor, as well as a carrier board that fits into a mini-ITX case at the end of last year. However, if you need something more compact  and lightweight, Connect Tech designed Astro Carrier baseboard for Jetson TX1 module with about the same size, as well as a breakout board with connectors that can be customized as needed. Astro Carrier (ASG001) board specifications: SoM Connector – Samtec “SEARAY” high density board to board connector for Jetson TX1 module Breakout board connectors – 3x 60-pin high density connectors with HDMI, SATA,  2x Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000), 1x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, 2x RS-232/RS-485, 2x camera (CSI4), 4x GPIO…… Storage – micro SD slot On-board connectivity – GbE magnetics + Intel 82574 GbE PHY + magnetics Video I/Os 8x u.FL video inputs GMSL (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link) signaling via 2x MAX9286 deserializer […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 16 Comments on Doogee P1 is a Tiny Android 4.4 DLP Projector That Supports Screen Mirroring and Extension over WiFi

Doogee P1 is a Tiny Android 4.4 DLP Projector That Supports Screen Mirroring and Extension over WiFi

Doogee Smart Cube P1 looks like a colorful Android 4.4 TV box powered by an Amlogic quad core processor, but it’s actually an Android DLP projector without other video output ports (no HDMI, no composite) that can also be used to mirror or extent your laptop or smartphone screen. Doogee P1 specifications: SoC – Amlogic quad core processor (likely Amlogic S805 quad core Cortex A5 since the device is running Android 4.4) System memory – 1GB DDR3 Storage – 8GB eMMC flash Projector Texas Instrument DLP with 70 lumen/3W brightness, OSRAM LED, and 30,000 hours LED lifetime Resolution – 854×480; max: 1280×720 Contrast ratio – 800:1 Manual focus Audio – 2x 1.2W speakers Connectivity – 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth USB – 1x USB 2.0 host port, 1x micro USB OTG port Misc – Dual LED charging LED, power and reset buttons Power Supply – 5V via USB OTG port Battery […]

Boardcon Rockchip and Allwinner SoM and SBC products