Posted on - 3 Comments on Zidoo X20 High-End 4K Media Player Launched for $486 and Up

Zidoo X20 High-End 4K Media Player Launched for $486 and Up

Zidoo X20

Unveiled last January, Zidoo X20 Pro is a high-end Android + Linux (OpenWrt) media player powered by Realtek RTD1296 media processor, and equipped with three HDMI ports, two SATA bays, ES9038 professional DAC, and more. The only thing is that it was not available just yet, but Zidoo X20 Pro, or more exactly its little brother Zidoo X20, has now started to show up on Aliexpress and Futeko for $486 and up. Zidoo X20 specifications: SoC – Realtek RTD1296 quad core Cortex A53 processor with ARM Mali-T820 MP3 GPU System Memory – 2 GB DDR4 Storage – 16 GB eMMC flash, 2x SATA 3.0 bays for 2.5 or 3.5″ drives Video 1x HDMI 2.0a output up to 4K @ 60 Hz 1x HDMI 1.4 output up to 4K @ 30 Hz 1x HDMI 2.0 input supporting PiP, stream recording, and UDP broadcasting 1x RCA composite output Decode – HDR10, 10-bit HEVC / H.265 up to 4K @ 60fps, VP9 up …

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Posted on - 9 Comments on Xiaomi Mi Router 4 is a $60 AC1200 Router with Three Gigabit Ethernet Ports

Xiaomi Mi Router 4 is a $60 AC1200 Router with Three Gigabit Ethernet Ports

Xiaomi Mi Router 3 AC1200 router based on Mediatek MT7620A processor was launched in 2016 for just under $40 on online retailers. It had at least one caveat however, since it only supported Fast Ethernet. The company has now launched an upgraded version – Xiaomi Mi Router 4 -, still an AC1200 router, but equipped with a faster Mediatek MT7621A processor, and three Gigabit Ethernet ports. The new router sells for 199 RMB ($31 US) in China, but it’s also found for under $60 including international shipping on sites like Banggood or GearBest. Mi Router 4 (Miwifi 4) specifications: WiSoC – Mediatek MT7621A dual core MIPS processor @ 880MHz System Memory – 128 MB DDR3-1200 Storage – 128 MB SLC NAND Flash Wi-Fi 2.4GHz – 2X2  MIMO up to 300Mbps 5GHz – 2X2  MIMO up to 867 Mbps Wireless Security – WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK encryption, wireless access control (black and white list), SSID hiding, Intelligent Protect network 4x external antennas Ethernet – …

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Posted on - 4 Comments on My Experience with Dodocool AC750 WiFi Repeater

My Experience with Dodocool AC750 WiFi Repeater

Dodocool-AC750-WiFi-Repeater

A while ago, I tested Dodocool DC30S USB type C Hub with HDMI, USB port, and a card reader, and recently the company asked me whether I wanted to review another of their accessories. My ISP has recently taken the habit of being down several hours each month, so I rely on my neighbor’s WiFi (with he’s permission) in those case, but since the signal is too weak, I’m using a wireless audio streamer and a power bank to extend the signal and connect it to my router using WDS Bridging.  Then I saw Dodocool DC24 802.11ac WiFi repeater, so I decided to give it a chance. Dodocool DC24 A750 Repeater Unboxing I received the device is a cardboard box with some specifications. It’s an AC750 router/repeater with 300 Mbps @ 2.4 GHz + 433 Mbps @ 5 GHz. The product page linked above has some more details with the Ethernet port being Fast Ethernet (10/100M), and the solution is …

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Posted on - 80 Comments on $35 Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ Launched with a Faster Processor, 802.11ac WiFi, Gigabit Ethernet, and Optional PoE

$35 Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ Launched with a Faster Processor, 802.11ac WiFi, Gigabit Ethernet, and Optional PoE

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has just introduced a updated version of their popular Raspberry Pi 3 Model B board with a Model B+ that increases the processor clocked up to 1.4 GHz, adds dual-band 802.11ac WiFi, and Bluetooth 4.2, Gigabit Ethernet (via USB 2.0 to Ethernet bridge), as well as support for PoE (Power-over-Ethernet) via an external HAT add-on board.   Raspberry Pi 3B+ specifications: SoC – Broadcom BCM2837B0 64-bit ARMv8 quad core Cortex A53 processor @ 1.4GHz with dual core VideoCore IV GPU System Memory – 1GB LPDDR2 Storage – micro SD slot Video & Audio Output – HDMI 1.4 and 4-pole stereo audio and composite video port Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet (via Microchip LAN7515 USB 2.0 to GbE bridge), maximum throughput 300 Mbps), WiFi 802.11 b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 4.2 LE (via Cypress CYW43455 based module) USB – 4x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x micro USB port for power Expansion 40-pin GPIO header MIPI DSI for Raspberry Pi touch …

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Posted on - 3 Comments on iWave Systems iW-RainboW-G27M SMARC 2.0 SoM Features NXP i.MX8 QuadMax Processor

iWave Systems iW-RainboW-G27M SMARC 2.0 SoM Features NXP i.MX8 QuadMax Processor

We’ve previously seen SECO will soon launch SM-C12 SMARC 2.0 SoM powered by NXP i.MX 8M processor, but there’s not the only company working on a SMARC 2.0 compliant system-on-module powered by the latest NXP 64-bit Arm processor, as iWave Systems iW-RainboW-G27M module should be coming up soon with a more powerful NXP i.MX 8QuadMax Arm Cortex A72/A53/M4 processor coupled with 4GB LPDDR4 RAM by default. The i.MX8QuadMax SMARC System-on-Module targets “complex embedded application of consumer, medical and industrial embedded computing applications”. iWave Systems iW-RainboW-G27M specifications: SoC – NXP i.MX8 QuadMax processor with 2x Cortex-A72 @ 1.8 GHz, 4x Cortex-A53 @ 1.2 GHz,2 x Cortex-M4F @ 266 MHz, 2x Vivante GC7000XSVX GPUs, and a 4K H.265 decode & 1080p h.264 enc/dec capable VPU System Memory – 4GB LPDDR4 (Expandable) On-module Storage – 16GB eMMC Flash (Expandable), micro SD slot, optional 256MB QSPI Flash On-module Connectivity – 2x Gigabit Ethernet PHY,  WiFi  & Bluetooth LE module USB –  USB 3.0 4-Port …

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Posted on - 14 Comments on VIA SOM-9X20 Module Powers Smart Recognition and Smart Machine Vision Platforms

VIA SOM-9X20 Module Powers Smart Recognition and Smart Machine Vision Platforms

At the end of last year, VIA launched SOM-9X20 system-on-module powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor coupled with 4GB PoP LPDDR4 RAM, 64 GB eMMC flash, as well as WiFi + Bluetooth module, and a GNSS/GPS receiver. The company introduced two software platform for the SoM and development kit at embedded world 2018: a Smart Machine Vision Platform for manufacturing management and control systems, and a Smart Recognition Platform for facial recognition, object detection, people counting & tracking, etc… VIA SOM-9X20 module specifications: SoC – Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 quad- core processor with 2x high-performance Kryo cores up to 2.15GHz, 2x low power Kryo cores up to 1.593GHz, and Adreno 530 GPU supporting OpenGL ES 3.1/ GEP, GL4.4, DX11.3/ 4, OpenCL 2.0, Renderscript-Next System Memory – 4 GB POP LPDDR4 RAM Storage – 64 GB eMMC 5.1/ UFS 2.0 flash On-module Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11 a/ b/ g/ n/ ac + Bluetooth 4.1 (QCA6174A -1) with two antenna connectors GNSS/GPS RF receiver …

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Posted on - 4 Comments on Amarula Vyasa is a $150 Pico-ITX Single Board Computer Powered by Rockchip RK3288 SoC

Amarula Vyasa is a $150 Pico-ITX Single Board Computer Powered by Rockchip RK3288 SoC

Yesterday, as I published Linux 4.15 changelog for Arm and MIPS, I discovered a new Rockchip RK3288 platform described as “Amarula Vyasa single board computer”, so that got me interested. The full name of the company is “Amarula Electronics Limited Sony UK”, which means Vyasa is the name of the board. Amarula Vyasa relies on a 2.5″ Pico-ITX form factor, and is available in either commercial and wide temperature (WiTAS) range. The board is equipped with 2GB RAM, 16GB eMMC flash, exposes ports and connectors such as HDMI 2.0, eDP, and LVDS, and plenty of network connectivity (WiFi, Ethernet, mPCIe modem…) that would make it suitable for a connected digital signage, or other applications requiring a (touchscreen) display and redundant Internet / network connectivity. Amarula Vyasa specifications: SoC – CPU Rockchip RK3288 (ARM CortexTM -A17 Quad-core 1.6GHz) System Memory – 2GB DDR3L  SDRAM Storage – 16GB eMMC flash, Micro SD card Video / Display I/F 1x HDMI 2.0 up to …

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Posted on - 11 Comments on CCC Air Stick 4K TV Stick Runs Android TV, Supports HDR10, aptX HD Bluetooth Audio (Japan)

CCC Air Stick 4K TV Stick Runs Android TV, Supports HDR10, aptX HD Bluetooth Audio (Japan)

It’s been a while since I have seen an Amlogic S912 TV stick, and so far none of them would run Android TV operating system. But CCC Air Stick 4K does, meaning it supports Google Cast like a ChromeCast, as well as Voice Commands through a remote control. The company also claims support for aptX and aptX HD Bluetooth audio, as well as online services such as Hulu, Netflix, Spotify, and some Japanese specific services, since the TV stick only targets the Japanese market. Air Stick 4K specifications: SoC – Amlogic S912J 64-bit octa core Arm Cortex A53 @ up to 1.5GHz with Arm Mali GPU System Memory – 2 GB Storage – 16 GB flash Video Output – HDMI 2.0a up to 4K @ 60 Hz with HDR10, CEC support Audio – HDMI audio output, aptX / aptX audio over Bluetooth Connectivity Dual band (2.4 GHz/5 GHz) 802.11b/g/n/ac WiFi Bluetooth 4.1 Ethernet via power adapter USB – 1x USB …

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