Rockchip vs AMLogic

[dankec]

I'm interested in those devices which includes DVB-T receivers:

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/EM6DVB-T-XBMC-preinstalled-Android-4-2-2-TV-set-top-box-Google-Amlogic-8726-MX/1446343555.html

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/4-0-4-Smart-Android-TV-Box-DVB-T-HD-PVR-XBMC-Preinstalled-1080P-HD-WIFI/750141667.html

What do you think, will it be possible to change the firmware in order to have all the privileges of non-fabric fw-s?

[d33]

Any of these read 3D iso file formats?

[MINIX]

For what is worth my first Android TV box was a Mini Neo X7, which initially I was delighted with.

It is very fast -browsing - playing games & has good support .. BUT and it is a BIG BUT -- it is totally useless when using XBMC. 1080p video playback is just awful - check out the Mini forums to see just how many disgruntled users there are complaining about this.

This seems to be an issue with RK3188 devices.

Since buying the X7 I bought a G-Box MX2 clone (g18ref board) and the difference is jaw dropping! Put simply - it works 100% & XBMC is totally amazing.

I know of others who also jumped ship from RK3188 device to AMLogic who are equally happy.

The MX2 clones may not be as fast with browsing / games but for XBMC use they are fantastic!

Hope this helps

XBMC for MINIX is released...
Fully optimized.

[dankec]

XBMC for MINIX is released...
Fully optimized.

So, what now? XBMC will be made obviously for all RK3188 devices which will put them over Amlogic devices... I suppose we should buy RK3188 now as a better choice.

[noosk]

So, what now? XBMC will be made obviously for all RK3188 devices which will put them over Amlogic devices... I suppose we should buy RK3188 now as a better choice.

Well, team XBMC have just announced that they are going to fully support AMLOGIC devices in every Gotham release starting 30/12. Plus, dedicated XBMC builds have been working on the AMLOGIC platform for some time. Minix is rather later to the party...

[noosk]

Any of these read 3D iso file formats?

Not sure about 3D iso's, but my Linux M3 box streams 1080p 3D movies no worries with the MU addon.

[soshowme]

I own a G-box MX (original MX3 with firmware Rev. 2.1) I run the STTV Linux XBMC ROM release 4 and it is fast and smooth as silk. I have also a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 phone and a Galaxy Note 8 tablet (both with quad-core Exynos 4411 and 2Gb and none are better and as stable as my old MX box.

My next box is going to be a quad Amlogic when they get stable or maybe one with the Allwinner A80 as their PowerVR processor kick ass.

[noderat]

Rockchip XBMC is still fairly unstable as far as hardware decoding goes even on the MINIX xbmc release. AMLogic is still the best for video playback. Rockchip doesn't produce the rk3188 anymore instead they make the rk3188t which is a pain in the ass to work with. I'm actually selling all of my rockchip devices and ordering the new s802 devices

Sent from my mobile device. Please excuse any typos.

[scooter2014]

The xmbc build 12.9 for my old jynkbox still looks nicer colours then my 3066 and 3188 boxes from rockchip.

Ive yet to have a crash or freeze when running video on it, websurfing games and play store painfully slow but still useable.

[noderat]

Amlogic is great for xbmc but miserable for almost everything else. I'm actually looking for a cheap $40-50 amlogic dual core device to test with for end users xbmc right now.

Sent from my mobile device. Please excuse any typos.

[noderat]

My biggest frustration is that rk3066 devices like the mk808 are $40-45 and play xbmc reasonably well but I find so many issues with stability that I get frustrated as I need a "mom-proof" device that supports 720p hardware decoding. Honestly I don't need anything but XBMC to run either.

Sent from my mobile device. Please excuse any typos.

[scooter2014]

Let me know if you find that cheap? Even the old Minix boxes still up at close to 90 plus shipping. I found some cheap 3188t devices for 60 but nothing under the 60 Mark anyplace.

[helkish]

Have you guys tried the latest Gotham Betas on your Rockchip devices? Just wondering where the stability problems are in the OS or in XBMC.

From what I understand the Rockchip devices have hardware acceleration via libstagefright/MediaCodec which is a standard.

For Amlogic it is provided by proprietary code (amcodec). Which is fine for XBMC ( and other apps as long as the developer uses the proprietary amlogic code).

I have Geniatech MyGica ATV520E Dual Core Amlogic M6. With the latest firmware and XBMC Gotham Beta 2 it is working a lot better. I had play around a little because a/v sync issue but I think I worked it out. Android seems to run fine, I don't encounter very many bugs.

I think my next box is going to be an Odroid from Hard Kernel. They have a large growing community which means better support and I don't think you can brick them. Just swap eMMC/SD card out.

[scooter2014]

Yes gotham beta 3 out now too and its better some dependancy issues and minor glitches but all in a better build now.

[soshowme]

@helkish, I saw the Odroid boxes, bot quad and octa core. I was looking to see if their android version besides running XBMC can play Netflix, Hulu, etc. I have a Note 2 and a Note 8 and both use the same 4412 SOC and can play Netflix, Hulu, Crackle, etc., without problems.

The only thing is that both Notes were crashing while playing XBMC but now I'm running Gotham 13 beta 2 and haven't had a crash or hiccup on them.

Another thing is that I heard the Odroids don't have DD/DTS passthrough over HDMI and for me that would be a deal breaker.

The quad core developer edition with case, 8Gb emmc and all other crap is close to $100 so it is not bad since it is a more powerful platform than RK3188, A31 and Amlogic MX. I know it will not stack very good compared to the new Amlogic 802 but it will certainly be more mature.