R-BOX Android 5.1.1 RK3229 2/8GB KODI 16.1 4K 10/100M LAN Bluetooth4.0 WiFi HDMI DLNA - Silver/ Black

[trebor]

R-BOX Android 5.1.1 RK3229 2G/8G

• Silver or Black
• Android 5.1.1
• RK3229, quad core Cortex-A7 Up to 1.5GHz
• 2GB DDRIII , 8GB EMMC
• TF CARD Support 1~32GB
• 802.11 b/g/n, RTL8723, 10/100/ Base T, Bluetooth 4.0
• HDD File System FAT16 / FAT32 / NTFS
• Support Widevine Level 1, DRM PlayReady,Verimatrix, built in Trustzone,
• HDCP 2.2/1.4, Support 4K 10-bit H.265/H.264/VP9 video playback and display
• 1*HDMI 1.4b with CEC, 1*Micro SD Card (TF) 3*USB HOST 2High speed USB 2.0,support USB DISK and USB HDD
• 1*SPDIF, 1*RJ45, 1*Digital display tube; Digital display tube
• 1*Power input, Power 5V/2A

What's in the box

• 1 x TV box
• 1 x IR remote
• 1 x HDMI cable
• 1 x Power adapter (A right AC Adapter will be sent as your shipping country)
• 1 x User manual

Not much to see underneath a second reset button or something to push

A well vented base, has rubber feet pads very low, don't think it will do much for ventilation, does get warm but not overly hot

The Red Clock is not, devastated I was for a second, it's a cool look blueish purple Colour and is fine by me.
Display does show icons pending on connections, very small would not seen from a distance.

Box arrived very quick thanks to Geekbuying and DHL, all bits as advertised, Au power pack is always good, and neat looking unit, all plastic.

First Power on, Led glows red no clock, Power button on side to get started and away we go.
Display shows boot while loading and once connected to internet clock on front updates.
Boot time about 40 seconds to a minute if not longer and it is a slow to startup
Startup GUI is with a slightly modified MediaBox Launcher or you can change to the more standard Launcher3, unit is supplied Rooted,
The supplied remote control works well basic only, myself k400 Logitech keyboard.

Connection to Ethernet 10/100 or Wifi 2.4ghz easy no problems in setting up and connection to Google Play all good.
Speeds of Internet traffic vary on the time of day were fair to ok.
Downloading and installing apps, little slower than other media players I have used, que about 5 or more apps and let it go you could see it struggle with this task.
Also noticed when running Apps a little pause before app fully runs.

There also was an update to be installed dated 1st June some minor fixes, this was an OTA update and went ok
Also Note there is currently no DRM support, but playing Netflix looked ok, but there is a slight Audio sync problem at the moment.

You can read the full Geekbench scores at http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench3/6916087

Thoughts
More testing to be done,
For the price at the time, this box I find is not a Power House nor was it meant to be I feel,
Should/Could be a good streaming box, a bit more work on the Rom or a few Custom Roms this thing may work out well.
Current firmware is only second release and no doubt more glitches may be found as mentioned found a Audio sync
issue with Netflix. Yet to delve into Kodi or other media players at the moment.

Update June 16th
Has been mentioned and also noted here the unit can reset while streaming over ethernet (few hours) does not appear to do so over Wifi,
The Ota Update can and will do a few resets I found using ethernet.
At a guess using WIFI this may not happen. ?
These quirks has been mentioned to the supplier to be pass on the the manufacturer,
Cheers

Geekbuying

[romanatwud]

Nice tv box for $34.99. What's the name of the brand, though, R-Box?

[RISCy Dude]

2GB and eMMC storage should make this box pretty snappy. If the firmware echos the hardware configuration, should be a decent budget box.

Bought it.

Update: A steady stream of updates has this box performing beyond its meager price. I think I am totally satisfied, I have zero buyer's remorse. Turns out it was a little jewel in the rough, just need a couple of updates to smooth out the rough edges.

[RISCy Dude]

Nice tv box for $34.99. What's the name of the brand, though, R-Box?

I have no clue, might have to wait for a teardown/review.
Maybe OP has an idea.

[RISCy Dude]

Mine is on the way, took me a bit to decide on a color.
Looking forward to it.

[trebor]

Look Forward to you glowing review hope you make a video
Cheers

[sasho]

Guys, in Geekbuying's screenshots i can see only 1GB of ram installed.
Anybody already asked them about this??

[RISCy Dude]

Yes, I noticed this too. I ask Geekbuying. They confirmed 2GB(post #11). I ordered based on their confirmation.

[clarkss12]

Mine is on the way, took me a bit to decide on a color.
Looking forward to it.

which color did you pick? I will be amazed if this box turns out to be better than some of the more powerful and expensive boxes.

[RISCy Dude]

Tough choice, but I went with the black. I figured the silver would too easily show pet hair.
Which did you choose?

As a budget RK box with 2GB, I had to try it. I'm keeping my expectations subdued(mali 400), but I am optimistic. Should be fun.

[clarkss12]

Tough choice, but I went with the black. I figured the silver would to easily show pet hair.
Which did you choose?

As a budget RK box with 2GB, I had to try it. I'm keeping my expectations subdued(mali 400), but I am optimistic. Should be fun.

I got the black also. Guess I was in a hurry to order it, I did not even see the option for the silver one. BTW, I had one of those LED watches.

[scooter2014]

Look Forward to you glowing review hope you make a video
Cheers

If he gets his first! I still havent got word its shipped so we see who gets one first. Or if they boot or have 2 gigs. Bahaha.... But should be fun to show tracking and when they arrive. I put mine at 19 days maybe. If they beat that i will actually be impressed.

[clarkss12]

It usually only takes about 10 days from my order to it showing up on my front porch. That is with their free shipping using China Post. Geekbuying is pretty good.

[RISCy Dude]

Hey now, I never offered a review, I just want to see the innards.
And like you, no movement observed. It's Monday there now. Let's hope they get them out the door today. For now, we wait.
I am getting a new power tool, it will keep me distracted(or finger-less) until the R-Box makes the scene.

[scooter2014]

we can all cry together iam not expecting much if it runs it will go into shop to replace the first amilogic device bob saved from the trash can years ago. If the specs wrong we get to send back costing 50. 😁😁😁😁 so will only be out 20 lol