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ODROID-HC4 low-cost dual NAS comes with 4GB RAM, supports 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA drives

[Edit: Hardkernel has now updated their documentation to clarify the NAS uses ASM1061 PCIe to SATA controller instead of JMB582] It’s hard to find low-cost NAS platforms often because of the mechanism to insert drives and the enclosure add to the cost. An alternative is to use boards like Hardkernel ODROID-HC1 for 2.5-inch drives or ODROID-HC2 for 2.5- and 3.5-inch drives, but each board supports only one drive. The designs are stackable, but you’d need one Linux board per drive, so it’s not ideal. The Korean company has now launched a new model with ODROID-HC4 powered by an Amlogic S905X3 processor and shipping with a case supporting two 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SATA drives that will start selling later this month for just $65 and up. ODROID-HC4 specifications: SoC – Amlogic S905X3 quad-core Cortex-A55 processor @ 1.8 GHz with Mali-G31 MP2 GPU System Memory – 4GB DDR4 Storage 128 Mbit SPI […]

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

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.] […]

Khadas Edge2 Arm mini PC
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Banana Pi BPI-M5 Amlogic S905X3 SBC coming soon

Banana Pi BPI-M5 is an Amlogic S905X3 SBC following the Raspberry Pi form factor, and that is pretty similar to Hardkernel ODROID-C4 launched earlier this year with the same quad-core Cortex-A55 processor. BPI-M5 comes with 4GB LPDDR4 RAM, 16GB eMMC flash, and offers four USB 3.0 ports, one Gigabit Ethernet port, and on HDMI 2.1 output port for 4K/8K video output. Banana Pi BPI-M5 preliminary specifications: SoC – Amlogic S905X3 quad-core Cortex-A55 processor @ up to 2.0 GHz with Mali-G31 MP2 GPU @ 650Mhz System Memory – 4GB LPDDR4 Storage – 16GB eMMC flash (option up to 64GB), MicroSD slot up to 2TB Video Output – HDMI 2.1 up to 4Kp60 with HDR, CEC, EDID Audio – 3.5mm audio jack, digital HDMI audio Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet USB – 4x USB 3.0 ports via VL817 hub controller, 1x USB-C port (for power only?) Expansion – 40-pin Raspberry Pi header with […]

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Amlogic S905X3-B SoC Powers Android 9.0 TV Boxes with Dolby Audio License

Amlogic S905X3 quad-core Cortex-A55 processor has been found in various TV boxes and single board computers such as ODROID-C4 for about a year.  But I’ve just been informed some new TV models come with Amlogic S905X3-B processor adding a Dolby Audio license. AX95 DB is one of those with the S905X3-B Android 9.0 TV box equipped with 4GB RAM, up to 128GB storage, HDMI 2.1 output up to 4Kp60, as well as Fast Ethernet, and USB 3.0/2.0 ports. AX95 DB specifications: SoC – Amlogic S905X3-B quad-core Arm Cortex-A55 processor @ 2.0 GHz with Arm Mali-G31MP2 GPU, Dolby audio license System Memory – 4GB DDR3 Storage – 64GB flash (32GB or 128GB optional), MicroSD card slt up to 32GB Video & Audio Output HDMI 2.1 up to 4K @ 60Hz or 8K @ 24Hz 3.5mm AV jack for composite video and stereo audio Optical S/PDIF with Dobly Digital audio support Video […]

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Testing Hercules OTT Realtek RTD1395 4K Android STB Development Board

This is a guest post by Promwad, a software and hardware product development company with DTV & STB development expertise and know-how. Recently, they received a package from Realtek, their partner in Taiwan. There was a Realtek RTD1395 development board inside – Hercules 32-bit OTT – with 2 GB RAM and pre-installed Android 9 OS. Promwad team tested what it’s capable of and how it can be used by hardware and software engineers who design new TV set-top boxes and develop embedded software. Hercules OTT board is an Android IPTV box that plays videos of any formats with a maximum resolution of 4K. Streaming services such as Youtube, Netflix, etc. are supported via Dash and HLS. Also, the board supports other Android apps, including audio/video calls and conferencing. Realtek introduced RTD1395-based boards back in 2018. IP and cable TV operators used them in their subscriber devices. The RTD1395 chip with […]

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SDMC Unveils Amlogic S805Y Full HD Android TV 10 Media Box for Operators

The other day when I covered Amlogic A113L IoT/Smart audio processor, I did not realize I missed another processor from the company: Amlogic S805Y. It got brought to my attention today, as SDMC recently launched the “DV9038 Quad Core 2K Google Android TV Media Box” based on the processor that I initially thought was a cost-down version of Amlogic S805X Full HD SoC without Ethernet support since that’s the main difference between S905X2 and S905Y2 processors, but as we’ll see below my first assumption was wrong. DV9038 TV box specifications Let’s first check out what the box has to offer: SoC – Amlogic S805Y quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 processor @ up to  1.5GHz with penta-core Mali-450MP GPU up to 650MHz+ System Memory – 1GB DDR  (2GB optional) Storage – 8GB eMMC flash (16GB, 32GB, 64GB optional) Video & Audio Output HDMI 2.0b with CEC, HDCP2.2, HDR 10, HLG HDR 3.5mm AV […]

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MINIX NEO U22-XJ Media Hub with Dolby Vision & Audio Support Launched for $170

MINIX NEO U22-XJ Android 9.0 media hub was first unveiled at IFA 2019 last September. It is the first TV box that I know of equipped with Amlogic S922XJ processor that adds Dolby Vision and Dolby Audio licenses to the more common Amlogic S922X processor. The company has now announced the device will launch on Monday, March 2nd 2020 but without providing any price information. As usual, we know need to wait until the official launch date to find out as MINIX NEO U22-XJ can already be purchased on “MINIX Official Store” in Aliexpress for $169.90 including shipping. MINIX NEO U22-XJ main specifications haven’t changed since the initial announcement, but we do have a few more details:: SoC – Amlogic S922XJ hexa-core processor with four Arm Cortex-A73 cores, two Arm Cortex-A53 cores, Arm Mali-G52MP4 GPU System Memory – 4GB DDR4 Storage –  32GB eMMC 5.1 flash, microSD card slot Video […]

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Google ADT-3 Developer Kit is Now Available for Purchase for $79

Google released Android TV on Android 10 last month while announcing the Google ADT-3 developer kit to help developers make sure their TV apps are ready for the latest version of the operating system. The developer kit, that’s basically a TV box, was not available at the time, and we had limited information, but Google ADT-3 can now be purchased for $79 on Askey, an ASUS Computers subsidiary. We also know the full specifications for Google ADT-3: SoC – Amlogic S905Y2 quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 processor @ 1.8 GHz with an Arm Mali-G31 MP2 GPU System Memory – 2GB RAM Storage – 8GB eMMC flash Video Output – HDMI 2.1 port up to 4K Ultra HD resolution @ 60 Hz Connectivity – 802.11ac (2.4GHz / 5GHz) 2T2R WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 classic+LE USB – 1x Micro USB port Misc – Bluetooth Pairing / Recovery Button, red/green status indicator Power Supply […]

Khadas VIM4 SBC