REVIEW: Mecool K6 with triple tuner DBV-S2/T2/C

Mecool K6 is an Android TV model that we present today in its review, a model that has the interesting Hisilicon HI3798MV200 SoC that allows us to play video and audio content at the highest quality, a product that adds to the KI/KII/KIII Pro that also has Mecool with Amlogic SoC’s. This TV-Box we have enough hardware to move Android 7 smoothly and has inside a triple DVB-T2/C/S2 tuner. Let’s see in our review how this device behaves and how it defends itself with respect to direct competition.
  • Mecool K6 is available in Geekbuying.com only for $69,99 ($62) with shipping cost included.
mecool k6 review t01 min

PRODUCT DETAILS

Model Mecool K6
Basic Specs SoC: HI3798MV200 Quad Core Cortex A-53 (64bit) / GPU Mali-450 MP2 / 4x ARM-A53 @ 1.2GHz / 28nm
System: Android 7 (32bit)
Ram and storage: 2GB DDR3 / 16GB eMMC
Network: Wifi AC + NO Bluetooth (RTL8811CU) – Ethernet 10/100
Ports: HDMI 2.0a 4K@60fps / SPDIF Jack / 1x USB 2.0 / 1x USB 3.0 / MicroSD / Reset
Extras: IR remote control / HDMI cable / Manual / DC 12V 1A adapter

Description

The TV-Box Mecool K6 comes inside a cardboard box with magnetic lid and logo of the brand on top, inside we have the TV-Box, remote control, HDMI 2.0 cable, small manual first steps and power adapter 12V 1A.

mecool k6 review t10 min

This TV-Box comes with a IR remote control, a very basic model with direct access to the functions of the tuners, it has a key to move the pointer on the screen using the central crossarm.

  • Remote Control: Only basic IR remote for basic functionalities. for DVT or KODI. We can improve the control with other alternatives.
  • Voice control: Not available by default, see previous alternatives.
  • Alternate control: We can control remotely using the app Cetusplay / Don’t have its own remote control app.

 

The TV-Box Mecool K6 has a black box with the logo on top. In the front we have a LED Panel with information of the tuned channel and the connections that illuminates when connecting it. Highlights the USB 3.0 port on one side, we also have HDMI 2.0 connector up to 4K@60fps, AV jack, USB 2.0, microSD reader and power connector. To access the reset button we have to open the box because the reset is in the back area just covered by the plastic grid, below the smallest slot.

  • Materials and measures: Plastic / 170 x 130 x 30 mm / 230 gr.
  • Package contents: IR remote control / HDMI cable / Manual / DC 12V 1A adapter (2x AAA batteries not included).
  • Interfaces: HDMI 2.0 4K@60fps / AV Jack 3.5mm / Jack AV / 1x USB 2.0 / 1x USB 3.0 / MicroSD / Reset.
  • Leds and panel: Frontal LED Panel hour or channel / Can’t turn off.

When opening the TV-Box we can see the Wifi AC + NO Bluetooth (RTL8811CU) chip that has a fairly large external antenna. The cooling system consists of a simple metallic heatsink attached to the SoC, a fairly basic design that we will see how it behaves in thermal tests with such a closed box and tuners.

SYSTEM AND PERFORMANCE

Environment and Android system

We connect the Mecool K6 to the DC adapter, it boots automatically with an animation and the front led panel lights up. We arrived at the launcher by default based on pictures, we can customize the lower area by adding icons of direct access to the apps we want, little more customizable. The system does NOT have a lower and upper navigation bar, something that limits the functionalities to the environment. The correct performance level of desktop or with basic apps, the Android 7 system works well without forced closed apps.

  • Launcher: Android 7 Launcher / YES we can change launcher but only Pixel launcher works 100% / Android UI rendering at 1080p.
  • Multitasking and access: NO notification system / NO multitasking available.
  • Installed apps: Google play, Netflix, Prime Video, Youtube, Manual, Settings, AirPin, MXPlayer, DLNA y TVCenter (KODI).
  • Languages: All the international Android classics.
  • On/Off Controls: If we keep press the power button we have reset and power off option / Configurable in settings.

We check the system data within the Android settings and through analysis software, we can see the details of the system installed by default, in this case in Android 7 with support for 32bit apps, the system is is NOT Root.

  • System version: Android 7 (32 bit) / Kernel 3.18.24 / Build 2019-04-03 / Reference Bigfish.
  • App store: Google Play with all the apps available for the Android system.
  • Settings and root: Lateral Android settings / The system IS NOT root by default / NO menu to activate it in settings.
  • Support: Mecool don’t have website for direct support / Firmware not available / Custom firmware not available

Power and performance

At power level the Mecool K6 has acceptable results and moves the system smoothly, we can run the classic apps but the powerful games if they feel something just power. At power level it has some basic results, the Hisilicon HI3798MV200 Quad Core SoC with ARM Cortex-A53 processors and GPU Mali-450 MP2 is in the low range. This SoC is manufactured in 28nm has a contained consumption, temperatures have high peaks and in general use with the tuned it is advisable to have it in a cool place.

  • Consumption: Off 0W / Standby 7.5W / Basic use 8.3W / Maximum 9.5W
  • Thermals: Minimum 50ºC / Maximum 75ºC / Maintains performance up to 79% / Heat zone on the top / Noise 0db

Observing the performance tests we can see how the Hisilicon HI3798MV200 SoC is almost on par with Amlogic S905X or Rockchip RK3328 SoC’s of the previous generation, in general section is below other SoC as the current Amlogic S905X2 that has better GPU and is made in 12nm.

This model is not compatible with PUBG because the lack of OpenGL ES 3.1 support. A valid processor to run games and emulators at the basic level without reaching the top of details.

Network, storage, RAM and ports

In the TV-Box Mecool K6 we have integrated eMMC memory as internal storage, USB 3.0 ports and SD card reader. In the network section we have a Wifi AC + NO Bluetooth  (RTL8811CU)  and Ethernet 10/100 port. The performance of the Wifi chip is correct but to have an external antenna the reception could be better.

  • Storage: Total 16GB – Free 10GB / eMMC / NTFS + exFAT compatible / NO expandable with USB or SD to expand
  • RAM: Total 4GB – Free 3GB / DDR3.
  • Network: OK speed with one external wifi antenna / Range 42 dBm, low. / Bluetooth NO.
  • We recommend reading our Tutorial SAMBA on Android networks if we are going to use files from our network PC.
USB 2.0 USB 3.0 microSD SATA
Read / Write 20/17 MB/s 111/36 MB/s 18/19 MB/s

VIDEO AND AUDIO TEST

Video playback test

Regarding the video playback section, the Mecool K6 has the HI3798MV200 SoC and a VPU compatible with most modern video formats such as h.265 and VP9 up to native 4K resolution. It has a processor pair is exclusive to Himedia dedicated to the treatment of the image on the one hand we have the Imprex 2.0 engine that we can activate or deactivate from the menus of the native player and is responsible for fine tuning the image and for another HiVEX 2.0 that is dedicated to decoding all the formats that we can find in the current panorama. Something that has disappointed us is that the automatic refresh rate option does NOT work, we have an error and it shows in the default screen refresh without changing.

We passed several tests of multimedia playback with the Mecool K6 we verified that it works efficiently using the new Himedia HI3798MV200 SoC, which has support of video output by HDMI 2.0 that allows maximum resolution up to 4K@60fps with HDR information and is also compatible with HLG .

Video results

Formats Result
h.264 / 1080i / 8bit OK
h.264 / 1080p / 4K / 8bit OK
h.264 / 1080p / 10bit (anime) OK
h.265 / 1080p / 8bit OK
h.265 / 1080p / 10bit (anime) Frameskip
h.265 / 4K / 8bit OK
h.265 / 4K / 10bit HDR OK
VP9 P1 / 4K / 8bit OK
VP9 P2 / 4K / 10bit HDR Low Frameskip
VP9 P2 / 8K / 10bit HDR Frameskip
  • The maximum bitrate depends on the port used to connect or the limitations of SAMBA Networks.

Audio playback test

For testing the audio in the Mecool K6 we use a Yamaha AV receiver, we check that they supports DD 5.1 pass through sound, DTS and 7.1 audio files have problems. If we do not have an AV receiver to listen the files with AC3 or multichannel sound we must configure the system to listen to configure the system to listen to multichannel AC3 videos in stereo on any TV.

Audio test results

Formats DD / DTS 5.1 DD+ / DTS MA DD True / DTS HR DD Atmos / DTS X
HDMI OK / OK Core / – -*
Optical OK / – OK / – -*
  • PCM – Stereo only doing downmix from DD or DTS
  • Core – Only the core of the format is played back with what we passed to the Dolby / DTS base system
    * Our AV receiver does not support these native formats but we verify that it is played back to 7.1

Streaming services

In our usual tests with streaming services we see how the most popular services work. The Mecool K6 presents the classic configuration without certificates that limits us in quality in several streaming services, luckily it seems that if it is compatible with most services even if they are in their most basic SD quality

Streaming service Video / Audio Result Manual
Youtube FullHD (1080p) / Stereo OK
Google Play Movies HD (720p) / Stereo OK
Netflix SD+ (540p) / Stereo OK, needs a mouse Netflix on Android
HBO FullSD (1080p) / Stereo OK, needs a mouse
Amazon Prime Video SD (480p) / Stereo OK, needs a mouse Amazon Prime video on Android

INSTALLED TUNERS

Start-up and management

The TV-Box Mecool K6 have installed DVB-T2, DVB-S2 and DVB-C tuners, to manage and view content we have the DTV app, a very simple to use app that guides us throughout the process of putting March. When starting it, an installation assistant is shown where we select the system that we want to configure.

  • Installation: Complete configuration of DVB-S2 satellites and zones for DVB-T2 / C.
  • DVT Preferences: Management of PVR recordings, child control, network, A / V, EPG and favorites settings.
  • EPG: control of the EPG grid, programming from the grid, access by key on the remote control.
  • Channel manager: Channel management, favorites and recording schedule.

At the swap level between the different channels we have a good speed and we can access all the functions in a fluid way, the EPG list is updated normally. Within the list we can control our favorite channels to access quickly, we can not sort by channel number directly.

  • Channel management: Live list, EPG, Favorites and manager to schedule recordings.

Image and audio quality

We verify that at the reproduction level we have an excellent image quality and without jumps even in the 4K channels, the system is compatible with AC3 audio and we can listen to the content of those channels. From the app we can also record the content of the broadcast in its original quality up to 4K.

  • Image and audio quality: Up to 4K in playback and recording / Supports AC3 sound.

Integrated steaming and servers

The model Mecool K6, has an interesting default option that allows us to perform streaming over IP in our home network, we just have to activate it in the DTV Preferences > IP Stream Setting configuration menu. We can access streaming in several ways using the VLC program on PC.

  • VLC> Media> Open Network stream> http://192.168.0.XXX:20000/**0:0:YYY** (XXX being our IP and YYY the channel number)
  • Also from the IP Stream menu we have the option to export the complete list in TXT mode and M3U in a USB memory

Servers

As usual in these devices we always have an option to activate servers that give us access to several services, in this case it is necessary to install an APK and enter a code in the DTV app menu.

  1. Install the Supercam APK and restart the DTV program (more details in Geekbuying)
  2. Once we install the supercam app we can activate the Smart Data Manager menu, inside the Installation menu we must press six times 1 (111111) to show this new option

CONCLUSIONS

Score

Mecool K6 _

0.00
6.7

DESIGN AND CONNECTIVITY

7.0/10

HARDWARE

7.5/10

AUTONOMY

6.5/10

SUPPORT

5.5/10

PRICE/QUALITY

7.0/10

Pros

  • Triple tuner DVB-S2/T2/C
  • Fluid OS
  • Image and audio quality
  • External antenna
  • Good price

Cons

  • Android 7 without nav bars
  • Hot box and reset hidden
  • Without DTS or auto framerate

Opinion

After review the TV-Box Mecool K6 we can say that this is a quite interesting model based on Hisilicon HI3798MV200 SoC. A good hardware for multimedia use that includes as an interesting point USB 3.0 support, Wifi dual band adapter with external antenna and 10/100 Ethernet port that could be Gigabit. This SoC gives to us a very good image quality and support for multichannel sound, on the other hand the automatic refresh change does not work and the multichannel sound stays in DD 5.1 functions that in other devices with this SoC if they work.

The Mecool K6 has 2GB of RAM which allows us to run apps without problems but limits us to load a large number of apps in memory. A model that has tuners DVB-S2/T2/C and that has a some high thermals, seem not to affect the basic use but it is not advised to leave it locked or make use of powerful games. The installed system is Android 7, this model does not have Android navigation bars, nor account root selector or other extra options.

This is TV-Box an interesting for its receivers and video / audio quality, although as we see it has some missing options like Ethernet 10/100 only and the box does not ventilate everything it should. Consult our recommended models to see other alternatives.

WHERE TO BUY AND ADD-ONS

  • Mecool K6 is available in Geekbuying.com only for $69,99 ($62) with shipping cost included

Add-ons

mecool k6 review t02 min

Mecool K6 _

0.00
6.7

DESIGN AND CONNECTIVITY

7.0/10

HARDWARE

7.5/10

AUTONOMY

6.5/10

SUPPORT

5.5/10

PRICE/QUALITY

7.0/10

Pros

  • Triple tuner DVB-S2/T2/C
  • Fluid OS
  • Image and audio quality
  • External antenna
  • Good price

Cons

  • Android 7 without nav bars
  • Hot box and reset hidden
  • Without DTS or auto framerate
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Shahan

How to use forever servers in km6 dtv app?

Kim

You need to add your servers, you can find in aliexpress.

Jad mos

I have mecool recevier k6
I changed The display to 4k and The screen becomes Black and The sound play
but I can’t change The display because The screen black there is anything to do to reset The receiver or write code with remote control or anything to fix it

Kim

Do a factory reset.
Check your TV setup.
Don’t use 4K in Android UI, videos render at native 4K independently.

Jad mos

I can’t make factory reset from recevier Cruz the screen is black it’s no problem with TV I changed The receiver and it’s works when I connect The k6 The screen black I can’t reset it there is anything to do thx

Kim
Jad mos

Ok thx
But where’s reset button how’s look like
and but the firmware on sd card clean one
and I Make anew folder name it root
Do this thing when I connect The k6 to TV right
Do you have vedio of The step to download the firmware
Thx 👍

Kim

You need to open the box to access the reset, look the pictures in the review.
You don’t need to create a ROOT folder… root folder is just the usb drive with no folder, the root.
Just read and follow the instruction.

Sada Bello Umar

Please does it support air sync remote z app?

I doubt it, this app is only for a one brand of boxes.

Manfrisoft

How I can open the box? Can you post a list of instructions or link a short teardown video? I need to reset but I don’t want to break the device.
Thank you!

Kim

Under the rubber feets and the sticker you have the screws.
You need something like guitar pick to open the border.

niti95

Sorry, the reset button is on the back or under the indicator too

Kim

No problem, very weird position.

niti95

Where is the reset button?

Kim

“To access the reset button we have to open the box because the reset is in the back area just covered by the plastic grid, below the smallest slot.”
Check the photos.

MrKamee

Bro please please confirm one thing.
Can we use “Air Sync Remote Z” app for reverse mirroring of box’s content on mobile phone?? As this device support IP streaming so I’m curious to know if that app works or not…
And a little bit more help, what content is available while IP streaming? Can we have only videos playing on box or all the contents are streamed, complete menu of box, can we control everything going on in box via that IP streaming??

Kim

Not compatible.

Mohit

Can I get “IP Streaming setting” in Old DTV app (KII boxes). or I need to updated DTV app. Please help in this regard.

Kim

Not possible, this feature is only for this box.

guest

congratulation, you are the one and only guy with working bluetooth on a mecool k6

Kim

Sure, fixed typo, thanks.

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