Videostrong K1 Plus Amlogic S905 Android TV Box Unboxing and Teardown

Many Amlogic S905 TV boxes have been announced, and thanks to Videostrong, I’ve received my first Amlogic S905 device for review with their K1 Plus media player (aka KI Plus). Today, I’ll start by listing the specifications, before taking a few pictures of the device and its board. with the full review following up in a few days.

Videostrong K1 Plus Specifications

K1 Plus is one of the entry level models with 1GB RAM and 8GB storage by default:

  • SoC –  Amlogic S905 quad core ARM Cortex-A53 @ up to 2.0GHz with  penta-core Mali-450MP GPU @ 750 MHz
  • System Memory – 1GB DDR3
  • Storage – 8GB NAND flash (4 to 32GB optional) + micro SD card slot
  • Video Output – HDMI 2.0 up to 4K @ 60Hz with HDCP 2.2 support, and 3.5mm AV jack
  • Audio – HDMI, AV (stereo), optical S/PDIF
  • Video Codecs – 10-bit H.265 up to 4K60, MPEG/VC-1/AVS+/H.265 up to 4K30
  • Connectivity – Fast Ethernet (Gigabit optional), 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, optional Bluetooth 4.0
  • USB – 4x USB 2.0 host ports
  • Misc
    • Power button and LED, IR receiver
    • Optional DRM: Playready, Verimatrix, Widewine (Probably not available right now)
  • Power Supply –  DC 12V/1A
  • Dimensions – 109.5 x 130.7 x 30 mm
  • Weight – 180 grams

The device runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop.

Videostrong K1 Plus Unboxing

I received the device by DHL in a retail package with the markings “KI Plus” and “Quad-core Android DVB” on the top, as well as specifications on the bottom.
K1_Plus_Package
The device looks exactly the same as Videostrong’a previous models, such as K1 with S805, and comes with an IR remote control with IR learning function, a 12V/1A power adapter, an HDMI cable, and a user’s manual in English.

Click to Enlarge
Click to Enlarge

There’s again mention of “Android DVB” simply because there are optional DVB-T/T2, ATSC, and ISDB-T tuners for the device according to the user’s manual. The company also plans to send me a DVB-S2 version in a few weeks.

Click to Enlarge
Click to Enlarge

A closer look at the TV box shows the  four USB ports and micro SD slot on the side, and all other connectors on the rear panel: CVBS/ LR audio jack, Ethernet (RJ45), HDMI 2.0 output, optical S/PDIF and the power jack.

You could also watch the unboxing video below.

Videostrong K1 Plus Teardown

On the back of the case, we’ll notice the device can be wall-mounted, and I’ve marked the location of the two screws you need to loosen in order to open the case.
Amlogic_S905_Wall_MountThe MAC address suffix D0:76:58 show on the sticker does not appear to look up to anything.

Once you have removed the screws, it’s relatively easy to pop up the top part of the case with a sharp and strong plastic tool.
KI_Plus_Box_WiFi_Antenna_boardWe’ll need to loosen two more screws to completely take out the board.

Click to Enlarge
Click to Enlarge

Amlogic S905 processor is quite tiny, and is covered by a small heatsink. SKHynix H27UCG8T2ETR NAND flash provides 8GB storage, while two Nanya NT5CB256M16DP-EK DDR3 chips are used for the memory (1GB). GL852G USB 2.0 hub controller gives the board its 4 USB ports, and a module based on Realtek RTL8189ETV provides 802.11 b/g/n WiFi connectivity. Pulse H1102NL transform confirms I’ve received a model with Fast Ethernet.

K1_S905_Tuner_Connector
The board name is K1_S905_REV2.0. Three connectors are soldered in the side of the board. The 26-pin black header is most likely for digital tuners, and the two other 3-pin and 4-pin headers have Tx & Rx markings on the back of the board, so one of them is likely to be used for the serial console.

Click to Enlarge
Click to Enlarge

The recovery / firmware update button (K1) can also be seen on the back of the board.

I’d like to thanks Videostrong for sending a sample. If you are interested in purchasing the board in quantities, you may want to contact the company via their Alibaba product page. K1 Plus, also named Ki Plus on some websites, is available on retail sites starting at just $42.99 shipped on GearBest, GeekBuying, eBay, Amazon US, Aliexpress and others.

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38 Comments
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R. D.
R. D.
8 years ago

I wonder if an ATSC tuner will make it to this one. Thanks for the peek in to this S905 box.

vickycq
vickycq
8 years ago

What’s the button to the left of the USB port?
Thanks!

Gabe
Gabe
8 years ago

What does SW5 button do?

vickycq
vickycq
8 years ago


Oh, I see that. Thanks!

natsu
natsu
8 years ago


please to test very high biterate HEVC videos like 60 Mbps+ and to include KODI 16 beta 1 in the tests, I think it will be a very good device, looking forward for the DVB S2 version as well

Francis Belanger
Francis Belanger
8 years ago

If you could test KODI plus HEVC 10bit it would be great

Thanks

Gadget Friendly
Gadget Friendly
8 years ago

The case design kinda reminds me of the wetek play / core. Very interested in checking one of these S905 boxes out myself hopefully the 912s wont be too far behind either.

WeK05
WeK05
8 years ago

HDCP 2.2 support? I don’t see Videostrong in HDCP 1.x or 2.x licensed adopter list.

Peter
8 years ago

the unboxing video needs VPN if I want to watch from mainland China..

olin
olin
8 years ago

I don’t know whether it’s an old news, but there is a linux kernel on amlogic web page that seems quite recent (arm-src-kernel-2015-11-04-9e845bea41.tar.gz) that has meson64_defconfig under arch/arm64/configs. I wonder whether it’s the config for S905…

pégaso
pégaso
8 years ago
mmxu
mmxu
8 years ago

clearer after seeing todays S905 VS S805

Zubin
Zubin
8 years ago

Just got my K1 Plus S905 in the mail today, this is my first android TV, where should I go to update, new apps and the latest news about this kind of stuff?

consoleman
consoleman
8 years ago

Is this still the latest firmware for the KI Plus dvbs2 box?

https://mega.nz/#F!PNoSHJ7T!It0mfiIg4kvtkSsCF8CISw

Zubin
Zubin
8 years ago


Freaktab, got it, thanks.
currently running p20x-userdebug 5.1.1 LMY47V 20151123.183302.V1031 test-keys
I heard that 20151128 and 20151204 are the new ones, installed both and they dont change this Build number in the Settings screen. weird?

natsu
natsu
8 years ago


when we can expect the review, looking forward to it 🙂

natsu
natsu
8 years ago
natsu
natsu
8 years ago


hi cnx
is there any python or C++ library for S905 gpio???

Ron
Ron
8 years ago

How do you program the k1 plus to receive directv ??

zero
zero
8 years ago

just bought a K1 Plus and also have problems receiving direct tv.

Found some instructuions here but they didn’t work for me. 🙁

http://www.cnx-software.com/2016/02/22/how-to- configure-dvb-s2-and-dvb-t2-tuners-in-k1-plus-android- dtv-receiver/

I am able to get a signal strength of 80-90% but 0% quality despite choosing the correct country setting.
Are there other settings reqiuired?
Any advice would be appreciated.

rose
rose
8 years ago

@zero
Do you get a list of channels once the search is finished? I guess you set the right satellite?

mhd
mhd
7 years ago

Hi all
finally i got this box
i’m using it with Samsung TV, the problem is with screen resolution,i changed it to be 1080/50p because of all Europe Channels use 50hz
original app DTV not so smooth in 1080/60p specially in HD and 4k,i think there is frames drop
the problem when i plug off box from mains , android return to 1080/60p , how can i solve this big problem

Khadas VIM4 SBC