Android TV Stick by Android Media Solutions

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kiwiandy

160 posts

Master Geek

#112786 20-Dec-2012 11:56

I recently purchased the Toffee Apple Android TV stick and air remote from Android Media Solutions http://androidmediasolutions.co.nz/shop/tv-accessories/android-tv-gloss/

When I received the stick I found that the Air remote had something rattling inside, and didnt seem to communicate with the TV stick. I contacted the supplier and they said to send it back. I asked them for a credit, as I decided to buy a full wireless keyboard instead.

Anyway I was a little disappointed with the performance of the stick, as the specs on the website show it as:
Main Features

Main chip: Cortex-A8 Allwinner A10, Max 1.5 GHZ
3D Mali-400 Gaming GPU
System Memory 1G DDR3
Built-in 4G memory (Optional 8G/16G/32G)

However upon running some diagnostics it reports the chip is in fact an ARMv7 running at 1.01Ghz.
with 814MB of memory.

When i queried them about the chip not being a 1.5GHz processor they replied that it is capable of being run at 1.5GHz, and they might release a firmware update later.

Have they fairly represented the specification of this product?
Am i entitled to seek a refund? (for the TV stick now as well as the remote which Im still waiting on..

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#735410 20-Dec-2012 11:59

I would say the product is not what has been advertised. "[they] might release a firmware update later" is not what you are buying.

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BlueShift

1692 posts

Uber Geek

#735414 20-Dec-2012 12:01

Isn't that a bit like buying a car advertised at 1600cc, and finding its only a 1500, and being told "well, its capable of being bored out to 1600, we might do that sometime"?

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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#735423 20-Dec-2012 12:06

In others words, get a refund. If they say no, take them to the cleaners.

macuser

2120 posts

Uber Geek

#735436 20-Dec-2012 12:21

Regarding the amount of memory, many Android devices don't report a total of 1GB of ram as they reserve some for system. My Gnex for example reports around 750MB.

I have been researching the Android TV sticks and many report higher CPU speeds that what is activated, probably because the 'yield' of the chip doesn't allow them to clock to full speed...It's false advertising but you should be able to change/hack it to be close ...

Best thing to do when looking at these TV sticks is to research them thoroughly, other users will share their experience and you can best decide for yourself which model fits the bill...

Also note they stated max 1.5, meaning that not all will achieve this speed. You would have to know, to know, but I suppose from their side they are clearly stating that 1.5 is the exception, not the rule...

nzgeek

618 posts

Ultimate Geek

#735656 20-Dec-2012 17:22

Their specs are a little misleading, but technically not incorrect.

They state that they're using a Cortex A8 processor with a max speed of 1.5GHz. The A8 family is based on the ARMv7 instruction set, and the processor is running at less than its maximum possible clock speed. The A8 was superseded by the more efficient Cortex A9 a good couple of years ago, so it's not completely surprising that the device is slow.

As for the RAM, part of the 1GB is used by the graphics processor. The 814MB you're seeing will be whatever's left after the graphics part has been taken out. You'll see this for any Android device that doesn't have a discrete graphics processor with its own dedicated memory.

vampireleon

12 posts

Geek

#736733 23-Dec-2012 23:14

Waste of money, got uhost2 dual core with 2gb ram and air mouse for 100nzd, planning to get a xbmc on it

androidmediasolution

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#771786 28-Feb-2013 16:02

Hi there, Steve here from Android Media Solutions, I saw this post and thought id take the time to reply and clarify some things.
First off please except my personal apologies, I'm a extremely sorry to hear that you are unhappy with your toffee apple TV stick, I was aware that the remote showed up damaged due to the courier, as the unit was tested working before it left the office like each of our units.
We did give you a refund even though it was our policy to replace/repair before issuing a repair.
In regards to the performance and operation of the TV stick, we believe that it running at a good speed for its processing power and have sold thousands of units with no complaints, with most customers returning for more units.
You can even see our demonstration videos on your tube showing speed when operating common applications etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5O774kUMW4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FRiikrpNDc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qat3jJDCrHw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7YZ07HCMWQ

As for the specs, as one of the other members stated a percentage of ram is used by the graphics processor which is 100% normal for android devices, so there is 1GB ram installed.
He also states about the processor which is correct, The A8 family is based on the ARMv7 instruction set, and the processor is running at less than its maximum possible clock speed.
As our web page, sales ads and gift boxes states its max ghz, not running ghz , as most people that purchase Android sticks no about overclocking, customising etc this is why we put the max ghz so they know the potential of the TV stick.
I'm sorry if you feel this is miss leading, it was by no means meant to be miss leading or to trick our customers. We have made the effort to change this and it has been made clearer with our new range of products, we also now stand by our products 110% by offering a refund plus an extra 10% if the product does not do what it says it can or preform up to standard.
We try our best to offer good customer services to all our customers, we are the only company that specializes in only android TV, with 0800 number support, full warranty and a 110% guarantee.
Not to mention all our software are for the NZ market and not Chinese software, if your were after something faster our new Apeiron brand are around 4-5 faster.
I would recommend in the future you look in to the operation of the android operating system, before posting negative things on the internet.
Thanks