Matricom sent me one of their latest G-Box Midnight MX2 media player based on AMLogic AML8726-M6, with 1GB RAM, 8 GB flash, running Android 4.2, and with full support for XBMC. This is an update of the G-Box Midnight based on AML8726-M3 which supports XBMC in Android, as well as XBMC Linux thanks to community builds.
Specifications:
- SoC – Amlogic AML8726-MX Dual Core Cortex A9 CPU + dual core Mali-400 GPU
- System Memory – 1GB DDR3 RAM
- Storage – 8GB Flash + SD card slot (Up to 32GB)
- Video Output – HDMI v1.4, composite (CVBS) and component (YUV)
- Audio Output – HDMI, AV, and SPDIF
- Connectivity – 802.11b/g/n internal Wifi + 10/100 Ethernet Port
- USB – 4x USB 2.0 Ports (1 might be OTG)
- IR sensor
- Power Supply – 5V/2A
The hardware and software is very similar to Tronsmart Prometheus (See review), as both are based on AML8726-MX, run Android 4.2 and support XBMC. To make things even more interesting, both are about the same price, and sell for $99. G-Box Midnight MX2 can be purchased on Amazon, and if you’ve previously bought a G-Box Midnight, you can get $20 discount with 9BVTY875 coupon. Matricom provides support on MX2 Forum, which is a plus if you don’t like to be left on your own when a problem occurs. Another key advantage of the box is that it provides OTA update, something I’ve never seen in other mini PCs or set-top box I’ve tried, and will avoid you going through, sometimes cumbersome, update procedures.
G-Box Midnight MX2 Unboxing Pictures
I’ve received the device in the following package.
The box contains G-Box Midnight MX2 set-top box, a user’s manual in English and Chinese, an AV cable, a 5V/2A power supply, and an infrared remote control. There’s also an A4 paper that serves as a quick start guide and provides warranty information. One interesting point is that you can update the box with a third party firmware WITHOUT losing your warranty. This is quite rare to be noticed. However, you’ll be required to pay for shipping charge if you brick your device with such firmware.
Let’s have a closer look at the device’s ports. On one side, we’ve got a USB port (OTG?), SPDIF out, AV out, HDMI out, Ethernet, and the power jack, and on another side, 3 more USB ports, and an SD card slot.
If you like unboxing videos, please have a look at the one I’ve shot.
First Boot, Settings and First Impressions
There’s no HDMI cable, so let’s find one to connect to the Box and the TV, together with an Ethernet cable for connectivity, and connect the power to get started. You’ll also need to add 2 AAA batteries in the remote control. During the very first boot, you’ll be taken through a wizard to select your Language (English, simplified Chinese or traditional Chinese), adjust the screen position if needed, and configure Ethernet and/or Wi-Fi. There are 2 launchers available: a stock Android Home Screen or the 3D launcher shown below. The custom launcher is IMHO much better when using an IR remote.
The 3D launcher will provide access to “Online Cinema” (XBMC/Netflix), Games, Video Chat, Settings, Web Navigation (with bookmarks to famous websites), and Local Apps (pre-installed Video, Music and Picture apps) sub menus. The interface feels just a little sluggish to me during the transitions, but still usable.
I’ve previously used a mini PC with stock Android and an IR remote control, and that was a pretty bad experience. But thanks to the 3D launcher and XBMC the experience is pretty good with the remote provided. However, if you’re going to use other part of Android, it’s not a good idea to use the remote, even though it has a “Cursor” button that allows you to move the cursor with the arrow keys. Please don’t do it, this will be bad for your mental health and family harmony. Thank you. Seriously, I strongly recommend connect a USB or wireless keyboard or mouse, or purchase an RF remote with a gyro if you plan to do things like web browsing, or use other apps made for a touch screen.
In the settings menu, you’ll have to option to configure Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Ethernet for connectivity. The display menu will let you choose the video ouput resolution (480p/i, 576p/i, 720p50, 720p60, 1080i50, 1080i60, or 1080p60), as well as CVBS/YUV output modes. Unfortunately, my TV failed to detect both CVBS (composite) and YUV (component) outputs, and would just report “No Signal”. The audio settings will let you choose between PCM (downsampling), SPDIF out, or HDMI pass-through. There are no Developer Options at all, as the menu is hidden. Finally, looking into the “About MediaBox” section shows the device name is indeed “Matricom G-Box Midnight MX2”, and it’s running Android 4.2.1 with Kernel 3.0.50. The firmware comes already rooted,
Google Play app in pre-installed, and I could installed all applications I tried such as ES File Explorer, Root checker, Antutu, Quadrant,Angry Birds Star Wars, YouTube, Facebook, etc… They could all run fine, but many Benchmark would just hand the machine. Interestingly, it’s still possible to turn off the device with the remote when Android hangs, and it’s a true power off (not standby), so a small micro-processor must be handling the remote power off button and the power logic.
Apart from the benchmark failing to run, the firmware was rather smooth, and stable. You can have a look at a 5 minute demo showing boot time, 3D launcher, XBMC menu and video playback performance, and settings “walk through”. No commentary, only background music.
Video Playback in XBMC
Since the box is promoted as an XBMC device, I won’t test video playback the usual way (e.g. MX Player), but I’ll just use XBMC directly to play videos from SAMBA shares. XBMC is very smooth being rendered at about 50 fps.
Firstly, I tested the videos from samplemedia.linaro.org:
- H.264 codec / MP4 container (Big Buck Bunny), 480p/720p/1080p – OK
- MPEG2 codec / MPG container, 480p/720p/1080p – OK (sort of). It can play but the aspect is distorted like the videos play with an aspect ratio of 1:1 (square).
- MPEG4 codec, AVI container 480p/720p/1080p – OK
- VC1 codec (WMV), 480p/720p/1080p – OK
- Real Media (RMVB) – RV8/RV9/RV10 samples all make XBMC exit (crash?).
- WebM – 480p/720p OK, 1080p is very choppy. This is most probably because this is handled by the CPU instead of the video decoder.
Since I’ve connected the device via Ethernet, I’ve also tested some high bitrate videos:
- ED_HD.avi (1080p MPEG-4 – 10Mbps) – Black screen audio only.
- big_buck_bunny_1080p_surround.avi (1080p H.264 – 12 Mbps) – OK
- h264_1080p_hp_4.1_40mbps_birds.mkv (40 Mbps) – OK
- hddvd_demo_17.5Mbps_1080p_VC1.mkv (17.5Mbps) – OK, but I can see some artifacts at the beginning for 1 or 2 seconds.
The box passed all tests with videos with common Audio codecs:
- AC3 – OK
- Dolby Digital 5.1 / Dolby Digital 7.1 – OK
- TrueHD 5.1 & 7.1 – OK
- DTS-MA and DTS-HR – OK
I used audio downmixing to playback those files, but, at least in theory, you can also select HDMI or SPDIF pass-through if your equipment (TV / Home Theather) supports it.
Finally I’ve played several movies (AVI, MKV, VOB…), they could all play just fine, and I could not notice any audio/video sync issues.
Wi-Fi Performance
Time to disable Ethernet and connect to my Wi-Fi router to test Wi-Fi performance. I transferred a 278 MB video files between SAMBA and the internal flash, and at first I thought something was wrong with my setup, simply because the transfer took 2:00 (2.32 MB/s), which is must faster than any other mini PCs or set-top box I’ve tried before. The previous record was held by Measy U2C which managed to transfer the same file in 2m46s (1.67MB/s), so that’s a massive 39% improvement over the best device I’ve tested. Just to make sure, I had to try the same test with MK908 again, and it would transfer the files at 1.44MB/s.
I had to try if high bitrate videos could be played smoothly:
- big_buck_bunny_1080p_surround.avi (1080p H.264 – 12 Mbps) – OK
- hddvd_demo_17.5Mbps_1080p_VC1.mkv (17.5Mbps) – OK
I also tried h264_1080p_hp_4.1_40mbps_birds.mkv for fun, but obviously 40Mbps is just too demanding for Wi-Fi, so after the first few seconds of playback the video became very choppy.
I’m not sure what they have done with Wi-Fi, but they have done it right, and made all other mini PCs and STBs look like junk when it comes to Wi-Fi performance. [Update: Wi-Fi performance seems to be a complex matter, and updating my router firmware changed the pecking order]
G-Box Midnight MX2 Benchmarks
Both Antutu and Quadrant hung the device at start time, so I used the remote to power off and on the media player, and decided to use another benchmark: Nenamark 2. Damn! Same results. OK, I thought, benchmark are not that important since it’s a known platform, but let’s check CPU information, with CPU / RAM / DEVICE identifier. Same result! It looks like this device really does not like to be ask “private questions”. Finally, I was able to run Vellamo benchmark.
Vellamo HTML 5 score (1157) puts it between Sony Tablet S (Nvidia Tegra 2) and Samsung Galaxy S2 (Exynos 4210), which are also devices based on dual core Cortex A9 processor, so this score seems about right.
Inside G-Box Midnight MX2
After removing the four screws at the bottom of the enclosure, we can access at the hardware which is composed of a baseboard (HD18 V2.2) and a CPU board (A13_V1.0). After a quick search, we can find HD18 set-top box based on AMLogic AML8726-M3 which just looks the same, so I assume Matricom, or their manufacturer, used the same baseboard and casing design, and replaced the CPU module with one featuring AML8726-M6.
We’ll find the connectors and components on this side of the board including the 4 USB ports, SPDIF, HDMI, and AV outputs, Ethernet and the Wi-Fi/Bt module (Realtek), the SD card slot, an LED, and the IR sensor. You’ll also notice the heatsink on the processor to help keep the device cool during operation. I could not find connections for the serial console, maybe removing the heatsink would provide access to the right pads. As pointed out in one comment, the 4 pads on the left of the RAM chips could indeed be the UART connection.
On the other side however, there’s not much to see…
Conclusion
G-Box Midnight is one of the best media player I’ve reviewed. During my few hours of testing, it operated smoothly and, benchmark issues put aside, reliably. XBMC is working just fine, and it could play most files I threw at it. The exceptions being some MPEG-2 files with incorrect aspect ratio, Real Video files make XBMC exit, WebM 1080p can’t be played smoothly, and Elephant Dream shows only a black screen. Audio decoding was perfect with all files I tried, and I did not experience any audio/video sync issues. XBMC results are actually very close to what I could achieve with Tronsmart Prometheus, especially since the latest firmware is said to fix audio/video sync issues. Two characteristics make this device stand above the rest:
- OTA Updates – Not available on any other media players or mini PCs I’ve used. I haven’t been able to try it as there’s no update available right now.
- Wi-Fi performance – 40% to 100% performance improvement over the competition.
If you’re going to use this device mostly a a media player, the remote control is really nice to have, as you can just use it as a normal set-top box, with little things like a play/pause button not available with other devices. Real power off is also a positive as it’s not seen in most other devices. However, to use any other Android apps, just get yourself another input device (keyboard, mouse or “fly mouse”) for your own sanity.
The only major problem I encountered is that composite and component outputs do not work at all with my TV, so I don’t know if I have a defective unit, or it’s due to a firmware issue. There are also new things I’d like to be implemented like multi-user supports which is supposed to be implemented in Android 4.2, and a Miracast Display support in order to use your Miracast Certified tablet or smartphone as a Miracast Source.
Even though XBMC works very well in Android now, some of you may still prefer having XBMC running in Linux, and it’s likely we’ll eventually see builds for the G-Box Midnight MX2, as the community provided those for the first generation G-Box Midnight. You may have to be patient though.
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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CNX-Software, could you manage to do a follow up check and review on the composite/component output? If that doesnt work, then I am not interested; but if it does then Ive found something I would like to buy.
I guess there is no point in waiting for a quad core G-Box, as that would take time to develop and stabilize. Its interesting that a dual core is coming out as a solid finished product now that quad models have started appearing.
@Wasted
I’ve been told an OTA firmware update to 4.2.2, available within 48 hours, should fix the AV output issue.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
CNX-Software, wow, its good that they are willing to commit to such a quick fix. Please keep us posted, thanks!
Note that G-Box Midnight does not contribute anything back to XBMC, they simply take what Pivos is doing and call it theirs. If want to support XBMC on Android/Amlogic development then buy Pivos, Gamestick or the The Little Black Box they all contribute back to Pivos at least, as it’s Pivos Scott Davilla who is the primary one developing the Amlogic brand of XBMC. Also Dolby/DTS have to be licensed for pass-through if the G-Box box doesn’t have that then you wont get any pass-through over HDMI/SPDIF and HD audio pass-through it not supported, it’s something Pivos are working on… Read more »
AV works for me. Had to set resolution to 480i in settings and used the red AV wire instead of white. Odd, but works.
@JT
CVBS “works”. So the signal are mixed, and we need to connect the red cable into the yellow connector into the TV.
I don’t think YUV works, as I think I tried about all cable color combinations yesterday.
@Ceroj Ceroj…….you Pivos fanboys kill me as if they made XBMC….its open source and this is the best implementation so far I have seen from the review. How can you say that it doesn’t support DTS when the review clearly states so while Pivos is low priority. I saw the same with Tronsmart that doesn’t compare to this MX2, but was trashed for not having DTS nor AC3 and sure enough it was fixed. NOT by Pivos so your statements are irrelevant…..its more about XBMC and do they support them. I for one love the review and will definitely be… Read more »
@Ceroj
http://androidtvbox.us/topic/mx2-availability/#post-8959
Will be interesting to see the reply..
@Ceroj
Now they have replied. So read the thread I posted earlier.
@Ceroj Ive already purchased pivos xios but dont use it anymore since pretty much everything else on the market is better. If theyre supporting xbmc so much then why does G-Box have to make their own version of it which pivos is inferior to? Seems to me they are only interested in their own products not xbmc as a whole otherwise there’d be no need for g-box to make their own version. G-box is probably doing same so when it comes down to it i’ll choose the winning team since its my hard earned bucks being spent.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) I tried YUV but it scrambles the signal for me. What’s it supposed to do?
Left to the dram there are 4 solder pads, looks like serial.
I’ve read somewhere that Matricom would “lock down” their future devices if this true and we stuck with Android then no thanks.
I’ll be waiting for Pivos to introduce their dual core device.
myfoolish…….highly doubt that when they have opened the first G-box more than any other unit. Its not locked down at all, as the company mentioned they are and will release source for enthusiasts. Its funny to see people wait, just like all did for the OUYA which touted XBMC, and failed like many others as cnx stated. Great job Matricom!!
@Ceroj……you don’t own the unit but make these assumptions which is rather entertaining……to everyone pointing and laughing at your statements.
@JT
YUV is component output. You’d normally use a cable with Green, Yellow, and Red RCA plugs, and plug it in the corresponding ports of your TV. You should be able to output to 1080p with this cable. But I get no signals in any combinations I tried.
@Tweaveler
DTS downscaling is working, however I have not tried HDMI nor SPDIF pass-through since I don’t have equipment that supports those.
I was not aware there was a separate license for downscaling and pass-through.
@Wasted
Actually they found the problem earlier, that’s why the could fix it fast.
I make a slight mistake with announcing the OTA within 48 hours. They did send me a test firmware today with 4.2.2 and AV fix, but the OTA should only be available on the 10th. I’m not sure I’ll have time to test before OTA release, and since I’d like to test OTA too, I may just wait.
G-box is hack products. They are only in for selling goods for money and no real quality. After having two die in under 3 days of use they where nice to refund my money after the second replacement died.
top hat tv has done jelly bean on current m3 box with ota and think the hardware is the exact same as g box midnight. They have there own dev team that has fixed many problems with firmware that gbox china factory dev’s wont fix or break other apps like netflix.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
There’s no need of licenses for any digital audio passthrough, because it is a redirection of the pure audio stream to other decoder device outside the demuxer. You already payed for a licence in the device decoding the stream, if you have a capable one like a high end TV or a digital audio receiver.
This was the way for ages, don’t let G Box haters fools you about this specific topic.
I spy… With my little eye… Something beginning with a U… A UART, or at least the pins for it. Should make a nice amlogic kernel hacking device.
@Martin Revert
I remember when I worked on STB a few years ago, we could just provide pass-through DTS and Dolby without licences, but new processors coming did not have this possibly by default, because licence for DTS or/and Dolby pass-through was required.
I don’t know what the licence arrangements are now.
Hi cnxsoft,
can you please share the output of getprop? Or at least the fields regarding the productl like ro.build.product, ro.build.board etc.?
best regards
Jan
@Jan Pohanka
Sure I could do that, but aren’t those the two parameters shown in this screenshot: http://www.cnx-software.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/G-Box_Midnight_NX2_About_Mediabox.jpg ?
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
Thanks for reply.
In mentioned screenshot there is ro.product.model. By my experiences in ro.build.product, ro.product.board or ro.product.device contains also name of the reference board on Amlogic platform. For GBox Midnight it was f16ref so I was curious what is there for MX2?
@Jan
ro.product.device=mx2ref
ro.product.board=mx2ref
ro.build.product=g02ref
Full build.prop: http://pastebin.com/k1Uvky11
i once had one version, and run antutu benmark , the score is 8433
but now the version can not run, even change my tv into a tablet, picture not a vertical….i have to power off it
i got price 79.99
my latest version is 0427
factory will send me new sw soon
@ACEMAXKEN
Based on the price and latest firmware version, I guess your player is not a G-Box Midnight MX2, but the same hardware base with a different firmware. Am I right?
How unbrick that device?
Is there any way?
After power on i have only blue led and black screen TV 🙁
ha, you are right…..
same hw, even sw, just change logo….for OTA, i do not care….
@androidgadget11
There seems to be quite a few people who brick their devices… A bit worrying.
The best solution would be to check with Matricom directly, or ask in their forums.
The other solution (not recommended, unless you have no choice), is to adapt the firmware recovery method for Droid Stick A2 which is also based on AML8726-MX – http://www.cnx-software.com/2013/03/28/droid-stick-a2-mini-pc-recovery-with-amlogics-hardware-flash-tool/
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
thanks
@Jan
I know solution for Droid Stick A2 is very interesting,
but i don’t know what can I short on MX2 board 🙁
That is problem, where are TP14 pads to short?
Without that information i can’t connect my MX2 with PC via USB.
@androidgadget11
I can’t find it on the board pictures either. Sometimes there’s also a push button, but nothing… Could it be there’s no recovery mode on this hardware?
@androidgadget11
Good news, I got more info:
“There is a recovery system in the bootloader – to access it there is a reset button behind the AV port. It is safe to just put a toothpick inside there and press and old when powering on the device just until the boot screen(power cable). If you have the SD card in its a hard reset flash which resets all, if without the SD card it will simply show the bootloader options where you can access EXT flash for udisk (USB) or SD (sdcard).”
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
I know that method.
But it is only for upgrade firmware.
I tried recovery my device with different versions of the firmware.
I tried that many time without results.
No bootloader options, no boot screen etc…
Always I have black screen on TV.
Must be other solution
Greetings
@Dead G-box Top Hat is a hack of our product trying to strip certain parts from a JB firmware and manipulating their customers. If you download the firmware and use it on an m3 platform, anyone with common sense can see its not JB but ICS. To confirm go to Settings>About>Version – hit that option 7 times on the remote……you will see an ice cream sandwich and not Jelly beams. They just hacked our firmware and took the UI from it to mock and sell it as a Matricom G-box unit. Sorry it is a fraud and you should get… Read more »
has anybody seen a fix for the AV port problem yet? and does anybody know if AirPlay works on MX2?
soon will be with mircast
Aaron Johnson : @Dead G-box Top Hat is a hack of our product trying to strip certain parts from a JB firmware and manipulating their customers. …. You say this, yet you guys do the exact same with the so called “Special” XBMC version ! Not any worthy changes, at least not really made by the company. Just some replaced splash screens and updated addons! (Talking about deception?) You even go as far as removing the GPL license file and hence even the contributors file !!! So you don’t even comply to the GPL license, you are even willingly breaking… Read more »
j1nx : Aaron Johnson : @Dead G-box Top Hat is a hack of our product trying to strip certain parts from a JB firmware and manipulating their customers. …. You say this, yet you guys do the exact same with the so called “Special” XBMC version ! Not any worthy changes, at least not really made by the company. Just some replaced splash screens and updated addons! (Talking about deception?) You even go as far as removing the GPL license file and hence even the contributors file !!! So you don’t even comply to the GPL license, you are even… Read more »
@JT,
Oh I do believe they did it right with the Android firmware, nothing less the congratz on that one. If you take the same as the others but make it better than that should be there unique selling point, hence might favor them above the others.
can u do one XBMC linux to run on the MX2?
now the new mx2 is 0510e, i have got the latest…..
acemaxken : j1nx : @JT, Oh I do believe they did it right with the Android firmware, nothing less the congratz on that one. If you take the same as the others but make it better than that should be there unique selling point, hence might favor them above the others. can u do one XBMC linux to run on the MX2? now the new mx2 is 0510e, i have got the latest….. Oh, we ae already working on a linux vrsion for the dual core amlogic chipset. At the moment we already testing and developing on multiple devices, but… Read more »
I distribute the n2Box in Canada and G-Box is nothing but an amlogic m6-8726 box what anyone can buy on Alibaba for 55$. G-Box DOES NOT MAKE THE FIRMWARE EITHER, there’s a huge misconception of what gbox actually is. It’s nothing but the Android Smart TV Box from Alibaba with label, and custom cardboard, which is the same as n2Box. G-Box DOES NOT MAKE THEIR FIRMWARE, orders of 500+ units from China gets you free firmware of THEIRS with your name on it. We have the IDENTICAL firmware releases from the factory as we are IDENTICAL boxes in every way… Read more »
Im honestly not interested in linux on the MX2. The old midnight is plenty fast for it, not sure what new interesting feats could be accomplished by putting linux xbmc on it other than running a little faster. Since the mx2 seems to run xbmc perfectly fine for me in android why limit to only xbmc through linux? I understand the logic in the past – the m3 processor isnt very fast, optimize with linux because android is bloated. but that just doesnt seem to be the case anymore with hardware limitations removed.
i agree with you, dirkdeagle
dirkdeagle and the overpriced n2box is a scam noted all over the net – http://www.xbmchub.com/forums/lounge/3639-something-called-n2box-my-area-legit-over-priced-not-trusted.html
It is no use for you to come here to try and down a great product because what your reselling is cheap and has no development. On the G-Box forums they have active development with their units for sure.
dirkdeagle, you obviously have no idea what you’re talking about. The MX2 firmware is most definitely made by g-box devs. I know this because i have kept up with it very thoroughly and if you read their forum and kept up with their updates, the community supplying bug reports and feature requests along with actually talking to their devs and seeing these implemented then you’d probably already know this though. Considering they’re on schedule for updating their box using over-the-air, i am quite certain that your box isn’t running the same firmware. Also, everybody knows you can buy generic boxes… Read more »
JT
funny
I was sold on the n2box but they do not ship to( florida) do either of these boxes (G-Box Midnight MX2) work in the USA
and if so does the midnight box have all the features n2 has im ready to try this after watching youtube it sounds to good to be true but thats what I said when I got my first descrambler in the 80s any info about this box in florida would be helpful if not maybe there is another alternative
@jeff
Both n2box and G-box Midnight mx2 appear to feature the same hardware, but they most probably have different firmware. I can’t comment on n2box (I don’t own one), but MX2 firmware is pretty good. It’s working over IP networks (LAN or the Internet), so it can work anywhere. There’s no ATSC tuner in either devices. If n2box is indeed $180 as I can see on free-tv.ca, then it’s overpriced.
that’s very good news how would the firmware being different affect?n2 says they download apps in the machine would that affect the programs you can watch maybe they have more?is it difficult to download im scarred when I do I get updates browsers etc also I still have a older tv so I would have to use the rca jacks anything else a rookie would need to know as far as what to download to get the most channels safelyI can including music thanks so much how much is this unit this is a awesome site your my new fav
@jeff I know the review is a bit long, but most answers are there, and in comments. MX2 costs $99 on Amazon, Android 4.1 firmware does not support AV output, but this is fixed in Android 4.2 firmware. So If you feel uncomfortable doing firmware upgrade (just put some files in a SD card, and press a button on the board), make sure you buy the model you buy has Android 4.2 pre-loaded. For music playback and videos, XBMC is included, so you could use that. Since you are in the US, you could also use Netflix. People in androidtvbox.us… Read more »
@dirkdeagle
How can someone write such rubbish!!! N2 is completely what is accuses others of being, N2 on facebook is full of people that got ripped off, search for it. N2 is nothing but a sticker!!! of a chinese box. Do your research people, these guys are thieves!!! Buyer Beware! plus they sell them for over $200 if you even got lucky to get one and not loose your money.
@jeff
If your looking for a Canadian Dealer search for GboxCanada, I purchased from there and was very satisfied, became a regular customer, all their products are Authentic Matricom with Excellent customer service and reasonable prices. I’ve also purchased from Matricom but found it cheaper with duties and taxes to order from Canada
my 2cents
@JT
Shippmy is right be carefull
Does anybody know a car cigarette adapter that would work for this? Planning to use it in the car to play songs from USB drive.
@N2 beware – I agreed with Shippmy. I wouldn’t buy anything from n2news after googling. I got my hardware direct from matricom so I never ran into this problem. All these other companies seem to be taking a generic version of their box and trying to make a name out of it to ride on the wave of matricom’s apparent success. I’ve bought and been burned by too many Chinese companies. Point being do your research. Google the company and see what they’re about before you purchase from them. N2News is obviously fraud. It’s sad that they have a similar… Read more »
J1nx your full of it and we both know it – you state the same thing on every website trying to down Matricom so you can rebrand a reference design. Its old news like your linux offering – no one is interested when you have linux under android + XBMC. Go ranting somewhere else with your false claims all is there in the open and have been for a long time. The only reason Linux survived on these platforms is because no one took the attention to get android right, we have done so and plenty have bottled up heat… Read more »
I just purchase MX2 thru Amazon n want to see a movie with it. Don’t know how to set it up. Did I need to download any apps and how?? Please help. ,,
@Liecen Rianto
There are many ways to play videos, e.g. online, from USB harddrive, NAS, so it’s difficult to answer your question. The pre-installed XBMC app should do most of what you need however. You can find how to use on the Internet.
i bought the g boxmidnight a few weeks ago .worked great for about 10 days but now wont come out of standby .tried unplugging it afew times but no joy.any help?
@Aaron Johnson Like I said above, I do agree with you on the Android part. Since you guys hired a skilled Android developer, things were rocketing. Nothing more than Kudo’s there. I do not agree with you on the linux part. I do not believe in Android for STB alike boxes. But that is fine, let us agree to dis-agree on that part. The only thing that bothers me, and not only me. Every official XBMC developer as well. Since XBMC for Android came out, people no longer give credit where credit is due. What is wrong with; “XBMC taken… Read more »
@tom
Maybe you need to re-install the firmware. The best would be to check with Matricom.
the gbox mx2 midnight is good when working ,I have had 2 already in 6 weeks, with the same fault they work fine then with out warning , you switch it on with the remote and it just freezes on the matricom logo and yes I have switched it off and put the tooth pick down the A.V. socket and tried to reset but no joy I have had a bluetimes box and never had a problem I am now waiting for my third one but not holding much hope ( the first xbox 360 was more reliable ) to… Read more »
I bought mine also through amazon and it tanked on me. It stopped working after 8 days. At first, it froze. Then it stopped rebooting. All I see is some alien green looking logo. I will get a refund hopefully I won’t buy this sh*t ever again. XBMC is a great program but this G-Box is really wack.
same problem like mr raven comment
Trying to get Skype working with Logitec 9000 USB cam. So far a lot of difficulties when connecting the USB camera (sometimes only video and no audio or the other way around). Any solution for this. Already upgraded the 5v adapter to 3000ma, but no improvement
I’ve seen a few people having an issue with freezing at the matricom screen in the forums. I’ve got 3 of these boxes now. Was worried it would happen to me but all of them still running perfect . Looks like a bad batch I guess. Feel bad for you guys. I think they have a good return policy so I wouldnt worry.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
Ill confirm SPDIF does not work and its something I need and am now concerned it will never work. I have a high end but older component video receiver. It would cost me around $800.00 today to replace my receiver to get the level of sound quality I currently have. Im forced to stereo output for now or picking up a $40.00 HDMI with Toslink switch to do what should be available from the device.
@Mike
Thanks for the update.
They must be aware of it as a bug is filed (http://androidtvbox.us/bugs/thebuggenie/gboxmidnightmx2/issues/88), but nobody is working on it for now.
@N2ripoff haha, are you still running your mouth Twhiting? Sorry but I don’t mind all the other comments about N2News as they are people’s opinions and what they’ve read but know this, N2ripoff is simply a group of 4 employees who were fired for trying to steal member lists and ultimately forcing N2News to close down for 3 months and have since, instead of looking for jobs spent the last 8 months crying all over the internet about N2News, though the site has 21,000 members and grows by about 1000 members a week PLUS, N2Box Xtreme MX2 sales are through… Read more »
@JT Google it to look for complaints? haha, N2News is in it’s 12th year of business! Over 2.5 MILLION transactions and your talking about the 5-10 people who complained about N2News for being responsible for FTA not working anymore? Type in ANY company that’s done over 2 MILLION transactions in 12 years and try and find NO Complaints? Frig, there’s more complaints out there already that G-Boxes don’t work and are buggy. They’ve been around a whole almost 2 years? JT sounds a lot like your little right hand man TW. lol. Ranting and Ranting about N2News instead of maybe… Read more »
@Shippmy all over the internet? haha… if you type in ANYTHING into google and sift through results to find the ONE complaint on the biggest XBMC addon site in the world out of the 5000 sold units this year then you are out to lunch bud. Ever typed, “Paypal Sucks” into google? You’ll get hundreds of thousands of “Stories” but they still have 50+ million active users. Why would that be? Maybe because people Like YOU. Some people love to put down something they have NO IDEA about. And sorry but it’s true, Matricom doesn’t make the firmware. I have… Read more »
there’s more complaints in this POST alone about G-Boxes breaking then there is on Google about N2News all together.
@JT
You’re talking about Over the Air Updates hahahaha, N2Box does OTA as well, and it’s provided to us by our manufacturer in China on a schedule too. VERY MISINFORMED you are.
Can I use this with a lg 50la6200 smart TV? Would you recommend this for a smart TV?
@JT Generic versions of G-Box? Are you kidding me?!?!?! There is NO SUCH THING AS A G-Box. There IS an android smart TV box from china. It’s supported by different companies like G-Box and N2News. But one of those companies lies through their teeth and keeps expanding the lies to cover up the fact that they’ve played a HUGE role in ruining the thriving XBMC Android TV Box market. G-Box who was USAWholesalers under a year ago, now Matricom? They first claimed they MADE the boxes, that lie didn’t work out, on to the firmware, works… so next, they got… Read more »
Good info!
What I dont get, is reviews on Amazon state it outputs only 720P. You show 1080P.
Whats the reality?
@bill
The reports on Amazon are correct, video outputs only 720p.
But that does not mean you can’t play 1080p videos (as I did in the review). They will however be downscaled to 720p.
If you have a large TV and you sit relatively close, you will notice the difference.
The following chart may help you decide whether 720p resolution is an issue for your setup – http://s3.carltonbale.com/resolution_chart.html
Which HDMI cable is recommended for g-box midnight?
Standard HDMI Cable
High Speed HDMI Cable
does both of these have ARC?
I am connecting gbox to 42″ Sony Bravia LED
Hi there. This review is really not accurate and needs updating. The device does NOT output 1080P and does NOT pass through HD audio, both of which make it unsuitable for most use cases I would have had for it. HD audio pass through does actually need to be licensed from Dolby and DTS, which has not happened here.
@Rooster
The device does output 1080p, but it’s actually scaled down to 720p (UI resolution). My TV reports 1080p60.
There’s indeed an option to let you choose between PCM (downsampling), SPDIF out, or HDMI pass-through, 100% accurate. If you had actually read the review, you would know I haven’t been able to test it. It happens that audio pass-through may not work, and a bug has been filled in the bug tracker.
how do you undrick this mine has blank screen and blue button HELP ????????????????????
@Aaron Johnson Mr. Aaron Johnson, are you the same guy that tried to ripp of Visson Technology by selling them ‘your’ xbmc work? Didn’t you forgot to delete Prometheus logo in one of your mx2 xbmc apks? Do you also claim that activation that TopHat TV needs is also stolen from you or it is made because of guys like you, not to steel someone’s elses work and sell it under different name? Also how tophat dev could steel your work when he released his JellyBean firmware on April 22nd 2013, 13 weeks prior your announcement of mx2 and weeks… Read more »
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
Anything with DTS audio wont play through the MX2 SPDIF Channel
If you go into XBMC you get Audio on SPDIF but no video quite the opposite of the matricom interface.
Without this I have a 5 year old popcorn hour that outperforms this device.
@dirkdeagle
Ive had Zero updates since I purchased it months ago. I see various sites mention beta updates but haven’t gotten one single update since purchase. I did the flash myself to get to the release all fixes the OTA update so it doesn’t error out any more but it still says no updates available and I see there have been 3 beta’s released how about they do an OTA already.
Hei this box is waste of time and money mine was ok 3 days and then everithing gone bade,it doesent have stabel os and android xbmc is noth working stable,it was a nightmare to go from jb apple tv with xbmc to mx2,now i have buyed intel nuc celeron,os is openelec with usb woow it was even bether than my mac mini with i5.i have tried atv2-macmini-g-box mx2,intel nuc with openelec was a dream to use,Nuc plays every thing 1080p with true hd,dts and best of all it plays 3D sbs mkv 20gb with no frame droops ore stuttering,nuc plays… Read more »
Can I watch all the regular TV on this box.
Current episodes of Big Bang Theory?
my box still has blue light and blank screen ?????????
if some can help me would be grate full g box just got blank screen and blue light nothing else
I am trying to hook up matricom g box midnight mx2 android 4.2 jelly bean dual core xbmc streaming mini htpc tv box player. will not hook up to my wi fi. authentication problem. checked with my server and no problemsthank you
What a POS! I bought a MX2 off amazon and it is loaded with bugs and would keep crashing. Called the number in usa asking how to get my netflix working and they wanted to help me save money and had me load 1 channel and icefilms. After i did all the movies where bootlegs and bad quality. I wanted netflix and they say just look around in those apps and you will never need netflix. I called back the next day and need help with getting netflix to work and they say it works fine but Mash up is… Read more »
@Ceroj
Image with company logo stand still and that was
Have also tried with reset button does not leuft more
Please Help
Thank you
hahahahaha are you joking? gbox buys adspace on xbmchub. and they are talking bad about gboxes biggest competitor? why is that you gbox must BUY his sales where n2box does NOT pay for advertising ANYWHERE and sells out every time it’s ordered. but gbox still disturbs the community with LIES with who? another liar we all know and love. 1channel is hijacked you say? hows the site up? and nobody andwhere is talking about a hijacking??? but your single sentence./@Shippmy
I am trying to install the Israel channels
I.E. (https://github.com/cubicle-vdo/xbmc-israel) And it don’t work. I am trying for 5 days now and it does not work.
is there any way that I will contact someone for direct help (even for payment)?
Or sent my backup card that will be upload with the data?
P.S. I have the “G-Box Midnight MX2”
Thanks
Effi
A bad batch??! Are you for real JT??
n2nboxes are a big ripoff and its already well known for them to try to rebrand matrices g-box units. http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=159546 In that thread there is a user that had a very bad experience with you guys and shows what your in the market for. Selling m3 boxes as dual core, ICS devices as Jelly bean with a prop change and its sad. We do not and never will advertise with xbmchub for the sake of legalities but google does a fine job of placing us on all relating websites so please get your facts straight first and not so unprofessional… Read more »
Cannot connect my Bluetooth keyboard. Sup with that
@confusedcusty
I haven’t tried Bluetooth, but did you connect a USB Bluetooth dongle?
Just got into these mini pc’s because of xbmc…but now im not sure which on to buy for my tv. Im between this gbox mx2 or
the ugoos ut1….which one is better?
The box is not loading at startup what can cause this to happen
I Bought a MX2 Box and a Measy RC13 air mouse but have since found that the MX2 TV Box does not support audio (speaker and Mic.) on the air mouse. Can anyone help me with a firmware upgrade that would fix this problem? Rick
where can I find a list of the free channels and the pay ones?
@ted
I’m not sure you’ve posted in the right post.. But if you really did, I guess you mean about IPTV,and watching online TV.
Since the system is based on XBMC, it’s the same for all boxes, and depends on which Add-on you install. There are some that let you watch hundreds pf TV channels, and lots of movies more or less legally…
cnx can some one please tell me what would be the best box to install a linux based xbmc that runs good. i am thinking of selling to my friends and i might need about 15 of them so i am thinking it would need to be a cheap box maybe 8726-m3 or 8726-m6 i know pivos dont have a os for the 8726-m6 but g-box does. the box will be just 100% xbmc there will be no android it is only for xbmc purposes any help would be much appreciated.
@adem
For minimum hassle, you could buy “The Little Black Box”, but price may be a little high.
Otherwise, you may want to try a Matricom G-Box Midnight MX2, or similar device, with the firmware I mentioned @ http://www.cnx-software.com/2013/11/30/xbmc-mx-linux-v1-00-rc1-for-amlogic-aml8726-mx-devices/
I have never tried myself however. Asking on xbmc.org forums might be a better, as I’m pretty sure others have tried over there.
Hello,
When I play MKV files. it never plays the audio. It says Audio not found. Anyway to fix this issue?
@Mike
It could be the audio codec in your MKV files is not supported, or that they are encoded in a way not recognized by XBMC. You could try to play them with MX Player.
Maybe you’ll get a better answer on Matricom website – http://matricom.net/forum/index.php?board=2.0
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
that’s what i been using but nothing either.
when turn on my gbox my ex husband name and phone number appears on screen while its loading. How do I delete his info?
@sharj7 reflash with GBOX sw, or other sw, there are many sw in the website
Hi there,great review.
i have been using the GBOX Midnight MX2 for about 6 months and i am very pleased , how ever i would very much like to install the IPTVsimple addon as PVR , and for that i guess i need to install linux and XBMC again.
do you happen to know a way to “backup” and keep all personal settings such as installed and configured ADD-on’s etc’..
thanks
@Dan
There may be a backup functionality within XBMC in:
Programs -> Program Add-ons -> Get More… then look for XBMC Backup.
According to http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?3036-Backup-and-Restore-XBMC-user-data-on-Android&p=41451&viewfull=1#post41451
I never tried that myself.
Dual core Amlogic MX box for $55, four days only:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Amlogic-8726-MX-Android-TV-Box-Cortex-A9-Dual-Core-1-5GHz-1G-ROM/1900882574.html
I’m looking at purchasing the MX2 gbox as a way to turn my regular tv into a smart tv. I have an external hard drive that I have movies on and would like to know if the mx2 can work with the hard drive.
@Greg
USB mass storage devices should work with MX2.
I JUST GOT MY G-BOX FROM AMAZON AND THE POWER CORD WANT FIT BUT MY POWER CORD FROM MY ROATER WORKS OR IT AT LEATS SHOW BLUE POWER TO THE BOX. BUT I QUICKLY UNPLUGED IT THINKING THAT I MIGHT BURN UP THE BOX WHAT DO YOU THINK I SHOULD DO. THE POWER CORD IS A 5V-2AMP
@Supa
MX2 power supply is 5V/2A, so any decent 5V DC power supply should be safe.
hi i just want to no how do you take apart the g-box thank you
@james
I can’t remember exactly, but reading my article gives a clue: “After removing the four screws at the bottom of the enclosure”. You may have to remove some rubber pads, then the box should come apart quite easily.
hi,I have a problem with my tv android box mx3. it works good but the picture is zoomed too much and can see just quarter from the whole picture.I tried from the screen settings from the home menu but for nothing.before this tv box I had another 1 but it had the same problem.I dont know what can I do!!
@steve
A quarter seem small. Normally there’s something called overscan.
If you use a recent HDMI TV, there should be an option to underscan directly from the TV If you use composite/component output there must be a tool to scale the UI as part of the Android firmware. It can be a separate tool or part of the settings.
@Wasted I purchase g-box midnight mx2 about 1 year ago did not install I till about 3 months ago .it would not work.it was locked up. sent back to distributor. he said he upgraded my g-box it was working fine for about 2 months . after one late night movie. I tried to turn back on the very next morning all I get is matricom screen ,and the giant G-Box screen after that the android screen and that’s where it stays I let 20 minute go by and determined it was lock up again. I paid over 150.00 dollar’s ,… Read more »
@richard garcia
If there is a power button on device/remote (can’t remember) make sure you use it. These devices are like computers, if you don’t turn it off properly, they may be data loss.
You can try to flash the firmware, maybe with Amlogic USB flash / burning tool.
IS THE G BOX ALREADY PROGRAMED ? CAN PURCHASE IT FROM A STORE ?
@BILLY
Yes. Yes.
This seems to be really slow for the price…
i just got a mx2 for xmas, i plugged in the hdmui cable and the box, but when i press the power on the remote nothing is happening. i can see a red light, so I have power, but the box will not show the blue light and the tv says no signal. please help
I lock my G-box midnight MX2 with a password, and I don’t remember this. What ca do and how to unlock. Pleas if somebody know.
I BOUGHT ONE LAST YEAR AND I TOOK IT TO A GUY THAT HAS A PHONE STORE AND HE DELETED EVERYTHING ON IT AND REPROGRAMMED IT, I JUST HAVE TO KEEP IT ON SO THAT IT UPDATES DAILY AND I GET MOVIES THAT ARE NOW PLAYING AND I WATCHED THE FIGHT SUNDAY NIGHT IT HAD BEEN DOWNLOADED ON MY BOX. I LOVE MY BOX.
Get a box from electro geek if your from Canada, you get free shipping and if you ever have any trouble they will remote connect to your box and fix it for you. Everything is setup ready to go. Their mxiii with custom firmware blows this box away. I personally have both boxes the gbox mxii came outdated and with problematic firmware. No updates and no help.
@Darren I am using a firmware for my MX box from here “http://www.droidplayer.co.uk/blog/?p=616” and it’s working very well on the box and they also offers OTA updates for their changes and all for free which is great from them.
Under the SETTING MENU, there is an on/off switch in the upper right corner. I see a message in the middle of the screen saying TURNING WIFI ON, but the WIFI. naver turns on . The switch goes back to the off position. How can I correct this? Al
I have purchased a Matricom G Box Q on 9/8/15 and it has worked to perfection till today. When I turned it on, the light started blinking and nothing happens. Any suggestions or help to resolve this situation? Thanks in advance
My Matricom G Box Q purchased on 9/8/15 stopped working today. When turned on the light starts blinking an nothing happens. It has worked to perfection till today. HELP.
I have a G-box mx2 Matricom after updating correctly via sd card and toothpick method got over confident and tried to upgrade further from 1.2.2 ( HD 18 v2.22 ) and managed to brick it. Currently blue light on no signal on HDMI but connected to PC using USB and shorting pin 7 8 have connection to the box but I don’t have a suitable image file recognized by USB during tool ver 2.05.15 that goes through successfully always reports as unable to parse file. Please point me in the right direction to get a suitable file so that I… Read more »
@balvinderd
Matricom MX2 firmware forum is probably a good place to look for this: https://forums.matricom.net/viewforum.php?f=44