$35 R-Box Rockchip RK3229 4K Android 5.1 TV Box Comes with 2GB RAM

While Rockchip RK3229 SoC has a pretty weak processor (4x Cortex A7) and GPU (Mali-400MP2), its media capabilities are very good for the price, as it can handle 4K video playback of 10-bit H.265 @ 60 fps, as well as 10-bit H.264 @ 30 fps reasonably well based on my experience with Zidoo X1 II. However ,so far all RK3229 devices I’ve seen ship with 1GB RAM, which may be fine for video playback with Kodi using the default skin, but may be a limiting factor if you have higher requirements. R-BOX fills the void in the market by being the first RK3229 TV box with 2GB RAM for just $35 including shipping.

RK3229_TV_Box_2GB_RAM

R-BOX specifications:

  • SoC – Rockchip RK3229 quad core ARM Cortex A7 processor @ 1.5 GHz with  ARM Mali-400MP2
  • System Memory – 2GB DDR3
  • Storage – 8GB eMMC flash + micro SD slot
  • Video Output – HDMI 2.0 up to 4K2K @ 60 fps, and AV output (composite + stereo audio)
  • Audio Ouput- HDMI, AV, and optical S/PDIF (TBC)
  • Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0
  • USB – 3x USB 2.0 host ports including one OTG capable
  • Misc – IR receiver, built-in microphone, power button, reset pinhole, front panel LCD display
  • Power Supply – 5V/2A
  • Dimensions – N/A

R-BoxIt adjusted the specs with data from GeekBuying, because they must have been in a Friday rush to update the page, as since their are some item that are clearly wrong: HDMI 1.4b, 4x USB ports… and some doubtful such as Gigabit Ethernet and optical S/PDIF (since there’s no such connector in the rendering above).

Previous RK3229 TV boxes would all run Android 4.4, but GeekBuying and an Amazon seller both report R-BOX to run Android 5.1 with a custom version of Kodi 16.1, with the Android version confirmed in the screenshot below. The device ships with an IR remote control, an HDMI cable, a power adapter, and a user’s manual.

RK3229_Android_5.1

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23 Comments
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kw
kw
7 years ago

Too bad, still no vp9 support : (

Theguyuk
Theguyuk
7 years ago

While the prices are getting better on these Android devices the habit of some boxes being vague or wrong with specifications when sold by some suppliers will only reduce customer trust in Android devices, I suggest.

onebir
onebir
7 years ago

Sounds like this could make a decent super-cheap server, but not much progress on Linux for RK3229?

tutnixzursache
tutnixzursache
7 years ago

@onebir: Had the same idea 😀

: Could you recommend some cheap boxes for using as servers? Preferable with audio-out, enclosure and powersupply.

Oh and thanks for all the nice, clearly written and highly technically reviews and hints! 🙂

Neomode
7 years ago

Hello,

Also the others RK3229 Boxes with 1GB
get Android 5.1.

I test already and will release Rom.

cbm80
cbm80
7 years ago

I think much better 2GB box is Mini M8S which has S905 with decent WiFi and BT 4.0. And is currently available for less than $32 on eBay.

cbm80
cbm80
7 years ago


Yes, I purchased this one. I can see that they raised a price little bit. But it is still very competitive for 2GB version of S905 box.

kadajawi
kadajawi
7 years ago

@onebir
I think if you want a server, get something else. The general use processor is pretty bad in this one… the main advantage of this box is that the video engine is supposed to play pretty much everything, including files that most more expensive boxes fail at.

kadajawi
kadajawi
7 years ago

Is there going to be a review of this device, cnxsoft? It sounds rather interesting… I know previous RK3229 experiments had failed, but perhaps this one is better? They promise 5.1, and a custom Kodi build that may actually work well? Plus having 2 GB RAM may also help avoid some issues…? Basically it might be a RK3229 that actually works…?

CH
CH
7 years ago

R-box when watching movie few minute always reboot to R-box logo. Flash new firmware and change power adapter still have this problem.

dpanijan
dpanijan
7 years ago

Hi,

I bought one of this box and I can’t get 1080p output; it is set to 1080p in HDMI mode, but it is 720p resolution upscaled to 10800, not real 1080p resolution, the same is in KODI, it recognise only the 720p resolution.

I am very disappointed in this…

waryou303
waryou303
7 years ago

can someone explain what to do with these random reboots? just watching youtube makes it reboot in like 5 minutes…

this is very disappointing. and i can not get the wireless update (or any method) working, the same update is there again available for install…

grrrrr

waryou303
waryou303
7 years ago

@CH
same thing happens to me as well! did you find anything to stop it?

R. D.
R. D.
7 years ago

The R-Box is a very nice media player, specially when its price is taken in to consideration.
Best $35 I have spent on an ATV box. Comes with learning remote that works well for an IR remote.
Firmware support has been uncommonly good and swift.
Reboots resolved with the latest firmware…SD and USB update versions available.
I would buy it again, without reservation.
http://blog.geekbuying.com/index.php/2016/07/01/r-box-android-5-1-1-rk3229-2g8g-kodi-16-1-pre-installed-4k-tv-box-firmware-update-20160701/

R. D.
R. D.
7 years ago

BTW There is no mic(as pictured) and the display is blue, not red.
Storage is not unified, but some are working to resolve that.

JM
JM
7 years ago

So how does this compare with the rboxstreamtv box

Khadas VIM4 SBC