$96 Kingnovel K-R42-1 (MK888) Android Set-top Box Powered by RK3188 Processor

I’ve now got several RK3188 mini PCs, but I hadn’t found full sized set-top boxes based on Rockchip RK3188 quad core processor with Ethernet, and multiple USB ports. Thanks to a post in mini PC G+ community, we have now a nice looking quad core STB called K-R42-1 by Kingnovel, which might be the manufacturer design house behind the device, and sold for  $96 including shipping in one Aliexpress store under the model name MK888.

MK888

K-R42-1 / MK888 Specifications:

  • SoC – Rockchip RK3188 quad Cortex-A9 CPU @ 1.6 GHz + Mali-400 MP4 GPU @ 500 MHz
  • System Memory – 2GB DDR3 SDRAM
  • Storage – 8GB Nand Flash +  MicroSD slot (Up to 32GB)
  • Connectivity
    • 10/100M Ethernet
    • WiFi 802.11 b/g/n with external antenna
    • Bluetooth EDR 2.0
  • Video Output – HDMI 1.3 + AV output jack
  • Audio Output – HDMI + S/PDIF
  • Video Codecs (Decode) – MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264 (up to 60 Mbps), AVS, VC-1, RV, VP6/VP8, Sorenson Spark, MVC @ 1080p60
  • Video Codecs (Encode) – H.264, VP8, and MVC @ 1080p
  • Audio Codecs – MP1,MP2,MP3,WMA,WAV,OGG,OGA,APE,FLAC,AAC,M4A,3GPP…etc
  • USB – 2x USB Host
  • Misc – IR port
  • Power – 5V/2A
  • Dimensions – 142x95x21 mm

The device is said to come with a power adapter, an HDMI Cable, and a user’s manual. In the picture below from Aliexpress, there’s one additional port referred to as “micro HDMI”, just next to the full HDMI port, but I’m not convinced… It might be a micro USB port instead.
MK888_rear_panel
Finally, MK888 is currently running Android 4.1.1, but will be upgrade to Android 4.2.2. At $96, it seems quite cheap compared to RK3188 based mini PCs, many of which cost nearly the same, but with less features.

Share this:

Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress

ROCK Pi 4C Plus
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.
51 Comments
oldest
newest
Warwager
Warwager
10 years ago

Nice device with all the usually requested features and others like IR and the price seems decent.
Can’t wait for you to do a review. The picture of the back of the device seems to indicate an external antenna, perhaps the wifi on this thing will be good too.
If so, ladies and germs, we have a potential winner.

vtomin
vtomin
10 years ago

It would be interesting to test the data transfer speed via Ethernet port.

Robbe
Robbe
10 years ago

This one with Linux would be a dream

renw0rp
renw0rp
10 years ago

It’s a pity it is not gigabit ethernet (as in some i.mx6 based boards which also have SATA)

Anywyas seems to be great product, for me much better than “tv sticks”. I’m wondering why would you need micro-HDMI? Would it be possible to connect 2 displays? Anyways I doubt it can drive double resolution, so another USB port would be more useful.

rm
rm
10 years ago

@renw0rp
Probably it’s just micro-USB next to HDMI, not “micro-HDMI”

klein
klein
10 years ago

i hope :
1 that micro-usb(not micro hdmi) and OTG, i need usb-b port (msc).
2 a good Wifi: realtek or ralink have open drivers w/master mode.
3 4.2 upgrade for miracast / miracast.

yes w/av out, xbmc its a winner… but anyone know Kingnovel?, they ‘ve other products?, they support upgrades w/own team?, are open source friendly?… almost like rikomagic?

very interesant, is posible wait for a review here CNX?

klein
klein
10 years ago

also thats weird not only the micro hdmi in picture, also say hdmi 1.3 and follow the g+ link found decode h264 at 60mbps, the last 2 not correspond to rk3188(hdmi 1.4 , h264@100mbps is reported in a soc comparison review) , so many errors, is not good signal for a unknown kingsnovel, how is the qa+qc w/errors in Pcb?

klein
klein
10 years ago

thanks in advance!
if they’re clever send you a sample. if they’re new must known that a reviews yours is very important for trust.

Sander
Sander
10 years ago

Cool: it has the looks of a arty netbook or router…

4WheelSpyder
4WheelSpyder
10 years ago

Way to go with this design! This is exactly what I am looking for – RJ45 connector – SPDIF interface. The question is, can it handle 1080p files and output it in true 1080p @60Hz without a stutter. If that can be confirmed, my order will be placed. Looking forward to the review!

George
George
10 years ago

@renw0rp
Yes, they claim dual screen is supported. That’s why 2 HDMI ports are present.

Eric
Eric
10 years ago

This mark on the ports is wrong, this tv box only have one hdmi port, the one near hdmi port should be the OTG port, not micro hdmi port.

Klein
Klein
10 years ago

the picture in aliexpress now say “OTG”, so it was a mistake (micro hdmi).
I’m looking for a review, its cheap and have all my needs, but i dont known Kingnovel… so waiting 2 see if the 4.2 firmware is ok and have miracast, also if the wifi work ok (fast and reliable).
Ported linux in this unknown device is beyond my dreams…

Eric
10 years ago

I( Geekbuying) is working on a review for this device, we just get the stock rom,and made them change the internal storage ( the stock rom is coming only 540MB left in internal storage, it is no good, i have made them change to 1.97G).

HM
HM
10 years ago


Thank you, looking forward to the review. Could you also include in your review if the device can passthrough dolby digital?

klein
klein
10 years ago


thanks, i’m waiting for a review also, because i don’t known Kingnovel, please can you say what is the wifi chip? reach 150mbps stable? throughput avg/max is ok? hdmi is 1.4 as all rk3188, so it support 3d tv?
When GB begin to sell it and how much?
sorry for all questions, i’m waiting for long, but also consider other stb or a mk802iv+mini hdmi2av…
thanks everyone for your time.

Anton
Anton
10 years ago

Just got it and …
CONS – No 1080p rom , no Bluetooth , and no luck with XBMC 1080p movies even despite the so much more powerful new 28nm generation Rockchip RK3188 which supposed to give away less heat. I don’t see the point of watching 1080p movies on 720p max accepted resolution.

bl
bl
10 years ago

geekbuying blog says no bluetooth onboard…
looking at pcb it seems the same device as the cs918

Noel
Noel
10 years ago

I really like this for use as a music server (i.e. external HDD hooked up to these tiny devices and then these devices hooked up to a small monitor and good speaker system).

I wonder if they would work like this,
AND
– if they can be left on for months together (without getting overheated or melted)
– If they can be controlled from the android phones.

Mark
Mark
10 years ago

I just got this! And I must say it blows the mk802III out of the water! The external antenna is strong enough to pick up my neighbors WiFi, the mk802III would barely detect mine…and it was in the same room! The ONLY down fall to this, as with every other android on TV thing, is the fact that there’s yet to be one great answer for how to interact with them. The best for normal use is though your phone or tablet but good luck trying to grab and move something around the home screen with that ;-). Over all… Read more »

mj
mj
10 years ago

Now on Aliexpress under code like CS918 or EKB111 for around $85 shipped. 2GB RAM.
Bluetooth version around $93 by kimdecent http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-cs918-android-tv-box-RK3188-quad-core-2gb-ram-8gb-rom-1920x1080P-bluethooth/1084272914.html

adr
adr
10 years ago

Find a serious defect in my Kingnovel K-R42-1 (MK888)
When it connected to a TV video image permanently lost every 5-10 seconds. I tried to connect it via other HDMI cable and other power supply, but the problem remained – image losts.
Can any help me with it?

onebir
onebir
10 years ago
gizmomelb
gizmomelb
9 years ago

Beyond XBMC ( http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?9603-Beyond-XBMC ) has support for RK3188 and 1080p hardware accelerated playback (supposedly – I’m waiting on my $40 CS918 to be delivered, so I cannot test at the moment)

Joe Bucks
Joe Bucks
9 years ago

gizmomelb :
Beyond XBMC ( http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?9603-Beyond-XBMC ) has support for RK3188 and 1080p hardware accelerated playback (supposedly – I’m waiting on my $40 CS918 to be delivered, so I cannot test at the moment)

Hi Gizmomelb, where can I pick one up for only $40?
Thanks.

onebir
onebir
9 years ago

@Joe Bucks
Yeah $40 is a bargain! ~$70 seems more usual.

Joe Bucks
Joe Bucks
9 years ago

onebir :
@Joe Bucks
Yeah $40 is a bargain! ~$70 seems more usual.

I did find this one one E-bay however,but is was from a pretty new seller,and he never answered my
questions,so I did not buy one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Smart-TV-BOX-mini-PC-CS918-Quad-Core-Android-4-2-Bluetooth-Wi-Fi-1080P-Antenna-/251524026516?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a90001094

Seemingly he sold about 55 pieces,so I will be following his feedback profile to see if he really delivered
the goods as advertised.

onebir
onebir
9 years ago

@Joe Bucks
‘Listing has ended’ 🙁 Maybe a lot from a liquidation or something…

Khadas VIM4 SBC