Welcome to TV Box Stop. Here, we dive into the best reviews on TV boxes and accessories. If you’re searching for an Android TV box that’s rugged, runs on the mobile version of Android, and can also support Linux and Buildroot, then you’re in the right place. Today, we’re exploring the Mekotronics R56, a Rockchip RK3568 high-performance Android box and ARM mini PC.
Unboxing the Mekotronics R56
Let’s start with what comes in the package. The R56 model includes:
- One HDMI cable
- A USB A to USB Type-C OTG cable
- Serial connector pins for RS-232, RS-485, and GPIO ports
- An external antenna
- A 12V 2A 24W DC power adapter
Unlike the R58 model, this one doesn’t come with a Bluetooth remote. However, you can use a mouse and keyboard, or a Bluetooth controller, thanks to its Bluetooth capability.
Mekotronics R56 Design and Ports
The Mekotronics R56 boasts a sturdy metal body with ventilation holes on top. At the rear, it offers:
- One HDMI 2.1 port
- Two RJ-45 gigabit LAN ports
- One RS-485 serial connector
- One RS-232 and GPIO connector pins
- A 12V DC power socket
- An external antenna connector pin
The front features:
- One USB 3.0 port
- A record button
- One USB 2.0 port
- A reset button
- Headphone and microphone jacks
- A power button
- One USB Type-C OTG port
- A SIM card slot
- LED indicators
The base has four anti-skid rubber feet and cutouts for wall mounting or server racks.
Setting Up the Mekotronics R56
Out of the box, the R56 comes preinstalled with Android. The setup is straightforward, starting with a splash screen, a startup wizard, and then directly to the launcher. The launcher, known as the smart launcher, includes a navigation bar and a full status bar with system controls. However, the recent apps feature isn’t working. You can customize the wallpaper from a selection of preloaded images or upload your own.
The firmware is based on the X88 Pro 20 and is compiled using the Android 11 SDK. This setup has some notable improvements, such as a navigation bar, HDR display, root access, and surround sound audio. However, the firmware build information also shows that it lacks certain features, like the recent apps function.
Display and Audio Capabilities
The R56 supports up to 8K display, although I couldn’t test it beyond 4K 2160p at 60 Hz due to my TV’s limitations. The auto HDR feature is present, and there’s a switch to enable or disable the navigation and status bars. The advanced display settings include a game mode switch, which is common in smart TVs but now also seen in Android boxes.
For audio, the R56 has various settings, including decoding and HDMI bitstream options. It supports Dolby Digital, DTS audio, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS HD Master Audio, and Dolby TrueHD. This box can also handle Dolby Atmos, Dolby Surround, and DTS, making it versatile for various audio setups.
System and Hardware Overview
Under the hood, the Mekotronics R56 is powered by:
- Rockchip RK3568 quad-core A55 processor, clocked at 1.992 GHz
- 4 GB of DDR4 RAM
- 32 GB of internal storage
- Mali G52 GPU with OpenGL ES 3.2 support
- Android 11 OS with root access
- Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz + 5GHz)
The box’s GPU also supports Vulkan API version 1.1, enhancing gaming and graphics performance. However, it lacks AV1 and Dolby Vision support, which limits some video playback capabilities.
Digital Rights Management and Media Playback
The Mekotronics R56 supports Google Widevine Level 3 DRM, but without HDCP protection. This means subscription services like Netflix, Prime Video, and Max are limited to basic 480p resolution. For better video quality, it’s best to use the Android TV version of apps like YouTube, which supports up to 4K 2160p at 60 Hz with HDR.
For screen mirroring, the box includes AirPin Pro for iPhones and iOS devices, and you can use the AirScreen app for Android devices. However, the mirroring quality isn’t in HD. The box excels in playing self-hosted 4K HDR10 content, though it doesn’t support AV1 or Dolby Vision formats.
Gaming Performance
The Mekotronics R56, despite being a 64-bit model with the Mali G52 GPU, struggles with medium to high graphics settings in some games. For instance, in “Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat,” gameplay at 1080p isn’t as smooth as expected. However, it does support gamepad keymapping apps like Panda Mouse Pro, which I used to play “Call of Duty Mobile” season six.
Mekotronics R56 Benchmarks
The R56 scored 4047 MB/s in RAM copy speed and 161 MB/s read and 111 MB/s write speeds in internal storage tests. The LAN port confirmed gigabit speeds at 316 Mbps. In CPU performance, the R56 scored 175 in single-core and 480 in multi-core threading. The Mali G52 GPU scored 283 in the 3DMark benchmark with an average FPS of 1.69. In the Antutu benchmark, it scored 118,927, placing it at position 24 on my chart with a 3/5 star rating.
Final Thoughts
The Mekotronics R56 has a lot of potential, especially with its unique firmware features and robust hardware. However, it’s not Google-certified, so it can’t play Netflix and other streaming services in HD or 4K. The box excels in handling 4K HDR HLG videos and all surround sound audio formats, but its 3D graphics rendering could use some optimization. Additionally, the absence of a remote control in the box is a bit of a drawback.
This model is currently in early evaluation stages, and the manufacturer hasn’t released the stock firmware yet. Therefore, installing alternative operating systems like Linux or Buildroot isn’t advisable without the ability to reinstall the stock firmware. The final pricing and availability are yet to be confirmed, but Mekotronics products are usually available on AliExpress.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Mekotronics R56 is a versatile Android box and mini PC that offers a lot of features for both domestic and industrial use. It’s particularly strong in media playback and audio support but falls short in some gaming and streaming areas. If you’re looking for a device that can handle a variety of tasks and don’t mind the limitations in streaming services, the R56 could be a great choice.
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