hi guys,
I need a media player and rather than get a wdtv live, i'm thinking of purchasing an android stick as it has the bonus of apps etc.
I've seen loads of different sticks, such as MK808, MK809, MK809ii, MK809iii, MK908.
To be perfectly honest, I'm confused as to which is the BEST stick in terms of hardware/stability/software.
I want to be able to watch hd movies, play games and connect external storage. such as usb stick or hdd.
Which make/model is the latest so far? What can you recommend?
cx-919 IMO
thank you for your prompt reply insomnia. I do apologise, but i've never heard of it as the one's i've heard of are the "MK" models. What's so special about this one and how is it different from the rest? Is it more faster than the MK models? What about Raspberry PI?
wowandroid said:
thank you for your prompt reply insomnia. I do apologise, but i've never heard of it as the one's i've heard of are the "MK" models. What's so special about this one and how is it different from the rest? Is it more faster than the MK models? What about Raspberry PI?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cx918 and mk908 are from the new generation of pen-TV based on RK3188 chip, all the others you cited in yur original message are based on RK3066 chip.
RK3188 is a 1.6-1.8ghz quad core chip, RK3066 is a 1.2-1.5ghz dual core chip, thus the first is a lot faster.
cx918 has a slightly better wifi than mk908.
Rasperry PI is A LOT less powerfull than both but its also a lot better optimized so it actually outperform both sometimes.
Thank you very much NixZero.
I think the first thing I need to do is decide if I want an Android Mini PC or Raspberry Pi or a dedicated Media Player.
My main concern is Movies - I'm looking for a device which can play almost anything you throw at it and can play HD resolutions smoothly. My understanding here is that a dedicated media player such as the WDTV live would be the best choice. But as you can understand, I want more and therefore the option for installing games/apps would be an added bonus.
So next I need to decide between a Raspberry Pi or an Android Mini PC...assuming it's been optimised, which one is the best?
wowandroid said:
Thank you very much NixZero.
I think the first thing I need to do is decide if I want an Android Mini PC or Raspberry Pi or a dedicated Media Player.
My main concern is Movies - I'm looking for a device which can play almost anything you throw at it and can play HD resolutions smoothly. My understanding here is that a dedicated media player such as the WDTV live would be the best choice. But as you can understand, I want more and therefore the option for installing games/apps would be an added bonus.
So next I need to decide between a Raspberry Pi or an Android Mini PC...assuming it's been optimised, which one is the best?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
for movie playing, PI - rk3066 based ones struggles with 1080p content and rk3188 ones firmware still are pretty green while Pi's excellent hardware acceleration implementation plays even 1080p high rate content without any problem.
for some games/apps PI is a bit underpowered while RK3188 is a pretty powerfull chip, better than tegra 3 or samsung exynos 4412 (not at snapdragon 4 or cortex A15 level tho).
Pi has a perfect linux implementation while RK ones are still at an early stage.
not easy to chose, each has its strong and low points.
at least they are cheap.
NixZero said:
for movie playing, PI - rk3066 based ones struggles with 1080p content and rk3188 ones firmware still are pretty green while Pi's excellent hardware acceleration implementation plays even 1080p high rate content without any problem.
for some games/apps PI is a bit underpowered while RK3188 is a pretty powerfull chip, better than tegra 3 or samsung exynos 4412 (not at snapdragon 4 or cortex A15 level tho).
Pi has a perfect linux implementation while RK ones are still at an early stage.
not easy to chose, each has its strong and low points.
at least they are cheap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well in that case it leaves me with a dilemma. Just to clarify, I would be more than happy to stick with 720p movies as it's mainly for kids (whom can't tell the difference between 720p or 1080p, lol!), if the R3188 can handle them smoothly...what would you say? If it definately can handle them smoothly, then what about compatibility of file formats?
File formats should all work. Even at 1080p. If not there is always the play store and MX player has run everything I've thrown at it on my $20 MK802
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
plznote said:
File formats should all work. Even at 1080p. If not there is always the play store and MX player has run everything I've thrown at it on my $20 MK802
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks plznote. You said your MK802 has ran everything you've thrown at it, which is great, but what about smoothness of movie playback in 720p???
Also note the Pi won't play netflix movies, at all
mrplowdan said:
Also note the Pi won't play netflix movies, at all
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Click to collapse
I don't watch netflix movies...it's mainly mkv, mp4 and youtube videos.
So what is 720p movie playback like on the android stick(s)? Is it smooth? Any minor issues?
Hi wowandroid,
If you are only interested in video playback, we have a clear winner! Check out devices with Allwinner A31 + powervr sgx544mp2 like this one:
http://www.ebay.es/itm/yatow-U4K-An...0?pt=Netzanschluss&hash=item56573ed2be&_uhb=1
It is only 1GHz, but the GPU plays 4k video with 120Mbps bitrate and 3D blueray output.
Have a look at this pages too, specially the first:
http://www.arctablet.com/blog/featu...-tablet-quadcore-arm-cortex-a7-allwinner-a31/
http://withimagination.imgtec.com/index.php/powervr/allwinner-a31-soc-with-powervr-graphics
If you play from a usb disk it should work like a real charm, but I don't know about the wifi speed, it doesn't have an external antenna. I'm sure playing that 4k file through wifi won't be so smooth.
If you can get a device with this chipset and a gigabit wired connection, go for it.
To be honest, I've never heard of the sticks you've mentioned.
wowandroid said:
To be honest, I've never heard of the sticks you've mentioned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your main concern is video, I think this is hands down the best device.
It is a quite new chip, so maybe that's why you haven't heard about it.
Here is another review of a tablet with this chip:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2299688
All reviews agree that video performance is amazing. But I'm not sure if XBMC fully supports it yet.
It seems that it is all GPLed
http://rhombus-tech.net/allwinner/a31/orders/
Thanks very much. I'm not sure if we can get this in the uk. How much are the sticks? Also how much are the tablets?
i've had no problems so far with cx-919
Thanks theregkid,
can you recommend where i can buy one from?(link?) Also will i be able to attach an external hdd?
For what I've read, there's little difference in the sticks with the same processor. At the moment, the RK 3188 chip seems to be the new standard. There are a few sticks that have it. I've just bought the Imito QX 1: the reason was the simple fact that the former models of Imito were nice, it had good reviews and because it has a metal plate (and no plastic) on the back, which is sort of the heatsink. On top of that, you can attach a normal passive heatsink, which seems to be enough to cool the processor... It then can run the 1080p kernel. Not many sticks have 1080p kernels...Finless (known for the finless roms), did a review on the build quality and he was pleasantly surprised! Mainly because of the heatsink option and of the fact that there can be an external antenna attached to it.
I've read, that for now, there is no hardware acceleration possible for the RK 3188 chip, but maybe in time... And are there ways to play 1080p movies, without HW acceleration? For now I've still got my RBPI...
A review on the qx1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjSgP78HpcQ
Just google on 'Imito QX1 Review' and you'll see some offers right away...
Shoarma1998 said:
For what I've read, there's little difference in the sticks with the same processor. At the moment, the RK 3188 chip seems to be the new standard. There are a few sticks that have it. I've just bought the Imito QX 1: the reason was the simple fact that the former models of Imito were nice, it had good reviews and because it has a metal plate (and no plastic) on the back, which is sort of the heatsink. On top of that, you can attach a normal passive heatsink, which seems to be enough to cool the processor... It then can run the 1080p kernel. Not many sticks have 1080p kernels...Finless (known for the finless roms), did a review on the build quality and he was pleasantly surprised! Mainly because of the heatsink option and of the fact that there can be an external antenna attached to it.
I've read, that for now, there is no hardware acceleration possible for the RK 3188 chip, but maybe in time... And are there ways to play 1080p movies, without HW acceleration? For now I've still got my RBPI...
A review on the qx1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjSgP78HpcQ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for that breakdown. I'm very happy to buy this, but:-
1. Can the Imito QX1 attach an external hdd?
2. Is it well supported and able to have xbmc?
3. Where can i buy it from in the uk? (Cheapest link please!)
wowandroid said:
Thank you very much for that breakdown. I'm very happy to buy this, but:-
1. Can the Imito QX1 attach an external hdd?
2. Is it well supported and able to have xbmc?
3. Where can i buy it from in the uk? (Cheapest link please!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't posts links here, but see my former remark for offers... there is an usb 2.0 connection on it... just google on specs and you'll find out yourself. But yes, every stick has the ability to attach an external hdd and even more, you can connect it to your NAS.
Don't let things like weak wifi reception on other models fool you. You can order a usb to rc45 cable for 4 euro's.
XBMC is possible, but as mentioned before, it has been optimized for machines like the rbpi. All rk 3188 sticks suffer from the fact that HW accelleration is not YET supported...
The only downside from this stick, for what I've seen now that it is a pain to hook up to your stereo, since there is no audio out connection on the device... Few sticks have it, but the android media boxes have more connections. So you won't have to buy a seperate powered usb hub.
Please be aware that a 2 amp converter is desired, when running this device.
Last thing... the Imito stick has a separate bluetooth and wifi chip. for what I know, this is kind of unique, because most devices have a 'two-in-one' chip. But not sure on this one. Anyone?
I'm looking to get an Android TV device and I am overwhelmed with options. I want something that is fully unlockable with an active development community. What originally got me interested was the Amazon Fire TV but after reading up it seems the new units are no longer rootable/unlockable. That lead me down the path to other devices. I think I've settled on the AMLogic based devices (if there are other suggestion I'm open). It looks like there are basically 3.
S905 - Older chip and stuck with Android 5 roms
S905x - Newer with 4k but performance is not as good at the S905. More dev/roms available
S912 - 8 core. Has DVB S2/T2 support (not sure what that does for me though) Does not seem to be a lot of dev for this. Only one thread I saw.
Based on these assumptions I'm leaning toward a X96 - S905x 2GB/16GB model for $42.99.
Also. Do the non Amazon devices support Amazon video? My current chromecast's do not and that is one reason for the upgrade.
I am in a similat boot here
Decided on the X96 because I found the page for the firmware updates before I found a link to buy the box LOL
Apart from the missing BT a great box considering the usual limitations.
Amazon video only works on Amazon devices AFAIK but I don't use it.
Same story for Android TV, great hype about it but I think it is just a crippled launcher with really limited content showing up - mainly Youtube and Google but nothing else.
The S912 seems to be the affordable alternative if you need BT and a bit more computing power for games but S905D boxes are slowly turning up.
Same for devices running on Android7 and offering up to 3GB/32GB.
But Android7 for TV boxes is in an early beta to say it nice with a lot of bugs and half cooked menu structures - better to wait a bit longer if you ask me.
And since the hardware for these boxes is literally identical within the families it comes down to personal preference and what can be modded or not.
Personally I am starting to think that despite the huge price tag the Shield is still the best option in terms of quality, hardware and support.
DVB is for terrestial and satellite TV.
Thanks. I did not realize there was no BT on the S905x boxes. My only concern there is I was planning to use a wireless BT keyboard with it.
Almost all wireless keyboards that come with a dongle will work, for example the Logitech and MS ones, same for the dirt cheap and tiny touchpad keyboards you get on Ebay.
BT is only a problem if you need it for game controllers, weather stations or to pair some speakers to it.
I see. I went ahead and ordered a X96 that included a mini keyboard last night. I figure for $47.98, including shipping, what the heck right? I'll have a cheap new toy to play with.
Once you played enough you will start playing even more when you try different custom roms
hi please help i flashed wrong twrp recovery i think now my amlogic smartbox failed to boot in recovery mode and the main problem is my smartbox Encryption Unsuccessful Factory reset, when i click factory reset nothing happend please guide how to solve this
Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk
I have been playing with quite a few firmwares now and after realising that my ney Rockchip box does even less than my X96 I started to wonder...
With no 4k smart TV I seem to miss a lot of troubles, especially when it comes to Dolby audio.
But apart from that there are firmwares with more hardware support, better video or audio capabilities not to mention DRM and streaming.
I don't really do any low level modding in the firmwares, just adding and replacing files for most of it.
So what is it that really makes a firmware tick?
For most the Android systems in terms of apps and launches seems pretty much identical.
All seem to use the same graphics driver, same Wifi modules but still there are often big performance differences.
Forgive my simple thinking but just as an example, would it be possible to:
Take the best from the firmwares out there and put it together into a new one?
Like adding add DRM supports, enabling 4K youtube, fixing kernel stuff...
Was thinking in the direction of a universal rom that could work on all S905x boxes.
Certainly could make modding more intersting if there is a base that actual does what all the advertisements promise LOL
Hi All, seeking any insight into the above issue. When recording video, the audio is so important, and a dedicated mic is required. I cannot seem to get definitive info on this issue - phone specs do not state if ext mics are supported - and my reading is that the Mate 9 cannot support a ext mic (the native camera app has no such options to grab audio from an ext mic). Do any of the other Mates support ext mic? Anyone having such a setup be so kind to share their experience and equipment and settings?
I'm also gathering the video in our Mate series leaves us a bit wanting - I know my Mate 9 in FHD 30fps exhibits jelly and its embarrassing - I read it may have something to do with having the video stabilisation switched ON (so the IS is not exactly doing a great job, so need to turn it off). The colours and brightness is all great enough but the jelly is just deal breaker. Am trying to work with the video camera's limitations esp what speed to pan/move the camera to avoid the jelly. Failing this, will seek to move to LG V-series or any others known for better video (I feel video is the bigger requirement for me, all cams are now pretty much on par w photos really, so not fussed w photos).
Google is your friend
I am using Shure with Mate 20 pro via USB C Port. And it works awesome as it records Stereo sound with the default app.
https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/microphones/mv88plus
Hey guys, i´m looking for a farily cheap box to use exclusively as a steam link device for 4k60, currently i own the OG Steam Link, and while it is a hell of a little gadget, it simply does not deal with 4k60, and my actual TV, even tho it has Android TV has some weak decoding capabilities it seems, i lose frames even at 1080p.
Anyways, anyone has any experience with Steam Link (wired) and any AMLogic S905X4 SoC decoding exclusevly 4k60 games to share?
Are both, the computer and the Android TV, wired?
The chip is for sure more than capable enough.
Let me also suggest you to try AMD link or Moonlight for nvidia.