CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

September 17, 2015September 22, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 35 Comments

Zidoo Releases Kodi Source Code Modifications for Rockchip RK3368 and Allwinner H3

Kodi is a popular open source media center, but many companies will not simply install the version released on Kodi.org, and instead modify the source code to bring their own improvements. However most companies never release the source as they ought to as per the GPL license used by Kodi. The good news is that Zidoo released their modifications for Rockchip RK3368 and Allwinner H3. Their modifications include support for 3D MVC,7.1 Channel HD Audio pass through, and HW decoding for Rockchip RK3368, and 5.1 audio pass-through, 4K @ 30 fps, and H.265 hardware video decoding for Allwinner H3. You can read the announcement on Kodi forums for RK3368 (Kodi 15.1) and H3 (Kodi 14.2). Kodi 15.1 source code for Rockchip RK3368 can be found on github (make sure to use zidoo-15.1 branch, and not master). In order to build Kodi yourself, you’ll however need the latest version of Rockchip […]

September 16, 2015September 16, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

Open Hour Gecko 4K Android Player Features Hisilicon Hi3798M Processor

Cloud Media has just introduced yet another media player with Open Hour Gecko, an Android TV box powered by Hisilicon Hi3798M quad core Cortex A7 processor supporting H.265 and video output up to 4K @ 30Hz. Open Hour Gecko specifications: SoC – HiSilicon Hi3798M quad core ARM Cortex A7 processor @ 1.5GHz with a quad core ARM Mali-450MP GPU. System Memory – 1 GB DDR3 Storage – 8GB NAND Flash + micro SD slot Video Out – HDMI up to 4K @ 30Hz, and 3.5 mm jack AV jack Audio Output – HDMI, AV, and optical S/PDIF Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, built-in 802.11 b/g/n WiFi with external antenna USB – 1x USB 3.0 port, 1x USB 2.0 host port Misc – Power switch (On/Off) Power Supply – 5V/2A Dimensions – N/A The device ships with a power adapter, HDMI and AV cables, a remote control with batteries, a Quick Start […]

September 15, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 33 Comments

Hisilicon HI3798C V200 64-bit ARM Processor Supports HDMI 2.0, 10-bit HEVC, USB 3.0, SATA and More

There have been several Cortex A53 processors announced or released on the market such as Rockchip RK3368, Allwinner A64, or Amlogic S905, but in many cases I can read comments complaining about the lack of high speed interface, incomplete code support, or a weak GPU. Hisilicon Hi3798C V200 offers better features than its competitor, as beside four Cortex A53 cores, it includes a Mali-720 GPU, supports HDMI 2.0 output up to 4K at 60 HZ, 10-bit HEVC / H.265 and VP9 video decoding at 3840×2160 resolution at 60 fps, and integrates SATA and USB 3.0 interfaces. Hisilicon Hi3798C V200 key features and specifications: CPU – Quad core Cortex A53 processor (15K DMIPS) GPU – ARM Mali-T720 supporting OpenGL ES 3.1/2.0, OpenVG1.1, EGL, and Imprex 2.0 PQ engine Memory I/F – DDR3 or DDR4 Video Engine (VPU) Codecs – HEVC, H.264, VP9, VC1, MPEG2 Decoder – 10-bit up to 4Kp60 Encoder – […]

September 14, 2015September 15, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 9 Comments

Allo SPARKY Board Supports Raspberry Pi HATs for Multimedia, IoT and VoIP Applications

Allo is a company based in Bangalore, India specializing in VoIP hardware solutions, but they’ve recently developed a single board board powered by Actions Semi S500 quad core processor that supports various Raspberry Pi HATs and can be used for multimedia, IoT, and Telecom application such as Asterix or Freeswitch PBX. Allo SPARKY board specifications: SoC – Actions Semi S500 quad core Cortex A9r4 processor with PowerVR SGX544 GPU @ 500 MHz Memory – 1 or 2GB RAM Storage – Socket for 8, 16, 32 or 64GB pluggable eMMC modules, micro SD slot up to 32GB, optional NAND flash Video Output – HDMI, 34-pin LCD connector Audio – HDMI, Headphone jack, built-in microphone Video Codec – H.265 (HEVC) and Ultra HD (4K*2K) video playback. Encoding up to 1080p@60fps. Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet USB – 2x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x USB 3.0 (OTG) port Camera – 24-pin camera interface (Up […]

September 13, 2015September 13, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 12 Comments

Ruach A20s-H is a $50 RK3368 Android TV Box

Rockchip RK3368 may be the first 64-bit ARM processor, but it’s been designed to be an entry to mid-level SoC for 4K TV boxes, and has been found to significantly underperformed Rockchip RK3288 processor. However, so far many of the products launched on the market have a price very similar to RK3288 TV boxes for equivalent hardware specifications, but Ruach A20s-H brings the price level of HDMI 2.0 capable TV boxes to around $50 shipped. Ruach A20s-H specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3368 octa core Cortex A53 processor @ 1.2 GHz with PowerVR G6110 GPU System Memory – 1 GB RAM Storage – 8 GB eMMC flash Video Output – HDMI 2.0, and composite RCA Audio Output – HDMI, and stereo RCA Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n USB – 2x USB host ports Misc – Recovery pinhole, mechnical power switch Power Supply – 5V/2A Dimensions – 195 x 120 […]

September 12, 2015September 13, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 15 Comments

Inforce 6410Plus Single Board Computer with Snapdragon 600 SoC Sells for $98 (Promo)

Inforce 6410Plus SBC is the successor of Inforce 6410 board, also based on Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor (APQ8064), but compared to the first version of the board, it adds GPS/Glonass, some MIPI CSI and DSI interface,and a few others changes. The normal price is $143, but it is currently selling for $98 for a limited period. I’ve reproduced the specifications below as a reminder: SoC – Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 (APQ8064) Quad Core Krait 300 processor @ 1.7GHz + Adreno 320 GPU System Memory – 2GB on-board PCDDR3, up to 533MHz Storage – 4GB eMMC + μSD card connector + SATA interface Connectivity: 802.11 b/g/n WiFi (Atheros QCA6234) Bluetooth 4.0 (Atheros QCA6234) 10/100/1000bps Ethernet (Atheros 8151) GPS/GLONASS Video and Audio Interfaces: μHDMI (1080p) 2x MIPI-CSI2 (4-lane, up to 20MP camera @ 15 fps) Dual MIPI-DSI (4 lane) – Primary : up to QWXGA (2048 × 1536), 60 Hz refresh rate; Secondary: […]

September 11, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 31 Comments

Amlogic S905 Android TV Boxes, Sticks, and Digital TV Receivers Are Coming Soon

Amlogic S905 is the first 64-bit ARM processor of the company, with four Cortex A53 cores, a Mali-450MP GPU, as well as support for HDMI 2.0, and 10-bit HEVC video decoding. It will come to market before S912 processor featuring a Mali-T7xx GPU, and compete with Rockchip RK3368 octa-core processor. I’ve already features two Amlogic S905 TV boxes a few months ago with Acemax G9C and Eny EM95, but these two products were announced several months before the actual release, and now several other products have been announced, and should become available very soon. Geniatech unveiled two products based on Amlogic S905: ATV495 Android TV box, and ATV1950 Android digital TV receiver with dual ATSC, DVB-T, or ISDBT tuners, while Guleek A8 is an Amlogic S905 Android TV stick. Geniatech ATV495 TV Box ATV495 specifications: SoC – Amlogic S905 quad core ARM Cortex-A53 @ up to 2.0GHz with a quad […]

September 10, 2015September 28, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 10 Comments

Zidoo X6 Pro Android TV Box To Support 4K Videos @ 60 fps, 7.1 Channels Audio Pass-through, and 3D Blu-ray Movies

With their X9 and X1 models, Zidoo selected entry-level hardware, but their latest Zidoo X6 Pro Android TV box, the company went up to mid-range devices with a Rockchip RK3368 octa-core 64-bit processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB eMMC, Gigabit Ethernet, and 802.11ac WiFi. Zidoo X6 Pro technical specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3368 octa core Cortex A53 processor @ 1.5GHz (or is it 1.2GHz?) with PowerVR G6110 GPU System Memory- 2GB DDR3 Storage – 16GB flash (Meta). micro SD card slot up to 32GB Video Output – HDMI 2.0 up to 4K @ 60Hz with CEC and7.1CH pass-through support, 3.5mm AV jack (Composite shared with stereo audio) Audio Output – HDMI, AV (stereo), optical S/PDIF Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 a/b/g/n + 802.11ac (AP6335 module), Bluetooth 4.0 USB – 2x USB 2.0 ports (including one that supports OTG) Misc – Power button, IR receiver Power Supply – 5V/2A Dimensions – 10.8 x […]