HPH NT-N8 RK3229 Review

[mo123]

Review of HPH NT-N8 RK3229

Specifications:

· CPU: RK3229 Quad Core ARM Cortex A7 @ 1.5 GHz
· GPU: ARM Mali-400MP2
· RAM: 1/2(Plus) GB DDR3-1866/LPDDR3-1333
· Storage: 8/16(Plus) GB EMMC
· Ethernet: 100 Mbps
· Wifi: 802.11 b/g/n, 2.4G /5G Dual-Band(Plus)
· Bluetooth: Support BT 4.0
· HDMI Output: 2.0
· AV Output: (3.5mm port for tv out or stereo speakers)
· Audio Output: S/PDIF (2CH, 5.1CH), HDMI Audio via HDMI Out Port
Supports DTS/AC3 Pass-through, TrueHD, DTSHD, EAC3
· Memory Card: TF card reader Micro-SD card interface
(Supports 1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB/16GB/32GB cards)
Video Codec – 4K2K 10-bit H.265 @ 60 fps (Up to 200 Mbps), 4K 10-bit H.264 @ 30 fps (Up to 250 Mbps) and 4K 8-bit VP9 @ 30 fps (Up to 200 Mbps)
· Decoder Formats: 10-bit H.264, 10-bit H.265, VP9, AVC, HD AVC/VC-1, HD MPEG1/2/4
Video Formats: 1080P, 4K x 2K, ASF, AVI, DAT, FLV, M2TS, MKV, MOV, MP4, MPEG, MPG, RM, RMVB, TP, TRP, TS, VOB, WMV, 3D MVC
Audio Formats: FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA
Picture Formats: BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG
· Video Encoder – 1080p H.264 and VP8
· 4 x USB 2.0 Ports
· Operating System: Android 5.1
· Language: Multi Language support
· Other features: Support DLNA, Miracast, Android/IOS Remote Control App
· 1080p Youtube Playback Support, Universal Storage

Package Contents: 1 x TV Box, 1 x EU/US/UK/AU Plug 5V, 3A Power Adapter(correct one will be shipped according to your country),
1 x HDMI Cable, 1x USB to USB Male Cable(for connecting to PC)
1 x IR Remote Control, 1 x English User Manual

There are 2 models

Specs NT N8 - 1GB DDR+8GB EMMC+AP6210 Wifi (2.4G + BT4.0) NT N8 Plus - 2GB DDR+16GB EMMC+AP6255 Wifi (Dual-band wifi 802ac + BT4.0)

Top view of the tv box



Bottom view of the tv box
There are also rubber pads on the side corners not shown here



Launcher view


(If wanting to pay with Paypal just leave the seller a message)
Airmail
DHL/EMS

There are 2 models
The Plus module has 5G wifi, 2GB RAM and 16GB storage.
The standard model has 2.4G wifi, 2GB RAM and 8GB storage.

[mo123]

DRM Info
The tv box supports Widevine Level 3 DRM.


Antutu Benchmark

5.8 GB Unified Storage
I will try to see if I can push it over 6GB.

Geekbench 4.0.1 Scores
(Not to be confused with other RK3229's that was tested with Geekbench 3.4.1 that will result in different scores)

Vellamo Score
(Not to be confused with other RK3229's that used an older version to test)

Easy Root/Unroot Setting

LeHome Remote Control Android app Screenshots


1080p Youtube Support

Some video playback tests.
All tests were done on a 1080p LED tv.
Results may vary on a UHD 4K display.

VC-1_29.970_sample.mkv
Plays smooth and deinterlacing is supported

PUPPIES BATH IN 4K (ULTRA HD)(Original_H.264-AAC).mp4
Smooth playback

MPEG2_1080i_sample.mkv
Smooth playback

Elysium_trailer_1-4K-HDTN(4ksamples.com).mp4
Smooth playback. There are just a few frame drops at one scene at the beginning of the video.

ed24p_03.ts
Smooth playback

dothack2.mpg
Smooth playback. Mpeg 2 playback is supported which was a problem a few months back on RK devices.

BT.2020.20140602.ts
Smooth playback. This kind of video format is not generally working on a lot of devices.

big_buck_bunny_720p_MPEG2_MP2_25fps_3600K.MPG
Smooth playback

big_buck_bunny_4k_H264_30fps.mp4
Smooth playback

Beauty_3840x2160_120fps_420_8bit_HEVC_MP4.mp4
Smooth playback. Some other RK3229 devices have problwems playing this back.

[07_REF_L4.0]Sword Art Online BD Opening.mkv
Smooth playback. Good to know 10-bit H264 anime is working properly.

[16_REF_L5.1][mp3_2.0]Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu BD OP.mkv
This video froze at the beginning of playback. I read that the RK3229 chipset doesn't support Ref16 Hi10p h264 playback.
Luckily most videos aren't in this format and most 10-bit anime is still playable.

4K-Chimei-inn-60mbps.mp4
Smooth playback

[cyber7]

Hi mo123 Is it possible to get a copy of the launcher for my HPH?

[mo123]

Hi mo123 Is it possible to get a copy of the launcher for my HPH?

Yes
I will try to make new firmware for HPH NT-V6 & HPH NT-V8 with this new launcher.
NTMC also has been heavily updated, so video playback will be better.
If taking too long, I will just send you the new launcher later.

[RISCy Dude]

Hello mo123, How are the temps?

[mo123]

Hello mo123, How are the temps?

I think it was 65C, can't remember if I saw it in Kodi after testing some videos.
But the outside of the casing didn't feel hot just slightly warm on the bottom.
Will play some 4K videos for an hour and then check temp again.
Is there a reliable way to test the temperature with an app perhaps or is the Kodi temp reporting accurate?

What are the temp on other RK3229 devices, do you know?
I heard the RK3229 CPU can reach a high temp of around 120C and read the temp on MX & R-box RK3229 was about 93-96C.

 

[RISCy Dude]

You can see some temps reflected in the benchmark screencaps in Trebor's R-Box post, scroll to just under the teardown pics.

If I remember correctly, on the R-Box, Kodi reads higher, than indicated elsewhere. As well as, versus IR to heatsink.

She uses that box and I don't get much time on it these days. I will try to check the temps next time I do.

See if CPU-Z conflicts with Kodi temps.

[mo123]

CPU-Z doesn't seem to show the temperature.
I will see if I can do a terminal command to get the temperature.
I think it will be something like cat /sys/class/temp0 or something.

Some more pictures uploaded to post #2.

[bluesmanuk]

It would be a good idea for Nagrace to update their website to show that their new product exists and is for sale.

[mo123]

It would be a good idea for Nagrace to update their website to show that their new product exists and is for sale.

They are planning to update the whole site.
But I will ask if they can do it sooner

[cyber7]

They are planning to update the whole site.
But I will ask if they can do it sooner

AWESOME mo123

When do you think you will release the new OS/Launcher for the V8?

[mo123]

AWESOME mo123

When do you think you will release the new OS/Launcher for the V8?

I will see if I can update the HPH NT-V8 firmware in the next 2 days.
Include the new launcher and update NTMC(Kodi).

[mo123]

New shipping methods added:

If you are in the US the parcel can ship with E-Packet which is an expedited shipping method.
For other countries airmail will be used.
Price will then be $39.99 for the 1GB/8GB device.
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...761092347.html

For DHL shipping the 1GB/8GB device is $45.90
For the Plus model, it is recommended to use DHL shipping since there is only a limited quantity still available.
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...750590406.html

[mo123]

Marshmallow firmware for HPH NT-N8 supports auto frame-rate switching in Kodi & stock video player for improved video playback smoothness
I will test Netflix, Antiutu and the latest Kodi soon and upload some screenshots.
Final MM firmware hopefully finished by next week.
 

[mo123]

Some new screenshots of Marshmallow running on HPH NT-N8 RK3229 tv box.





Antutu score increased a bit



Now I just have to find a way to root it, lol.
Root will be added next week with other improvements.