R-Box Rockchip 2918 Google TV

[sstavross]

Hi!

I purchased this Google tv box, R-Box with rockchip 2918 chipset. After searching all internet I found nothing about this device, so I decide to write my own review and hopefully find some help from more experinced android users (this is my first android device ever).

After playing with the device I found it very good! It played all the videos fine ( mkv 1080 played from an external usb hard disc) with the original video player of the device. My samsung tv says that the output is 1280

 

[sstavross]

The specifications from the selling page are:

Specifications:
1. Rockchip RK2918 , up to 1.2GHz ARM Cortex A8
2.1080P media+3D GPU2. DDRII 512MB RAM, 4GB Flash
3.Android 2.3 operating system
4.Wi-Fi, Ethernet
5.Full HD 1080P hardware video decoder
6. Video Support: RM/RMVB, MPEG, MKV, AVI, FLV, VP8 up to 1080P
6.HDMI1.3 interface
7. Audio L/R: Left & Right ster
8. 2 wireless control
12.Built-in flash player 10.1
13.Full inrerner browser
14.Emali,Instant messenger
16.Online video,music and games
17.Support Extent Wire mouse or wireless mouse.
18.Color: blue or Black

Package contents:
1x Android TV Set-Top box
1x HDMI cable
1x Remote controller
1x Charger
1x CD

What I received was an IR remote controller(very cheap) and some video and audio cables. When I power on the machine and went to the browser , it downloaded and installed flash player 10.3! Also I can see full android market, but I think it is the previous version( not the latest one). About memory I can't see 4GB Flash.

Two more fotos:

 

[gasto]

Hi

Can you comment on MKV 720p and 1080p videos? Also, does it support external .srt subtitles?

Thanks

 

[sstavross]

I tried 1080p videos from external usd hdd and it was perfect! I played them with the default video player of the device. I'll try moboplayer later, they say that it is the best android video player. I didn't tried external subs, I'll do this and tell you. But as I wrote in my first post, my samsung tv said that the output was 720 60fps even if I played 1080 videos in 24Hz.

 

[gasto]

Sounds good enough for me. Didn't want to get the Flexiview just because of choppy mkv playback....

Do you have any link where I can order it?

 

[Johnny Bravo]

mmmh can wait to get mine then i like what i read

 

[dicksoft]

I want to root it so that i can make SMB mounting a service so that the mediaplayer can see the files om my NAS

 

[kabeza]

I want to root it so that i can make SMB mounting a service so that the mediaplayer can see the files om my NAS

Z4root

 

[dicksoft]

Z4root

Doesn't help.. Allready tried.

 

[bthoven]

Hi I also order the same Rockchip player, but with different box shape at $103 shipped. The spec is exactly the same but without bluetooth and 2.4ghz builtin, and no hdmi cable. Will put some review when i get it.

I think your player displays two portions of internal flash drive which sums up to around 3.xGB. So it really sees the 4GB flash chip; however I don't know why some space is missing.

 

[sstavross]

My player doesn't have bluethooth and 2.4ghz builtin! It is only in the paper!

About the memory thing, I think that some apks have been instlled so that's why I don't see the full 4GB

 

[celsosan]

so where does one get this device. i see good things in the future for this device.

 

[bthoven]

so where does one get this device. i see good things in the future for this device.

I usually buy from AliExpress - Buy directly from China .

Search by using keyword "android tv box", you will find a lot in there.

 

[Johnny Bravo]

or from here >>> ANDROID 2.3 TV SET-TOP BOX HDMI 1080P - sella Online Auctions & Classifieds | New Zealand

 

[bthoven]

Hi sstavross,

I think your box is more or less the same as MaxQ R7 box being sold in Malaysia.

Here is the product website:
MaxQ R7

Here is the box new firmware:
Firmware Update

Hope you now can start your rooting process.

Please kindly update your progress (or not progress) here. Thanks.

I still can't find my box firmware download

 

[mixterz]

so your saying the box says bluetooth support but that was a load of bull ?
in terms of the cheap remote you cant use the handy mini keyboard like sony or revue

 

[sstavross]

Hi sstavross,

I think your box is more or less the same as MaxQ R7 box being sold in Malaysia.

Here is the product website:
MaxQ R7

Here is the box new firmware:
Firmware Update

Hope you now can start your rooting process.

Please kindly update your progress (or not progress) here. Thanks.

I still can't find my box firmware download

Thank you very much for the links!! You are right, I think it is the same box with mine! I'll download the firmware and I'll tell you my finding!
How did you find it?

 

[bthoven]

Thank you very much for the links!! You are right, I think it is the same box with mine! I'll download the firmware and I'll tell you my finding!
How did you find it?

I find this by using google image search, search for same box looks, but sold by different websites; until I found this seller website.

I wish I could root mine as well because:

1. I want to change pixel/inch to display bigger icon/font
2. can use remote control app to control my Android box from internet
3. use Market Enabler to change Market location for some hidden apps not listed in my Market location.

Hope you are good luck with the root on the new firmware file.

 

[sstavross]

Well, after downloading the firmware you suggested, I tried to root it but no luck :-( The system is encrypted cramfs and until now for this firmware and chipset(rockchip 2918) there is no rooting.
After updating the firmware I went to system info to see if there was any change. Well,no! The firmware version is exactly the same as the previous one(v.1.28_0707). But there were same changes: I can now change the resolutuion to 1080p like your box bthoven! Also I can set the display output to VGA or TV(which my box hasn't! No VGA or composite output, only component) Apart from this I didn't notice any other changes in the system. If I find anything else I'll inform the forum here.

 

[bthoven]

Hi sstavross,

I'm glad you are now able to output fullhd video at 1080p with the other firmware.

Thanks for your updates. I hope someone could manage to root your and my tv box.

BTW, are you able to play flash inside browser? Mine works fine out of the box, but once I update Adobe Flash to 10.3 and now 11, it is not working anymore .

 

[sstavross]

Hi bthoven.

I have some news about our devices with the rockchip chipset. I had an email from one guy from the factory that produces these boxes. Here is his answer about firmware updates:

[FONT=&quot]"Honestly tell you , Rockchip TV Box is not mature ,I mean , rockchip`s function and performance still need to be improved . [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Many manufacturers and buyers are suffering from this Rockchip model . most buyes are not satified with the quality of Rockchip . now we already stopped promoting our model of TB06 . We are waiting for Rockchip`s improving for the Box . No one knows when it will be ready . if the quality are imrpoved , we will continue to sell it , otherwise , we will stop it . [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]At present , we recommend you to try TV Box with Amlogic solution or Samsung solution , these two solutions are more mature .[/FONT]"

The TB06 is my model but on a price list he sent me for the other solutions, it lists your model with the same discription as mine "N/A".

So , we are alone... until they come back to suport these boxes again, or someone from the communitty tries to make a custom firmware... It is pity...

 

[bthoven]

Well sstavross, I'm really happy with my box now. With this price ($103.- shipped), I got more than what I would have expected. Play most Android apps, flash support (working now with 10.2 only), output fullhd videos.

I saw the popular Flexiview FV-1 model can't output real FullHD movie, and with only 2GB internal flash. I rather keep mine.

Can't root my box is not a big deal .

I believe your box is also performing well as mine. New firmware doesn't really improve much as long as it is on Froyo/Gingerbread.

I also have Logitech Revue ordered from Amazon (I pay $162 including shipping from US to Thailand + import tax). With current Revue firmware, our Android box can do much more than Revue. I bought it hoping to have it updated with official Honeycomb firmware in the near future. Have to admit that Revue video output quality is clearer and crisp; its included wireless keyboard/touchpad is really excellent.

 

[stak]

Hi sstavross,

Could you upload firmware for MaxQ R7 to the any free fileshare?
Coz I can't download this file from official site, always dropped connection.

Thanks.

 

[Gianni-Perth]

I'm lost. I heard that the arm 9 armlogic chipset is not stable and that the 8726 rock chip is a8 is stable. Which is it?

 

[bthoven]

I'm lost. I heard that the arm 9 armlogic chipset is not stable and that the 8726 rock chip is a8 is stable. Which is it?

Well, I'm not sure how unstable it is, but my G-Box (RK2918) has been serving me well for almost a month now.