REVIEW: Tanix TX6 with Allwinner H6 SoC and 4GB of RAM

PRODUCT DETAILS

Description

The TV-Box Tanix TX6 is a model with a classic design with a square plastic box rather small, in the upper part we have the logo of the device, in the front a display that indicates the time and that we can not turn off.

• Materials and measures: Plastic / 100 x 100 x 28 mm / 160 gr.
• Package contents: Manual / Adapter DC 5V 2A / HDMI cable / IR remote control (2x AAA batteries not included).
• Interfaces: HDMI 2.0a 4K@60fps / Audio Jack / 2x USB 2.0 / 1x USB 3.0 / MicroSD / Reset hole
• Leds and panel: Frontal led panel (can’t be turn off)
• Remote control: Basic IR control with quick access keys.
• 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.

On a side almost hidden we have the microSD card reader, on the opposite side a USB 3.0 port, two USB 2.0 back, hole for reset, Audio jack, 10/100 Ethernet port and HDMI 2.0 compatible video output 4K@60fps HDR . In the lower part we have four rubber feet that raise the TV-Box minimally.

ANDROID SYSTEM

Environment and user experience

We connect the Tanix TX6 to the current, it starts automatically with an animation and the front led panel lights up. 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. A launcher customized to use with the command without a doubt although it is more of the same. The system has the lower navigation bar and the upper notification area.

In this model the system moves correctly and quickly loads the apps, the Allwinner H6 SoC and the 4GB of RAM fulfill their function, the internal storage is fast enough to make the loading of apps fluid.

• Launcher: Basic Launcher / YES we can change launcher / Android UI rendering at 1080p.
• Multitasking and access: Multitasking  available directly i remote and lowe bar / YES lower access bar and notification area.
• Installed apps: Google play, Netflix, several streaming apps, Miracast and YouTube.
• Languages: All the international Android classics.
• On/Off Controls: The system remains on hold when you press the power off button.

System, support and store apps

Regarding the settings the Tanix TX6 It has a single menu of settings that has the classic design of Android. 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 are not the last.

• System version: Android 7.0 (32 bit) / Kernel 3.16.65 (22-11-2018).
• App store: Google Play with all the apps available for the Android system.
• Brand support: This model has some support by Tanix.
• Root and scene: The system IS rooted, no selector menu / NO custom firmwares available / NOT compatible with LibreELEC.

HARDWARE TESTS

Storage and RAM Memory

We pass our memory tests and internal storage in the Tanix TX6 using the SD bench app. As we can see in the tests, the internal storage speed is good, which makes the system show fast. We also have as a novelty with a USB 3.0 port that allows us much higher reading speeds than the classic USB 2.0 although the writing does not reach the maximum of this type of ports.

• Storage: Total 32GB – Free 24GB. / Is expandable with a USB memory stick
• RAM: Total 3GB – Free 2GB / DDR4.
• Compatible formats: NTFS compatible / exFAT compatible

WIFI and Bluetooth

In Wi-Fi connections, the Tanix TX6 TV-Box has a Wifi ac 2.4/5GHz with internal and external antennas and Bluetooth 4.0 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 with good stability, somewhat low speed to be Wifi aC.
• Wifi range: At a distance of 5 meters with a wall we have a signal of 42 dBm, correct values.
• 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

The power consumption of the Android TV Tanix TX6 using the Alwinner H6 SoC it has the correct results in terms of efficiency. This Allwinner SoC only has a maximum consumption of only 6.5W.

We check 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 TX6 has ventilation slots in its perimeter but occasionally suffers from some heat to put it to the maximum, the 28nm are noted although giving normal use this is not appreciable.

• Loss of performance: The system maintains a correct performance at 81%, small loss of 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 terms of power Tanix TX6 has very good results and leaves the Allwinner H6 Quad Core with processors ARM Cortex-A53 and GPU Mali-T720 MP2 in a zone of quite good performance. If we compare the results we can see is close to the actual S905X2 Amlogic SoC from the new generation at CPU level but lower in GPU. In general performance it is below that of powerful models like the Rockchip RK3399 that integrates the powerful ARM Cortex-A73 cores, in global terms a correct product by its price.

Benchmarks

Games and gamepads

For the gaming aspect the Tanix TX6 have the Allwinner H6 SoC that integrates a Mali-T720 MP2 GPU, this model allows us to correctly move most Android titles without performance problems and good compatibility. The games with a high 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 with a little frameskip.
• Controls: Compatible with Gamepads by cable or bluetooth.

VIDEO AND AUDIO TEST

Video and audio connections

In the multimedia side the Tanix TX6 behaves perfectly using the Allwinner H6 SoC a product that has video output support for HDMI 2.0a that allows maximum resolution up to 4K@60fps with HDR information. We also have AV jack and stereo audio jack.

In this SoC we verify that we have image quality settings with brightness, contrast and saturation, we also have several preconfigured quality and image modes. To modify these settings we must change them in the native player and the effects will be applied to all players either MX Player or KODI.

• 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 available / RGB mode / HDR <> SDR modes. *
• Media sharing: Chromecast NO / Miracast yes / DLNA with BlubblePnP / Airplay yes.
• HDMI CEC: NO 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 our video playback tests the Tanix TX6 with the Allwinner H6 SoC we check that his VPU is compatible with most video formats, in the VP9 formats the native player behaves much better than MX Player or KODI , we recommend using them as the main system. This model is NOT compatible with LibreELEC.

As the engine in the VPU we have the so-called Allwinner Phoenix 3.0 VE Engine a specific hardware that allows us to decode H.265 and VP9 up to 4K@60fps natively and on the other hand we have the Smartcolor 3.0 DE Engine that is responsible for controlling the HDR modes like HLG and HDR10, although it does not support Dolby Vision.

• 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

Passing the tests in the Tanix TX6 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 / Stereo audio jack
• 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 TX6 model presents the classic configuration without certificates that limits us in quality in several streaming services, as it does not have notification bars, it also presents some classic problem of this type of configuration.

• DRM: Google Widevine L3
• Certification: No

CONCLUSIONS

Score

Opinion

After review the Tanix TX6 we can say that we are facing a correct model and the Allwinner H6 SoC brings us interesting improvements in several facets. This TV-Box has USB 3.0 connector and interesting video decoding hardware that gives us good image quality using the native player. The system moves correctly thanks to the 4GB of DDR4 RAM and the firmware seems worked well thanks to Tanix and the Launcher Alice UX that improves on the basics UI we find in other similar models.

In the Tanix TX6 we have two antennas for the Wifi ac adapter that despite offering a stable signal, the truth is that they do not give us a very high peak speed, other hardware components such as the remote control or internal storage remain at a basic level. This model at least has a firmware with navigation bars something that is appreciated for not having compatibility problems, we have not noticed closures of apps or problems in the settings.

We are facing a TV-Box with a correct operation but has little more new compared to others in the same sector, you can compare this product with our recommended models to know alternatives.

WHERE TO BUY AND ADD-ONS

Add-ons

Tanix TX6

0.00

6.7

DESIGN AND CONNECTIVITY

6.5/10

HARDWARE

7.5/10

AUTONOMY

6.0/10

SUPPORT

6.5/10

PRICE/QUALITY

7.0/10

Pros

• Firmware and launcher works fine
• Good video quality
• Android navigation bars
• USB 3.0
• Low price

Cons

• Android 7.0
• Ethernet 10/100