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Beelink I68 2GB/8GB Octacore Android 5.1 TV Box US $75.89 (~AU $103) Shipped @ GearBest

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Beelink I68 2GB/8GB Octacore Android 5.1 TV Box US $75.89 (~AU $103) Shipped @ GearBest
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Darkscythe on 19/08/2015 - 13:19 gearbest.com (327 clicks)
Last edited 19/08/2015 - 13:20
HTLi68

Hi all,

I've recently posted my review of the Beelink i68 - one of the first Android boxes to be powered by the Rockchip octacore RK3368 chip. It's a well-made unit and the RK3368 is a capable SoC for both media and gaming, although I did experience some issues with my 1080p HEVC sample.

Pricing was pretty tight but I managed to negotiate a deal for 100 units at US$75.89 (around AU$103 according to Google) for the 2GB/8GB variant (because who only wants 1GB of RAM :p)

Specs from Home Theatre Life
  • Operating System: Android 5.1
  • Chipset: Rockchip RK3368
  • CPU: Octacore Cortex A53 processor @ 1.5 GHz
  • GPU: PowerVR G6110
  • Memory: 2GB DDR3
  • Internal Storage: 8GB eMMC + Micro SD card slot (up to 64GB)
  • Connectivity: 10/100M Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0
  • Audio/Video Output: HDMI 2.0, SP-DIF
  • Interfaces: 3 x USB 2.0, 1 x micro USB OTG

Don't forget Cash Rewards for cashback!

Read my detailed review over at Home Theatre Life

Electrical & Electronics Beelink I68

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closed Comments

  • MadMaxBargainRoad on 19/08/2015 - 13:48

    This SOC is still quite buggy at the moment. Like the Tronsmart, it also lacks of Gigabit port. 4K is going to be a stretch.

    This is a review of Tronsmart box using the exact same SOC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuaPEgDBaVU

    • Darkscythe on 19/08/2015 - 13:55

      I'm currently reviewing the Tronsmart Orion R68 Meta at the moment. Interestingly, my 4K H.264 sample was fine when I tested it (Big Buck Bunny) but I did see some stuttering on my 1080p HEVC sample.

      • Kaboda on 19/08/2015 - 15:37

        If you don't mind me asking what are you using to sample 4K?

        Youtube 4K of Netflix 4K?

        I've got a transmart but I haven't hooked it to my LG UHD TV yet.

        • Darkscythe on 19/08/2015 - 15:39

          I just use the 4K version of Big Buck Bunny in H.264 plus some other 4K video samples in various codecs.

    • Clear on 19/08/2015 - 14:12

      Newly released batches of Tronsmart have gigabit now.

      • Darkscythe on 19/08/2015 - 14:15

        Interesting! I haven't done my Ethernet tests for the Orion R68 yet so hoping mine's got gigabit.

        • Clear on 19/08/2015 - 14:16
          +1

          I would doubt it. The gigabit version was only released yesterday. Give it some time and Beelink will have a GB version too since they both use the same factory.

    • pxrnm on 19/08/2015 - 17:10

      Gigabit port is included.

      Beelink i68 TV Box 4K 1000M Ethernet
      - 2GB RAM + 8GB ROM BLACK

      • MadMaxBargainRoad on 19/08/2015 - 18:03
        +2

        If you read op's review you will see it's only 100m.

        • Darkscythe on 19/08/2015 - 23:53

          It seems that gigabit was originally planned (it was on the early spec sheets I saw) but didn't make it into this current run. My unit is definitely only 10/100.

        • pxrnm on 20/08/2015 - 13:16

          @Darkscythe: yes, however your link to gear best is with gigabit ethernet. So i think you should update your specs.

        • MadMaxBargainRoad on 22/08/2015 - 11:21

          @pxrnm: rofl, he's not even a rep. And please drop that demanding cr@p.

        • pxrnm on 22/08/2015 - 15:01

          @maxhu:
          Whooaaa shit just got reall.. i am holding a gun and make a Demand.. just to change the spec?

          Get a life.

          Just saying that the link to gearbest is gigabit. May help people like me who made decision based on the fact that it has it.

          Op may or may not change the specs, but so what? that's why i said "should" not "have to/must"

          So relax man.

  • pork chop on 19/08/2015 - 13:51

    Noob question. Does anyone know if I can stream torrent tv from this box to my TV. How about chromecast?

    • gizmomelb on 19/08/2015 - 14:06

      umm if by torrent TV you mean .AVI or .MKV files you've downloaded, then yes this will work fine. I've never tried casting from my android media box to a chromecast on another TV, but I guess it might work.

      MaxHu - you don't need a gigabit port for 4K video playback, 100Mb/s is fine for streaming.

  • ultramic on 19/08/2015 - 14:25
    +2

    Cheaper here for the same unit using coupon "R84KBox", brings the price down to US$60 which worked out to be about A$85.

    http://www.geekbuying.com/item/R8-Android-5-1-4K-TV-Box-Rock…

    I havent recieved the unit yet so cant comment on item or shopping experience with geekbuying (this is my first purchase with them). I got paypal to back me up if anything goes wrong.

    • Darkscythe on 19/08/2015 - 14:38

      It's similar but technically its a different unit (cases are completely different different plus it has 1 less USB port)

    • MadMaxBargainRoad on 19/08/2015 - 14:48
      +1

      And it's listed as 10/100/1000M Ethernet. If that's indeed real it would be a much better choice.

    • foxpro on 19/08/2015 - 15:22
      +2

      Ordered one of the geekbuying units. US$60.22 with 3-5 days registered shipping via TNT. Paying with Advance CC makes that A$81.90 minus some coins through cashback.

  • yolk on 19/08/2015 - 14:27

    Does this support Netflix HD ?

    • hen dawg on 19/08/2015 - 14:52
      +1

      I think you need a windows box for that. Or a Nvidia shield. I'm just using Chromecast for Netflix and Android box for other media

    • bargaino on 19/08/2015 - 18:19
      +1

      Does this support Netflix HD ?

      I think so, but thats only one of the worries with netflix on android:
      - no surround sound
      - user interface for touch-screens, not buttons. Using it with an air-mouse is awkward.

      Better get chomecast or apple-TV for netflix.

      • Darkscythe on 19/08/2015 - 23:51

        Agree here. Netflix often runs "fine" on some of these units but no surround sound and the UI is a pain but is better with an Airmouse. If Netflix is the main reason you'd want it, a Chromecast is a better option.

  • foxpro on 19/08/2015 - 14:37

    Worth waiting for the Gigabit version, I think.

  • jekng on 19/08/2015 - 14:45

    Will this be able to run the netflix app. Also is there a way to make this run KODI once it boots up? Thanks

  • Voldox on 19/08/2015 - 15:42

    The remote looks identical to the Tronsmart R68 and even the box is the same colour and size. The netflix app didn't work out of the box with the equivilent Tronsmart but I beleive maybe some firmware updates have fixed that.

    I read the review on Home Theatre Life and this popup asking me to like them on facebook blocked half the screen and I couldn't remove it!! I already liked them on FB anyway.

    • Darkscythe on 19/08/2015 - 15:54

      Looks like there's some custom firmware that features Netflix support: http://freaktab.com/forum/tv-player-support/rk3688-devices-a…

      Thanks for the feedback on the Facebook box. I'll tweak it.

      • Voldox on 19/08/2015 - 16:03

        And in saying so I use Plex with my Tronsmart R68 and its the fastest device (Android TV Player) I have used thus far in menu navigation, fast forwarding, playing without delay etc using ethernet 100mb.

        • Darkscythe on 19/08/2015 - 16:07

          Glad to hear! I'm liking the RK3368 apart from the issues I detailed in my review. Will have my full review of the Tronsmart Orion R68 up in the next few days.

        • caprimulgus on 19/08/2015 - 17:21
          +1

          @Darkscythe:

          interested in your review, and comparison between the two devices!

        • Kaboda on 19/08/2015 - 18:21
          +1

          Pretty happy with my transmart r68 as well other than. An issue playing videos on epl on demand website using Chrome. Unable to get full screen and the resolution is funny. Other than that it's quick and performs really well.

  • bargaino on 19/08/2015 - 18:22

    for the 2GB/8GB variant (because who only wants 1GB of RAM :p)

    For $10 extra, might as well. But is there any immediate practical use for the extra RAM in a HTPC? My 1GB Kodi boxes never seem to run low.
    OTOH, the 8GB of eMMC could soon run out if you add games and other big apps.

    • Darkscythe on 19/08/2015 - 23:49
      +1

      From my experience, it helps if you have things running in the background or fanart-heavy skins. Plus, always handy if you want to do some gaming on there too.

  • tonyrulez on 19/08/2015 - 18:36

    Don't know about you guys, but it shows 78.99 USD for me without the code. After adding it to the cart (still the same price) and applying the code the price goes up to 87.91USD and the saving is 12.02USD, subtotal 75.89USD. So basically this is just a 3 bucks coupon. Not that its bad or anything, just sayin'.

    Edit: it's also on their home page with 78.99USD.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/08/2015 - 21:47

    Call me silly, but will 8 core really make a difference for an android tv box?
    I haven't tried android tv for a while but found it lack lustre, nothing runs on it no Kodi.

    • Darkscythe on 19/08/2015 - 23:48
      +1

      It's improved quite a bit, to the point where most videos play without issue. At this stage, the biggest gap with Android media players is that Netflix's resolution doesn't seem to reach 1080p and automatic frame rate switching is not as straightforward as it is on Windows.

      As long as you don't expect the ultimate home theatre experience from these units, they can be quite impressive - particularly as multipurpose devices (i.e. web browsing, gaming, etc)

      • [Deactivated] on 20/08/2015 - 08:54

        Netflix is a tempting reason. It's the only thing the pi can't run. Does it navigate well?

        • bargaino on 20/08/2015 - 09:05

          See above. Netflix and android are not the best match.

        • [Deactivated] on 20/08/2015 - 14:45

          @manic: Thanks. Guess I'll wait for a jailbreak for the FireStick/TV.
          For now Kodi on rPI2 is best.

  • fatty on 20/08/2015 - 10:23

    I'm not convinced the Rockchip RK3368 is all that attractive.

    Have observed many comments from users who say Rockchip devices have more bugs than other SOC offerings such as Amlogic.

    The Antutu score on Rockchip RK3368 is less than the previous RK3288

    http://www.cnx-software.com/2015/08/16/rockchip-rk3288-vs-rk…

    Amlogic S802 has better Antutu score than Rockchip RK3368, and when considering the Amlogic S812 has hardware HEVC/h.265 it questions why the RK3368 is a contender.

    http://www.cnx-software.com/2014/09/25/performance-compariso…

    I'm awaiting on my Tronsmart MXIII Plus to arrive:

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/206777

  • Phsyke on 20/08/2015 - 12:01
    +1

    Guys, please be very weary of ordering from Gearbest as they can be very dodgy. I ordered this unit and another media player from them over 2 months ago for over $100 USD. They shipped a single remote, and when I queried where the other items were, they told me to check my house or post office, even after I had explained I live alone and had thoroughly checked the post office.

    At the end of the day, the item currently noted in this deal was the exact same model I had ordered, yet at the end of the investigation, a month later, I was told they were out of stock but that I should be receiving the purchased model within a few days. A month with no response, I query them and am now being told there is no stock of a model that is available for oz bargainers to buy. I've actually had to end up requesting a refund from paypal since gearbest refused to help me in any way. So buyer beware, you may not even end up receiving anything at the end of the day…

    • fatty on 20/08/2015 - 14:24
      -1

      My Chuwi Hi8 tablet arrived this week from GearBest, 12 days after order, no issue.

      • Phsyke on 01/09/2015 - 12:29

        And that's great for you. The likelihood is that the product you ordered was actually in stock, and not just pretending to be in stock like the Beelink was. Your comment is completely unhelpful because you are talking about a completely different item.

        I am referring SPECIFICALLY to this item.

        • fatty on 01/09/2015 - 12:55
          -2

          You also referred to "another media player", so I took your comment as specific to GearBest shipping.

          It is common to have shipping delays for Chinese media players particularly if first-to-market. I'm not saying it's acceptable, but it's a known risk.

          I am still waiting for a carving knife to arrive from Gearbest. Was ordered 8 weeks ago and shows as being shipped a week later.

        • Phsyke on 01/09/2015 - 13:12

          @fatty: You're right, my apologies as I should have been more specific.

          I do realise that there are normally shipping delays for these kind of products. What bothers me is the fact that this post specifically advised that they had 100 of these Beelink media players in stock. Meanwhile, I have not received my stock of the exact same product using the exact same link, which tells me that they might not actually have the stock that they claim to have.

          I just don't want people to order this Beelink media player and expect it to arrive in two, or even three months, given that I ordered this product over 2 months ago, when I was actually guaranteed stock by the service ticketing department. We all know how that has turned out.

          Lastly, I just want to point out that Gearbest also refuse to issue a refund for items not delivered. The fact that I have had to ask for a refund from Paypal direct rings alarm bells for me as any good seller should have no issues providing a refund for items that have not been shipped.

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