Rockchip RK3036 dual core Cortex A7 processor was showcased by Rockchip at CES 2015 and said to enable $10 H.265 TV boxes, and yesterday I noticed some code made it to mainline Linux for Rockchip RK3036 Kylin board. While I have not been able to find any information about that board, or any other RK3036 boards or devices so far, I’ve been informed that RK3128 boards with 512MB RAM and 8GB storage were selling for $11.50 (75 CNY) for 1K orders, and around $15 (100 CNY) and up for samples.
Specifications listed for the board shown above:
- SoC – Rockchip RK3128 quad core ARM Cortex A7 @ 1.3 GHz with ARM Mali-400MP2 GPU
- System Memory – 512MB to 1GB LPDDR2/DDR3 or DDR3L
- Storage – 4 to 8 GB NAND flash + micro SD slot
- Connectivity – Ethernet, and WiFi
- Video Output – HDMI 1.4 and composite RCA output
- Audio Output – HDMI, and stereo audio (RCA)
- USB – 2x USB 2.0 ports
- Misc – IR sensor, LED
- Power Supply – 5V/2A
- Dimensions – N/A
The device runs Android 4.4.2, and while there’s certainly no SDK provided with the board, it’s should possible to adapt the Android and Linux SDKs released for FirePrime board also based on Rockchip RK3128 processor.
Beside 1866 dot com that only accepts order of 5 or more pieces, you can also find RK3128 boards on Taobao for 128 RMB and up (~$20). Apart from the $85 FirePrime board, I could not find other RK3128 boards on Aliexpress, but there are some RK3128 TV boxes start at $33 shipped.
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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Allwinner H3 is cheaper than Rk3128
@hoangdinh86
Allwinner H3 gets hot enough to use it as a cooking stove.
@Jon Smirl
Maybe at a higher frequency but I think that at 1.2 GHz it should be cool 😀 There’s an option to push it to 1.5-1.6 GHz in which case yes it will probably get very hot.
@Marius Cirsta
There is something wrong with the design of the H3 on-chip Ethernet PHY. That is what makes it get hot.
Same on ~$20 taobao?
http://world.taobao.com/item/43906363298.htm
@Jon Smirl
Nope, the heat problems the H3 was blamed for have nothing to do with the Ethernet PHY. Just insane overvolting combined with insane overclocking. All issues resolved in the meantime by defining sane values: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/linux-sunxi/20Ir4It3GsA
And the H3 is also an excellent choice for IoT stuff since when downclocked and undervolted it’s still faster than many other SoCs while consumption doesn’t exceed 2.5W (no fan/heatsink needed): http://forum.armbian.com/index.php/topic/504-quick-review-of-orange-pi-pc/
@Jon Smirl
H3: ~60C (ambient 24C, w/o enclosure), 100% load of 4 cores running at 1344Mhz@1.4v. Using aluminium 35x35x25mm heatsink.
I have a Orange Pi PC and a heatsink and It’s good to play Kodi and some app
Maybe I will give H3 a second chance. I had abandoned it initially after getting sunburn from it.
Is there an Android Lollipop build for it?
BTW – I am running Lollipop on RK3128 with no problems. It decodes h.264 without any issues that I’ve noticed. It also does h.265 but it can’t maintain 30FPS on h.265.
Can’t find Lollipop for it after a couple of searches. The stuff I work on requires a few Lollipop features so I guess I am sticking with RK3128.
Several of my RK3128 boards don’t have a heat sink and never get warm. Another one has a small heat sink but it doesn’t seem to be needed. But I don’t run 3D graphics torture tests on them either.
may i ask which lollipop firmware you are running on your rk3128 device? i tried but couldn’t find any on internet.
Should HPH NT v6 (http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Nagrace-HPH-TV-BOX-of-RK3288-4G-32G-with-wireless-airmouse-2-4-G-remote-controller/1494386_2048811107.html) worth buying or should i look for some other box?
And it(this HPH or other recommended) supports TV out for RCA composite cable? coz that’s my basic requirement and want to be future safe for at least 1 year.
Thanks in advance. 🙂
@AnkitT
Hi
You can send me a message on Freaktab.com forum, same username.
Or is there somewhere else I can message you?
Someone could help me to introduce me in make linux images for the rockchips starting from zeto.
I am very enthusiastic in linux abd I think there is a better uses with linux than with android.
I only need some links to understand how works the rockchip family.
Thanks
There is a lot of good info on software for the RK3128 including Ubuntu at…
http://wiki.t-firefly.com/index.php/FirePrime/en
Fireprime is a RK3128 based dev board. It is the easiest board to start with.
how to install the firmware for Rockchip RK3128 quad core ARM Cortex A7 @ 1.3 GHz with ARM Mali-400MP2 GPU
Read more: http://www.cnx-software.com/2015/12/22/rockchip-rk3128-tv-box-boards-with-512mb-ram-8gb-storage-sell-for-15-and-up/#ixzz421lBM9Pq
this device . kindly do the need full
@sundar
One way: http://www.cnx-software.com/2015/12/21/how-to-upgrade-rockchip-rk3368-firmware-in-linux/
It’s for RK3368, but I understand Rockchip has a unified SDK, so the same tools will work on all their recent SoCs.
Source code everything RK3128 related is at the Fireprime web site.
http://wiki.t-firefly.com/index.php/FirePrime/en
How do I stop it from boot looping please help!
@Robert meis
If it fails to boot, and just reboot continuously, you should try to find the firmware for your device, and reflash it.