Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 15 Comments on Google Chromecast with Google TV Runs Android TV OS, Ships with a Remote Control

Google Chromecast with Google TV Runs Android TV OS, Ships with a Remote Control

Chromecast with Google TV

When Google Chromecast first launched in 2013, it was based on a stripped-down version of ChromeOS and was meant to be used controlled via your Android phone, iPhone, Windows PC, or Mac computer to stream audio and video, and even more recent versions like Chromecast Ultra were not standalone media players. But Google’s “Chromecast with Google TV” changes all that as it’s based on Android TV OS and supports all 6,500 apps designed for the operating systems, and ships with a remote control to playback videos from YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and other apps without the need for your phone or a computer, although it still support all existing Chromecast features. Chromecast with Google TV hardware specifications: SoC – Quad-core processor @ 1.8GHz with ARM Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, likely Amlogic S905X2 or even S905Y2 since there’s no Ethernet. [Update: It’s Amlogic S905D3 according to a screenshot provided by Android TV rumors.] System Memory – 2GB RAM Storage – 8GB flash Video […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments on Marvell Unveils ARMADA 1500 Plus (88DE3108) SoC for Android and Linux Smart Video Platforms

Marvell Unveils ARMADA 1500 Plus (88DE3108) SoC for Android and Linux Smart Video Platforms

Building on top of it ARMADA 1500 SoC for Google TV, Marvell has recently announced the ARMADA 1500 Plus (88DE3108) HD secure media processor SoCdesigned for smart video products based on Android 4.2.2, and Linux, such as media players, OTT boxes, hybrid set-top boxes and smart TVs. ARMADA 1500 Plus features two ARM Cortex A9 cores, Vivante GC1000 and GC300 GPUs, respectively for 3D and 2D graphics,  and integrates an HDMI receiver and Gigabit Ethernet. Hisense will be among the first to use the platform with the upcoming H6 Smart TV and Pulse Pro set-top-box, but details have yet to be released for these two products. Here are the key features of 88DE3108 SoC: Processor – Dual core Cortex A9 with over 6000 Dhrystone MIPS Dedicated 3D and 2D graphics acceleration – dual threaded unified shader (Vivante GC1000 and GC300) with support for OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0 and DirectFB. Video vMeta Video Codec – Decoding: H.264, VC-1, MPEG2, AVS, VP8 and […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 6 Comments on NSZ-GU1, Sony’s Next Google TV Box will be an HDMI TV Stick

NSZ-GU1, Sony’s Next Google TV Box will be an HDMI TV Stick

Since 2010, Sony has been working on Google TV device, and last year they announced Sony NSZ-GS7, a Google TV 2.0 set-top box. This year, nothing have been announced yet, but a few pictures of a new device have shown up in the FCC site. Sony NSZ-GU1 will be some sort of HDMI TV stick that you insert into your TV, except it looks more like a small set-top box has been glued onto an HDMI TV dongle. Here are the specifications derived from the FCC fillings and pictures: SoC- Marvel 88DE3108-A1 dual core processor (Marvell Armada 1500). System Memory – 1GB RAM Storage – 4GB NAND Flash (Toshiba THGBM5G5, If I’ve read correctly) Video I/O – HDMI output (MHL) 720p/60, micro HDMI input  720p/60 Connectivity – 802.11b/g/n WiFi (AzureWave AW-NH390), Bluetooth 3.0 USB – 1x micro USB port (for power only?) Misc – IR Blaster Power – 5V via MHL or USB port Dimensions – 109 mm × 42 […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments on Asus Cube Google TV Unboxing and Demo Video

Asus Cube Google TV Unboxing and Demo Video

The Asus Qube, featuring Google TV 3.0 supporting, was first unveiled at CES 2013. Since then the device has lost its “Q”, has been renamed to Asus Cube, and is now available for pre-order in the US for $139.99 in Newegg, a bit earlier than initially planned (Q3 2012), but slightly more expensive than the $130 we were told to expect in January. The device will start to ship on 24th of April. First, just a quick reminder of the specs. Asus Cube is based on Marvell Armada 1500 Google TV platform, features HDMI out (for TV), HDMI in (for satellite or cable receiver), 2x USB ports, a IR blaster port and provides both Ethernet and Wi-Fi 802.11n connectivity. The Cube is a cube (duh!) measuring about 12.44 cm on each side. Newegg has uploaded a 21 minutes video discussing about the device with an Asus representative, describing the accessories or the Cube itself, and doing a demo of the […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment on Asus Qube Google TV 3.0 STB Hands-On Video

Asus Qube Google TV 3.0 STB Hands-On Video

Asus announced the Qube at CES 2013 with a rather laconic press release: Qube with Google TV – Bring the world of entertainment to your TV Instantly add Google TV to your HDTV with the ASUS Qube. Qube with Google TV offers both motion control and voice search that integrates Google Play, Chrome™, YouTube™in one compact device. With access to over 100,000 movies and TV shows* from Netflix and Amazon Instant Video, plus numerous apps, videos and games from Google Play, ASUS Qubewith Google TV is the perfect media content device. ASUS has developed the unique Qube interface, which displays functions via a rotating on-screen cube shape. The advanced remote control supports motion sensing for gaming and other applications. Customers can also control Qube with Google TV from their Android smartphones and tablets using the Mobile Remote app, available through Google Play. ASUS includes 50GB of WebStorage cloud space with every Qube with Google TV. Anandtech reports that the device […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments on $159 CuBox Pro: Open Source Development Platform Based on Marvell ARMADA SoC

$159 CuBox Pro: Open Source Development Platform Based on Marvell ARMADA SoC

Back in 2011, SolidRun unveiled the CuBox, a miniature open source development platform based on Marvell Armada 510 SoC (88AP510) and aimed at applications such as multimedia, set-top-box, network attached storage (NAS), thin client, digital signage, automation… SolidRun has now announced an upgraded version called CuBox Pro based on the same platform but with 2 GB RAM, and a redesigned casing. Here are the specifications of this development platform: Marvell Armada 510 SoC – 800 MHz dual issue ARM PJ4 processor, VFPv3, wmmx SIMD and 512KB L2 cache. 2GByte DDR3 at 800MHz 1080p Video Decode Engine OpenGL ES 2.0 graphic engine HDMI 1080p Output (with CEC function) Gigabit Ethernet, SPDIF (optical audio), eSata 3Gbps, 2xUSB 2.0, micro-SD, micro-USB (console) Standard Infra-red receiver for 38KHz based IR controllers. No JTAG required. Unbrickable for Developers (i.e. you can’t brick the device to the point you have to physically remove the flash, burn it and solder it again to repair it) Linux based distributions […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments on Vizio Co-Start (VAP430) Google TV Stream Player

Vizio Co-Start (VAP430) Google TV Stream Player

First announced at CES 2012, the Vizio VAP430 stream player featuring Google TV 2.0 has become available for pre-order for $99 last week. Here are the specs provided on Vizio website: Video Resolution Supported – 720p, 1080i, 1080p 3D Support – Yes Video Playback – H.264, MP4, MKV Audio Music Playback – MP3, AAC, WMA Audio Features – Up to 5.1 surround sound pass-through Connectivity WiFi – 802.11 n/g/b Bluetooth Ethernet – 10/100 Mbps Connections HDMI In – Connection to Cable or Satellite Box HDMI Out –  Connection to TV One USB 2.0 Host port Remote control – Built-In IR Blaster, Bluetooth, Touchpad and Keyboard Dimension – 10.67 x 4.06 x 10.67 cm Weight – 300 grams They did not provide information about the processor, RAM and flash used, but I would guess it’s based on Marvell Google TV Reference Platform which is powered by ARMADA 1500 HD Secure Media Processor (Dual Core ARMv7 processor @ 1.2 GHz) and comes […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment on Sony NSZ-GS7, The 1st Google TV 2.0 Device is Now Available in the US and UK

Sony NSZ-GS7, The 1st Google TV 2.0 Device is Now Available in the US and UK

Google announced that the 1st Google TV 2.0 device is now available for pre-order in the US and in UK for $199.99. Sony NSZ-GS7 is a set-top box based on Marvell GTV reference design, which comes with a dual-sided “magic” Bluetooth remote (NSG-MR5U). The device was first seen at CES 2012. Here are the key specifications of this media player: SoC – Marvell Armada 1500 dual core ARM processor @ 1.2 GHz with Vivante GC1000 GPU Storage – 8GB Nand Flash Connectivity: Built-in Wifi 802.11 b/g/n 100Mbit Ethernet Built-in Bluetooth Video Output – HDMI Audio Output – Optical out. HDMI supports Dolby and LPCM audio output Video codecs – H264-AVC, MPEG4-SP/-AAC/-HE, MPEG-1/2, MPEG4, H.263, WMV, Vorbis, Xvid… Video containers – 3gp/3g2/3gp9, AVI, FLV, MKV, MOV, MPEG TS/PS, mp4/m4a, MVC, ogg, wmv/asf… Picture formats –  bmp,  gif, jpeg, mpo and png Audio formats –  AAC,  AC3, LPCM/WAV, MDI, MP3 and WMA USB – 2 x USB 2.0 Host ports Power Consumption […]