In the previous article about Remix OS it was about Android for PC. Today we will look at one of the possible options for presenting a 'green robot' for TVs. To do this, let's take the so-called 'mini-PC' from the iconBIT company under the rather complicated name XDS94K.
Specifications
- Android 5.1.1
- Body materials: plastic
- RAM: 1 GB
- ROM: 8 GB
- Connectivity: 1GB LAN, Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n (2.4GHz and 5GHz), Bluetooth 4.0
- Connection: HDMI 2.0, CVBS
- Platform: CPU – 4 Cortex-A53 cores at 2 GHz, 64 bit; GPU – Mali-450
- Dimensions: 100 × 100 × 25 mm, 144 grams
- Average price: 8000 rubles
Equipment
- Prefix;
- Power adapter;
- Wi-Fi antenna;
- Remote Control;
- Documentation.
The delivery set does not boggle your imagination: a rather large black box, in which all the elements are a little carelessly folded. Unfortunately, there are no HDMI and AV cables for connecting to a TV or monitor.
Appearance
The set-top box is a small square black brick of a fairly compact size. The side faces are made of glossy plastic, and the upper part is also made of plastic, but with a wood-like texture. Gloss collects fingerprints, but they are easily erased with a regular cloth, and you don't have to touch the device so often. In general, the assembly is not bad, but if you press on the sides in a certain place, you can hear a creak. There is a device on four rubberized legs that prevent slipping.
The set-top box can quite organically fit into the interior next to the TV, thanks to its small size and dark color. It is imperative to install it with its front side facing the user, since the remote control uses the infrared port to transmit commands.
On the front side, in the off state, no elements are visible, when turned on, a blue light comes on, in sleep mode it glows red. In addition to the indicator, there is an IrDA sensor, but it is completely invisible.
On the left side there are two USB 2.0 ports and a connector for a Wi-Fi antenna.
On the right side, there are the remaining two USB and a slot for a microSD memory card.
On the back there is a composite AV video output, HDMI version 2.0, optical audio output, Ethernet (RJ-45) 1 Gbps and a power supply connector.
Hardware platform
The TV box is built on a 4-core 64-bit chipset from Amlogic, clocked at 2 GHz. The amount of RAM (1 GB) and internal storage (8 GB) is a little depressing, but the lack of internal memory is easily solved by 4 USB ports and a microSD flash card. One more but – it would be nice to have at least one USB 3.0 port for faster data transfer, because the device is positioned to work with 4K content.
Video is transmitted over HDMI 2.0 channel. The manufacturer claims support for video playback in 4K resolution at 60 fps (!). This is actually the case. The device easily spins videos in high resolution at 60 frames per second with a bit rate of 72 Mbps. Although the overall performance of the system is poor. Be careful about the quality of the memory source – bad flash cards may have stuttering when playing 4K video.
For games, this mini-PC is hardly suitable. Firstly, for a comfortable game, you will need some other manipulator, be it a keyboard, mouse or gamepad (depending on the game). Fortunately, the system Android allows you to connect any peripherals. Secondly, the performance of 3D graphics leaves much to be desired, you can play comfortably only in simple games like Clash of Clans, Angry Birds, Alto's Adventure and the like.
Software platform
This TV box is based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. In fact, the version of the operating system for this kind of devices is not so important, the set of pre-installed software is much more important. The XDS94K has no problem with this.
In the standard set of applications, there are many sources for watching TV shows, movies and even TV channels for free. Let's skip the copyright issue. If something confuses you, there is the Google Play application store, which offers digital distribution services for every taste — Ivi, Amediateka, Netflix, and so on.
By the way, developers should work hard on the overall interface of the system, while all its elements look too scattered. Perhaps it would be useful for such a device Remix OS.
The XDS94K has one unregistered function, which may be useful to someone. If the set-top box is connected to the Internet via a network cable, and in the settings create an access point, then it can be used as a simple router and distribute the Internet to other devices.
In general, the console works well. There are comments on optimization, some applications may crash, but it performs its main function, namely video viewing, with a bang. Another point, from the original Android there is little left in the system, and you need to get used to the interface a little, since some things are more difficult to do with the remote control.
Remote controller
The remote control is both the strength and weakness of this unit. It works on the principle of transmitting an infrared signal, that is, for operation, the remote control must be aimed at the front side of the set-top box.
By itself, it is made of plastic, quite lightweight. Powered by two AAA batteries (included). In appearance, it is no different from a conventional television control panel: power button, digital block, navigation buttons, and so on. Unless it has a slightly smaller size than many others. Of the additional buttons I can mention 'Home', 'Back', 'Menu' and 'Mouse'. If everything is clear with the first three, then the purpose of the last button needs to be explained. It switches the control mode of the system, if in the usual way you switch points by arrows on the remote control, then in the 'Mouse' mode the mouse cursor appears on the screen and you move it with the arrows. This process is quite slow, but in some applications a mouse is simply necessary, and this mode helps out, since you do not have to connect a computer mouse.
Of course, there are no accelerometers, gyroscopes and other sensors in it, so you won't be able to control the cursor by swiping the remote control. But the control of the arrows for many will be much more familiar and more accurate. If you are still not satisfied with the remote control, then you can easily connect a computer mouse, keyboard and any other manipulator – for this, as many as 4 USB connectors are installed in the console.
Of the features of this remote control, I would like to note the replacement of the main buttons of the TV remote control – power on, volume control and signal source selection. To do this, you need to 'teach' the remote control new commands according to the following instructions:
- Press and hold the power button in the TV learning area until it lights up;
- Press the button to which you want to assign a function;
- When the power button starts flashing, point the TV remote towards the IR remote control window from the set-top box and press the desired button on the TV remote;
- When a key is assigned, the indicator will stop flashing;
- Press the OK button on the XDS94K remote control to confirm;
- Repeat this procedure to assign other buttons.
If you manage to set everything up correctly, then the TV remote control will no longer be useful to you when working with the set-top box.
This mini PC supports HDMI CEC protocol. It is designed to reduce the number of manipulators in the home and allows you to control devices that support the HDMI CEC protocol with a TV remote control. You must first determine if your TV supports this technology. If yes, then in the settings of the set-top box it is necessary to enable the HDMI CEC item.
Let's summarize
The device came out ambiguous. On the one hand, there are problems with the software, on the other, it plays video perfectly, and in 4K! It would seem that more is required of him. On the positive side, I can note: ample opportunities Android, 4 USB ports, excellent work with video. Another positive point is the price of the XDS94K – about 8,000 rubles. Personally, I have not been able to find competitors with a similar cost and the same capabilities. Note that you need to compare players that can play 4K video at 60 frames per second, this requires support for HDMI 2.0. Perhaps adults and the elderly will find it easier to work with the familiar remote control by pressing the usual buttons to navigate the menu, rather than waving the manipulator in front of the screen, as on many modern smart TVs. The rest of the product is very niche, since not everyone has 4K TVs.
Write in the comments what you think about this kind of device, maybe you have other uses besides watching videos. It will be interesting to read.