Android hardware
Android | Android hardware |
This is a list of Android SoC's (System on a Chip, which is the CPU, GPU, VPU, etc. Also known as "chipsets".) that will playback common video codecs smoothly using XBMC. For most HD videos, hardware video decoding is necessary for smooth video playback. While some devices might be able to do SD and even some 720p HD content using software video decoding, hardware video decoding is considered essential for most Android devices.
Basic requirements
It is highly recommended for users to not make any hardware purchases in anticipation of running Kodi on Android without first researching the device you want to buy. Before you do buy, make sure multiple people have verified that it works! If in doubt, do not buy any hardware! |
- Kodi v17 and later requires Android 5.0 or higher.
- x86 (Intel) or a NEON-compatible ARM-processor, (for example: Nvidia Tegra 3 and newer are fully supported by Kodi, while Tegra 2 and older are not).
- The main aim for the Android port of Kodi is to foremost target media-players/set-top-boxes/sticks that connect to a large screen television and uses a standard remote control as its main interface device, (that is the same market as for HTPC).
How do I know what chipset I have?
These are some good websites for looking up the SoC (System on a Chip) chipset used in your Android hardware device:
- http://www.iboum.com - Digital media players
- http://gsmarena.com - Phones
- Wikipedia:Comparison of Android devices
- http://www.androidcentral.com/devices
Also a referense you can compare different SoC (System on a Chip) chipset specifications on system-on-a-chip.findthebest.com
Compatible chipsets
These listed specific hardware SoC chipsets have at least partial hardware accelerated video decoding support in XBMC, though understand that for some devices you might first need to upgrade the hardware manufacturers firmware image on the device to achieve smooth 1080p playback. Please contact your hardware manufacturer support for an updated system update firmware and apply that upgrade image before installing XBMC.
Note: Please only list devices that are able to play at least one of the three "video decoding" columns in Full HD (1080p). Codecs that are less used are currently not listed here.[1] The " | Yes | " mark indicates that the chipset should be able to play those codecs at least 1080p. |
Chip manufacturer |
Chipset | Examples | Hardware video decoding | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H.264 | MPEG-2 | VC-1 / WMV 9 | ||||
Allwinner | A31 / A31s | VidOn.me AV200, Justop Quadro, Mele A1000G, Mele M8, Mele M9, Measy B4K, Measy U4K | Yes | ? | ? | |
Amlogic | AML8726-M1 / AML8726-M3 / AML8726-M6 / AML8726-MX | Pivos XIOS DS, GameStick (by PlayJam), Geniatech ATV1220/ATV520, MyGica TV420/TV500, G-Box Midnight MX2, G-Box Midnight, JynxBox Android M6, JynxBox M1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Amlogic | S802 (formerly AML8726-M8) | Geniatech ATV582 / MyGica ATV582, MINIX Neo X8/X8-H, Eny Technology ES8 | Yes | Yes | Yes | [2] |
Amlogic | S805 / S812 | Yes | Yes | Yes | [2] | |
MediaTek | MTK6589 / MT6589 / MT6589T / MT6589M | Yes | ? | ? | ||
Nvidia | Tegra 3 | OUYA | Yes | No | No | [2] |
Nvidia | Tegra 4 | Mad Catz M.O.J.O Game Console, Nvidia Shield | Yes | Yes (CPU) |
? | |
Nvidia | Tegra K1 | Yes | Yes (CPU) |
? | ||
Qualcomm | Snapdragon 600 | Amazon Fire TV (2014) | Yes | ? | ? | |
Qualcomm | Snapdragon S4 | Nexus 7 (2013) | Yes | ? | ? | |
Rockchip | RK3066 | Imito MX1/MX2, Minix NeoG4/X5, MK808/802, Ugoos UG802/UG007 | Yes | ? | No | [2] |
Rockchip | RK3188 | Jesurun DX05, Minix X7, MK802IV, MK809III, MK902, Ugoos UG007B, Tronsmart T428/MK908, CS968, CR11s, J22, GM282, LT88, T-R42, CS919-II, K-R24, CS918, MK888 | Yes | Yes (CPU) |
? | [2] |
Rockchip | RK3288 | Yes | Yes (CPU) |
? | [2] | |
Samsung | Exynos 3 Single (formerly Exynos 3110) | Yes | ? | ? | ||
Samsung | Exynos 4 Dual/Quad series (formerly Exynos 4210 / 4212 /4412) | ODROID-U3/U2/X2 | Yes | Yes (CPU) |
Yes (CPU) |
|
Samsung | Exynos 5 Hexa/Octa series (Exynos 5260 / 5410/ 5420 / 5422) | ODROID-XU/XU2, Arndale Octa | Yes | Yes (CPU) |
Yes (CPU) |
|
Texas Instruments | OMAP4430 | Yes | ? | ? |
Common codecs currently without hardware decoding in XBMC
Videos encoded with these codecs can only be played back in XBMC using software video decoding. Many videos may still play back just fine, while others might have issues. It can depend on how demanding the decoding is on the ARM CPU and how powerful that CPU is.
- H.265/HEVC
- H.264 Hi10P - No hardware decoders for Hi10P currently exist for ARM hardware. Most videos won't play smoothly as as some (most?) ARM processors are not powerful enough to software decode it. As faster ARM CPUs come out this will get better, but don't expect miracles from the average Android box.
- RealVideo/RMVB (RV 8/9/10)
- WebM (VP8/VP9)
Device specific info
Here are a few device-specific guides/help areas that the community has provided.