F6 (EKB318) Android TV Box with Rockchip RK3128
F6 (also called EKB318) is constructed on the basis of Rockchip RK3128 is a quad core Cortex A7 processor with a Mali GPU that supports H.265 video decoding up 1080p. It also has the 1GB RAM, and 8GB flash in what looks like the answer from Rockchip to Amlogic S805 solutions.
F6 / EKB318 specifications:
- SoC – Rockchip RK3128 quad core ARM Cortex A7 @ 1.3 GHz (or 1.2GHz) with ARM Mali-400MP2 GPU
- System Memory – 1 GB DDR3
- Storage – 8 GB NAND flash + micro SD slot (up to 32GB)
- Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, and optional Bluetooth 4.0.
- Video Output – HDMI 1.4
- Audio Output – HDMI, optical S/PDIF
- Video Codec
- Decode – H.265, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264, AVS, VC-1, RV, VP6/VP8, Sorenson Spark, MVC up to 1920×1080 @ 60fps
- Encode – H.264, H.265, VP8, MVC (1080p)
- USB – 4x USB 2.0 ports + 1 x micro USB OTG port
- Misc – IR sensor, power button and LED
- Power Supply – 5V/2A
- Dimensions – 117 x 117x 22 mm
- Weight – 190 grams
The box runs Android 4.4.4 pre-loaded with XBMC 14.0, and comes with an IR remote control, an HDMI cable, a power adapter, and a user’s manual.
Cortex A7 is a faster core than Cortex A5, but the frequency on RK3128 is only 1.2/1.3GHz, while Amlogic S805 is clocked at 1.5 GHz, so there may not be that much difference in terms of CPU performance. However, the GPU in RK3128 is the old Mali-400MP2, which may feel a bit sluggish like in M-195 (Realtek RTD1195) media player, and even casual gaming may suffer, so the box should probably be reserved for media consumption.
Price-wise the solution is very competitive, just like Amlogic S805 device, as it sells for as low as $45.90 on Aliexpress, and $49.99 on GeekBuying, both shops selling the version without Bluetooth. Eny Technology will soon sell in bulk for $31 to $34, according to their Alibaba page.
