15 replies to this topic

[PaulOBrien]

The MK802II is a gadget i've been looking to try out for a while... an Android ICS build running on a small stick with a HDMI connector at one end and an array of USB ports for connectivity. Much promise... but is it any good?

That's exactly the question i'll be looking to answer as I try out the device... but in the meantime, in the spirit of #askmodaco, I'll try and answer any questions YOU may have!

The specs of the device are as follows...

• Model: MK802 II
  
• OS: Android 4.0 / Can also run desktop versions of Linux from a bootable SD Card.
  
• Main Chip: Allwinner A10/ 1GHz Cortex-A8
  
• Memory: 1GB
  
• Storage: 4GB
  
• Graphics: MALI 400 Processor
  
• Network: Wireless 802.11b/g/n, WAPI(Ralink8188)
  
• Expansion: Micro SD 2-32GB Memory
  
• IO/Ports: Micro USBX2; USB2.0X1; HDMIX1; MicroSDX1
  
• Keyboard: Supports virtual keyboard, supports 2.4G wireless keyboard, fly mouse
  
• Audio: AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, QCP, MP3, WMA, WAV, MIDI, M4A
  
• Video: WMV/ASF/MP4/3GP/3G2M4V/AVI/MJPEG/RV10/ DivX/VC-1/MPEG-2/
  
• MPEG-4/H.263/H.264/1280*720P HD 30 fps, 1080P/720*480 D1 30fps
  
• Apps: Google Play Store
  
• HDMI: Output 720P, 576P, 480P, 1080P&2160P
  
• Power Input: Powered by USB port.
  
• HDMI: female to male cable,Power adapter(optional).
  
• Unit Size: 9.7*2.8*1.2cm
  
• Total weight: 0.2kg

Not bad specs i'm sure you'll agree, the key question for me being where the CPU is up to scratch for playing video and whether the array of USB ports work as intended for OTG, USB keyboards etc.

The MK802II is priced at £49.99 with regular AirMail delivery (the device ships from the far east) or £59.99 with express delivery, both from Cloudsto Electronics.

Click here to view the item

[Wahwah]

What are the control options here? Could I use my phone as a remote control for this?

[Colossae3.23]

You need to have USB on the TV to connect this, is that right?

[flibblesan]

It connects by HDMI. I assume if the TV has USB you can power the unit from that.. else use an external power supply.

[olhel]

Have you tried running XBMC on it? If yes, how does it perform?

[Colossae3.23]

flibblesan, on 11 September 2012 - 11:52 AM, said:

It connects by HDMI. I assume if the TV has USB you can power the unit from that.. else use an external power supply.

right, I knew it was something that was making me wonder if I could use it. I think its cause I only have one HDMI and freeview box is in that. Any other way of connecting it? I don't have USB. Its a older Pioneer Plasma, nice telly. But a dumb one

[Wahwah]

HDMI splitter?

No idea what this one's like: http://www.amazon.co...stp_s2_edpp_url

[asaxby]

How does it cope with streaming video like Netflix and Lovefilm?

[T39andcounting]

What keyboard/mouse are you using? I've seen these bundled with the Lenovo N5901 on Amazon, and a few on ebay with air mouse keyboards. Be interested in how well these are supported within Android.

[iamthecosmos]

OK, let's get to the really important question...

what is the best way to play Angry Birds on this thing?  Is there a 'show touches' (in developer options) mode that would work on a trackpad accessory?  I'm thinking something like this?  http://www.cloudsto....ets-detail.html

[PaulOBrien]

Wahwah, on 11 September 2012 - 11:33 AM, said:

What are the control options here? Could I use my phone as a remote control for this?

Yes, I use a Logitech K400 to control it - http://www.logitech....h-keyboard-k400 - works great.

Colossae3.23, on 11 September 2012 - 11:48 AM, said:

You need to have USB on the TV to connect this, is that right?

No, not at all. It comes with a USB cable, but I just use a mains to USB adaptor (my TV doesn't have USB).

olhel, on 11 September 2012 - 11:56 AM, said:

Have you tried running XBMC on it? If yes, how does it perform?

Not yet - on the to-do list!

asaxby, on 11 September 2012 - 12:12 PM, said:

How does it cope with streaming video like Netflix and Lovefilm?

On the to-do list!

T39andcounting, on 11 September 2012 - 12:25 PM, said:

What keyboard/mouse are you using? I've seen these bundled with the Lenovo N5901 on Amazon, and a few on ebay with air mouse keyboards. Be interested in how well these are supported within Android.

See above.

iamthecosmos, on 11 September 2012 - 01:36 PM, said:

OK, let's get to the really important question...

what is the best way to play Angry Birds on this thing?  Is there a 'show touches' (in developer options) mode that would work on a trackpad accessory?  I'm thinking something like this?  http://www.cloudsto....ets-detail.html

I installed Angry Birds, it works, not sure how to zoom in / out tho...

P

[sipart]

I'm pretty sure these are made by http://www.geniatech.com/ - they make lots of Android TV boxes that are screen printed for different re-sellers.

Couple of android sticks -
http://www.geniatech.com/pa/atv100.asp
and
http://www.geniatech.com/pa/atv120.asp

and a bit off topic but.......

I did a bit of research into this manufacturer when I heard about XBMC for android and PIVOS sponsorship.
I ended up buying a Sumvision Cyclone Nano Slim + (http://www.ebuyer.co...yclonenanoslim-) as it's identical to the PIVOS XIOS (only available in the USA - http://www.pivosgroup.com/xios.html). I've taken mine apart and the system board is identical to the PIVOX XIOS - so pivos firmware (including the Linux build they do) works on the Sumvison ;-) (Cheeky I know!)

Advantage of Sumvision is the remote as it works pretty well and more functions than the limited PIVOS remote - Angry Birds Space playable :-)

Here's my research from XBMC.org: http://forum.xbmc.or...8355#pid1148355

Be nice to see a Modaco/Paul O'Brien ICS build for it :-D as the PIVOS/Sumvision ICS is a bit incomplete/flaky. It doesn't support sleep or Bluetooth (USB sticks) and the phone elements are still in the build (although PIVOS have provided a fix for the removal or you can use root explorer to remove them). And I'm sure the Modaco magic could improve the firmware further :-)

[PaulOBrien]

The ATV120 looks pretty cool... can't see it on sale anywhere tho?

P

[sipart]

PaulOBrien, on 11 September 2012 - 04:17 PM, said:

The ATV120 looks pretty cool... can't see it on sale anywhere tho?

P

it does look promising - suspect no reseller sales or device not ready for distribution yet. Looks like they plan to ship with jelly bean as well.

[razzmataz1478]

I'd love to see Kinect hacked to work with android, if it isn't already. That would be the ultimate combination!!

[tictac]

I ordered one of these last week from Ebay. Not received it yet but I'm going to give plex for android a go with this and try droidmote to control it.