First of all, welcome back.
As always, I’m excited to dive into a new Android TV Box.
This time, I’m reviewing the Rocktek GX1 TV Box.
So yes, this model is Google-certified.
Therefore, it runs official Google TV.
Additionally, it uses the Realtek RTD1325 chipset.
It also has 4GB of DDR4 RAM.
And yes, you get 32GB of internal storage.
Because it is Google-certified, you get full support for streaming services.
Thus, you can watch Netflix, Disney+, and more in HD and 4K.
Furthermore, it supports features like AIPQ and AISR.
Also, it includes QMS for smooth switching between refresh rates.
So let’s dig into the Rocktek GX1 TV Box and see what it truly offers.
Unboxing the Rocktek GX1 TV Box
To begin, inside the box, you get the GX1 device itself.
Moreover, you receive a Google-certified remote.
Of course, it includes Google Assistant.
Additionally, you get an HDMI cable.
Also, a 12V 1A DC power adapter is included.
Finally, there’s a Quick Start Guide.
So yes, everything you need is in the box.
And that makes setup a breeze.
Design and Ports
Now let’s talk design.
The Rocktek GX1 TV Box has a plastic shell.
However, it feels durable and premium.
Also, the Rocktek logo is at the top.
In terms of ports, it includes the essentials.
Firstly, there’s one HDMI 2.1 port.
Secondly, you get an Ethernet LAN port.
Additionally, there’s an optical audio port.
Of course, there’s an AV port and a 12V DC input.
So for storage, it features two USB 2.0 ports.
However, there is no SD card slot.
At the front, you’ll find a power LED strip.
On the base, there are four rubber feet.
Surprisingly, there are no ventilation holes.
Therefore, the design is minimal yet functional.
First Boot and Interface Experience
Next, let’s power it up.
Initially, you see the Rocktek splash screen.
Then, you pair the Bluetooth remote.
After that, the Google TV setup wizard begins.
Soon, you land on the Google TV launcher.
Hence, the startup process is smooth and straightforward.
So let’s dive deeper into the firmware features.
Firmware Features
First, the system runs Android 12 TV OS.
You also get access to developer options.
So it’s great for advanced users too.
It even displays a Netflix ESN license.
For display, it supports 4K resolution up to 60Hz.
Also, HDR10 and adaptive HDR are included.
You can enable Dolby Vision from the settings.
Plus, you get HDMI CEC options.
And yes, auto frame rate switching is available.
You can even turn AISR on or off.
Under advanced formats, it shows Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG.
If your TV supports HDR10+, it appears there too.
For audio, there’s passthrough support.
It features Dolby MS12 decoding.
This means Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, and more are supported.
Advanced Dolby settings are also included.
Rocktek GX1 TV Box – Full Hardware Breakdown
So what powers the Rocktek GX1 TV Box?
It’s the Realtek RTD1325 chipset.
It has 4GB of DDR4 RAM.
Also, you get 32GB of storage.
Bluetooth 5.2 is built in.
The CPU is a quad-core Cortex-A55 at 1.7GHz.
However, it’s configured in 32-bit mode.
The GPU is a Mali-G57.
This supports OpenGL ES 3.2.
Moreover, the Wi-Fi is Wi-Fi 6.
It supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
The OS is Android 12 and it’s not rooted.
There’s no Vulkan GPU support.
Also, the temperature sensor is frozen at 31°C.
So you won’t see real-time temps.
However, it supports all major audio decoders.
These include Dolby Atmos, EAC3, and DTS HD.
And for video?
You get AV1, HEVC, and Dolby Vision.
Streaming on the Rocktek GX1 TV Box
Because of Widevine L1 and HDCP 2.2, you can stream in 4K.
This makes it perfect for Netflix, Prime Video, and more.
I confirmed it by logging into my Netflix account.
Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos are supported.
For YouTube, 4K at 2160p HDR plays smoothly.
Also, Google Assistant works instantly.
So you can control your smart home or search with your voice.
As for self-hosted content, all major formats work.
This includes HDR10, AV1, Dolby Vision, and HLG.
If your TV supports the format, it will be triggered.
Audio Playback Performance
Now let’s talk sound.
When connected to a 7.1 Sony AV receiver, the results are stunning.
First, enable HDMI audio caps in settings.
Then, Dolby Atmos plays.
Dolby Digital Plus works too.
So does DTS HD Master Audio.
Even Dolby TrueHD and DTS X are supported.
All these formats play through the receiver with full clarity.
Even Netflix triggers Dolby Atmos properly.
Therefore, the Rocktek GX1 TV Box is a home theater powerhouse.
Gaming on the Rocktek GX1 TV Box
Although it lacks Vulkan, gaming still impresses.
Thanks to AI optimization, games play better than expected.
I tried games at high settings.
Surprisingly, they performed very well.
Even with Ultra graphics and 60Hz refresh, games ran smoothly.
This is rare for non-Vulkan devices.
Clearly, the AI rendering technology is working hard.
If this were an Allwinner chip, the game wouldn’t even start.
So yes, casual and mid-range gaming is solid on this box.
Benchmark Results
So how does it perform on paper?
Let’s look at benchmarks.
RAM copy speed is 2980 MB/s.
Storage read speed is 174 MB/s.
Write speed is 104 MB/s.
Wi-Fi 6 performance is solid.
5GHz reached my max speed of 315 Mbps.
2.4GHz delivered 203 Mbps.
LAN is only 100 Mbps, not gigabit.
Geekbench 5 gave 134 for single core.
Multi-core scored 469.
Not the highest, but understandable.
3DMark Slingshot scored 980 with 5.11 FPS average.
It couldn’t run the newer Wild Life test.
In Antutu v10.4, it scored 126,764.
This placed it at position 19 on my chart.
The 4-star rating is fair based on features and price.
Final Thoughts
To summarize, the Rocktek GX1 TV Box impressed me.
Despite a mid-range chipset, it performs well.
The secret is AI optimization.
And that sets it apart.
Streaming works flawlessly.
Audio output is top-tier.
Gaming is surprisingly smooth.
Moreover, it supports sideloaded apps and games.
All of this, under $100.
Yes, under $100 for a Google-certified box.
That’s a steal.
So I highly recommend it.
Especially for anyone seeking a budget-friendly yet powerful Android TV box.