TANIX TX5, Review: Low-cost Android TV Box with AMLogic S905Y5

Let’s see today how the new TANIX TX5 works in its analysis or review. An Android TV-Box that aims to compete in price by offering some interesting specifications, but as we will see it does not succeed at all.

The TANIX TX5 integrates the new AMLogic S905Y5 SoC, similar to the Amlogic S905X4. This small low-cost TV-Box offers us Google TV 14 system and includes a Bluetooth remote control, this control integrates a microphone to use Google Assistant. It is a device without DRM certificates that does not allow watching streaming services in full quality. In any case it allows us to use KODI, IPTV or other apps without limitations.

Let’s see in our review how this system behaves and what it offers compared to the rest.

• The Tanix TX5 can be purchased at AliExpress or Amazon only for $34 with free shipping.

TANIX TX5 Details

Specifications

• SoC: AMLogic S905Y5 / 12nm
• CPU: 4x Cortex-A55 @ 1.7 GHz
• GPU: Mali G32 MP2
• System: Android TV 14
• Memory: 2/4 GB RAM DDR3 / 16/32/64 GB eMMC
• Network: Wifi 6 Bluetooth 5.0
• Ports: HDMI 2.1 / 2x USB-A / microSD / AV jack / SPDIF / Ethernet 100 / DC
• Extras: BT Remote / HDMI Cables / DC 5V 2A (10W) adapter
• Design: Plastic / LED display / 105 x 105 x 18 mm / 110 gr / 110 gr

Description

The small TANIX TX5 offers us a box with a classic design, on the front we have a small LED display that gives us the time. On the side we find two USB-A 2.0 OTG and a micro SD slot. We have an HDMI 2.1 connector, Ethernet 100 port, AV jack and SPDIF audio connector.

The default remote is Bluetooth Infrared and has a microphone for Google Assistant. It has dedicated keys for microphone, Netflix, YouTube and apps. The remote is paired by pressing OK Vol -.

• Remote Control: Bluetooth+IR eemote with mic / Compatible keyboard+mouse / Google Home App.

System and Performance

Environment and system

Starting up the TANIX TX5 starts up its Google TV setup wizard and allows you to adjust various aspects of the system from the get-go. The OS is based on Android 14 and we have the Android store for Google TV with its limitations. The user environment UI is rendered in 1080p, overall performance is smooth, but has the occasional hitch.

• Launcher: Replaceable / Google TV style without bars / Android UI 1080p.
• System: Android 14 (32 bit) / We recommend installing Custom Firmware better than stock.
• See our Android TV User Manual to install Apps.

Network, storage, RAM and ports

The new TV-Box TANIX TX5 integrates 2 GB of RAM DDR4 and for storage we have 16 GB eMMC (146L/68E MB/s). In the network section it has a Wifi 6 wireless adapter and Bluetooth 5.0 that give us acceptable results. We also have two USB-A 2.0 OTG (400 MB/s) that we can use to read external drives or expand storage.

• USB format: EXFAT and NTFS file support in the custom firmware.
• Tutorial. Reproducir contenido en KODI por red local SAMBA.

Performance and thermals

In terms of performance, the TANIX TX5 features the AMLogic S905Y5 SoC, a Quad Core with ARM Cortex-A55 processors up to 1.7 GHz and a low-end Mali G32 MP2 GPU. The results are similar to the AMLogic S905X4, a much better overall product than this new SoC.

• Power consumption: Min 3.6 W / In use 4.4 W / Max. 7.7 W / Normal warm-up.
• More information in the AMLogic S905Y5 SoC Review.

Games and emulators

In terms of games we can run somewhat demanding titles or cloud services like NVIDIA GForce Now or play by streaming with our PC using Moonlight and Sunshine. In the emulators section we can run at most some Wii titles , but we will not have problems with 2D games from classic consoles with emulators like Retroarch or from KODI, EmuELEC can not be run for now.

• Games: Simple 3D games / YES Vulkan support / Emulators up to PS1.
• Controls: We can use USB or Bluetooth Gamepads.

Video and Audio Test

Multimedia playback

As for video playback, the TANIX TX5 support AV1 hardware codecs, also support other codecs such as h.264, h.265 and VP9. It also supports HDR format with resolutions up to 4K@60fps. It allows HDMI 2.0 video output, but also features such as game mode, automatic refresh rate change and AI image enhancement are missing. In the sound binding we get up to Dolby True HD 7.1 and basic DTS 5.1 using KODI.

In our test this SoC gives us acceptable results but does not stand out.

• Vídeo: 4K@60fps HDR / HDMI-CEC / AV1
• Audio: HDMI 7.1 / SPDIF 5.1 / KODI o PLEX 7.1
• Linux OS: NO LibreELEC or CoreELEC system support (For now)
• Tutorials: Install KODI Addons / Judder Effect fix Guide / Multichannel Sound / TV Setup.

Streaming services

We tested the streaming services to see how the most popular services work. The TANIX TX5 offers limited compatibility with all popular streaming services. We can watch in low quality some services like Netflix in HD (with unofficial modified app), the other platforms do not work 100% in audio or video. We also have apps for YouTube, but it remains in 1080p quality.

• Quality: 720p or 1080p HDR / Guide apps streaming 4K HDR Dolby
• Certificates: WideVine L3.

Conclusions and purchase link

TANIX TX5 review

The TANIX TX5 as we see is an Android TV-Box low cost with all the letters. By default we have Google TV 14 installed, something that makes it easy to control, but limits the selection of apps that can be installed. In this type of box without certificates it is better to have Android for tablets and also the firmware has shortcomings such as YouTube app limited to 1080p.

This is a device to watch content in a simple way or use apps like KODI or IPTV channel players. But overall it is quite limited compared to other simpler hardware. The only attraction is its Bluetooth remote control with microphone, but little else considering what it offers.

Overall the TANIX TX5 is simply not recommended. Better to go directly to a TV-Box with Amlogic S905X5M or S905X4 processors if we want to use them with EmuELEC or other devices certified for 4K streaming.

Where to buy the TANIX TX5

• The Tanix TX5 can be purchased at AliExpress or Amazon only for $34 with free shipping.

Review