Tronsmart TV Box Ara X5 in August with Cherry Trail Z8300 Windows 10

[pasteko]

Hello,
Just received my Ara X5, has anyone found the way to enable "wake on lan" on this box ?
Tried various settings in bios but without any success.

[bluesmanuk]

Having used many Android boxes, not a single one has performed as advertised out of the box and most don't even after a year on the market.

This Windows one does and that makes a big difference.

No rooting required to access all the facilities.

All of the streaming services offered will automatically be available because there are no restrictions on Windows use like there is with Android, especially when rooted.

Updates to the OS come through automatically and regularly, so no waiting ages in hope for an OTA update.

Drivers can be added for practically anything, inside and out, often automatically by just plugging a device in and letting Microsoft do the work or via an easy to use installation method that just about anybody can follow.

I can backup the whole device and restore it again with confidence that it will work.

Far greater range of peripherals available.

Far greater and wider support for issues.

2160p Youtube resolution available out of the box where far too many Android boxes cannot access above 720p without custom fixes, with 1080p still being the maximum available for most.

All that I have plugged in just works without concerns as to whether the AC adapter can supply enough juice.

Perfect Kodi playback of all the things that I expect it to play.


All this from the SOC at the bottom end of the X5 table, so with devices to come from the higher specced X5 and X7 range, Android devices are going to have their work cut out unless manufacturers pull their fingers out to ensure that products do deliver out of the box and with continued support.

So far neither Rockchip, Allwinner or Amlogic have really stepped up to the plate and it has resulted in people buying multiple Android boxes, spending more to get little or no more.

Add the Nvidia Shield into the equation and it shows that unless change is made on the Android platform by those that have been around in the market for a while then sales of those boxes may start to dwindle dramatically.

[Kimer]

Hi all,

I've finally decided to order one unit , in replacement of a RK3188 box, but I'm a little bit afraid by the review of neowin:
My main use of this kind of box are
- Media streaming on my local network : seems to be OK, with audio passthrough
- Emulator gaming (Mostly Retroarch on android) : Do you think this box will be powerful enough to run smoothly snes, genenis and psx emulators ?

Thanks for your opinion / tests

RK3188 is old, and the most secure chipset is Amlogic S812 for media streaming and emulator gaming, and I do not think Window system is a good one for TV Box,

http://freaktab.com/forum/main-category/new-product-reviews-and-announcements/freaktab-user-reviews/520587-tronfy-mxiv-telos-review

Cheers

[clarkss12]

I still want to see some real video of this box running thru it's paces on your TV. I want to see the web surfing, Kodi playing different things and how does it pass Dolby via the HDMI.
thanks.
PS. I don't need a fancy video, just something quick and easy. I also, don't need all the technical details, just the meat of it.

[trebor]

Yep all good, I don't think you will have a problem.
It stream well, keep it clean no junk should be fine
Cheers

[Myst3r]

OK I'll test and give you a feedback.
I've ordered to Geekbuying last week, so i'm waiting the box yet

Thanks

[trebor]

You will have fun with this box. Don't Panic, enjoy it it for what it can do, to easy,
You may be the official emulator tester
Look forward to your comments
Cheers

[Myst3r]

Hi all,

I've finally decided to order one unit , in replacement of a RK3188 box, but I'm a little bit afraid by the review of neowin:
My main use of this kind of box are
- Media streaming on my local network : seems to be OK, with audio passthrough
- Emulator gaming (Mostly Retroarch on android) : Do you think this box will be powerful enough to run smoothly snes, genenis and psx emulators ?

Thanks for your opinion / tests

[trebor]

Chrome is a bit of a killer on most of these Intel boxes I have found. so nothing new there, using apps from the store, or edge can help a lot. For the Price and not much fussing around cant complain to much I find.
Cheers

[bluesmanuk]

I've not experienced any issues with general browsing.

I was interested in what he said about 4k playback in Youtube, which is not something that I had tested, so I've just had a look.

4k or even 1440 HD through Youtube using Chrome is very jerky.

But played through Youtube using Microsoft Edge is flawless.

It needs a few seconds to buffer the content when switching up the mode but as soon as it starts playing, it's smooth all the way and I've just tried half a dozen videos to be sure.

[clarkss12]

Using the web browser.

[bluesmanuk]

After more research, i think I will pass on this box. If I could get it for $50 then it would be a good buy. Here is the review that says it is not for me.

http://www.neowin.net/news/tronsmart...xcels-for-play

Which part in particular put you off?

[clarkss12]

After more research, i think I will pass on this box. If I could get it for $50 then it would be a good buy. Here is the review that says it is not for me.

http://www.neowin.net/news/tronsmarts-ara-x5-stumbles-for-work-but-excels-for-play

[clarkss12]

I don't use Netflix myself but with this being a Windows device it doesn't suffer from the same issues that an Android one will have, so like any regular PC where the hardware will support HD, this will too.

Likewise with HDMI passthrough, none of the same kind of issues, so 5.1 surround sound passthrough should be a breeze.

It does support HD Audio.

These are some of the advantages of a Windows device.

All those streaming apps that don't run on Android because they detect root etc are not an issue in windows because by default they all work with your regular windows based PC's, which the X5 essentially is.

Thanks for that information.

[bluesmanuk]

I don't use Netflix myself but with this being a Windows device it doesn't suffer from the same issues that an Android one will have, so like any regular PC where the hardware will support HD, this will too.

Likewise with HDMI passthrough, none of the same kind of issues, so 5.1 surround sound passthrough should be a breeze.

It does support HD Audio.

These are some of the advantages of a Windows device.

All those streaming apps that don't run on Android because they detect root etc are not an issue in windows because by default they all work with your regular windows based PC's, which the X5 essentially is.