If the trend continues, they’ll soon just giveaway TV boxes. After writing about Beelink X2 TV box selling for $31.99 shipped yesterday, I learned that Inphic is organizing a promotion for the launch of their cute Inphic SPOT i5 media player based on Amlogic S805 processor. While the regular price is $26 plus shipping, they’ll offer the first 100 samples for just $13 plus shipping starting at midnight on October 27 (GMT-8), which amounts to $24.22 to my location, and about $25.15 to the US.
Inphic i5 specifications:
- SoC – Amlogic S805 quad core ARM Cortex A5 @ 1.5GHz with Mali-450MP GPU
- System Memory – 1 GB DDR3
- Storage – 8 GB NAND flash + micro SD slot up to 32GB
- Video & Audio Output – HDMI 1.b up to 1080p60 with CEC support
- Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi (Realtek)
- USB – 1x micro USB OTG port
- Misc – IR receiver, power button and LED
- Power Supply – 5V/1.5A
- Dimensions – 118x118x43 mm (TBC)
- Weight – 158 grams (TBC)
The TV box runs Android 4.4.2, and ships with an IR remote control, a power adapter, an HDMI cable, a USB OTG adapter cable, a user’s manual, and an “original card” with a serial number.
If you like the form factor, but would prefer a box supporting 4K, the company also provides Inphic P8 with Allwinner H3 processor and 512MB RAM, with a listed price of 249 RMB ($39) on the company website, but it can actually be purchased on Taobao for 99 RMB ($15.6). That link sells it under “Inphic i5” model name, and the box runs Yun OS so they must have different versions for overseas and Chinese markets.
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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showing $26 + 22 shipping to here with it showing 2 sold
@Al
You need to wait for midnight (GMT-8). In less than 2 hours, the price should drop to $13.
But if shipping is $22 to your location, I guess that kills the deal.
Yes, it’s cute. Looks a bit like the love child of a bowling ball and a frisbee. I guess if a manufacturer is desperate to clear their AMlogic S805 inventory ahead of the impending S905 onslaught, such product and pricing strategies are necessary. At these prices and with Christmas nearing, these products can be regarded as “stocking fillers”.
It’s $13 USD Already!
Which of the low end SoC is best supported? AmLogic S905? Going by past experience, I’ll definitely stay away from Allwinner…
@Someone from the other side
Amlogic S805 is pretty good. It’s used in MXQ S85 TV Box and ODROID-C1+ board, and people seem mostly happy for what they get for the price.
@Someone from the other side
No opinion about S905 yet, but I can just say it looks promising on paper.
Hmm, nice, but only EMS shiping. Shipping to CZE is for $31 :-(((
For 1000 pcs. price is 23 USD for STB with S805 . BOM – about 13-15 USD (CPU cost – 4-5 USD)
$37 with free China Post shipping:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Amlogic-S805-Android-Google-TV-BOX-With-Wifi-Lan-1GB-8GB/1561112_32509023405.html
The one with $13 has only EMS shipping which is $39(to Romania) more expensive than the box itself.
@Virgis
So they pretty much sell at cost then.
No shipping to the Netherlands, although they ship to our neighbors in Belgium …
I think I’m getting one, just for the sake of finally owning a random TV box to play with.
Is there a teardown article or video of this box or a similar box?
@FergusL
I think it’s a new model, even Inphic sales told me they just got a sample this morning.
The well supported google nexus player is a much better option for $40 shipped at adorama. ($50 now)
I’m in for one. Always a sucker for new cheap boxes that probably won’t work right and have some serious flaw that makes it unusable…
But oh that lure of a cheap box that plays back everything and works flawlessly keeps me coming back. 🙂
RK3128 based boxes are the cheapest I know of. Here’s a random one for about $13.50
http://detail.1688.com/offer/522216438990.html?spm=0.0.0.0.kXkqpe
512MB RAM, 8GB flash, RTK8188 2.4Ghz wifi, Ethernet, a couple of USB, HDMI, component out, IR, TFCard
There are many other RK3128 on http://www.1688.com. Spend around $20 and you get the power supply, remote, cables, nice box, better wifi, 1GB DDR3, etc.
Complete source for RK3128 Android 5.1 Lollipop is available for download at http://www.t-firefly.com. I am running this Android on a Fireprime and it is pretty good. Better than any of the Allwinner stuff. It has a few bugs but nothing serious. Rockchip has even begun mainlining the Linux kernel using their own employees.
If you want a S905 board I can send you one by DHL…
@Javi
That’s be great. I assume it’s a little too early for a full review, but I could probably run some preliminary tests like running benchmarks, or possibly check Kodi support status.
@cnxsoft
email sent
@Jon Smirl
I asked last week to one of the managers from Rockchip and he said they are not supporting any Linux.
Allwinner people said they just released linux for A20, all others are made by third party.
@Javi
I think he is confused. You can download Ubuntu for the RK3128 here:
http://en.t-firefly.com/en/firenow/fireprime/download/
Rk3288 here:
http://en.t-firefly.com/en/firenow/firefly_rk3288/download/
@Javi
Here are Rockchip employees submitting support for RK3036 on LKML. RK3036 is the dual core version of the RK3128 (quadcore) as soon as RK3036 is in they will add the extra bits for the RK3128.
http://www.google.com/custom?domains=lkml.org&q=rk3036&sa=Google+Search&sitesearch=lkml.org&client=pub-3128732077138691&forid=1&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&flav=0000&sig=IZwGi0IG8Xeqz31p&cof=GALT%3A%23008000%3BGL%3A1%3BDIV%3A%23336699%3BVLC%3A663399%3BAH%3Acenter%3BBGC%3AFFFFFF%3BLBGC%3Adde8e8%3BALC%3A0000FF%3BLC%3A0000FF%3BT%3A000000%3BGFNT%3A0000FF%3BGIMP%3A0000FF%3BFORID%3A1&hl=en
@Jon Smirl
RK3288 was submitted a long time ago
http://www.google.com/custom?domains=lkml.org&q=rk3288&sa=Google+Search&sitesearch=lkml.org&client=pub-3128732077138691&forid=1&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&flav=0000&sig=IZwGi0IG8Xeqz31p&cof=GALT%3A%23008000%3BGL%3A1%3BDIV%3A%23336699%3BVLC%3A663399%3BAH%3Acenter%3BBGC%3AFFFFFF%3BLBGC%3Adde8e8%3BALC%3A0000FF%3BLC%3A0000FF%3BT%3A000000%3BGFNT%3A0000FF%3BGIMP%3A0000FF%3BFORID%3A1&hl=en
My links are awaiting moderation…
Rockchip is submitting their Linux kernel to mainline. Android and Ubuntu both run on the Linux kernel. They have already submitted support for RK3288. Support for RK3066 is almost in. RK3128 is the quad core version of the RK3066 so as soon as RK3066 is in, it will be easy to add RK3128.
So Linux is a more general term and Rockchip is certainly using it since Android uses it. Android is Linux for a phone. Ubuntu is Linux for a desktop. There are builds of Ubuntu for the RK3128/RK3288 at the t-firefly website.
More info (sort of) and photos of Chinese version here: https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=es&rurl=translate.google.es&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http://www.inphic.cn/bbs/forum.php%3Fmod%3Dviewthread%26tid%3D231716%26extra%3Dpage%253D1&usg=ALkJrhh40i9LL5aFuUptyFIrvLOd8S6voA
I also think he is confused, I requested him to check this again.
But I guess firefly software is made by them, right?
Hi, for those who are interested but their country is not on the shipping list (like netherlands) or just EMS is available… please, contact: http://www.aliexpress.com/store/contactinfo-32504955757-222118766/1561112.html
Offer can not be changed, it is blocked by aliexpress, even shipping channels.
@Javi
I don’t think Firefly made those Ubuntu ports. Making them is a whole lot of work, more that I think Firefly has the capacity to do. I suspect they came from Rockchip, but I don’t know for sure.
@INPHIC
Could you please ship it through PostNL or Sweden Post instead of China Post? China Post is loosing many parcels lately.
Yes, we can. We are going to add 50 pcs more to this promotion from 8AM (USA Time, GMT -8) today.
Please, contact http://www.aliexpress.com/store/contactinfo-32504955757-222118766/1561112.html
We can ship by other shipping company.
@INPHIC
Would have loved to order a promotion sample, but shipping to the netherlands was not supported 🙁
Please contact me if you can send me an item at the promotion price (assuming shipping cost is reasonable)
Please, contact sales department with your request. They will help you: http://www.aliexpress.com/store/contactinfo-32504955757-222118766/1561112.html
For those who own (or waiting for) a SPOT i5
New firmware is available, just download this APP:
http://www.inphic.com/download/download/5-spot-i5-ota-app
It should install OTA service. Just open the APP and upgrade.
Firmware is also available for download here:
https://mega.nz/#!zIljUBzL!wfBnfuOIbOOXv7NM2CLdNE_bC9ypKcIX1BBTfMPWUPg
@INPHIC
Please check Aliexpress order 70254919946224. Tracking shows that the parcel is being returned to you by China Post due to unknown reasons, after two weeks of no tracking information. You can check it by yourself to be sure that it is true: http://www.17track.net/en/result/post.shtml?nums=RI714499571CN
In order to reduce waiting time, could you please send me again the product, but this time using Post NL? I guess you have enough stock, so it is not a trouble for you to not wait until China Post returns you the first parcel. Otherwise, it would take very very long to receive the product.
Any answer here or on Aliexpress would be appreciated. Thanks!
@INPHIC
Having some issues here with a Spanish streaming platform (Yomvi). App crashes when playing any video content. Gave it a go to the DRM Info app and it reports Google Widevine DRM L3 and since that doesn’t look enough it may require Widevine L1 or Microsoft Playready DRM. Is there any chance you may enable that in a new firmware?
Working… hope we can fix the problem with Yomvi
@stickman
We have Yomvi running now, but we are on the first stage yet. Involved files could affect to other parts, then we need test before release an update.
@stickman
You can have a try with BETA version of our yomvi update (read in spanish):
http://www.forocoches.com/foro/showthread.php?p=215213613#post215213613
This update will be released by OTA soon.