Last month, I ordered a Mele A1000 in order to hack it to run Linux as it uses the same processor – the Cortex A8/Mali-400MP based AllWinner A10 – as the one planned for the low cost Rhombus Tech board. I have yet to receive the device, but Mele () has already released the Mele A2000, an Android 2.3 set-box box also powered by AllWinner A10.
Here are Mele A2000 specifications:
| CPU: | ARM Cortex A8 AllWinner A10 @ 1 GHz (It can be apparently be overclocked up to @ 1.5GHz) |
| GPU: | Mali 4000 |
| Memory: | DDR3 512MB RAM / 4GB Nand Flash |
| OS System: | Android 2.3.4 (Upgradable to Android 4.0) |
| External Storage: | Supports SD card up to 32GB, supports 2.5″ SATA HDD up to 1TB, Supports max 16GB USB flash disk |
| Video codecs: | HD MPEG-1/2/4. H.264. HD AVC/VC-1, RM/RMVB, Xvid/DviX 4/5/6, RealVideo 8/9/10, VP6 |
| Video Formats: | ts, m2ts, tp, trp, mkv, mp4, mov, avi, rm/rmvb, wmv, vob, asf, flv, dat, mpf and mpeg. NB: ISO format is not supported. Maximum bitrate: 40Mpbs, maximum resolution 2160p (3840×2160) |
| Audio Formats: | MP1MP2MP3WMAOGGAPEFLACWAVAC3AACAMRDTSRAM4A |
| Subtitle Format: | SRT/SMI/SSA/ASS |
| Network interface: | RJ45(10/100Mbps) |
| Wireless: | WiFi 802.11b/g and support for external 3G card (WCDMA 3.5G) |
| Video Output: | HDMI 1.4 (1080p) / VGA / Composite |
| Audio Output: | HDMI / Optical Out / Stereo |
| Interfaces: | SD/SDHC + 3 x USB HOST + LAN |
| Features: | Internet TV box, Software application supported, 1080P media player, QQ/MSN/Skype etc. |
| Language: | Simplified Chinese/Traditional Chinese/English |
| Accessories: | |
| 1 x AV cable (130cm) | |
| 1 x AC 100~240V power adapter (2-flat-pin plug / 110cm cable) | |
| 1 x Remote controller (2 x AAA batteries not included) | |
| 1 x Chinese & English manual |
Here’s the back of the device with all the audio/video connections, Ethernet, USB and power.
There is also one USB host port, SD card slot and power button on the front panel.
The only differences I can find with the Mele A1000 is the larger flash memory (4GB vs. 2GB) (It turns out the Mele A1000 also has 4GB NAND Flash) and support for an external 3G card. If the later is just a 3G USB dongle then it should also be supported in Mele A1000. The specifications also mention the Allwinner A10 can be overclocked to 1.5 Ghz, but I don’t know if it has always been the case, or the Mele A2000 has a new revision of the chip.
Both devices are so similar that the latest firmware update (v1.5) is the same for both Mele A1000 and Mele A2000 and Mele also promises Android 4.0 (ICS) for a future update which I expect to be rolled out to both media players.
I suspect the hardware to be the same (except for the 4GB flash), so the Mele A2000 should also be hackable.
The Mele A1000 is available now on several Chinese websites such as TMall.com for 489 RMB (77 USD) and will probably be available on dealextreme.com soon.
[Update: It is available for 90.77 USD or 92.71 USB with wireless mouse on smalltao.com. Shipping (which is pretty expensive) is not included. On this website, Mele A1000 is slightly more expensive (10 RMB ~2 USD) than Mele A2000]
[Update 2: It is now available on aliexpress.com
for 75 USD + shipping. Tom (the seller) can also provide the USB to TTL adapter for hacking the board for free if you purchase one of the Mele from him, just say you need it in the message box when you order. He also sells the USB to serial adapter separately for 5 USD + shipping (around 2 USD).]
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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