{"id":8191,"date":"2013-06-24T11:39:44","date_gmt":"2013-06-24T03:39:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.geekbuying.com\/geekgiz\/?p=8191"},"modified":"2024-05-29T17:52:47","modified_gmt":"2024-05-29T09:52:47","slug":"k-r42first-rk3188-quad-core-tv-box-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.geekbuying.com\/geekgiz\/2013\/06\/k-r42first-rk3188-quad-core-tv-box-review\/","title":{"rendered":"K-R42,First RK3188 Quad Core TV BOX Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hi, Guys:<\/p>\n

After play so many quad core tv sticks, today we will introduce a new quad core TV BOX with Ethernet port, external wifi antenna;<\/p>\n

Model is K-R42<\/a><\/strong>, Actually we have seen this model in our competitor’s site before, but we don’t hurry to list it for sale, because we want to test the performance, and we need to know what we are selling \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

So, here we go, let’s check how good this first quad core tv box:<\/p>\n

1 Specification:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Hardware Spec:<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Operation System<\/td>\nAndroid\u00a04.2.2 Jelly Bean<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Language<\/td>\nMulti-Language support<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chipset<\/td>\nRK3188 28nm Cortex-A9\u00a0Quad core.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
GPU<\/td>\nMali400 MP4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SDRAM<\/td>\nDDR3 2GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nand Flash<\/td>\n8GB Nand Flash.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Storage Extension<\/td>\nSupport MicroSD(TF) \uff0cUp to 32GB <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Network<\/td>\n2.4GHZ WiFi 802.11 b\/g\/n, LAN 10\/100M Base-T<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power Supply<\/td>\nDC 5V\/2A<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Interface:<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
HDMI Out<\/td>\n1xHDMI(A type Male) Full HD 1920x1080P<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
USB Port<\/td>\n2XUSB Host<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Data Output<\/td>\n1xSPDIF<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AV Out<\/td>\n1×3.5mm Headphone Jack<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Network<\/td>\n1xRJ45 LAN Port<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power Supply<\/td>\n1xDC Jack(2.1mm)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Antenna<\/td>\nExternal WiFi antenna<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Media Parameter:<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Audio Container:<\/td>\nSupport MP1\u3001MP2\u3001MP3\u3001WMA\u3001WAV\u3001OGG\u3001OGA\u3001APE\u3001FLAC\u3001AAC\u3001M4A\u30013GPP\u2026etc Audio formats.Muliti -EQ mode\uff0cSupport Synchronized lyrics and full-page lyric display.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Audio Out<\/td>\nHDMI Data Output<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Video Decoder<\/td>\nMPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4,H.263, H.264, AVS, VC-1,
\nRV, VP6\/VP8, Sorenson Spark, MVC 1920x1080P 60FPS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Video Encoder<\/td>\nH.264\uff0cVP8\uff0cMVC(1080P)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Resolution<\/td>\nFull HD1080P@30fps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
H.264 Data Rate:<\/td>\nUp to 60Mbps<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Image browser<\/td>\nSupport JPG\u3001JPEG\u3001BMP\u3001GIF\u3001PNG\u3001JFIF\u2026etc photo format.Maximum resolution up to 8192×8192.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Text-Reading<\/td>\nSupport TXT\u3001LRC\u3001PDF\u3001Html\u3001Htm\u3001EPUB\u2026etc formats(Depends on APK install)\u3002<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Software Compatibility<\/td>\nWindows XP,Window 7, iOS,Android<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Software Extension<\/td>\nSupport Google Play & APK install\u3002<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DLNA,Wimo Protocol<\/td>\nSupport DLNA,Wimo Protocol<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Remote Control<\/td>\nSupport Smart phone remote control\u30012.4GHZ wireless air mouse\/Remote controller.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
IM Software<\/td>\nSupport Skype\/QQ\/MSN\/GTALK (Depends on APK install)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Offic Software<\/td>\nWORD\/EXCEL\/PDF(Depends on APK install)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Others Parameters<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Operationg Temperature:<\/td>\n-10~40\u2103<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Storage Temperature:<\/td>\n-20~50\u2103<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Humidity environment<\/td>\n5%-90%(No condensation)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Certification<\/td>\nCCC,CE,EMC,FCC,Wi-Fi<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dimension<\/td>\n142x95x16mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Net Weight<\/td>\n130g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Accessory List<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.Standard Package: 1xGift box\u30011xManual\u30011xAdapter(DC 5V\/2A),1xHDMI Cable 1x IR Remote Controller<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

This specification is coming from factory directly, and we can see some highlights for this K-R42 TV BOX:<\/p>\n

1 Coming with Android 4.2.2 Jelly bean OS directly;<\/p>\n

2 Coming with external wifi antenna (we will put some test for wifi in following reviews)<\/p>\n

3 Coming with multi-port, such as Ethernet port,SPDIF port, headphone jack, and usb ports.<\/p>\n

4 Coming with a extrea remote control, and easy to use! you also can power off your device with the remote!<\/p>\n

5 Coming with physical power on\/off button, you never need to worry how to power off my android tv box \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

Now let’s begin the review:<\/p>\n

Part 1: Appearance Review<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The first bulk is only light blue colour, no other colour now, please notice when you place order. The physical power on\/off button is on the front of K-R42. The remote control is using 2pcs AAA battery, factory don’t product battery in the package, it is safe for the shipping and custom, so when you get this K-R42, you should install the battery in remote first;<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Now let’s check the ports on K-R42, from left to right:<\/p>\n

External wifi antenna;<\/p>\n

RJ45 port for Ethernet;<\/p>\n

USB 2.0 port for keyboard\/mice or usb disk\/hard driver;<\/p>\n

SPDIF for audio output;<\/p>\n

HDMI port<\/p>\n

OTG port for connecting with PC;<\/p>\n

AV port;<\/p>\n

DC port;<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

There is still one usb 2.0 port and one micro sd card slot on the side;<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Here is the bottom of K-R42, and the recovery button is here, you can use it for firmware upgrade;<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Remote Reivew:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

You can power on\/off the K-R42 with the botton on remote. Please notice this remote don’t have Gyro, so it just like a keyboard\/mice, i tested with the XBMC,it’s good to use.<\/p>\n

After change to Mouse mode, you can press the\u00a0direction key to control the mouse on your TV.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Inside of K-R42:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Part 2 System Review:<\/p>\n

\"316909\"<\/p>\n

\"316909\"<\/p>\n

Classic Android 4.2 OS, and no other chinese app built-in, the cleanest rom i have seen ever:) \u00a0 build in google play store.<\/p>\n

Also build in the latest Rockchip smartphone control app, install the following app in your smartphone,<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.mediafire.com\/download\/9ettekulsbk5g82\/RKRemoteV2.0.2.rar<\/a><\/p>\n

and put this tv box and your smarphont in same network, you can enjoy to control this tv box with your smartphone;<\/p>\n

\"316909\"<\/p>\n

Here is the system information, you can find the kernel version and build number here;<\/p>\n

\"316909\"<\/p>\n

About wifi, the external wifi antenna made K-R42 has amazing wifi signals, i will do a compare with other mini pc in later review, but from this photo, we can see, the link speed is 150MBPS, and i already confirm with factory, the K-R42 use the realtek 8188 wifi chipset;<\/p>\n

\"316909\"<\/p>\n

Screen resolution,i have to say, this tv box is still coming with 720p upscale to 1080p. and the real 1080p firmware will coming later;<\/p>\n

Benchmark Reivew:<\/p>\n

1 Antutu Benchmark:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

2 NenaMark Benchmark:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

3 Vellamo Benmark:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

APP Review<\/strong><\/p>\n

Google Play Store:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Google Play store is built-in, but not coming with the latest version, you can update by yourself easily, and If you met problem about some apps is incompatible with your device, you can see this instruction:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.andromint.com\/install-incompatible-android-apps-from-google-play\/<\/p>\n

or<\/p>\n

http:\/\/forum.xda-developers.com\/showthread.php?t=2143039<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Youtube <\/strong><\/p>\n

\"316909\"<\/p>\n

running the latest Youtube app which is got from google play store, no problem in play HD videos;<\/p>\n

Web Browser<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"316909\"<\/p>\n

Build-in Adobe Flash Player<\/p>\n

Skype<\/strong><\/p>\n

Skype video chat is working on K-R42, We tested with Logitech C170<\/a> Webcam, audio and video all ok.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Netflix<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ok, i have to tell you bad news about Netflix, the K-R42 sample we tested still have\u00a0scrambled problemed, i have reported this problem to factory,and wait for a new update. but as we all know, All of other android 4.2 tv sticks have those problem before, but rockchip has fixed the problem, so i think the K-R42 just need a update to fix the problem.<\/p>\n

RKgameController<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

RKGameControlSetting is an Android application that will help you define the regions on the screen used in a game and the corresponding buttons to map these regions to. I have tested with an allwinner a31 tablet, it just works great, i don’t feel any lags.<\/p>\n

Please make sure your smartphone or tablet is in the same network with your TV BOX, and you should install the latest smartphone controller app in your smartphone or tablet.<\/p>\n

For more information, see here:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.geekbuying.com\/geekgiz\/index.php\/2013\/05\/21\/some-useful-information-for-rockchip-base-android-tv-stick\/<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wireless Display<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Wireless Display is the newest tech which allow you to mirror your smartphone to your TV, K-R42 is built in the wireless display app, if you want to use this function, run this app first, and then open the wireless display function in your smartphone or tablet, choose K-R42 to pair, and connect. We have tested with google nexus smartphone and xiaoMi 2 smartphone, all work. but as far as i know, the Samsung smartphone don’t work with this now.<\/p>\n

XBMC<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Because K-R42 is still base on rockchip rk3188 chip, so still no hardware decoding on this device, but you still can run this XBMC version<\/a> in your K-R42. however, if you want to play 1080p movie smoothly, you should use the external video player, see instruction here<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.geekbuying.com\/geekgiz\/index.php\/2013\/05\/09\/how-to-use-xbmc-play-1080p-file-with-external-player-in-rk3188-tv-sticksuch-as-tronsmart-mk908-and-tronsmart-t428\/#.UcVxPPlWb_I<\/a><\/p>\n

File explorer<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Tested with 1TB USB HARD DRIVERS, and try to play the 1080p file through the hard drivers, all working!<\/p>\n

WIFI test<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Till now, K-R42 has the best wifi signal in all of the tv box i tested, The external WIFI signal is really helped a lot.<\/p>\n

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Table of Contents<\/p>\n