Processor, memory, chip, controllers – none of these parameters guarantee that a TV set-top box will be the best purchase. Everything depends solely on the brand. Either the manufacturer makes a device intelligently, equipping it with functional software, or they take someone else’s idea, do nothing to optimize it, and just profit from sales. Another example of a Chinese miracle is the TV Box X99 MAX.
The manufacturer chose a very powerful and functional chip, Amlogic S905X3, which we have already seen on the cool UGOOS X3 Pro and budget HK1 BOX. However, the Chinese did not want to provide software support for the device. As a result, another device appeared on the market that should definitely not be purchased.
By the way, the Technozon channel promptly responded to the novelty by releasing a video review.
TV Box X99 MAX: specifications
| Brand | X99 |
| Chip | Amlogic S905X3 |
| Processor | 4x ARM Cortex-A55 (up to 1.9 GHz), 12nm process |
| Video adapter | Mali-G31 MP2 (650 MHz, 6 cores) |
| RAM | 4 GB (DDR4, 3200 MHz) |
| Storage | 32G/64G (eMMC Flash) |
| Memory expansion | Yes, via memory cards |
| Operating system | Android 9.0 |
| Update support | No |
| Wired network | 1 Gbps |
| Wireless network | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4GHz/5GHz, 2×2 MIMO |
| Signal boosting | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, version 4.1 |
| Interfaces | AV, SPDIF, LAN, HDMI, 1xUSB 2.0, 1xUSB 3.0, DC |
| Memory card support | Yes, microSD up to 32 GB |
| Root access | Yes |
| Digital panel | Yes |
| HDMI version | 2.1, HDCP2.2 |
| Price | $40 |
The technical specifications of the player look impressive. It has everything for a full-screen entertainment experience. The manufacturer even claimed support for 8K@24FPS video files, including HDR. But one thing is to list parameters on the box and in the store. Another is to demonstrate functionality to the buyer.
TV Box X99 MAX: review
Externally, the device looks cool. It’s clear that the manufacturer paid attention to the presentation of their product. The assembly is typical for all budget devices. The remote control also pleased. A dozen buttons look great. It’s just unclear what the digital block is for. The idea is that it might be for setting up IPTV channels.
The wired interface speed was pleasing. However, the wireless module performs poorly. Here is a summary table of network performance:
| TV Box X99 MAX | ||
| Download, Mbps | Upload, Mbps | |
| LAN 1 Gbps | 660 | 645 |
| Wi-Fi 5 GHz | 120 | 215 |
| Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz | 50 | 40 |
It turns out that for full-fledged viewing of 4K or 8K videos, wireless is not enough. The wireless network is a fiction.
Serious flaws of the device
Immediately upon first turn-on, the TV Box X99 MAX shows a chip temperature of 50°C. Without any load, the figure tends to rise on its own, reaching 70°C. A resource monitor shows full load on all processor cores. So, the TV box always operates at maximum capacity. Perhaps a firmware update will fix this, but there’s no guarantee the buyer will get it. The problem is that the manufacturer does not support their products but simply makes money on TV boxes.
Throttling. It can be said that the device does not give perfect results, but there were no significant drops in performance. Until one strange moment. Moving the mouse cursor across the screen immediately causes freezes, even without running any programs. Only the mouse cursor. This is another concern.
Watching 4K videos on YouTube did not bring the desired results. The drop is about 10%. It’s a mockery for viewers, as normal streaming is impossible.
Forget about torrents and UHD IPTV either. From the first seconds of video playback, it turns into a slideshow. Both video and sound lag.
The last hope in the TV Box X99 MAX is the USB 3.0 port, but it also failed. Connecting an SSD drive, the device cannot play 4K videos. The manufacturer’s claim of 8K support is unknown. Perhaps they do not fully understand what this format is.
In conclusion, the verdict is clear. The TV Box X99 MAX is a bad purchase. For around 40 US dollars, it’s better to buy Tanix TX9S. Plus, save an additional $10 on a stylish remote or gamepad.
