MeLE PCG01 is a Windows 8.1 TV Stick with External WiFi Antenna, Optimized Thermal Design

MeLE has released their own Intel Atom Z3735F HDMI TV Stick running Windows 8.1. MeLE PCG01 looks very much like MeegoPad T01, but the company claims to be the first to include an external Wi-Fi antenna, and they’ve worked on improving power dissipation. MeLE PCG01 specifications: SoC – Intel Atom Z3735F  “Bay Trail” quad core processor @ 1.33 GHz (Bust freq: 1.83 GHz) with Intel HD graphics Gen 7 (2W TDP) System Memory – 2 GB DDR3L-1333 Storage – 32 GB eMMC (Class 5 up to 90MB/s) + micro SD slot Video & Audio Output – HDMI Connectivity – 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi up to 300 Mbps and Bluetooth 4.0 with external antenna USB – 2x micro USB port (including one for power only), 1x USB host port Misc – Power button Power Supply – 5V/2A via micro USB port. Dimensions – 102 x 49 x 11.5mm Weight – N/A The […]

Eny EKB368 TV Box with Rockchip RK3368 Runs Android 5.1

We’ve had a first glimpse at RK3368 Android TV Boxes when Rockchip showcased X6 TV box during one of their events. However, that box was targeting the Chinese market only, but Eny Technology informed me they are about to launch EKB368 TV box destined to overseas markets. Eny EKB368 specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3368 octa core Cortex A53 processor @ 1.5 GHz with PowerVR G6110 GPU with support for OpenGL ES 1.x/2.0/3.x, OpenGL 3.2, DirectX 9.3, OpenCL 1.2 EP, and Renderscript System Memory – 2 GB DDR3 (Option: 1GB) Storage – 8GB NAND flash (Options: 4GB/8GB/16GB/32GB) + micro SD card slot up to 32GB Video Output – HDMI 2.0 up to 4K @ 60Hz Audio Output – HDMI, 3.5mm audio jack, optical S/PDIF Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 4.0 (AP6335 by default) USB – 2x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x micro USB OTG port Power Supply […]

How to Unbrick MeegoPad T01 (Intel Atom Z3735F) HDMI TV Stick

When you use one of the Intel Atom Z3735F mini PCs, there’s very little chance to brick it as long as you use the pre-installed operating systems. But if you play around with the BIOS, or use one of the recent dual boot firmware that re-flash the BIOS when you switch OS, there’s a real possibility to completely brick your device. Ian Morrison (Linuxium) and Deadhp1 posted separate instructions to flash the BIOS and recover their devices. Both bricked MeegoPad T01, and deadhp1 used CH341a USB programmer which only supports 3.3V/5V, while the SPI flash on T01 only support 1.8V. It worked for him, but it could potentially fry the flash. So it’s probably better to with Ian’s solution involving EZP_XPro USB Programmer and some SOIC8 Test Clips. Once you get the hardware, you’ll need to download on install EZP XPro Flash 1.4 on a Windows PC. Now follow the […]

Lemon Pi Board is a $35 Raspberry Pi 2 Alternative Powered by Actions Semi S500 SoC (Crowdfunding)

I wrote about ActDuino S500 last month. It’s a development board powered by Actions Semi S500 quad core Cortex A9 processor, but very few details were available, and release date and pricing had not been disclosed. EmbedStudio, a Shenzhen startup, has now launched an Indiegogo campaign (flexible funding) for their Lemon Pi board based on S500 processor. Lemon Pi specifications: SoC – Actions Semi S500 quad core Cortex A9r4 processor with 512KB L2 Cache and a PowerVR SGX544 GPU with OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0, OpenVG 1.0.1, and OpenCL support Memory – 1GB DDR3 RAM (Option: 2GB, not part of crowdfunding rewards) Storage – micro SD slot. Option: Up to 64GB eMMC 4.5 flash, not part of crowdfunding rewards. Video Output – HDMI 1.4 with HDCP, 3.5mm jack for CVBS (AV), MIPI DSI Audio – HDMI, AV (Line out / microphone) Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet (RJ45; RTL8201F) USB – 2x USB 2.0 […]

Olimex Announces RT5350F-OLinuXino and Evaluation Boards Availability

Olimex had been working on a small board with Ralink RT5350F processor for over a year, with delays mostly due to software development and undocumented registers. But RT5350F-OlinuXino is now available together with an evaluation board with tow relays, two Ethernet ports, and expansions headers, as well as a DIN EBV still in development. RT5350F-OlinuXino specifications: SoC – Ralink / Mediatek RT5350F MIPS24KEc CPU @ 360 MHz System Memory – 32MB SDRAM Storage – 8MB SPI NAND Flash 3x headers with access to USB 2.0 HOST/Device 5x 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port GPIOs, SPI, I2C I2S, PCM UART JTAG Power – 3x external DCDC power converters releasing internal RT5350F vreg and preventing common problem with overheating with this chip. Dimensions – N/A Operating Temperature Range – -10 to +55C The board is pre-loaded OpenWRT with Linux 3.18.11. You can find builds instructions and other documentation in the Wiki, as well as […]

Tronsmart Introduces EZCast / Miracast Adapters with 802.11ac, Ethernet

EZcast adapters are HDMI sticks supporting Miracast, DLNA, and EZcast protocol that were launched in 2013. I tested a few with Tronsmart T1000 and Widicast EC-E2, and they did the job mostly as advertised, but suffered from lag in Android, mostly affecting games, as well as poor performance with Windows, at least with the firmware I used. Tronsmart has now launched new models including Tronsmart T1000 Plus with 802.11ac WiFi, and Tronsmart T3000 with Ethernet that should fix most of these issues. Tronsmart T1000 Plus T1000 Plus adapter specifications: SoC- Action Semi AM8251 @ 600MHz (MIPS) System memory – 128 MB DDR3 RAM Storage – 128 MB NAND Flash Video output – HDMI up to 1080p Wi-Fi – 802.11 b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi with WEP, WPA and WPA2 support Standards – Miracast, Airplay, DLNA, and EZCast USB – USB port for power and connect the external USB cable with Wi-Fi module Misc […]

Faytech FTA20 Allwinner A20 Industrial SBC Works with Touch Panels

Faytech is a company specializing in touch monitors and touch pc, but recently they started to develop embedded boards, and their latest FTA20 single board computer is powered by Allwinner A20 SoC, and offer various optional wireless options like Bluetooth, WiFi, 3G, and GPS. The board also supports the company’s 9.7”, 10.1”, 15” and 21.5” capacitive displays. FTA20 Specifications (to be confirmed): SoC – Allwinner A20 dua lcore Cortex A7 processor @ 1GHz with Mali-400MP2 GPU @ 500MHz System Memory – 1GB DDR3 Storage – 8GB NAND Flash, 1x SD card slot, 1x SATA port (via headers) Video Output – 1x HDMI, 1x VGA, 18/24Bit LVDS Audio – Audio-Chip Integrated HI-FI 100dB Audio Codec, 2x3W amplifier; 5.1 Channel High Definition Audio Codec; 1x Line-In, 1x Line-Out Connectivity 1x 10/100/1000Mbit RJ45 Ports with connector for POE WiFi Optional Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS 1x SIM-card (to be used with mPCIe modem???) USB […]

Artway W8 Plus is a $100 Mini PC with HDMI and DisplayPort

Most mini PCs with Intel Atom Z3735F only come with HDMI output, while a few others feature both HDMI and VGA like MeLE PCG03, but if you need a cheap mini PC with both HDMI and DisplayPort as found in Intel NUC, Artway W8 Plus is worth a look especially since it sells for just $99 on Aliexpress. W8 Plus specifications: SoC – Intel Atom Z3735F quad core processor @ 1.33 GHz (Bust freq: 1.83 GHz) with Intel HD graphics System Memory – 2 GB DDR3L Storage – 32 GB eMMC  (16, 64 or 128GB optional) + micro SD card slot Video Output – HDMI 1.4b, and DisplayPort Audio I/F – HDMI, audio out and mic in jacks Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi (RTL8723BS or AP6330), and Bluetooth 4.0 USB – 4x USB 2.0 host Misc – Power Button, RTC Power Supply – 5V/2A Dimensions – 107 x […]