$18 Matchstick is an HDMI TV Stick Running Firefox OS (Crowdfunding)

A few month ago, a Firefox OS HDMI streaming stick (codenamed netcast) by Mozilla that would compete with Google Chromecast was previewed. It is now called Matchstick, based on Rockchip RK3066 and has just been launched on Kickstarter.

MatchStickMatchStick technical specifications:

  • SoC – Rockchip RK3066 dual core Cortex A9 processor @ 1.2 GHz with Mali-400 MP4 GPU
  • System Memory – 1GB DDR3 (micron)
  • Storage – 4 GB flash.  (FORSEE, NCEFES86 eMMC)
  • Video Output – HDMI
  • Connectivity – 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi (AP6181?), but the board supports other Wi-Fi modules include AP6210 and AP6330, and many people are asking for dual band Wi-Fi in comments, so maybe a stretch goal…
  • USB – 1x micro USB port for power
  • Power – 5V via micro USB port. TPS659102 PMIC.
  • Dimensions – 110 x 40 x 11 mm

The Firefox OS dongle will come with an HDMI extension Cable, a micro USB Cable, and a 5V power adapter. The company claims MatchStick is an open source hardware device, but the schematics are only available in PDF format, at least at this stage. The board is called netcast-RK3066 in the schematics. The software however will be completely open source, except the parts that can’t be.

Mozilla_netcast_v20
Based on these hardware specs, MatchStick will be more like a Chromecast, than a fully-fledged Android TV stick. It will let you stream online videos and music from services like Netflix, Youtube, Hulu, Spotify, etc… installable from MatchStick appstore, and since the platform is open to developer, more so than Chromecast, more apps should come online over time. You’ll be able to control the stick from a PC using Firefox or Chrome (mirroring or streaming), as well as Android and iOS devices.

MatchStick/Sender/Cloud Software and Network Block Diagram
MatchStick/Sender/Cloud Software and Network Block Diagram

The company has almost reached it $100,000 funding target in less than a day. The first 500 units were available for $12, but they’ll all been taken away, and you can still get a MatchStick for $18, plus $5 shipping if you live outside of the US, with delivery scheduled for February 2015. If you are not a big fan of crowdfunding platforms, the device will retail for $25. If you are a developer, you can apply for one of the 250 units the company will sent for app development. More information can also be found on MatchStick.tv website, especially with regards to software development with the API details, and SDK download link.

Thanks to Appelboor for the tip.

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19 Comments
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Jordon Wu
Jordon Wu
10 years ago

Is there uart pins(TX, RX and GND) or hole on the PCB? I see some holes on top edge of PCB.

KiLLWarez
KiLLWarez
10 years ago

I wonder is there any cheap HDMI stick which smoothly runs XBMC with hardware acceleration?

Sceptic
Sceptic
10 years ago

“Scam” is written all over it. To start with, $18 doesn’t cover the listed BOM, let alone added S&H expenses. And just look at the “3D-model” picture. It have a _photo_ of a real board used as a texture. So, in other words, 3D modelling _after_ a production-ready PCB is made. Really?

Extra kudos to anybody who will find out where from actual PCB they ripped for photos is coming from.

Someone from the other side
Someone from the other side
10 years ago

It does reek of scam (lots of those on the crowd funding sites these days). Considering that thing is only 7 USD cheaper than when it ships, I will wait and see…

Sander
Sander
10 years ago

I made a pledge (is that correct English?), although I’m not sure they will deliver what they promise. We’ll see.

Balint Banyasz
10 years ago

I’ve downloaded and unpacked the firmware from MatchStick’s website (http://www.matchstick.tv/developers/documents/castaway-stick.html) and it looks legit.

It’s based on Android 4.2.2 and uses the latest RK3066 kernel (3.0.36). Now I’m going to try it on my MK808B 🙂

deets
deets
10 years ago
Balint Banyasz
10 years ago

I can now confirm that it works 🙂 I’ve successfully installed a modified firmware on my MK808B and played a YouTube video from my phone.

Sander
Sander
10 years ago

If/When they deliver, it would be quite a step: for 18 US$ you can turn your TV/monitor into an *open* smart TV. I would find that impressive.

Thomas
9 years ago

Matchstick has passed :'( After several delays, backers received yesterday an email announcing that the project was to be terminated shortly and that refund would be proceeded in the next months.

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