CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

September 23, 2016September 23, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 8 Comments

Roku may soon launch 5 New Express, Premiere and Ultra Media Streamers

Roku is a popular brand for media streamers in North America, which also operates in some countries in Europe, and according to the leaked pictures provided by Zatznotfunny, the company has 5 models in the pipe for this year with entry-level (Express), mid-range (Premiere) and high-end (Ultra) versions. Let’s go through some of main features of the five models from low-end to high-end: Roku Express 3700 – About half the size of a Roku player, and comes with HDMI and micro USB ports. Roku Express Plus 3710 – Similar as above, possibly with additional ports (e.g. AV jack) or headphone + voice control remote Roku Premiere 4620 – Larger model Roku Premiere+ 4630 – Same as above but with Ethernet and micro SD, as well as HDR support Roku Ultra 4640 – Replacement of the current Roku 4 with HDMI output (4K / HDR), micro SD slot, optical S/PDIF, and […]

September 22, 2016September 23, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 11 Comments

LeEco Le Pro 3 Snapdragon 821 Smartphone Sells for $270 and Up (in China)

Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 is possibly the fastest mobile application processor available today, and a few smartphones have started to launch with the processor including Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe selling for about $575 in Taiwan, and the phone I’m going to cover in this post – LeEco Le Pro 3 – has just launched in China starting at 1799 CNY ($270) with 4GB RAM and 32GB flash, and up to 2999 CNY ($540) with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. LeEco Le Pro 3 smartphone specifications: SoC – Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 quad core Kryo processor with Adreno 530 GPU and Hexagon 680 DSP System Memory/Internal Storage – 4GB/32GB, 4GB/64GB (Zhang Zimou Edition), 6GB/64GB, or 6GB/128GB (Zhang Zimou Edition); Storage devices are all UFS 2.0 flash. Display – 5.5″ FHD (1920×1080) LCD display Cellular Connectivity 2G – GSM：2/3/5/8; CDMA: BC0/BC1 3G – WCDMA: B1/2/4/5/8 TD-SCDMA: B34/39; EVDO:BC0/BC1 4G – FDD-LTE: B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/20; TDD-LTE:38/39/40/41 2x […]

September 22, 2016September 23, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 23 Comments

YUNDOO Y7 Amlogic S905X TV Box comes with Faster DDR4 Memory

Most TV boxes on the market comes with DDR3 memory, but YUNDOO Y7 TV box based on Amlogic S905X processor instead comes with 2GB DDR4 memory, with the company claiming 50% higher bandwidth compared to DDR3 memory. YUNDOO Y7 specifications: SoC – Amlogic S905X quad core Cortex A53 processor @ 1.5 GHz with Penta-core Mali-450MP GPU @ 750MHz+ System Memory – 2GB DDR4 (bandwidth up to increased 50% compared to DDR3) Storage – 16GB eMMC flash + micro SD port Video Output – HDMI 2.0 with HDR and CEC support up to 4K2K @ 60 Hz, AV port Audio Output – HDMI, AV, and coaxial S/PDIF Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, dual band WiFi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0 USB – 2 x USB 2.0 port Misc – Power button, IR receiver, LED screen Power Supply – 5V Dimensions – TBD (metal housing) The device runs Android 6.0, and is said […]

September 22, 2016October 10, 2016 by Ray - 29 Comments

Review of Xtream-Codes IPTV Panel Professional Edition – Part 1: Introduction, Initial Setup, Adding Streams…

Today I’ll start the review of one of the streaming software available on the market, with version 2.2.0 EVO of IPTV Panel Professional Edition developed by Xtream-codes. The Software is mainly used for the so-called IPTV broadcasting, but also with great potential for all kind of other content delivery applications such as audio and business streaming, cloud video transcoding, and all other kind of global streams. What is IPTV? Wikipedia definition: Internet Protocol television (IPTV) is a system through which television services are delivered using the Internet protocol suite over a packet-switched network such as a LAN or the Internet, instead of being delivered through traditional terrestrial, satellite signal, and cable television formats. Unlike downloaded media, IPTV offers the ability to stream the media in smaller batches, directly from the source. As a result, a client media player can begin playing the data (such as a movie) before the entire […]

September 21, 2016October 5, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 20 Comments

4K Video Playback and HDMI Audio Passthrough in Realtek RTD1295 based Zidoo X9S TV Box

Zidoo X9S is a high-end 4K TV box and HDMI recorder based on Realtek RTD1295 processor. I’ve already checked its hardware, and run some benchmarks, so after a successful OTA firmware update, I decided to test 4K videos and HDMI audio pass-through capabilities of the device with ZDMC, Zidoo’s fork of Kodi 16.1, and “Media Center” internal player. Before starting playing 4K videos and testing HDMI audio pass-through, you’ll want to make sure to configure video output to a 4K UHD resolution and framerate such as 3840×2160 @ 60 Hz, as well as change HDMI output audio in Sound & notification settings. The options are a little different from the other boxes as beside RAW and 2-channel LPCM, Zidoo X9S also supports multi-channel LPCM. In order to test HDMI audio pass-through, it must be set to RAW. You may also want to check Playback options to switch to 24 Hz […]

September 21, 2016September 23, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 21 Comments

Report: Linux Cannot Be Installed on Microsoft Signature Edition PCs, Laptops and Tablets

Microsoft Signature program is designed to make sure certified devices offer the best possible experience for users, as they can not come with bloatware, include Windows Defender, and must meet strict hardware requirements. However according to a Phoronix report, “providing the best possible user experience” also includes blocking installation of alternative operating systems such as Ubuntu, Debian, or other Linux distributions. The issue was discovered by rijesh who attempted to install Ubuntu 16.04 on his Microsoft Signature Edition Lenovo Yoga 900 13-ISK2 laptop, and noticed that while the BIOS and Windows 10 could see his 512 GB hard drive, Ubuntu was unable to find it, and a customer support representative answered that: This system has a Signature Edition of Windows 10 Home installed. It is locked per our agreement with Microsoft. Another user reports having successfully installed Ubuntu 16.04 on his Lenovo YOGA 900-13ISK, so the devil is in the […]

September 21, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

HICAT.Livera Machine Vision Board and Robot Kit Feature HiSilicon Hi3518 SoC (Crowdfunding)

HiSilicon Hi3518 ARM9 processor is mostly being used in IP cameras, but Hicat startup decided to combined the camera processor with an Atmel MCU and a MT7601 WiFi module to create a wireless camera board to be used with OpenCV, and even provide a complete affordable robot kit with the board. Hicat.livera board specifications: Vision Core – Hisilicon Hi3518 ARM9 processor @ 440 MHz Storage – 16MB flash + micro SD card MCU – Atmel ATmega32U4 AVR micro-controller Connectivity – 802.11 b/g/n WiFi via Mediatek MT7601 module + u.FL antenna connector Camera interface with provided 140 deg. camera using Omnivision OV9712 720p (1280×720) sensor USB – 1x micro USB port for power and programming Audio – Built-in microphone, speaker header Sensors – MPU6050 accelerometer and gyro Expansion – 2x GPIO headers with GPIOs, I2C, SPI, serial, PWM, digital, analog and power signals. Misc – MCU reset and Linux reset buttons, […]

September 20, 2016October 6, 2019 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

$16 and Up RGB LED Bluetooth 4.0 Light Bulbs include Speakers

I’ve just stumbled upon “H1007 Smart E27 Bulb Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker” on GeekBuying. It’s a smart Bluetooth 4.0 RGB LED E27 light bulb that also include a speaker, and sells for $22.59 shipped. I find it’s a good idea, and after looking for other models, I’ve found the $99 Twist light, as well as a much cheaper “OY-QP-BM13” model on eBay going for $15.99. I’ll look at (HZ-)H1007 specifications first: Light Bulb 5W; adjustable RGBW; 330 Lumens; Color temp: 6500K Screw Type – E27/E26 Connectivity – Bluetooth 4.0 LE up to 20 meters range Audio – 3W amplifier; 3D surround audio Voltage – 100 to 240V 50/60Hz Dimensions – 72 mm diameter x 136 mm length Weight – 146 grams The body of the light bulb is available in white, red, golden, and blue, and it ships with a user’s manual in English and Chinese. I could not find the […]