Last year, Rockchip RK3288 was always going to be popular, since it offered a massive performance upgrade compared to its predecessor (Rockchip RK3188) with Cortex A17 cores replacing Cortex A9 cores, and a Mali-T764 GPU replacing an aging Mali-400MP4 GPU, plus the addition of 4K video output and decoding, as well as H.265 video codec support. So many manufacturers got involved that I decided to write a list of RK3288 TV boxes and sticks. Rockchip RK3368, the company’s new “flagship” processor for 2015, is a bit less exciting despite providing eight 64-bit ARM cores, since Cortex A53 cores are significantly less powerful than the Cortex A17 cores found in RK3288, and the performance of the PowerVR G6110 GPU used in the processor is a bit of an unknown for now. RK3368 might still rank pretty well in benchmark since it comes with eight cores instead of four cores, but I’m not convinced it will really show during normal use, although the upgrade to Android 5.1 on the newer processor may also help. The main improvement is probably support for 4K @ 60Hz video decoding and output (HDMI 2.0), which was not possible with RK3288 and lower end 4K UHD televisions.
Nevertheless, it’s still interesting to look at new platforms, and I’ve compiled a list of RK3368 mini PCs announced so far, some of which already ship:
- Eny EKB368 – TV box with 1 or 2GB RAM, 8 or 16 GB flash, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth, 3x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x micro USB OTG and HDMI 2.0. Price: TBD
- Beelink i68 – TV box with 1 or 2 GB RAM, 8 GB flash, Fast Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth, 3x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x micro USB OTG and HDMI 2.0. Price: $71 on GearBest (1GB RAM/8GB flash version)
- Tronsmart Orion R68 – TV box based on Beelink i68 platform with two models:
- Pro – 1 GB RAM, 8 GB flash, Fast Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth, 3x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x micro USB OTG and HDMI 2.0. Price: $75 on GeekBuying.
- Meta – 2 GB RAM, 16 GB flash, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth, 3x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x micro USB OTG and HDMI 2.0. Price: $99.99 on GeekBuying.
- CSA90 – TV box with two models:
- Model 1 – 1 GB RAM, 8 GB flash, Fast Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth, 2x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x micro USB OTG and HDMI 2.0 & composite (RCA) output. Price: $70 on Aliexpress.
- Model 2 – 2 GB RAM, 16 GB flash, Fast Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth, 2x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x micro USB OTG, and HDMI 2.0 & composite (RCA) output. Price: $96 on Aliexpress.
- Rikomagic MK68 – TV box with 2 GB RAM, 16 GB flash, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth, 2x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x micro USB OTG and HDMI 2.0. Price: $111.90 on Aliexpress
- Zero Devices Z64 – TV box apparently based on CSA90 “Model 2” but with Gigabit Ethernet. Price: $125 on Asiapads.
- Measy B4T – TV box with 1 GB RAM, 8 GB flash, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth, 3x USB 2.0 host ports, and HDMI 2.0. Price: $72.95 on Aliexpress
- CloudnetGo CR13 Plus – TV box with 2 GB RAM, 8 or 16 GB flash, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth, 3x USB 2.0 host ports, and HDMI 2.0. Price: TBD.
- CloudnetGo CR18 – TV box with 2 GB RAM, 8 or 16 GB flash, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth, 3x USB 2.0 host ports, and HDMI 2.0 & composite (RCA) outputs. Price: TBD.
- X6 – TV box with 1 GB RAM, 8 GB flash, Fast Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth (Maybe), 2x USB 2.0 host ports, and HDMI 2.0 & composite (RCA) outputs. Price: $57 on Aliexpress. Note: X6 model was supposed to be for the Chinese market, but the few who bought appear satisfied.
- Himedia H7 III – TV box with 1 GB RAM, 8 GB flash, Fast Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, 2x USB 2.0 host ports, and HDMI 2.0 & composite (RCA) outputs. Price: $89.89 on Aliexpress. The firmware is likely in Chinese only (TBC).
- Ugoos UT4 – Upcoming RK3368 TV Box with Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11ac WiFi. Listing found on Android Warehouse. Price: TDB
All boxes run Android 5.1, and prices when available including shipping. The cheapest and lower end model is X6 selling for $57, with other 1GB RAM/8GB flash boxes selling for around $70. The best devices in terms of features appear to be Rikomagic MK68 and Tronsmart Orion R68 Meta both with 2GB RAM, 16GB eMMC flash, Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11ac WiFi, and selling respectively for $100 and $112. For reference, their Rockchip RK3288 equivalent, namely Tronsmart Orion R28 Meta and Rikomagic MK902 II sell respectively for $115 and $113. So far, nobody appears to have come up with a Rockchip RK3368 HDMI TV stick. Not sure whether the cause is fading demand for sticks, the CPU gets a little too hot, or we just need to be patient.
Corrections and additions to the list are more than welcome.
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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They still seem to be a little on the expensive side, especially since most have just 1GB of RAM. This is how it always was with a new SOC though so in a few months prices should come down.
Hallo, is USB 2.0 enough to play 4K content? I dont understand why none of these boxes have USB 3.0 or sata connector.
@Dupu
Yes, USB 2.0 is fast enough to play 4K content.
4K Blu-ray peak rate is 100 Mbps, while USB 2.0 theoretical throughput is 480 Mbps.
I normally get around 30 MB/s read speed on USB hard drives (around 240 Mbps).
These boxes don’t have USB 3.0 or SATA because Rockchip decided not to support it in their SoC.
Interesting that the (rk3368) cortex a53 is less powerful than the (rk3188) a9 or (rk3288) a17, yet can do 4k!
all the tv boxes seem to have similar specs, so it may just come down to price. I’ll wait for one that has atsc or pvr capabilities
@ben
Nobody uses cpu to decode video these day. Hell, you would need an i7 to do a 4k decode using just the cpu.
I ordered a 2GB CSA90 at the beginning of the summer, and mine arrived a week or two ago. In terms of UI, it is fantastically fast, and for 1080p content, its’ great, but I’ve been unable to get 4k content working smoothly on it. It ships with Kodi, not SPMC, and the Play store SPMC version plays back to a corrupted surface (garbage video, even wrong size). I’ve tried playing back h264 and VP9 [email protected], the former is smoother but they’re both choppy. I’ve got an HEVC file that I haven’t yet tried to play back, but that seems even less likely. YouTube on the device is limited to 720p, though the best answer I have for that is that it’s not using ExoPlayer, which is required for >720p. I have tried tricks to force it, but I’m stuck. Maybe in another couple of months these boxes will be worth it, but for the moment it seems like a lost cause… 🙁
You mentioned that RK 3368 has support for H265 video codec. Does that include support for 10bit H265 as well?
@Douglas
Some companies want to sell me samples, but they delayed either because of production issues or because their current models only support 10/100M, and by the end of the month they’ll get Gigabit Ethernet.
@Hap Hapablap
Maybe. I’ll need to test it.
I can only test whether it can decode 10-bit HEVC, but I don’t think I can test whether it outputs 8-bit or 10-bit colors.
zidoo Rockchip 3368 device coming soon:)
Received the Beelink i68 and testing showed that the shipped firmware did not support [email protected] HDMI 2.0 output. I am in contact with the company and they said they would be releasing new firmware to fix that. I’m hopeful, but why would they have advertised 4K UI output when they obviously haven’t tested it?
these SOC are not designed for a Linux server/desktop. They are for tv box or pad and so they are cheap enough…
@senappy
I don’t think the UI will be at 4K, this requires a really good GPU for acceptable performance. 4K should be for video output, video playback, and maybe photo display.
Himedia H7 III it’s only for chinese market.
Himeida H8 IV it’s for usa/europe market and 2gb ram and 16gb storage http://www.himediatech.com/h8core.html
The BIG missing of RK3368 is Audio HD (no hardware support) … so: no Audio HD no party!
@massimo
The prob with Hi media is there is no support from them.
Only one firmware with bugs and that’s it.
I would not touch their devices with a bargepole….ever again.
@cnxsoft
The company is assuring me that it will do 4K UI after the firmware update. Curious if you think the RK3368 will be able to support a simple android app in [email protected] Many mobile phone processors can push that many pixels (maybe not at 60hz) – how about this processor?
@senappy
If they use a 4K UI, that means games will be at 4K as well. Not sure many, if any, mobile processors can handle this at a decent framerate…
Another one: iView A8 for $76 @ http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Octa-Core-Smart-TV-Box-iview-A8-4K-H-265-Android-5-1-OS-1G-8G/313543_32419529783.html . Maybe the same board as X6 with a difference case.
@Peter Noterfed
Himedia have good support for usa/europe device Q5/Q10/M3, Q5 it’ s best andorid device i have try for quality of picure and stable (never crash) ad update ( last firmware was lat mounth ). see this post:
https://www.avforums.com/threads/himedia-q5-android-media-player-review.1965902/#post-22329972
http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=207730
from fist test Himeida H8 IV have audio HD support , very straying.
@massimo
ZIDOO rk3368 device Support HD Audio,KODI 15.0 Isengard Support hardware decoding,Support 4K HEVC 10-Bit 🙂
@mirror
Audio HD 7.1 passthrough work external player and/or kodi internal(dvdplayer) ?
ZIDOO rk3368 support Adjust display refresh rate to match video 24/50/60 and 23.976 fps with KODI?
Support 4K HEVC 10-Bit it’s big news! 1080p h.265/h264 10 bit?
Thank God Zidoo is finaly giving up on the Allloser and MStar Weakling-SOCs. Hurray for picking something powerfull this time.
Zidoo X6 page is up with specs, but no pics -> http://www.zidoo.tv/Product/spec/model/X6/target/18jaPkicAyZKKmVViAFMcQ%3D%3D.html
It’s a model with 2GB RAM, 16GB eMMC, 802.11ac and GbE.
from freaktab and minixforum report: “RK3368 – It does not support 10bit HEVC, confirmed this with RK.” Zidoo X6 have new/special firmware?
@massimo
Hi,ZIDOO X6 Support support Adjust display refresh rate to match video 24/50/60 and 23.976 fps with KODI
@mirror
good news , without stutter ?
HD audio work with kodi? ( atmos included )
@massimo
Sorry,Can’t Support HEVC 10-bit now.My mistake,and HD Audio is just in video player may be temporary，We are solving it in kodi
[…] Rockchip RK3368 TV boxes are now shipping, and I’ve just reviewed Beelink i68, so it’s a good time to compare the latest octa-core Cortex A53 processor with its predecessor, RK3288, featuring four ARM Cortex A17 cores, as well as a Mali-T764 GPU. […]
Another RK3368 TV box. Eny EA05 -> http://www.enybox.com/En/product/html/?213.html
MXVI (MX6) is low end RK3368 box with 1GB RAM/ 8GB flash, 10/100M Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n. Price starts at $64.
http://www.geekbuying.com/item/MXVI-Android-5-1-4K-TV-BOX-RK3368-Octa-Core-64bit-1G-8G-802-11-b–g-n-LAN-Bluetooth-KODI-HDMI-2-0-H-265-NETFLIX-352177.html
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Superior-Android-5-1-4K-FULL-HD-Smart-TV-Box-RK3368-Octa-Core-1G-8G-KODI/32449508064.html
Beelink R68 appears to be based on Beelink i68, but an external WiFi antenna replaces the power button, and instead of plastic, the case is made of metal.
Listed on Gearbest for $101.64 -> http://www.gearbest.com/tv-box-mini-pc/pp_232106.html
HiMedia H8 (Octa Core) is another one (16 GB flash, 2GB RAM, metal case), and contrary to H7 III I understand it’s for oversea markets.
http://www.himediatech.com/h8core.html
Vensmile T051:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Vensmile-T051-Android-5-1-1-Tv-Box-Kodi-XBMC-Loaded-RK3368-Octa-core-2-4G/1726203_32420334501.html
http://www.banggood.com/Vensmile-T051-RK3368-Octa-Core-2GB8GB-Kodi-XBMC-Loaded-BT-4_0-Android-5_1_1-TV-Box-Mini-Smart-PC-p-992248.html
Chiptrip Z4 with 2GB RAM, 16GB flash. $80 @ http://www.gearbest.com/tv-box-mini-pc/pp_235029.html
Ruach A20s-H must be the cheapest RK3368 TV box so far @ $50 -> http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2015-new-Android-5-1-TV-BOX-RK3368-64bits-Octa-core-1G-8G-2-4G-wifi/32464031238.html
Videostrong has three RK3368 models: RK8, KIII OTT, and K6 with similar specs (2GB RAM, 8GB flash), but different cases. https://download.cnx-software.com/public.php?service=files&t=988852a4e0dd262c33431e0f6c076088
RK3368 does not support 10-bit
RK3288 – YES
S905 – I think yes, but its datasheet is not clear enough…
Coming S912 – YES
INPHIC i8R is coming too (RK3368) with 2GB RAM – 16GB eMMC
Can be seen at Hong Kong Fair next month
Ugoos has another RK3368 model: UG-430 @ http://ugoos.net/rk3368-ug430-android-lollipop-tvbox
I have this product in my office from 1 month ago or more. Sample from design house
HPH NT-V8 boxes: http://www.aliexpress.com/store/group/RK3368-tv-box/1494386_504656237.html
[…] are lots of Rockchip RK3368 TV boxes on the market, and Kingnovel sent me their latest R8 TV Box for review. I’ll start by listing […]
[…] are so many Rockchip RK3368 TV boxes on the market that it’s difficult for products to stand out. But Zidoo X6 Pro might be one of […]
Chiptrip Z4 is another model, but the case looks familiar – http://www.gearbest.com/tv-box-mini-pc/pp_235029.html (They have a coupon too: GBCZ4)
Emish X800 with 1GB RAM, 8GB flash, two WiFi external antennas – https://www.chinavasion.com/china/wholesale/Android_Media_Players/Android_TV_Box/EMISH-Android-5.1-TV-Box/
Idroidnation I-Box 2Gb RAM, 8GB flash. @ http://www.idroidnation.com/idroidnation-i-box-android-5-1-octa-core-2g-8g-kodi-15-isengard-wifi-4k-smart-tv-box-8gb-rom/
Probably an existing hardware platform however, but different firmware.
HImedia H8 for sale for $104 @ http://www.geekbuying.com/item/HiMedia-H8-Android-5-1-4K-RK3368-TV-BOX-Octa-Core-2G-16G-WIFI-Gigabit-LAN-HDMI2-0-KODI-3D-Netflix-H-265-Miracast-357451.html
Vensmile R8 @ http://armdevices.net/2015/11/04/vensmile-r8-50-64bit-octa-core-rk3368-tv-box-with-4k60fps-h265-and-kodi15-2/
Two more showed up on DX, and they look familiar, so probably just rebranded version of existing models:
Brilink Z4 -> http://www.dx.com/p/brilink-z4-4k-octa-core-android-5-1-google-tv-player-w-2gb-ram-16gb-rom-wi-fi-kodi-black-us-414426?Utm_rid=93072394&Utm_source=affiliate
T051 -> http://www.dx.com/p/t051-android-5-1-tv-box-eight-core-rk3368-tv-box-network-player-414390?Utm_rid=93072394&Utm_source=affiliate
[…] Rockchip RK3368 TV boxes looked promising at the end of the summer, but ended up being disappointing, not because of their expected lower performance compared to RK3288, but simply because they could not deliver on their main selling point: 4K H.265 / H.264 video playback, and the sheer number of issues with the first devices selling for nearly the same price as equivalent Rockchip RK3288 devices. Rockchip RK3368 will soon have a worthy competitor with Amlogic S905, which won’t deliver amazing benchmark scores, but looks promising for its 4K 10-bit HEVC video playback, HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2, and historically Amlogic delivers better video playback than Rockchip. The first Amlogic S905 TV boxes should start shipping by the end of the month, and prices are starting very low, just over $40, thanks to competition between the many manufacturers launching devices based on the new Amlogic SoC. […]
HYH-TBR3368 for $48.90 including shipping @ http://www.aliexpress.com/item/newest-android5-1-tv-Box-for-TV-Eight-Core-rk3368-Cheap-Smart-TV-Box-For-SaleHYH/32537742831.html