What’s better than an Android TV stick with a speedy quad-core processor and an external antenna to help offer strong WiFi performance? How about a model with two external antennae?

The DM918 is a new mini-computer that you can plug into a TV to run Android apps on the big screen. It has Rockchip RK3188 ARM Cortex-A9 quad-core processor, and two antennae. The DM918 is available from AliExpress for about $71.

DM918

There’s no guarantee that the external antennae will make a big difference — they’re pretty small, and without looking inside the case it’s tough to say how well they’re wired. But since many similar devices suffer from poor WiFi performance, if I had a choice of picking up a model with at least one external antenna and one without, I’d probably consider a model like this.

Other specs for the DM918 include:

  • Android 4.1 software (and support for Android 4.2)
  • Mali 400 quad-core graphics
  • 2GB RAM
  • 8GB storage
  • microSD card slot
  • 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi
  • Bluetooth
  • HDMI connector
  • 1 full-sized USB port
  • 2 mini USB ports (1 used for charging)

This model doesn’t come with a remote control, which helps explain why it’s cheaper than some of the other RK3188-powered mini PCs I’ve seen. But you can connect a keyboard, mouse, game controller, or other device to interact with Android apps running on you TV with this sort of device, or invest in an Android-compatible remote control that works over Bluetooth or which comes with a USB dongle.

dm918_02

via AndroidPC.es

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18 replies on “DM918 Android TV stick with RK3188, dual antennae”

  1. Bought 2 of these. Stick is marginally faster and that is good. But does not run HUlu at all and Netflix stutters. TRied the rom fixes out for earlier models, but the even Netflix didnt work. So all sais WI-FI is better, but capibiltesw are reduced with the problems of Hulu and Netflix.

  2. I need factory firmware+kernel for this Device. Flashed With finless and now there is no Wifi or BT. Anyone solved this issue?

  3. are there any good roms for this one? (sdk2.0)
    can someone provide a link to the original firmware ?
    i flashed mine with a mk802IV rom but lost wifi & BT

    1. Second that notion! I had my gmail hijacked a day after setup and reflashed the device as a precaution. Since then no WiFi. Would love to use it for parallel work or as a lightweight server.

  4. Received mine today very fast as compared to my ageing mk802 ii

    However strange bit is cpuz reports it is 1.6ghz but they advertised it as 1.8ghz

    Ram is fine 2 GB and 8gb space usable about 6gb

  5. a USB port to RJ45 port adaptor, can make mini pc connected by wire.maybe this can solve the problem too

  6. Normally having two antennas would not be so exciting but I’ve seen pictures of android stick PCs with holes smashed in their sides and the antenna pulled out to make reception work properly.

  7. price is great and quad core with 2gb ram will surely rock very tempted to buy but havent seen any reviews yet.. and another thing can this be overclocked, rooted and is there a possibility to run linux etc on it

    1. The only software component that really is named Linux is a certain kernel called “The Linux Kernel”. All android devices have that component and that is enough to make them Linux. Conversely, Debian/Hurd runs the same programs Debian/Linux does but for the Linux (kernel). Hurd is not considered to be “a Linux” so it makes all the difference.

      If you want a large distro on the Linux kernel in an Android gadget try

      Debian Kit for Android.

      1. thanks ken for the reply and yes I am quite aware android is basically Linux but obviously what I meant was to run proper debian based distros like what is achievable with rikomagic mk802. after some research I have found it is possible and there are distros available for this… I have ordered here https://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/240259823.html at 66.84$ quad core version with 2gb ram

  8. 2 antennae seems indicative of 2R2T:2 MIMO, allowing 300Mbps .11n transmissions for the very first time in a HDMI stick, which would be excellent.
    I wonder, if that is actually the case and which WiFi and BT chipset is being used.

  9. I would love to see this tested. It sure looks like it addresses a big issue.

    1. It sure does look that way, but I’d like to see some hands-on reviews.

Comments are closed.