Eight-channel I/O module for home and industrial automation systems CS-8
23-07-2022, 14:03
Some time ago, one of my readers got in touch and offered to let me test their new product, which had recently gone into production. And what can I say? I'm interested in all kinds of hardware, especially when it's smart. As always, I'll take a look, take it apart, run some tests, and share my conclusions.
VC-115 Voltage Relay from Novatek-Electro
28-09-2021, 13:12
Today I'm reviewing a voltage relay from the fairly well-known Volt Control series, specifically the VC-115 model. Inspection, teardown, tests, conclusions—as usual.
Digital Clock with an “Analog” VFD Display
4-04-2019, 15:14
I first saw this clock—or rather, this display—more than a year ago. It caught my interest so much that I kept checking back from time to time and watching the clock evolve around it. Finally, the price dropped to a relatively affordable level, so I bought one for myself. As always, here’s the full review.
Desk clock with a large VFD display and Wi-Fi time synchronization
3-04-2019, 17:05
My second clock from Taobao. Unlike the first one, this one has a simpler display, but it's much larger—and that's what I liked most about it, aside from the automatic time synchronization and its simply pleasant appearance.
Desk Clock with a VFD Display and Wi-Fi
31-03-2019, 21:47
I’ve mentioned more than once in my reviews that I like VFDs—or, more precisely, devices that use them. I’ve already reviewed a volume control, a signal level meter, and even a clock. While looking for something interesting on Taobao, I came across a shop with a couple more interesting clock models. The price was reasonable, so I couldn’t resist. Today I’m reviewing the first clock.
Alfawise S95, a simple TV box with S905W
19-04-2018, 14:21
Lately, I’ve been seeing more and more models based on the Amlogic S905W. Although I’ve already tried testing two devices like this, I decided to give it another shot.
Alfawise A95X R1, an inexpensive TV box
17-04-2018, 20:17
Another TV box, but this one belongs to the very lowest price segment. That doesn’t stop me from putting it through all the same tests as its more expensive “colleagues.” As usual, I’ll take a look, take it apart, run some tests, draw conclusions, and finish with a summary table.
Mecool M8S PRO L TV box, updated version of the Mecool M8S
16-04-2018, 14:45
Last summer I published a review of the MECOOL M8S PRO, which, by and large, differed from the previous models only in having DDR4 RAM. I also compared it with some other models there. This model is a little newer, but its main difference from the previous one is a different remote control. As usual, below the fold you'll find an inspection, teardown, tests, and a few conclusions.
Zidoo H6 Pro, a TV box based on the AllWinner H6
20-01-2018, 03:09
I've already reviewed TV boxes based on SoCs from Amlogic, Rockchip, Realtek, and even ZTE, but this is the first time I've had a device with an AllWinner processor in my hands. It's also my first TV box from Zidoo, a company I've heard more good than bad things about. So today we'll take apart, test, and inspect the H6 Pro from Zidoo, powered by an AllWinner H6 SoC.
Alfawise H96 Mini TV box based on the new Amlogic T962E SoC
2-01-2018, 23:51
Another TV box has landed in my hands. Although it’s based on an SoC from the well-known Amlogic, this isn’t the all-too-familiar S905/912, but something new to me called the T962E. It’s a rather contradictory TV box. Find out more in the review, which, as usual, includes testing, a teardown, and more.
Beelink GT1 TV box in the Ultimate version
2-01-2018, 17:41
Beelink decided to release an “upgraded” version of the GT1, called Ultimate. In essence, the difference from the previous version isn’t that great, and that’s exactly what I wanted to talk about in today’s review. Let’s see whether it’s worth it, or if they should have just “left well enough alone.”
Wechip V8, an S905W-based TV box, or attempt number two
23-12-2017, 02:48
Quite recently, I reviewed a TV box based on the relatively new Amlogic S905W SoC, which was intended as a budget alternative to the S905X. Back then, I complained about a few issues with the new processor, so today I'm giving it a second try, so to speak, for comparison. As usual, I'll take a look, take it apart, test it, and add it to the comparison table at the end—especially since there's a new entry in it.
Z66X Z2 TV box based on the new ZX296716 SoC
15-12-2017, 23:41
Not long ago, someone asked me in the comments about TV boxes based on ZTE Microelectronics’ new ZX296716 SoC. It caught my interest because it’s not the familiar Amlogic or Rockchip, or even the relatively uncommon Realtek. Since I had the chance, I ordered one for review.
Tanix TX3 Mini TV box with an S905W inside
16-11-2017, 14:54
Last month I posted a review of a TV box from Vorke, and even then I suspected it looked a lot like one of Tanix's TV box models. No, today's review isn't of its twin; it just so happens that even in this form, the model I'm reviewing has a lot in common with the Vorke. And on top of that, it's built around Amlogic's new S905W SoC. Let's take a look, take it apart, test it, and see how the new SoC compares with the previous versions.
Vorke Z6 TV box: what it’s really like
20-10-2017, 19:56
I’ve already reviewed two Vorke mini PCs. I really liked the first one, and the second was interesting in its own way, although it did have some drawbacks. This time, though, I was curious about an Android TV box from the same manufacturer. The previous devices were built pretty well and, more importantly, worked reliably, so I wanted to see how the Vorke Z6 would fare. Inspection, teardown, tests, conclusions.
Alfawise Z28 Pro, TV box with RK3328 and 2/16 GB of memory
15-10-2017, 15:54
As for an introduction, there really isn't much to say: it's another TV box, with its own quirks and its own "personality". Today's review won't be very long, since I doubt I can say anything new, but as always, I'll take it apart.
SCISHION V88 Mars II, a rather controversial TV box
29-09-2017, 03:04
Another TV box has landed in my hands. At first, I didn't even think about writing about it, but it's so unusual that I'd even call it strange. Since in many ways it isn't much different from the others, I'll keep this very short. But, as always, there'll be tests as well as the obligatory teardown.
LAKE I, another TV box with a Realtek RTD1295 inside
9-08-2017, 02:18
About six months ago, I reviewed a TV box based on the rather uncommon RTD1295 SoC from the very well-known company Realtek. Processors from this manufacturer are fairly rare, and TV boxes using them are practically invisible among the sea of Rockchip and Amlogic devices. That’s exactly why I decided to write a relatively short review of this device. Maybe it’ll come in handy for someone choosing a TV box.






