MK918 Android TV Box Powered by Rockchip RK3188T Sells for $50

MK918, also known as K-R42-1, CS918, or MK888, is an Android TV box powered by Rockchip RK3188T with 2GB RAM, and 8GB Flash. This is a pretty standard device, and I already featured it, but GeekBuying is selling the device for $49.99 as part of their second anniversary, which looks to be good deal, but it turns out some Aliexpress sellers are also doing promotions for about the same price ($50+). The promotion on GeekBuying will last about on more day, and around 50 units are available, and on Aliexpress promotions runs between 1 and 3 more days. The usual price seems to be between $60 and $70, but I guess some companies may get rid off old stocks with products based on Amlogic S802 already there, and Rockchip RK3288 and AllWinner A80 products soon to hit the market.

MK918Let’s remind ourselves of the complete specs:

  • SoC – Rockchip RK3188T quad Cortex-A9 CPU @ 1.4 GHz + Mali-400 MP4 GPU
  • System Memory – 1 or 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 4.0 (optional, may not be found in all models)
  • Video Output – HDMI + AV output jack
  • Audio Output – HDMI + + AV + optical 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 ports
  • Misc – IR port
  • Power – 5V/2A
  • Dimensions – 142x95x21 mm
  • Weight – 135 grams

The device runs Android 4.2.2 and comes with a power adapter, HDMI and AV cables, a user’s manual, a micro USB to USB cable, and an IR remote control. Please bear in mind that Bluetooth may not be available in all models, and some feature 2GB RAM, others only 1GB. MK918 in GeekBuying features BlueTooth and 2GB RAM, but you’d better check if you purchase a box via Aliexpress. The remote control may also be different between sellers. The one provided on GeekBuying is pretty basic, and the picture above is from a seller on Aliexpress with more buttons. I never use the provided IR remote control myself, but maybe some people do :)… The latest firmware may be available here.

It’s pretty amazing how prices have come down, and you can now buy a quad core mini PC delivered to your door for just $50.

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23 Comments
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adem
adem
10 years ago

on geek buy it shows a mother type of remote controll wasent too sure if it was ir or rf

Paul taraneh
Paul taraneh
10 years ago

Go with aliexpress GeekBuying had me waiting more than two eeks for ac device they claim was out of stock and wouldn’t allow me to choose another device so their customer service and bait and switch tactics is what I warn you about. They may not even have it for that price and are just trying to lure you in. For TV boxes aliexpress has more of a selection anyway

dmsc
dmsc
10 years ago

I have a newer/cheaper device like this, and is a LS_X6_V12 motherboard, with no custom ROMs available, so be careful.

FossXplorer
FossXplorer
10 years ago

CNXSOFT: why does aliexpress list these with just 1GB RAM, while Geekbuying lists them with 2GB RAM?
Confused!

Javi
10 years ago

I have seen this case with different motherboards

adem
adem
10 years ago

hey guys here is a few different types http://blog.geekbuying.com/index.php/2014/01/25/whats-the-difference-between-t-r42-mk918-cs918-q7-quad-core-tv-box/#.U6oYJo0kHRy

not too sure but after helping a few friends flash their firmware’s on these devices some of them did not have wifi or bluetooth working some had problems with the ir remote it is a massive head ache. also the remote on geek is a ir remote and i dont think it has a curser button witch i think is very important when it comes to the android side of thing some apps do require curser support.

adem
adem
10 years ago

Model 1:T-R42 Shopping link: http://www.geekbuying.com/item/T-R42-Quad-Core-Google-Android-4-2-2-RK3188-28nm-Cortex-A9-1-6-GHz-Mini-TV-BOX-HDMI-HDD-Player-2G-8G-BT-RJ45-External-Wifi-Antenna-with-IR-Remote-Controller-Black-317424.html Price: $79.99 Free Shipping T-R42 is the first generation products, and we sold this at first. Most of people begin to know this model through our site. so how to know you are getting the real T-R42? 1 Check the lable in the back cover. We ask the factory to print the model on the back cover label directly; 2 PCBA Board, here is the pcba board photo for T-r42 and you can find the PCBA Board model is B351_V2.0 2013/09/22. 3 the wifi and bluetooth chipset use RTL8723AS. 4 Firmware: Stock firmware for T-R42… Read more »

dmsc
dmsc
10 years ago

I mean “cheaper than the original CS918”, I bought mine on eBay for $60.

I know that thread, I posted there 😉 , I have tried a couple of things but still can’t compile a working kernel for my device, I will keep trying on the weekend.

jn
jn
10 years ago

well, now there is a 19.99 price tag on geekbuying.com…

FossXplorer
FossXplorer
10 years ago

jn, adem, it’s out of stock. Any idea if it will be back in stock?

adem
adem
10 years ago

don’t know dude sorry

chris
chris
10 years ago

I have bought one of these had for 3 months now it won’t start up all I get is the logo andriod any ideals how I can restart it please

avy
avy
9 years ago

I got 10 none of them will stay connected to WiFi or load a WiFi list

Haldane Castro
Haldane Castro
9 years ago

Dear Adem, bought a box in this model http://pt.aliexpress.com/item/CS918-MK888-Android-4-2-TV-Box-RK3188-Quad-Core-Mini-PC-RJ-45-USB-WiFi/1877438874.html?s=p it worked normally for 60 days but now the boot displays ‘Type password to decrypt storage’ and I can not do anything else. The Android is 4.4.2.
I tried solution with the seller without success. I need to reinstall the Android? Thanks for any help.

Gary H
Gary H
8 years ago

I have this board in mine HLSX_X6_V10 and cant seem to fine firmware that works. Can anyone help

data
data
7 years ago

does anybody know if the cvbs = tv out works on these devices ? is it needed to shutdown and restart box after wanting to use cvbs video RCA instead of hdmi after having selected that mode in screen options ?

Boardcon Rockchip and Allwinner SoM and SBC products