There are so many Android media players out there so it is refreshing t0 see a company release a device with a Linux focus. SolidRun’s CuboxTV uses a Freescale i.MX6 chipset armed with a quadcore CPU and Vivante GC2000 3D GPU to run a variety of operating systems such as OpenELEC and Android. Whilst I’m completing my review, I thought I’d share my impressions of the device so far.
I want to say thanks to Solidrun for sending me a CuboxTV to review. You can purchase one from their online store. For those wanting features such as built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, SolidRun also have the CuBox i4Pro available from their store and NewEgg.
CuboxTV Technical Specs
- Chipset: Freescale i.MX6
- GPU: Vivante GC2000 3D GPU
- RAM: 1 GB SDRAM
- Storage: 8 GB + microSD
- Video & Audio Output: HDMI 1.4, SP-DIF
- Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet (Limited to 470Mbps due to internal i.MX6 buses)
- USB: 2 x USB 2.0 port
- Other Features: IR receiver
- Power: 5V 3A
- Dimensions: 5.08 x 5.08 x 5.08 cm
- OS: Linux/OpenELEC/Android 4.4
CuboxTV Unboxing
CuboxTV Design
The CuboxTV is tiny! Just 5.08 cm on each side, SolidRun have managed an IR port, 2 USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, optical audio and a micro SD card slot into the CuboxTV’s diminutive frame.
OpenELEC Performance
The CuboxTV doesn’t feature a power button, so plugging it in causes it to immediately boot. I had installed OpenELEC by downloading and flashing the Ignition image from SolidRun’s site. Connecting my Rikomagic MK705 airmouse, I was able get the CuboxTV to automatically download and install OpenELEC. The box then rebooted into OpenELEC. Easy!
Boot times were fast at just 15.7 seconds (approximately). However, this is a device that is clearly designed to be always-on so the significance of boot times is probably irrelevant to most.
OpenELEC performance was very good, with everything feeling responsive and list scrolling was nice and smooth.
HDMI-CEC worked perfectly with my Samsung TV, allowing me to use my TV’s remote to control the CuboxTV.
CuboxTV Media Playback in OpenELEC
I took the CuboxTV through my media test files. The results are below:
| Video Codec | OpenELEC |
| 1080p 3D SBS H.264 | OK |
| 1080p 3D ABL H.264 | Audio only |
| 1080p H.264 | OK |
| 1080p H.264 60Hz | Unwatchable |
| 1080p High Bitrate H.264 | OK |
| 720p 50Hz | OK |
| 1080i 50Hz | OK |
| 4K H.264 | Audio only |
| 4K HEVC | Unwatchable |
| 1080p VP8 | OK |
| 720p Hi10p | Unwatchable |
| 1080p Hi10p | Unwatchable |
| 1080p MPEG2 | OK |
| 720P RMVB | No Video |
| 1080p VC1 | OK |
| 1080p VP8 | OK |
Playback was generally good. Those files that were unwatchable were obviously switching to software decoding, which the CPU couldn’t keep up with. Watching interlaced content was fine and and automatic frame rate switching worked perfectly. Some files only played with audio however.
Verdict so far
I’m impressed with the performance of the CuboxTV so far. It’s easy to set up, fast and offers a played back the most common video codecs without issue. Those who watch content with various framerates will appreciate the automatic framerate switching, a function that is unfortunately not available on most Android players.
Getting One
You can purchase the CuboxTV directly from Solidrun from their online store. For those wanting features such as built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, SolidRun also have the CuBox i4Pro available from their store and NewEgg.
