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Rockchip 2918 (Cortex A8) versus Amlogic 8726 (Cortex A9) for Android TV

A

avirex

Member
Hello.

I have been reviewing a lot of Android TV boxes and was wondering if anyone has some first hand experience or comparison with these two different chipsets? I have tested about 5 different Amlogic boxes so far and have had varying results. I have seen the Rockchip boxes for sale and wondering if these ones are ready for prime time. The Rockchip chipset has been used in devices ranging from tablets, to desk phones, to laptops, to TV boxes so I think they have been well tested by now. Things I am curious about for the Rockchip model:

- Is Flash playback smooth, even with 720p content?

- Does Android market work perfectly and can you access all apps?

- Does it work well with wireless keyboard and is the on-screen keyboard usable?

- Is HD video playback smooth (MKV, AVI, etc)?

- Have you tested an external webcam with Skype video chat, and is it usable?

- Is Netflix (and other streaming video, like Hulu) working fine?

- Does Rockchip provide a customized User Interface that is suitable for the big screen TV (larger icons, home screen, etc) or does it use the default Android OS?

- When you first startup the device does it run through an initial "setup" process to configure the date/time, language, network settings, etc?

Thanks for any input! I can share info about the various Amlogic boxes I tested, if anyone is interested. Let me know.
 
Hi,

I used to have Rockchip model which you may have seen my review in other post:

http://androidforums.com/google-tv/...-gingerbread-really-plays-outputs-fullhd.html

I tried to answer some of your questions below. Please bear in mind my replies is from my experience on one Rockchip Android TV Box.
avirex said:
Hello.

I have been reviewing .... well tested by now. Things I am curious about for the Rockchip model:

- Is Flash playback smooth, even with 720p content?
It is working fine with 720p, don't expect smooth playback for fullHD

- Does Android market work perfectly and can you access all apps?
The box I had have a rather old version of Market which works quite fast, I usually find all my apps I want, but it doesn't necessarily mean you can find all. Unless you can root it and use Market Enabler to trick it, you may find those missing apps.

- Does it work well with wireless keyboard and is the on-screen keyboard usable?
Yes, I use RF Keyboard/touchpad combo, and it works right away after plugging the RF transceiver coming with the KB. You can either type on the physical keyboard and/or move cursor, with touchpad, to choose on the soft keyboard on screen

- Is HD video playback smooth (MKV, AVI, etc)?
Yes, it plays smoothly, but may need extra soft codec to decode DTS sound; otherwise, most MKV coming with DTS sound would become a mute video

- Have you tested an external webcam with Skype video chat, and is it usable? Sorry, never tried

- Is Netflix (and other streaming video, like Hulu) working fine?
I've never tried this. However, Netflix need Adobe Flash support. So it is likely that it will work because both Rockchip and Amlogic support flash (please share from your experience on the Amlogic box because I'm about to get my Amlogic TV box)

- Does Rockchip provide a customized User Interface that is suitable for the big screen TV (larger icons, home screen, etc) or does it use the default Android OS?
I think this depends on each manufacturer as to what kind of default launcher they put into its product. For my earlier Rockship box, it came with its own ugly (but good big icons) launcher. I later changed to Launcher Pro; but the text and icons are rather small. It is not Launcher Pro fault, it depends on the "scale" setting value which the manufacturer set in the stock Android system. Usually the default scale setting in Android is 160, which is good for tablet; but for TV box, 200-240 settings are recommended. You can't change it unless you can root the box.

- When you first startup the device does it run through an initial "setup" process to configure the date/time, language, network settings, etc?
No, it comes to the stock home screen right away; but you can go to it Settings to do all those standard Android settings.
Thanks for any input! I can share info about the various Amlogic boxes I tested, if anyone is interested. Let me know. (I'm about to get a Amlogic-based TV box, which I plan to install Netflix on it; would be nice to have your experience in hand, just in case I need your help :)
Click to expand...
 
Thanks bthoven, I appreciate your feedback.

Regarding my testing, I have tested 5 Amlogic TV boxes from various manufacturers. And one Skyviia box which was terrible. I can send pictures of them if you like, but they are all from Alibaba Express, except one called Kubox.

- All of them have problems with Flash playback except just 2 boxes I tested (the Geniatech ATV1000 and the Kubox from www.kubox.com which I am beta testing for the manufacturer). The other boxes had very choppy Flash playback, especially the ones running Android 2.2 (since the recent firmwares are all Android 2.3).

- There is a trick to making sure you can see all the apps in the Market. Please see this link and let me know if it helps. It worked for me! http://androidforums.com/google-tv/338651-android-tv-box-flexiview-fv-1-a-13.html#post3428996

- I have bought two keyboards. This one and this one. I really like the Wireless Fly Air Mouse one (first link). I think it works perfectly with our box, and works like a Wii style remote motion controller so you can play Angry Birds and such.

- I noticed some of the older firmwares have a "pulsing" issue with AVI playback. By pulse I mean every few seconds the video has a millisecond or nanosecond freeze which is BARELY noticeable (audio is fine) but you can see it when there is a slow and steady camera movement like a pan of scenery. Btw I am using these awesome videos to test HD playback, check them out: High Definition Trailers (HD) - Demo World

- Netflix is working beautifully. To me it is the best part of these boxes!

- For me the best launcher so far is the Kubox launcher, which they have custom developed. Keeps things nice a tidy, and keeps away the standard Android user interface which is really not meant for TV.

- The Amlogic devices have a "ootb" setup app that goes through first time configuration. It works pretty good to configure the language, date/time, network settings, etc, and then it reboots after it's done.

I guess these boxes are pretty similar. The sellers I have talked to said the Amlogic chipset is more mature and that company is more committed to making it work well. So hopefully they will continue to release updates and fixes to make it perfect!

Thanks!
Avi
 
Hi Avi,

Could you try OnAir Mediafly app on one of your Amlogic box? I really want to use this app for viewing all those videocasts in HD quality (e.g. Geekbeat, Tekzilla, Tedtalk, etc).

Thanks in advance.
 
bthoven said:
Hi Avi,

Could you try OnAir Mediafly app on one of your Amlogic box? I really want to use this app for viewing all those videocasts in HD quality (e.g. Geekbeat, Tekzilla, Tedtalk, etc).

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Sure. Just downloaded it. Nice app! Watching it right now as I type this, the quality and load times are very good.

I have also used iMediaShare which has a lot of VOD content like TED Talks, ESPN, CNet, Engadget, etc. Link: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.bianor.ams
 
avirex said:
Sure. Just downloaded it. Nice app! Watching it right now as I type this, the quality and load times are very good.

I have also used iMediaShare which has a lot of VOD content like TED Talks, ESPN, CNet, Engadget, etc. Link: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.bianor.ams
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot for trying Onair. I tried iMediashare before, but don't like it for 2 reasons: work on wifi only, and should have more channels. OnAir Mediafly seems to address both issues of iMediashare :)

Thanks again.
 
bthoven said:
Thanks a lot for trying Onair. I tried iMediashare before, but don't like it for 2 reasons: work on wifi only, and should have more channels. OnAir Mediafly seems to address both issues of iMediashare :)

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

True, I agree. I also like the radio stations, a nice addition. ;)
 
walteroa said:
Hi my friend!
I've bought just a few minutes ago this box, and looking at specs in the page, it only refer to Internet wired connection (RG45 port).. And on the advertised article it mentions also WiFi...:confused:

Does it come with embeded WiFi? :confused:

Txs again buddy :)
Click to expand...

Hi,

It should come with builtin wifi. I had confirmed the spec with the seller before I placed my order.
 
bthoven said:
Any RF wireless kb will definitely work because it won't need any driver inside the box. OTOH, bluetooth device needs compatible driver inside the box. So it is usually recommended buying rf remote rather than a bluetooth one..

Btw, please let us know whether it works or not.
Click to expand...

In fact, I haven't got the box yet, neither the RC. It's just to decide which should I bought.

I agree with you, BT will require something on box side, to recognize the small dongle.. but who knows.. I cannot take the risk.. this gadget will cost to me roughly 50 bucks...

Now, my question regarding radiofrequency RC... Does it interfere with your WiFi enviroment in 802.11 b/g @2.4Ghz?

Again, thanks so much... great support. I really appreciate that.
 
bthoven said:
Thanks a lot for trying Onair. I tried iMediashare before, but don't like it for 2 reasons: work on wifi only, and should have more channels. OnAir Mediafly seems to address both issues of iMediashare :)

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Hi how did you download it can you use market on your A10 BOX?:confused:
 
walteroa said:
In fact, I haven't got the box yet, neither the RC.

Now, my question regarding radiofrequency RC... Does it interfere with your WiFi enviroment in 802.11 b/g @2.4Ghz?
Click to expand...

Sorry to ask again.

Can anyone confirm this RF remote control does (or DOESNT) interfiere with Wifi @2.4Ghz?

I need to order the gadget ASAP.

Txs!
 
dlkorean said:
Hi how did you download it can you use market on your A10 BOX?:confused:
Click to expand...

As reviewed in the first post, the included Android Market has very limited number of applications. I usually have to sideload all my apps with usb/sdcard (or using dropbox, or email).
 
walteroa said:
:confused: Have you experience long delay in order processing with this seller?

almost a week, already paid.. no news about shipment...
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear that. Expect certain delay during new year cross-over period.

Btw, I check the website, it said the item is no longer available. It would be better if you have a chance to chat or email asking for the shipment confirmation. The seller has no problem communicating in English.

My shipment didn't have such delay, but mine was mistakenly sent to U.S (instead of Thailand); however, it was the shipping agent fault. So mine took three weeks.
 
bthoven said:
The Amlogic box is on the way to me: Wholesale FACTORY PRICE All in one Android2.3 TV / INTERNET BOX with WIFI, Bluetooth and HDMI support 1080P video,
.
Click to expand...

Hi bthoven!
The Amlogic box is on the way to me too!! (actually in spain.. on transit)
I've contacted with the seller and they gave me the sw upgrade & instructions..
(for those who need the software i can share it)

now, on the upgrade instructions, there is the ORIGINAL manufacturer:
the box is iDER model IDER A10 and you can find the info at:

Android media player|Android TV BOX|IPTV|google TV|Android SET-TOP-BOX|mid|?ider tech Co.LTD?

so, maybe we can open a different thread for this box...:)
let me know.
 
bthoven said:
As reviewed in the first post, the included Android Market has very limited number of applications. I usually have to sideload all my apps with usb/sdcard (or using dropbox, or email).
Click to expand...

Hi guys,
have u tried the market unlocker app?
(i'm already using it on my phone and it works perfectly.. you can install any app from several "markets" with no limitations)

U should have a rooted device.

Market Unlocker v3.1.5.2 Apk - Android-Softwares.TK - Free Apk Downloads

cheers!
 
Hi walteroa,

The new firmware greatly improves the Market. I can find most applications now. Some are still missing, as far as I know of, e.g. Facebook, Mediafly OnAir, Geekbeat, Revision3, Hak5, Tekzilla.

The problem with this box is we still can't root it; so Market Enabler or Market unlocker won't work on unrooted box.
 
bthoven said:
The problem with this box is we still can't root it; so Market Enabler or Market unlocker won't work on unrooted box.
Click to expand...

is there any way to research how to root it?
or ask the manufacturer for rooting the device?

(I hate to have an android stuff without root access...):mad:

Thoughts?
 
walteroa said:
Hi bthoven!
The Amlogic box is on the way to me too!! (actually in spain.. on transit)
I've contacted with the seller and they gave me the sw upgrade & instructions..
(for those who need the software i can share it)

now, on the upgrade instructions, there is the ORIGINAL manufacturer:
the box is iDER model IDER A10 and you can find the info at:

Android media player|Android TV BOX|IPTV|google TV|Android SET-TOP-BOX|mid|?ider tech Co.LTD?

so, maybe we can open a different thread for this box...:)
let me know.
Click to expand...


Would it be possible to put our future comments on the existing post here :):
http://androidforums.com/google-tv/471388-ider-a10-amlogic-tv-box-very-good.html
 
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