Android hardware

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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 use hardware video decoding with 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 720 content using software video decoding, hardware video decoding is considered essential for most Android devices.

Basic requirements

Stop hand.png 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?

Some places that are good for looking up the chipset/SoC (System on a chip):

Chipsets

Note: Please only list devices that are able to play at least one of the three "video decoding" columns in HD.

Chip
manufacturer
Chipset Examples Video decoding Notes
H.264
& others[1]
MPEG2 VC-1
Allwinner A31 Yes ? ?
AMLogic AML8726-M1 Pivos XIOS (older), JynxBox M1 Yes Yes Yes
AMLogic AML8726-M3 Pivos XIOS (newer), TLBB, Yes Yes Yes
AMLogic AML8726-M6 JynxBox M6, Yes Yes Yes
AMLogic AML8726-MX ATV1220, Mygica TV420/TV500, G-Box MX2 Yes Yes Yes
MediaTek MTK6589T Yes ? ?
Nvidia Tegra 3 OUYA, Yes No[2] No
Nvidia Tegra 4 Nvidia Shield, Yes ? ?
Rockchip RK3066 Imito MX1/MX2, Minix NeoG4/X5, MK808/802, Ugoos UG802/UG007 Yes ? No [3]
Rockchip RK3188 Tronsmart T428/MK908, CS968, CR11s, J22, GM282, LT88, T-R42, CS919-II, K-R24, CS918, MK888, Jesurun DX05, Minix X7, MK802IV, MK809III, Ugoos UG007B Yes CPU ? [4]
Samsung Exynos 4412 ODROID-U2/U3/XU Yes CPU CPU
  • Snapdragon - Yes
  • OMAP - Yes

Avoid

  • Tegra 2
  • Allwinner A10, A13, A20

Notes

  1. Note goes here about common formats that are hardware decoded
  2. Some 720 MPEG2 content is okay.
  3. some devices might need an updated firmware for smooth 1080 playback. [1]
  4. some devices might need an updated firmware for smooth 1080 playback. [2]