This morning I wrote about Sunchip CX-R9 TV box based on Rorkchip RK3229 that is said to be selling for $32, as long as you buy 1,000 pieces, but the new Rockchip SoC might truly disrupt the low-end market, as MXQ 4K RK3299 TV box has just launched on GeekBuying where it is sold for only $29.99 shipped.
MXQ-4K specifications:
- SoC – Rockchip RK3229 quad core ARM Cortex A7 processor @ 1.5 GHz with ARM Mali-400MP2
- System Memory – 1GB DDR3
- Storage – 8GB NAND flash + SD card slot up to 32GB
- Video Output – HDMI 2.0 up to 4K2K @ 60 fps, and 3.5mm AV output (composite)
- Audio Output – HDMI, AV, and coaxial S/PDIF
- Connectivity – 100Mbps Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi
- USB – 4x USB 2.0 host ports
- Power Supply – 5V/2A
- Dimensions – N/A
The device runs Android 4.4 with Kodi 16, and the specs list 10-bit H.264 and H.265, without mention of VP9 (but it should support it up to 4K @ 30 fps), and will ship with an IR remote control, an HDMI cable, a power adapter and a user’s manual.
With a quad core Cortex A7 processor the device won’t be a top of the benchmark charts, and GeekBuying reports 21,134 points in Antutu 6.0, but if you just want to play 4K videos at 60 fps, or even just 10-bit H.264 (Hi10p) videos, you can certainly not beat the price. I hope to get a sample soon to check it’s actual video playback abilities.
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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Best to avoid MXQ devices.
For their AMLogic devices there are daily posts in Kodi forum for asking for help with video playback and firmware issues.
Best to wait until another higher quality manufacturer starts making RK3229 devices.
If you want support or firmware updates for MXQ devices there is no company you can go to directly for support.
I also hope this is not the start of another ‘clone wars’ of MXQ devices to flood the market.
A good entry-level device for people that want to try out Netflix, in countries that just got access?
@onebir
You mean Netflix in SD, right?
Isn’t this a brand new chip?
Why are we still seeing Android 4.4.
Hell shouldnt they be at least 5.1 if not 6!!!
@Tony
it uses A7 cores, android lollipop and above is a little too heavy for them :p
Shame that none of this devices cant bring netflix in hd nor any other streaming service in US at HD quality:/
@Tony
why do they still use mali 400?
H.265 and an AV port for $30?
Sounds perfect for one of the spare rooms…
@Techy
Ability to run Netflix in HD is not strictly about hardware. You must get the blessing of Netflix who has been very reluctant to endorse Android manufacturers other than a select few. Weitek is one that comes to mind and a few others based on Android TV like Nvidia Shield box.
I don’t think people in countries other than the US are that much interested in Netflix anymore since they now started to ban VPN usage to access the US content. Other countries only get a third of the US content but have to pay the same price as US users. Local streaming services in other countries will gain much better support. Eg. in my country you get a service that’s a lot cheaper than Netflix and you can use it in HD on any device, it also has download support and more content.
VP9 is listed om the Geekbuying page linked…
I’ve been told shipping should start on January 27th.
@Greg Dalton
OK. I can see it now. I normally use Ctrl+F to find for text, but VP9 (shown as VP 9) is only displayed in one picture.
I’m hoping that means YouTube @ 4K will work.
@OK
Ive often wondered the same thing, its like Chinese manufactures refuse to let go of this old ass GPU smh
Is it easy to rank Chinese ARM SoC manufacturers (Rockchip, AMLogic, AllWinner) in order of best Linux SDK support?
It’s the same as you ranked.
Best to avoid Allwinner as their devices has lots of hardware and software issues.
I’m running Kodi on Linux on Rockchip RK3288 & RK3368 and it works well.
AMLogic has Openelec support but I haven’t seen any full Linux OS running on their devices.
@Tony
@dewettie
I’d have a slightly different ranking, placing Amlogic first thanks to Hardkernel ODROID boards and Amlogic actual Linux SDK with proper drivers, Rockchip in second, as few platforms properly support GPU and VPU drivers (done via libhybris I assume), and Allwinner last.
However, if you are interested in Linux mainline support, and are OK with headless systems, Allwinner is quite good (thanks to sunxi-linux community), followed by Rockchip (the company is directly involved), and Amlogic that only sees limited activity in mainline.
The C.H.I.P project has selected an AllWinner SoC, so the transition from headless to FULL O/S is coming soon I suppose.
@Gadget Friendly
Yes….that PACKING BOX above seems to be wrong. It states that the device has a Quad core GPU.
but Mali 400 MP2……contains infact 3 cores. (2 are “fragment” processors and 1 is a “vertex” processor)
Mail 400 MP4…..contains 5 cores. (4 are fragment(p’s) and 1 is a vertex p.)
so it’s wrong (according to what google says)
http://www.notebookcheck.net/ARM-Mali-400-MP4.110719.0.html
They seem to reuse packaging, because it really doesn’t matter. The inside counts.
Did anybody get the box?
How is it?
@Gabe
I was supposed to get one, but nothing so far, not even a tracking number.
Apparently same model, but with a different name: MXQ R9, and price: $38.26 – http://www.aliexpress.com/item/MEMOBOX-MXQ-R9-Android-TV-Box-Quad-Core-RK3229-1G-8G-Smart-TV-Box-KODI-XBMC/32602678805.html
@cnxsoft
Here is some more info about MXQ R9:
http://www.unuiga.com/productshow.asp?id=507
http://androidtvbox.eu/unuiga-mxq-r9-another-android-tv-box-powered-by-new-rockchip-rk3229/
first review of an rk3299 device
handle very well 4k video at high biterate (the last demo konka 4k@74mbps)
very impressive for a so cheap device
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUsYPhzps1I
31$ on alixpress free shipping, nice deal
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Tronsmart-MXQ-4K-RK3229-Quad-Core-Android-TV-Box-1G-8G-WiFi-HDMI2-0-4K2K-H/323423_32600309932.html?spm=5261.7900140.2169899.29.z8XWXz
@Gabe
Well, I’m one of the fools, who has got it … totally unusable.
System hangs very often, Kodi, upgraded from v15.2 RC2 (embedded) to v15.2 stable, doesn’t even start (I’ve got to go back to factory reset).
Wondering whether there is going to be available firmware update from v1.0.0 … 🙂
Anyway – a toy for an enthusiast, who doesn’t care about frequent restarts (just by pulling the power cord out) isn’t 29.90 USD so bad …
@pajaja
To be precise – my comment concerns MXQ-4K from Geekbuying http://www.geekbuying.com/item/MXQ-4K-RK3229-Smart-TV-Box-Android-4-4-1G-8G-H-264-H-265-10Bit-WIFI-LAN-KODI-16-0-HDMI-DLNA-AirPlay-Miracast-362455.html
@pajaja
Maybe that’s why I have not received mine yet 🙂
@cnxsoft
I’ve written a negative comment considering this MXQ-4K on Geekbuying site with only one star rating – the comment is there, but – BINGO – with FOUR STARS !!! 🙁
Another model with very similar specs + Bluetooth: MX Plus II for $34.99 @ http://www.geekbuying.com/item/MX-PLUS-II-RK3229-4K-Bluetooth-4-0-KDOI-Preinstalled-TV-BOX-1G-8G-4K-10bit-H-265-H-264-Smart-Media-Player-363102.html
MXQ 4K firmware upgrade @ http://blog.geekbuying.com/index.php/2016/02/20/mxq-4k-rk3229-smart-tv-box-firmware-update/
Probably this isn’t an upgrade, but the original firmware looking at the date of the firmware > 27012016
@natsu
This is not a tronsmart brand, i don’t know why they put tronsmart name on the title :((
@natsu
check again… 43.00
MX4 looks similar but with coaxial S/PDIF for $29 @ http://www.gearbest.com/tv-box-mini-pc/pp_326919.html
I would really like a review from cnxsoft of a rk3229 box ( for power consumptions measurements mainly)…
@data
Not a review yet, but that’s a start: http://www.cnx-software.com/2016/03/09/10-bit-h-264-and-h-265-video-playback-in-mxq-4k-rockchip-rk3229-tv-box/
Power consumption is basically the same for all boxes, and MXQ-4K does not support power off only standby.
ok thanks. does clicking the android 4.4 bottom menu bar icons put it in standby ? same with the remote (up left)”power” button ?
@data
No power icon in the status bar, so the only way is to press the remote power button, unless you install a separate app to turn on the box.
I’ve connected a bunch of devices including an HDD, and idle power consumption is 5.2W, standby power consumption: 1.4 to 2.0 Watts.
@cnxsoft
will the firmware updates you posted from geekbuying for the MXQ boxes work on the MX4, or safe to assume no?
not sure I understand your measures :
standby power consumption: 1.4 to 2.0 Watts : all this only to receive infrared remote ON signal ?
5.2W is android lowest idle power but with an HDD ?
seems like most RK3229 box PCBs are not rooted : do you confirm ? is it easy to unroot with kingroot ?
@data
Standby: power is still on, screen off. It should be like your tablet/smartphone when the screen is off.
Yes, when the box is on the minimum power consumption with hard drive, USB keyboard, RF dongle is 5.2 Watts.
@data
Rooting is just related to firmware. MXQ 4K can be easily rooted.
Do you still suggest buying one today? I saw it on Geekbuying for $29.99.
@Scoffie
You may want to read:
http://www.cnx-software.com/2016/03/09/10-bit-h-264-and-h-265-video-playback-in-mxq-4k-rockchip-rk3229-tv-box/
then http://www.cnx-software.com/2016/04/07/rockchip-rk3229-video-playback-take-2-10-bit-h-264-h-265-audio-hd-pass-through-with-zidoo-x1-ii/ for some potential fix.
My box only plays in black and white through the AV socket, I’ve changed it from PAL to NTSC but nothing works can you help, is there a setting or is it faulty?
@Mike Burnett
I’ve seen this happens when connecting composite to component inputs (on other devices -> http://www.cnx-software.com/2014/10/03/review-of-tronsmart-orion-r28-meta-4kh-265-android-tv-box/), or it could just be an issue with the firmware.
@cnxsoft
Thanks for replying, not sure what to do, it’s the latest firmware…