Android TV boxes have become increasingly popular in recent years, as more and more consumers seek to stream their favorite TV shows, movies, and other digital content on their big screens. But with so many options on the market, it can be difficult to know which Android TV box to choose. One important factor to consider is the system-on-a-chip (SoC) that powers the device. Three of the most popular SoC manufacturers for Android TV boxes are Amlogic, Rockchip, and Allwinner. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these three SoC manufacturers and what they each bring to the table.
Amlogic SoCs
Amlogic is a popular SoC manufacturer for Android TV boxes, known for their high-performance chips. The company offers a range of SoCs, from entry-level processors to high-end chips for demanding users. Amlogic SoCs are known for their support for high-quality video and audio playback, with many chips supporting 4K video at 60 frames per second (fps) and high dynamic range (HDR) content.
One of the standout features of Amlogic SoCs is their support for H.265/HEVC decoding, which is a newer video compression standard that offers higher-quality video at lower bitrates than the older H.264/AVC standard. This means that Amlogic-powered Android TV boxes can offer higher-quality video streaming while using less bandwidth.
Rockchip SoCs
Rockchip is another popular SoC manufacturer for Android TV boxes. Like Amlogic, Rockchip offers a range of SoCs to fit different needs and budgets. Rockchip SoCs are known for their low power consumption, which can help extend battery life in portable devices like tablets and mini PCs.
Rockchip SoCs also support H.265/HEVC decoding, as well as VP9 decoding, which is a video compression standard developed by Google. This means that Rockchip-powered Android TV boxes can offer high-quality video streaming while consuming less power.
Allwinner SoCs
Allwinner is a third popular SoC manufacturer for Android TV boxes. Allwinner SoCs are known for their affordability, making them a popular choice for budget-minded consumers. Allwinner SoCs are also known for their support for a wide range of audio and video formats, including H.265/HEVC decoding.
One of the downsides of Allwinner SoCs is that they are not known for their performance, especially compared to high-end chips from Amlogic and Rockchip. This means that Allwinner-powered Android TV boxes may struggle with demanding applications or high-quality video playback.
In summary, all three SoC manufacturers have their strengths and weaknesses. Amlogic SoCs offer high performance and support for high-quality video and audio playback, Rockchip SoCs offer low power consumption and support for newer video compression standards, and Allwinner SoCs offer affordability and support for a wide range of audio and video formats. Ultimately, the choice of SoC will depend on the specific needs and budget of the consumer.
