QNAP Launches TS-128A & TS-228A Entry-Level NAS Powered by Realtek RTD1295 SoC

Realtek RTD1295 can be found in mid range to high-end 4K TV boxes that often include a SATA bay or interface, as well as an HDMI input port that supports PVR, PiP, and UDP broadcasting, with the devices normally running both Android and OpenWrt simultaneously respectively for multimedia apps, and storage/network functions. But last year, we also spotted QNAP & Synology working on entry-level NAS based on the processor, and the former has now launched the TS-x28A series with two models: TS-128A & TS-228A equipped with respectively one and two 3.5″ SATA bays. QNAP TS-128A & TS-228A specifications: SoC – Realtek RTD1295 quad-core Arm Cortex A53 processor @ up to 1.4GHz with hardware encryption acceleration engine System Memory – 1GB DDR4 (soldered) Storage 4GB eMMC flash for firmware Drive Bay TS-128A – 1x 3.5″ SATA 6Gbps TS-228A – 2x 3.5″ SATA 6Gbps Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet Port (RJ45) USB – […]

ASRock Unveils J4105-ITX & J4105B-ITX Gemini Lake Mini-ITX Motherboards

We’ve already seen several Intel Gemini Lake mini PCs at CES 2018 from companies such as ZOTAC, MeLE or ECS, but if we exclude LattePanda Delta development board, I had not seen any motherboards with the latest low power Intel processors. But today I found out ASRock had listed at least two Gemini Lake mini-ITX motherboards  on their website, namely J4105-ITX & J4105B-ITX, both powered by an Intel Celeron J4105 quad core Desktop processor. Both motherboards have similar specifications, except for some connectors and features: SoC –  Intel Celeron J4105 quad core processor @ 1.50/2.5 GHz with 12EU Intel UHD Graphics 600 up to 750 MHz; 10W TDP System Memory – 2x DDR4-2400/2100 SO-DIMM slots up to 8GB (2GB per module not supported) Storage 2x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s connectors, support NCQ, AHCI and Hot Plug 128Mb NOR flash for AMI UEFI BIOS with GUI support J4105-ITX only – 2x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s […]

CCC Air Stick 4K TV Stick Runs Android TV, Supports HDR10, aptX HD Bluetooth Audio (Japan)

It’s been a while since I have seen an Amlogic S912 TV stick, and so far none of them would run Android TV operating system. But CCC Air Stick 4K does, meaning it supports Google Cast like a ChromeCast, as well as Voice Commands through a remote control. The company also claims support for aptX and aptX HD Bluetooth audio, as well as online services such as Hulu, Netflix, Spotify, and some Japanese specific services, since the TV stick only targets the Japanese market. Air Stick 4K specifications: SoC – Amlogic S912J 64-bit octa core Arm Cortex A53 @ up to 1.5GHz with Arm Mali GPU System Memory – 2 GB Storage – 16 GB flash Video Output – HDMI 2.0a up to 4K @ 60 Hz with HDR10, CEC support Audio – HDMI audio output, aptX / aptX audio over Bluetooth Connectivity Dual band (2.4 GHz/5 GHz) 802.11b/g/n/ac WiFi […]

$38 MECOOL M8S PRO W “with Voice Control” TV Box Runs Android TV 7.1 OS

There was a time when most TV boxes would run Android operating system for mobile with lots of modifications to make it suitable for the big screen, except for a few models that would run the official Android TV operating systems. But things are now changing, with announced from Geniatech, WeTek, and others all announcing certified Android TV set-top boxes and media hubs. We’ve even been told Amlogic will now only provide Android TV SDK from now on with no support for “normal Android”, and the good news is that inexpensive TV box running Android TV will become common place, and one of those devices, MECOOL M8S PRO W is the cheapest I’ve seen so far going for $37.99 shipped with coupon DSJMVRWB (pre-order) MECOOL M8S PRO W specifications: SoC – Amlogic S905W quad core ARM Cortex-A53 processor with penta-core Mali-450MP3 GPU @ 750 MHz System Memory – 2GB DDR3 […]

ORICO 1088USJ3 Multi-Bay SATA to USB3.0 Enclosure Supports up to Ten 3.5″ Hard Drives

USB expansion drives and multi-bay NAS devices are both very common form of storage which have different applications, but I had never thought or seen multi-bay USB expansion drivers until I came across ORICO NS200U3 “2-bay USB 3.0 hard drive dock” on GearBest (~$82) that can handle two 3.5″ hard drives. This piqued my interest, so I went to ORICO website looking for models supporting more hard drives, and found ORICO 1088USJ3, a 10-bay USB 3.0 to SATA enclosure that can provide up to 80TB of local storage with 8TB drives. ORICO 1088USJ3 specifications: Storage – 10x SATA III slots up to 6 Gbps for 3.5″ HDD / SSD drive (up to 8TB per drive) Output Interface – USB 3.0 device port up to 5 Gbps Power Supply – 100-240V AC 50-60Hz Protection – Over-current, over-voltage, short circuit, overheat, and power leakage. Dimensions – 389(L) x 203(W) x 501(H)mm (aluminum […]

ODROID-HC2 Linux NAS System for 3.5″ Hard Drives Launched for $54

We knew it was coming, and Hardkernel has now launched an updated version of the ODROID-HC1, called ODROID-HC2 based on the same Samsung Exynos 5422 board, but instead supporting 3.5″ hard drives. The device can now be purchased for $54 plus shipping, but you may also consider adding some accessories like a 12V/2A power supply, and the top cover for the enclosure. [Update: Also listed on Ameridroid now]ODROID-HC2 specifications: SoC – Samsung Exynos 5422 octa-core processor with 4x ARM Cortex-A15 @ 2.0 GHz, 4x ARM Cortex-A7 @ 1.4GHz, and Mali-T628 MP6 GPU supporting OpenGL ES 3.0 / 2.0 / 1.1 and OpenCL 1.1 Full profile System Memory – 2GB LPDDR3 RAM PoP @ 750 MHz Storage UHS-1 micro SD slot up to 128GB SATA interface via JMicron JMS578 USB 3.0 to SATA bridge chipset Case supports 2.5″ or 3.5″ drives up to 27mm thick Network Connectivity – 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet (via […]

Cracking Open a Self-Powered Shower Temperature Display

A month ago, I wrote about a $10 self-powered thermometer display that connects to your shower header and can display the water temperature near real-time to help with mixing hot and cold water tap to achieve the perfect temperature. It’s not really useful where I live, but I was hoping somebody would buy one, and crack it open to find out how it works. It turns out MickMake has done just that even bringing an oscilloscope in the shower… If you just want to use the thing, the good news is that it appears to work well, and temperature is displayed within less than one second after turning the tap, and goes up as hot/warm water goes through it. Now for the teardown… It does not seem that easy to open it, but he managed, and found a 470 uF capacitor, LS164 8-bit shift register for the LCD display, ABS6 […]

ZidooLab OPS Android Digital Signage Players are Powered by Rockchip RK3368 or Realtek RTD1295 SoC

Zidoo is known for their Arm based Android TV boxes targeting the consumer market, but the company also runs ZidooLab for the B2B market, and especially digital signage application, which may explain why they release a digital signage SDK a while ago. The company can customize hardware and software for their customer’s needs, but what caught my intention is that they have Arm based digital signage players that comply with OPS (Open Pluggable Specification) that was first released by Intel in 2010, and defines electrical, mechanical and thermal specifications of OPS compliant devices which are meant to be plugged into compliant monitors. ZidooLab has currently two Android OPS hosts: A1 & A2 that share most of the same specifications, except for the processor, and some I/Os: SoC A1 – Rockchip RK3368 octa-core Cortex A53 processor up to 1.5 GHz, PowerVR G6110 GPU A2 – Realtek RTD1295 quad core Cortex A53 […]

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