LinkStar H68K – A Rockchip RK3568 “multimedia” router with dual 2.5GbE, dual Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 6

Linkstar H68K is a Rockchip RK3568 multimedia router with two 2.5GbE ports, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, an optional WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 module, a few USB ports, and an HDMI 2.1 port supporting up to 4Kp60.

Rockchip RK3568 was initially introduced as a solution for NVRs, but I’ve yet to see any, Instead, we’ve gotten some SBCs and mini PCs, as well as several routers such as NanoPi R5S, FastRhino R68s, and the upcoming Radxa E25 that will be announced next week.

Linkstar H68K specifications:

• SoC – Rockchip RK3568 quad-core Cortex-A55 processor @ up to 2.0 GHz with Arm Mali-G52 MP2 GPU, 0.8 TOPS AI accelerator, 4Kp60 H.265/H.264/VP9 video decoder, 1080p60 H.264/H.265 video encoder
• System Memory – 4GB LPDDR4X
• Storage
  • 32GB eMMC flash
  • MicroSD card socket
• Video Output – 1x HDMI 2.1 port up to 4Kp60
• Audio – 3.5mm audio jack, digital audio via HDMI
• Networking
  • 2x 2.5GbE RJ45 ports via 2x Realtek RTL8125B tested up to 2.35/2.31 Gbps
  • 2x Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports via 2x Realtek RTL8211F tested up to 944/941 Mbps
  • Optional WiFi 6 up to 1200Mbps & Bluetooth 5.2 via MT7921 PCIe module and two external antennas
• USB – 1x USB 3.0 Type-A port, 1x USB 3.0 Type-C port, 2x USB 2.0 Type-A ports
• Misc – Power button, IR receiver, 3x LEDs, pin holes for firmware update, factory reset, and reboot
• Power supply – 5-24V DC via power barrel jack (12V-1A DC recommended)  or 5V via USB Type-C port
• Power consumption – 8W typ.
• Dimensions –  80 x 60 x 40 mm
• Temperature Range – -10℃ to 55℃

We’re told the “router” ships pre-installed with Android 11 OS and also supports Ubuntu, OpenWrt, and Debian (TBC). Seeed Studio says the current Android and Ubuntu images do not support the MT7921 wireless module, so if you want to use WiFi and/or Bluetooth the only option are to run OpenWrt or Debian operating system or to use a USB dongle.

The company has not released the OS images yet, but the documentation mostly shows instructions for OpenWrt, and the procedure to switch to Ubuntu or Android. It appears the OpenWrt image is a fork whose code is maintained on GitHub where you’ll also find the binary images for a range of Rockchip routers, Amlogic TV boxes, and the ODROID-N2 SBC among others. Applications for the device include VPN router, NAS, game server, digital signage, print server, firewall, and so on.

The screenshot in the documentation shows the system is running OpenWrt with Linux 4.19.258, and the device is named HINLINK OPC-H68K.

Seeed Studio is taking pre-orders for the router for $89.00 without the wireless module, and $119 with the WiFi 6 & Bluetooth 5.2 module. For people purchasing from China or in quantities, HINLINK offers the device with a wider range of options including 2 or 4GB RAM, only Gigabit Ethernet ports, and a choice between AP6256 WiFi 5 or MT7921 WiFi 6 modules.

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