We’ve previously covered LAKE I Home Cloud as one of the cheapest TV boxes based on Realtek RTD1295 processor, and featuring HDMI input for video recording and/or streaming video from an external source up to 1080p60, as well as an SATA bay for 2.5″ drives.
A reader has just informed me the device was now available for an even cheaper price, as it is offered for just $53.99 + shipping on GearBest.
The specifications are pretty standard for an RTD1295 media center:
- SoC – Realtek RTD1295 quad core Cortex A53 processor with ARM Mali-T820 MP3 GPU
- System Memory – 2GB DDR4
- Storage – 16GB eMMC 5.1 flash + SD card slot up to 128 GB + SATA hard disk bay for 2.5″ drives with 9.5mm / 7.5mm thickness
- Video I/O – HDMI 2.0a output, and HDMI input (recording and streaming up to 1080p @ 60 Hz)
- Audio I/O – HDMI in and out, 1x S/PDIF output
- Video Playback – HDR, 10-bit HEVC/H.265 up to 4K @ 60fps, H.264 up to 4K @ 24 fps, VP9 up to 4K @ 30 fps, BDISO/MKV, etc… automatic frame rate switching
- Audio Features – 7.1 channel audio pass-through
- Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet, dual band 802.11 b/g/n/ac WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 with two external antennas
- USB – 1x USB 3.0, 3x USB 2.0 ports
- Misc – IR receiver, front panel display, RTC with battery
- Power Supply – 12V/1.5A
- Dimensions – 132 x 124 x 27 mm
- Weight – 210 grams
You won’t get a really recent operating systems, as the device still ships with the same Android 6.0 OS as when it was released last year. The device ships with a HDMI Cable, a power adapter, and an Infrared Remote control.
When we first covered the product last year it was pretty new, so no reviews were available, but since time has passed there are some interesting reviews such as the one embedded below.
I could not see any mention of OpenWrt in this review, which is often used in RTD1295 boxes along side Android, but the firmware does include Qodi – no typo, bu a fork of Kodi. He also checked out HDMI input, but with a direct connection to an Apple TV 4, so it failed to record due to HDCP. Inserting an HDMI splitter may help working around the restrictions.
Thanks to Lalith for the tip.
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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Rockchip? I thought it was Realtek..
Realtek 1295
He fixed the mistake in the intro
There is an option to run OpenWRT on this SOC:
https://www.minimachines.net/actu/zidoo-x9s-39562
Now I don’t know how to recording feature is done then…
If you check your link this is just picking up an earlier cnxsoft article: https://www.cnx-software.com/2016/04/10/zidoo-x9s-android-6-0-tv-box-features-realtek-rtd1295-processor-with-sata-3-0-hdmi-2-0a-output-and-input/
The OpenWrt runs alongside Android, you get no sources, can’t change/fix anything and the best part is: you support RealTek’s GPL violations.
Will pass the issue with the OpenWRT developers. OpenWRT has a trademark, which can be enforced if needed.
It took us just 2 weeks to ‘convince’ BPi people to open their GitHub repo containing RealTek’s 4.9 kernel and u-boot 2015.07 for RTD1296 (most probably suitable for RTD1295 too)
https://forum.armbian.com/topic/7376-banana-pi-bpi-w2/?do=findComment&comment=61145
It’s always good to see pricing going down on the hardware, and open source support going up. Thx for the heads up!
Lake I Home Cloud down to $51.99 with coupon QdL44wRu . It will begin at 16:00, 24th (UTC+8) @ https://www.gearbest.com/tv-box-mini-pc/pp_654923.html?wid=1433363
Now at $48.99 inc p+p to UK , on Gearbest 4 day sale !
Someone is getting Armbian running on this cloud tv
https://forum.armbian.com/topic/9285-proof-of-concept-realtek-1295/
Thanks for this info !
SuperrCeleron ( Senior Rom Developer ) has received Android FW 107 from Lake and says he will work on it, when he has time .
” 02-20-2019, 14:31
well i just got 107 fw for lake… when i have time i will start doing something on it! ”
https://forum.freaktab.com/forum/tv-player-support/realtek-based-tv-players/rtd1295/749982-rom-lake-i-2gb-16gb-scv1/page3
There is a two days left sale, for Lake I Home Cloud TV , EU Plug from CN-099 wharehouse on Gearbest for $48.99. Any other option and it costs $82.99 .
https://www.gearbest.com/tv-box-mini-pc/pp_654924.html?wid=1433363#goodsDetail