Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft), Author at CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

March 27, 2014March 27, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 19 Comments

Review of Mele X1000 Blu-Ray Android TV Box (Telechips TCC8935)

Mele X1000 is an Android media player based on Telechips TCC8935 dual core Cortex A9 that is said to support Blu-ray video playback. You can refer to Mele X1000 specs for more technical details, as well as my previous Mele X1000 Unboxing post for pictures of the device, as well as the PCB. Today I’ll review Mele X1000, by showing off the user interface, and going through the different settings, test video playback including a Blu-ray ISO, wi-fi performance, and report whether all other features such as Bluetooth, USB mass storage, USB webcam, etc… work as expected. First Boot, Settings and First Impressions This media player comes with an infrared remote and corresponding AAA batteries, but during most the tests I’ve actually switched to Mele F10 RF remote (not included) as it’s just more convenient to navigate menus, and I’ve also test an Android Remote app compatible with the device, […]

March 27, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 18 Comments

ECS LIVA is a Complete Sub $200 mini PC based on Intel Bay Trail-M SoC

Many low cost Intel mini PCs sold on the market do not include storage and memory, and you have to add them yourself. On the contrary, ECS LIVA desktop computer powered by an Intel Bay Trail-M processor will work out of the box as it comes with 32GB eMMC and 2GB DDR3L, both soldered on board, and will sell for less $200 once it becomes available. Here are the currently available specifications of this small x86 computer: SoC – Unspecified Intel Bay Trail-M SoC. It should be on of the N2800, N2900 or N3500 series. System Memory – 2GB DDR3L Storage – 32GB eMMC Video Output – 1x HDMI, 1x VGA Audio – 2-ch audio combo jack (Realtek ALC282) Connectivity 1x Gigabit Ethernet (Realtek RTL8111G) IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 (AzureWave AW-NB136NF 2) USB – 1x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0 Expansion – M.2 interface (NGFF) Thermal – […]

March 26, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Compulab CM-T54 Computer-on-Module Powered by Texas Instruments OMAP5432

CompuLab has introduced CM-T54 Computer-on-Module (CoM) powered by Texas Instruments OMAP5432 SoC with dual ARM Cortex-A15 CPU @ 1.5GHz coupled with Imagination Technologies PowerVR SGX544 GPU. The module also features up to up to 4GB DDR3, up-to 64GB eMMC, and provides Ethernet, SATA, USB 3.0 interfaces among others. Target applications include digital signage, industrial media players and IPTV. CM-T54 specifications: SoC – Texas Instruments OMAP5432 dual Cortex-A15 @ 1.5GHz with PowerVR SGX544 GPU, 2x Cortex M4 cores, IVA-HD video subsystem and TMS320DM64 32-bit DSP core System Memory – 512MB – 4GB DDR3-1066, single / dual-channel 32-bit data bus Storage – Up to 64GB eMMC flash, SATA II interface, 3.0 Gbps, Up to 3x MMC/SD/SDIO (3V levels) up to 32GB each. Display Parallel 24-bit display. Up to 1920×1080 @ 60Hz HDMI 1.4. Up to 1920×1080 @ 60Hz MIPI/DSI (4x lanes) @ 1Gbps Optional LVDS. Up to 1920×1080 @ 60Hz Support for […]

March 26, 2014March 26, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 25 Comments

$192 Nvidia Jetson TK1 Development Board with Tegra K1 Quad Core Cortex A15 SoC

Nvidia has just unveiled Jetson TK1 development kit powered by their 32-bit Tegra K1 quad core Cortex A15 processor with a 192-core Kepler GPU. This board targets computer-vision applications for robotics, medical, avionics, and automotive industries that can leverage the compute capabilities of the Kepler GPU. Jetson TK1 devkit specifications: SoC – Nvidia Tegra K1 SoC with 4-Plus-1 quad-core ARM Cortex A15 CPU, and Kepler GPU with 192 CUDA cores (Model T124) System Memory – 2 GB x16 memory with 64 bit width Storage – 16 GB 4.51 eMMC memory, SATA data + power ports, full size SD/MMC slot, and 4MB SPI boot flash. Video Output – HDMI port Audio – ALC5639 Realtek Audio codec with Mic in and Line out Connectivity – RTL8111GS Realtek GigE LAN USB – 1x USB 2.0 OTG port, micro AB, 1x USB 3.0 port, A Debugging – RS232 serial port, JTAG Expansion 1x Half […]

March 25, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 6 Comments

Rufus Cuff Wrist Communicator is the Smart Watch Equivalent of Phablets (Crowdfunding)

A few years ago, smartphone with a 5″ display were also laughed at, before phablet basically became the norm. Now most smartwatches feature a screen between 1.5″ to 1.8″, but Rufus Cuff goes big with a 3″ screen, that you can strap to your wrist and be used a as watch, a web browser, music player, as well as send SMS and make calls via your smartphone, or if you don’t have one via VoIP thanks to the Wi-Fi connection. Here are the technical specifications: Processor – Texas Instruments Cortex A8 Processor (OMAP3 or Sitara) System Memory – N/A Storage – 16GB Storage Display – 3.0″ TFT Capacitive Touchscreen, 400 x 240 QVGA Resolution Connectivity – Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, GPS Camera – Front-facing Video Camera Audio – Speaker, and microphone Sensors – Accelerometer, 6-Axis Gyroscope. Misc – Vibration Alert, Alerts & Flashlight LEDs Battery – ~1000 mAh […]

March 25, 2014March 25, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 23 Comments

Mele X1000 Blu-ray Navigation Android Box Unboxing

Beside Mele Cast S1 Wi-Fi display dongle, Mele also sent me their X1000 Blu-ray Navigation Android Box. This device is interesting as it features a new SoC, namely Telechips TCC8935 dual core Cortex A9, supports Blu-ray navigation, SATA drives, and comes pre-loaded with XBMC. You can read my Mele X1000 post to get the full hardware specifications. Today, I’ll show unboxing pictures and video, as well as photos of the PCB. In a few days, I’ll follow up with a complete detailed review. Mele X1000 Unboxing Pics and Video I’ve received the device in a carton box, with a sticker showing the specs, and providing a link to meleshop.com. The product is listed in this site but they don’t actually sell it there. and instead Mele X1000 can be purchased in Aliexpress for $179, including shipping via Singapore Post. In the package, you’ll find the media player, an IR remote […]

March 25, 2014March 25, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 11 Comments

USB 3.0 Connectors and Receptacles Explained

The other day, I opened one of the products I received for review, and I found a blue connector on the board with no description. USB 3.0 connectors are blue this connection seemed “funny” with two internal connectors, and I though it must have been something else, and asked on Google+. It turned out this is a USB 3.0 Standard-B receptacle. As my knowledge about USB 3.0 connectors was obviously lacking, I’ve decided to investigate and have a look at the different existing and upcoming USB 3.0 connectors that we should find in different types of devices and computers now or very soon. Standard-A USB 3.0 connectors and receptacles This is the easy one, it looks very similar to the USB 2.0 connectors, except it’s blue and adds 5 pins for USB 3.0 connectivity. It’s backward compatible with USB 2.0, and the receptacle is used for hosts. Most people must have […]

March 25, 2014March 25, 2014 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

Discounts on Smartphones, Tablets, and mini PCs with Shopping Festivals on Aliexpress & GeekBuying

Spring shopping festivals are currently taking place on GeekBuying and Aliexpress, where you can get coupon, and/or discounted products. Aliexpress shopping festival has actually started a few days ago, and right now (25th of March) there are sales with discounts up to 50% for smartphones, tablets, and TV Sticks. You can actual search for anything you want, with “On Sale (3/25 Only)” enabled to check product for sale, add them to your cart, and do the actual purchase on the 25th. Discount varies, but most of the time they offer about 15% discount, and sometimes they just allow you to purchase products using the coupons. Deal include MK808B $34.74 for instead of $40.86, Tronsmart T1000 EZcast dongle for $23.84 (16% discount – instead of $28.39), MK908 for $47.6, and so on. Octacore smartphone deals include ThL W200C for $259.69, and ZOPO 990+ for $277. GeekBuying have their own Shopping Carnival running […]