High-End 8K Intelligent Media Center Product Solution Based on Amlogic S928X

S928X is Amlogic’s first high-end 8K general-purpose intelligent multimedia chip, supporting 8K@60fps video decoding and output, capable of meeting high-end audio-visual playback requirements. Additionally, S928X features rich interface functionality, supporting gigabit networking, wireless modules, hard disk storage, and other functions, while also supporting microphone arrays and smart home module integration. It is particularly suitable for multimedia intelligent media center products. This article will detail the relevant technical solutions for customers’ reference during project planning.

I. Product Overview

This product solution is a high-end 8K intelligent media center based on the Amlogic S928X chip. Unlike traditional TV boxes, an intelligent media center maximally integrates the functions required for living room scenarios, leveraging the rich features of high-end SoCs to fulfill users’ various functional needs, creating a heart product for smart homes and simplifying living room equipment. It combines the functions of TV boxes, HD media players, routers, NAS, smart home control, security control centers, and other products. This product integrates 8K video playback, streaming media playback, network connectivity, audio output, content storage, video encoding and decoding, and other functions, providing users with a high-quality, immersive product experience. Additionally, the product has smart home control capabilities, serving as a control center for smart homes, enabling centralized management and control of home devices.

II. Product Features

1. 8K Video Playback: The product supports 8K video playback in various mainstream formats, ensuring users can smoothly play various 8K video content and enjoy the ultimate viewing experience brought by excellent resolution and color contrast. The 8K@60fps decoding and output performance can meet the long-term needs of living room users. Given the current development and popularity of video technology, this will be a long-term high-end requirement with low risk of product performance iteration. The product lifecycle will be longer than the average lifespan of televisions.

2. Streaming Media Playback: The product has built-in powerful streaming media playback functions, supporting various streaming media protocols such as HLS, RTMP, HTTP Live Streaming, etc., easily playing video content on the network to meet users’ needs for online streaming media content. S928X comes with a gigabit network port. For customers with higher network requirements, we can provide 2.5G and 5G Ethernet port technical options to create higher-end network transmission performance.

3. Network Connectivity: The product is equipped with a gigabit network card and WiFi 6 wireless module, supporting Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections, facilitating wireless connections and data transmission with other devices. Future support will include WiFi 7 transmission, and depending on different scenarios, 5G mobile data modules can be directly integrated to solve network wiring inconvenience issues, serving as a CPE. Currently, domestic 5G tariffs are quite affordable with comprehensive coverage, offering high cost-effectiveness for both personal and commercial users.

4. Audio Output: The product comes with an independent 3.5mm audio output port, supporting optical output and HDMI output, providing users with various audio output options to ensure audio quality matches video quality. For audio enthusiasts, source file data streams can be directly output to external decoders for a more extreme audio experience. Additionally, S928X supports the Dolby Vision family, suitable for building high-performance home theaters. Amlogic’s technical accumulation in audio and video is evident, given its extremely high market share in the smart TV market.

5. Data Storage: In addition to supporting USB 3.0 and micro SD card expansion, the product also supports internal hard disk storage. Users can easily install and remove hard disks to meet the needs for large data storage and backup. Internal hard drives support various formats such as SATA, NVMe, etc., providing larger storage space and faster data transfer speeds. This also provides sufficient performance support for building local audio and video libraries, while also serving as a NAS to provide users with network storage services. Utilizing S928X’s inherent IP functional characteristics, it can also develop video capture, recording, video analysis, and transcoding servers to provide users with more value.

6. Smart Home Control: The product has smart home control functions, serving as a home control center to achieve centralized management and control of various smart home devices. Through connection and communication with various smart devices (such as smart bulbs, smart sockets, smart cameras, etc.), users can conveniently control the switching, brightness adjustment, temperature adjustment, etc. of home devices, as well as video storage and analysis through this product solution, realizing intelligent and convenient smart home living.

7. Edge AI Function Development: S928X comes with an independent NPU, providing 3.2 TOPS of computing power support, capable of meeting the needs for voice processing, image processing, video analysis, smart home decision-making, etc., and is particularly suitable for integrated development of whole-house intelligent applications.

III. Hardware Design

1. Chip: Adopting the Amlogic S928X chip, which features high performance, low power consumption, high integration, and other characteristics, providing the product with powerful processing capabilities and a stable operating environment.

2. Motherboard: S928X is a highly integrated SoC chip, with many core functionalities that can be directly extended from the main controller, allowing for the design of a concise, compact PCBA motherboard, facilitating overall machine assembly and reducing development costs. ScenSmart can quickly customize products according to customer needs, supporting ODM orders, and can complete full-function development of the chip. It supports various interfaces and expansion slots, making it convenient for users to connect external devices and expand functionality based on actual product scenario requirements.

3. Interfaces: Equipped with various interfaces, including USB 3.0, micro SD card slots, optical output, HDMI output, 3.5mm audio output port, as well as smart home device connection interfaces, enabling communication and control with various smart devices.

IV. Software Design

1. Operating System: S928X supports various operating systems, including the mature Linux operating system and the widely-used Android system. The Android system provides users with a rich application ecosystem and convenient operational experience, while also being compatible with a large number of existing Android applications and games.

2. Media Playback Software: Development of efficient media playback software, supporting various video formats and streaming media protocols, providing users with smooth, high-quality viewing experiences. The software supports hardware acceleration and decoding, ensuring video playback smoothness and stability.

3. Smart Home Control Software: Design of intuitive and easy-to-use smart home control software, displaying the status and control options of home devices through a graphical interface. The software supports communication protocols with various smart devices, achieving centralized management and control of devices, providing a convenient operational experience.

Conclusion

This product solution based on the Amlogic S928X chip integrates 8K video playback, streaming media playback, network connectivity, audio decoder, CPE, and other functions, providing users with a high-quality, immersive viewing experience. At the same time, the product supports various video formats and hard disk storage, meeting users’ needs for data storage and backup. As a smart home control center, the product has smart home control functions, capable of centralized management and control of home devices, providing users with an intelligent home living experience. Through a concise, compact PCBA motherboard and easy-to-use software design, this product solution will become a high-end, practical 8K intelligent media center product, satisfying users’ dual needs for high-quality entertainment and smart home functionality.