REVIEW: TANIX TX5 MAX with 4GB RAM and Amlogic S905X2 SoC

PRODUCT DETAILS

Description

The TV-Box TANIX TX5 MAX has a classic design in a plastic box with the logo on top. On the front we have a LED panel with the hour and information of the connections quite bright. At the connector level, we find a USB 3.0 port as a novelty, we also have HDMI 2.1 connector up to 4K@75fps, another USB 2.0, microSD reader, SPDIF and the power connector.

• Materials and measures: Plastic / 108 x 108 x 20 mm / 115 gr.
• Package contents: HDMI Cable / Manual / DC 5V 2A adapter / IR Remote control (2x AAA batteries not included).
• Interfaces: HDMI 2.1 4K@75fps / SPDIF / 1x USB 2.0 / 1x USB 3.0 / MicroSD / Internal reset
• Leds and panel: LED panel with time information and connections / Can not turn off.

In the lower part we have only four rubber feet that hide the screws of the lower cover. The IR remote control does not stand out especially, we recommend changing it by a fly mouse or wireless mouse to have better control.

• Remote control: Basic IR Remote.
• Alternative remote control: We can control remotely from our mobile or Android TV-Box using the app  Cetusplay or connect a flymouse, mouse or keyboard.

If we open this box we can see the Wifi chip ac + BT 4.1 in this case an RTL8222BS, it has an internal antenna attached to the housing and an external one. The reset button is hidden under the front plastic just under the power connector, you have to disassemble the entire TV-Box to access it, if you want we can make a hole in the plastic to make it more accessible. The cooling system consists of a block of thermal silicone and a steel plate, fulfills its function correctly.

ANDROID SYSTEM

Environment and user experience

We start the TANIX TX5 MAX by connecting it to its power adapter, it starts up automatically and we have an input animation. We arrived at the launcher by default called Alice UX based square and it has three main categories, the first customizable in the bottom bar, the second with the list of apps and the third with the settings and different areas to add apps. On one side we have some quick accesses to the latest apps that we have run. In this model the system works fine moving the apps, the hardware performance is correct thanks to the 4GB DDR4 RAM and the S905X2 Quad Core SoC.

In this model the system moves well, the S90X2 SoC and the 4GB of RAM fulfill their function, the internal storage is fast enough to make the loading of apps fluid. It has some running process because the screenshots come out with delay but it does not seem to affect the overall performance.

• Launcher: Basic Launcher / YES we can change launcher but only Pixel launcher works 100% / Android UI rendering at 1080p.
• Multitasking and access: Multitasking not available / DON’T have lower access bar or notification area (YES with custom firmware)
• Installed apps: Google play, AirScreen, Media center (DLNA), Update, Youtube, Files, TV Center (KODI) and Droid Settings.
• Languages: All the international Android classics.
• On/Off Controls: If we leave the power button off, the TV-Box show a configurable menu in settings.

System, support and store apps

The model TANIX TX5 MAX we has installed two different settings menus, one the classic side menu with global android settings, other in the Droid Setting app with the TV-Box settings, the system don’t have the classic settings menu with white background. The Google Play store behaves normally and we can find the most common apps. The version of the system and the compilation of the kernel is quite new.

• System version: Android 8.1.0 (32 bit) / Kernel 4.9.76 / Build 2018-12-26 / Referencia U211.
• App store: Google Play with all the apps available for the Android system.
• Brand support: TANIX has a website but we can not find info about this model.
• Root:The system IS root by default / NO menu to deactivate it in settings.
• Firmware and Scene:  Firmware available / Custom firmware available / NOT compatible with LibreELEC.

HARDWARE TESTS

Storage and RAM Memory

In this model we pass our usual memory tests for the internal storage in the TANIX TX5 MAX using the SD bench app. The internal memory has a good speed. In this model we also have as a novelty with a USB 3.0 connector, the transfer speed is quite good and serves to save or view high bitrate content without problems.

• Storage: Total 32GB – Free 23GB. / Is expandable with a USB memory stick
• RAM: Total 4GB – Free 3GB / DDR4.
• Compatible formats: NTFS compatible / exFAT compatible

WIFI and Bluetooth

At connection level the TANIX TX5 MAX TV-Box has a Wifi ac 2×2 2.4/5GHz (RTL8222BS) with Bluetooth 4.1 and Ethernet Gigabit with which we connect to an ASUS RT-AC1200G+ Router, a mid-range device. We perform tests on the use of streaming using the iPerf measurement tool to see the maximum performance of each network adapter.

• Wifi speed results: Correct speed for this wifi adapter, quite stable with their internal + external antennas.
• Wifi range: At a distance of 5 meters with a wall we have a signal of 34 dBm, good value.
• Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet with good speed although it does not reach the maximum it could give.
• Bluetooth: We can connect compatible devices without problems.
• We recommend reading our Tutorial SAMBA on Android networks if we are going to use files from our network PC.

Power consumption, temperature and noise

In the consumption side this Android TV TANIX TX5 MAX using the Amlogic S905X2 SoC has very good results in terms of efficiency. This new SoC is manufactured in 12nm and has a maximum consumption of only 4W, a correct result within its range.

The performance of the TV-Box in scenarios of maximum sustained performance and in its usual use, we use a stress app for fifteen minutes and thermal camera to detect hot areas. As we have seen the TANIX TX5 MAX performs well and we only have some peak of fall of punctual performance.

• Loss of performance: The system maintains the 100% of his performance.
• Temperature: The upper part heats up a little but does not affect the general use of the TV-Box.
• Noise: Fanless system, 0db.

PERFORMANCE TEST

SOC

In the raw performance side Android TV-Box TANIX TX5 MAX has acceptable results thanks to the new Amlogic S905X2 Quad Core SoC with ARM Cortex-A53 processors and Mali-G31 MP2 GPU. observing the results we can see how it is almost on par with the most powerful SoC Amlogic the last generation the S912, in general section is below of powerful Rockchip RK3399 SoC that has ARM Cortex-A73 cores, in general a product with good performance using this SoC.

• You can read our Comparison article for Amlogic S905X2 SoC with all its technical details

Benchmarks

Games and gamepads

In the gaming aspect the TANIX TX5 MAX have the Amlogic S905X2 SoC that integrates a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, this model allows us to correctly move most Android titles without performance problems and good compatibility. The titles with a lot of 3D load also move quite well and this GPU allows us to play them correctly in low or medium settings.

• Compatibility: IS possible to play demanding titles such as PUBG.
• Emulators: Up to Wii games / NO Vulkan support.
• Controls: Compatible with Gamepads by cable or bluetooth.

VIDEO AND AUDIO TEST

Video and audio connections

At media playback level the TANIX TX5 MAX works perfectly using the new Amlogic S905X2 SoC, which has video output support for HDMI 2.1 that theoretically allows maximum resolution up to 4K@75fps with HDR information. We also have SPDIF optical output and no AV Jack.

This SoC we verify that we have image quality settings with brightness, contrast and saturation, and several preconfigured, also has DNR “Digital Noise Reduction” that effects a smoothing effect of the image with results that depend on personal tastes, all of these settings do not seem to work because of some problem in the Amlogic SDK that could fixed soon. We also have specific settings to activate Dolby Vision if we have a compatible TV.

• Automatic refresh rate change: Not available, the settings exist but it does not work. *
• Audio passthrough: Available in audio settings. *
• Image adjustments: Image quality settings exists but don’t work / RGB mode / HDR <> SDR modes. *
• Media sharing: Chromecast NO / Miracast NO / DLNA with BlubblePnP / Airplay YES with AirScreen.
• HDMI CEC: Available in settings.
• * Tutorials: Judder effect and how to avoid it / Multi-channel audio guide / Correct dark screen when playing video on Android.

Video playback test

In the video playback aspect the TANIX TX5 MAX with the S905X2 SoC and a VPU compatible we can seen that model is compatible with the most modern video formats as we see in the video tests. We can use players like MX Player or install KODI from Google Play, we can uninstall the pre installed without problems. This model is NOT compatible with LibreELEC.

With the VPU called TruLife Gen8 gives us a pretty good image quality, we have more defined colors than in the S905X models where video processing is basic. We must also highlight the best compatibility with VP9 P2 video in 4K resolution, plus we notice improvements in the playback of Anime HVEC but still charge the CPU although it is a very specific niche format.

• Compatibility: HEVC with good performance at 10 bit color or HDR / VP9 correct with P2, not compatible with 8K
• Tutorials: Install Addons in KODI in a simple way / LibreELEC installation guide for the TV-Boxes with Android

Test results

• * The maximum bitrate depends on the internal storage, usb port, Ethernet adapter or wifi used, we have used the fastest available, see Hardware tests section of this same review to have more information and have consider the limitations of SAMBA Networks.

Audio playback test

We check the audio in the TANIX TX5 MAX using a Yamaha RXV-577 AV receiver we check that they supports DD and DTS pass through sound. We can only listen to the multi-channel audio up to 5.1, if we do not have an AV receiver and we have problems to listen to 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.

• Ports: HDMI up to 5.1 / SPDIF 5.1
• Certification: No
• Chomecast Audio: No

Audio test results

• 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

We pass the classic tests on streaming services to see how the most popular services work. In this model does not have certificates for these services. The TANIX TX5 MAX model presents the classic configuration without certifications that limits us in quality in several streaming services, all the compatible services works without problems.

• DRM: Google Widevine L3
• Certification: No

CONCLUSIONS

Score

Opinion

As we have verified the TV-Box TANIX TX5 MAX is a classic model of low cost within the new products with the Amlogic S905X2 SoC. This processor now includes as a novelty USB 3.0, we also have visual improvements in video playback and a very controlled consumption. At the network level, the Wifi 2×2 ac adapter with the external antenna gives good results and the Gigabit Ethernet port speed allows us to get the maximum performance from our local network.

The model TANIX TX5 MAX also has integrated 4GB of DDR4 RAM, something that gives us fluidity when loading several apps from the internal memory. This model behaves well as a video player, for example with KODI or for powerful games like PUBG and all kinds of Android apps. The firmware to be of Tanix has disappointed us because it is usually something this brand take care at least basically, does not have Android navigation bars, no classic Android settings, no root selector and the launcher Alice is somewhat annoying, in addition the reset button has a complicated access.

This is an economic model but the firmware can be better, only stands out for its external wifi antenna. You can compare this product with our recommended models to know alternatives.

WHERE TO BUY AND ADD-ONS

Add-ons