30 marzo 2014

[VIDEOREVIEW] Grabador Samsung SE-208AB TS03 (ESPAÑOL)

[VIDEOREVIEW] Grabador Samsung SE-208AB  TS03 (Español)



Uso de esta review


Se permite utilizar esta review, ya sea copiando entero el artículo o partes de el, o referenciándola mediante un link, a cualquiera que lo desee, con la única condición de que se mantenga el autor y un enlace a la fuente original de esta review, y que se encuentra en mi blog.

Para actualizaciones sobre este artículo, sugiero visitar el enlace mencionado anteriormente


Introducción


Este artículo acompaña a lo que es mi primera videoreview, y la cual es mas una "prueba de concepto" ya que hasta ahora no me había animado a generar una review de este tipo.

No está de mas decir que no me encuentro cómodo hablando en la cámara, y que me pongo muy nervioso, pero supongo que es parte del proceso hasta que adquiera cierta soltura (lo cual significa que posiblemente me anime a hacer alguna cosa mas de este tipo)

Sobre el producto, es un accesorio que tengo desde hace bastante tiempo, que lo compré específicamente para hablar sobre el en una review, como accesorio para dispositivos Android, pero que he dejado pasar mucho tiempo y no ha sido hasta ahora que me he animado a comentarlo.

El dispositivo corresponde a un grabador externo USB para PC, que tiene como característica un modo "AV Conectivity" que, en pocas palabras lo que hace es que el dispositivo se comporte como un pendrive, y gracias a esto es posible acceder al contenido que tengamos almacenado en disco de datos desde cualquier dispositivo que pueda leer un Pendrive, esto es, un televisor, radio, ordenador, tablet, smartphone, set top box, etc., lo que abre algunas puertas de cara sobre todo al mundo Android, ya que de esta forma podemos ahorrarnos algunos pasos (y tiempo) en pasar algunos contenidos desde un DVD a un pendrive para poder leerlos desde Android (por ejemplo)

El dispositivo puede resultar interesante, además de no ser caro. Es un grabador polivalente y que a mas de alguno puede interesar adquirir para tener "por si en algún momento hace falta", ya que como grabador cumple sin problemas si lo usamos con un PC, y como lector para android, una vez que se "descubre" su potencial resulta bastante sencillo y práctico de utilizar.


Presentación del producto

(Descripción externo del paquete recibido)



El grabador viene en una caja de dimensiones muy ajustadas, y con información correspondiente a su contenido.

El único distintivo que vemos en la caja que haga referencia al modo especial, es un icono azul que pone "AV Conectivity".


En uno de los bordes viene una guía muy resumida de los posibles usos con un TV (como pendrive) y un ordenador (como grabador normal)



En la parte posterior podemos ver algunas características del producto

Contenido del paquete

(Unboxing y descripción del contenido del paquete recibido)


Una vez abierto el paquete nos encontramos con los siguientes elementos, que entiendo corresponden al contenido standard para este producto.




  • Grabador externo Samsung SE-208
  • Guía de uso
  • Cable "Y" MiniUSB
  • Disco con información y Nero 10 Essentials



Primera impresión

(Opinión en primera instancia al inspeccionar o probar el dispositivo)


Para quien no conozca el funcionamiento específico de este grabador, resultará ser como uno cualquiera, ya que el propio grabador no muestra información alguna que indique que tiene esta particularidad de trabajar como Pendrive, exceptuando el icono "AV Conectivity" que viene impreso en la parte superior del grabador, pero que no indica como hacerlo funcionar.

Para alguien con algún conocimiento de dispositivos con función de conectividad a la TV, lo mas probable es que buscará un puerto de salida de audio/vídeo, típico que van en la parte posterior de productos similares, pero en este caso solo existe un puerto MiniUSB.

Resumiendo, es necesario saber como funciona específicamente este dispositivo para poder sacar provecho de el, ya que no es intuitivo su funcionamiento, ni su característica. Afortunadamente poder utilizarlo es sumamente sencillo y no debería costar esfuerzo en explicar y/o aprender a manipularlo.


Descripción del producto

(Enumeración de accesorios y componentes que conforman el paquete)


A continuación describiré brevemente cada parte del dispositivo, listando cada componente existente en su estructura, y haciendo comentarios sobre los mismos cuando lo crea necesario.

En esta sección listaré solo las partes del dispositivo que contengan elementos apreciables para comentar. Aquellas caras o lados del dispositivo que no contengan nada apreciable, las omitiré.

Nota: Tomaré como vista superior la parte donde se encuentra el logo "Samsung" y los iconos de función.

Vista frontal


  • Bandeja del disco
  • Botón "Eject"
  • Led de función/operación

Vista trasera


  • Puerto MiniUSB (Datos y energía)


Vista superior


  • Iconos informativos de funciones del dispositivo


Acerca del puerto MiniUSB


El dispositivo puede funcionar en la mayoría de ordenadores con un puerto USB y sin alimentación externa, pero puede presentar problemas de alimentación en otros dispositivos como televisores, o Android en general.

Para estos casos, es recomendable utilizar el cable "Y" que viene con el dispositivo, y conectar uno de los puntos a un cargador USB.

Por mi parte, para la videoreview he utilizado un HUB USB 3.0 HooToo, y que gracias a que está alimentado externamente, me ha servido para alimentar al grabador y con esto que Android pueda leerlo sin mayores problemas.


Información del producto



Según el fabricante, o buscando información en las páginas web, podemos encontrar distintas fuentes de información que pueden difrerir en algunos de sus contenidos, pudiendo ocasionar algo de confusión al usuario que busca información técnica del producto.

En esta sección pondré la información obtenida desde la página web del fabricante (o en su defecto, de la página que mas me fíe de su información), listando solo los puntos relevantes para el análisis técnico del producto, y omitiendo aquellos que no aportan nada (como suelen poner las páginas de venta y fabricantes, características como reproducción de música, películas, etc, etc, que en realidad son características que se obtienen instalando programas, mas que una característica innata del dispositivo)

  • 8X DVD-R Write
  • 6X DVD+R DL Write
  • 6X DVD-R DL Write
  • 5X DVD-RAM Write
  • 8X DVD+RW Write
  • 6X DVD-RW Write
  • 8X DVD-ROM Read
  • 24X CD-R Write
  • 24X CD-RW Write
  • 24X CD-ROM Read



Firmware oficial



El firmware oficial del dispositivo sirve para, entre otras cosas, agregar nuevas funcionalidades y soporte para nuevos tipos de estructura de datos.

El firmware del dispositivo se encuentra en la página de descargas de Samsung para unidades ópticas.

En el caso de esta review, estoy utilizando el modelo SE-208AB/TS03. En caso de que estés utilizando otro modelo, verifica en la página de descargas de Samsung, buscando por el modelo específico que tengas.

El proceso de actualización es muy sencillo


  • Conectamos el dispositivo a un puerto USB del PC
  • Una vez descargado el fichero de actualización, lo ejecutamos.

  • El programa de actualización nos mostrará una ventana de aviso, que si tras la actualización el lector no funciona, que volvamos a ejecutar la actualización para corregir el problema.
  • Damos a "Ok" en la ventana. el proceso comenzará a actualizar automáticamente.

  • Una vez finalizado (dura unos segundos), nos aparece la ventana de confirmación de que el proceso ha finalizado correctamente y que es necesario reiniciar windows.

  • Damos a "Ok". Windows se reiniciará.


El dispositivo ya se encuentra actualizado.


Modo manual


Me han comentado sobre un post en htcmania del usuario juanitojones77 que comenta unos pasos muy útiles para poder montar una unidad de DVD en nuestro android.

Conectar DVD externo (con conectividad AV) a dispositivo (root)

Es mi primer post que comparto porque me pareció bastante interesante, después de leer un poco y algunos intentos por fin conseguí que la tablet reconozca la lectora de dvd (la tablet es una noganet apad 7 , es vieja y con pantalla resistiva). Es muy útil, por ejemplo cuando nos vamos de viaje y queremos ver alguna película.

La lectora que poseo es una lectora grabadora cd/dvd samsung se 208 ab ultra slim que tiene conectividad av, es decir pasa el formato iso 9660 a fat32 pero mi tablet no monta la unidad automáticamente, y con programas como el stick mount tampoco monta la unidad

Para que funcione necesitamos:

-ser root.
-Un cable 5 pines a 2 usb o un hub con alimentación externa para que la energía sea suficiente al dvd para girar la bandeja.
-Una fuente de alimentación o enchufe usb de 5 volts
-El android terminal emulator instalado en la tablet. (se consigue en el google play)

1) Conectamos primero la punta usb del cable más corto a una fuente de alimentación de 5 volts (si conectamos primero a la tablet, no tiene la energía suficiente y probablemente se apague la tablet) y la otra punta (más larga) a la tablet
2) Abrimos la bandeja de la lectora y la ponemos en modo av (en este modelo tenemos que presionar unos segundos el botón con la bandeja abierta, obviamente después cerramos la bandeja con el cd/dvd puesto )
3) Abrimos el terminal emulator y escribimos lo siguiente:

su (para pedir permisos de superusuario)
mkdir mnt/local/dvd (o cualquier otro directorio donde queremos montar la unidad, crea el directorio)
ls dev/block (o utilizamos algún explorador con acceso root para fijarnos el archivo, si va bien tiene que aparecer un fichero cuyo nombre sea sda, sda1, etc, dependiendo de si tenemos conectados algunos otros dispositivos de almacenamiento, debería ser el último creado). Dependiendo de lo anterior escribimos:

mount -t vfat -rw -o dmask=0002,fmask=0002,uid=1023,gid=1023 /dev/block/sda /mnt/local/dvd/
Y listo!!. Vamos a la carpeta creada con el explorador y ya podemos utlizar el dvd y entre otras cosas, ver las pelis con el Bsplayer o el MoboPlayer en nuestra tablet !!! 

Esta opción debería funcionar si no funciona desde el terminal escribimos
cat /proc/mounts
En el resultado nos tiene que aparecer una frase como /mnt/sdcard vfat rw .., uid=xxxx, gid=xxxx, fmask=xxxx,dmask=xxxx
Nos fijamos los números que aparecen de uid,gid,dmask y fmask y los reemplazamos en el comando mount, es decir si los números son 1000, 1015, 0702 y 0702 la opción sería:

mount -t vfat -rw -o dmask=0702,fmask=0702,uid=1000,gid=1015 /dev/block/sda /mnt/local/dvd/

Para desmontar simplemete escribimos
umount /mnt/local/dvd/

Espero que les sea de utilidad!!



VideoReview



Y llegados a este punto, presento la videoreview de este disopsitivo. Como ya he comentado, no me siento cómodo aún hablando frente a una cámara, y sufro de todos los síntomas corresopndiente al pánico escénico (se me traba la lengua, no me salen palabras, hablo muy rápido, etc, etc). También debo comentar que esta videoreview es muy "espontánea", en el sentido que la he realizado sin preparación previa, no hay guión, no hay nada estudiado. Todo lo que comento es lo que puedo comentar del dispositivo directamente, sin muchos rodeos, y espero que por lo menos la escencia de lo que quiero explicar se entienda.



La videoreview se centra mas en el uso del dispositivo, que en el unboxing, presentación del producto, etc. (para eso utilizo este artículo, para complementar la información)


Pros, contras y mejoras.



Como en todo producto, nos encontramos frente a un disopsitivo que tiene sus puntos a destacar de forma positiva, también nos encontramos con aquellos puntos o características que, o no cumplen correctamente con lo que se les pide, o simplemente no incorporan una funcionalidad que, en mi opinión, debería incluír. Asimismo, y en parte basado en esta lista de puntos en contra, en donde doy mi punto de vista sobre que aspectos deberían tenerse en consideración en caso de generar una versión evolucionada o actualizada del dispositivo.

Pros



  • Versatilidad del dispositivo, puesto que se puede implementar su función en otros dispositivos, mas allá de los especificados por el fabricante
  • Ofrece una nueva forma de acceder a datos a otros dispositivos que no etán preparados para leer información almacenada en CDs o DVDs.
  • Muy compacto, ligero y elegante.
  • Operación muy simple para trabajar en modo Pendrive (USB Conectivity)


Contras



  • Por buscar un punto negativo (que en realidad no lo es), es que el dispositivo no "transforma" una estructura de DVD (película) en una de datos, para acceder a la información de una película por ejemplo, y de esta manera tener la posibilidad de reproducirla en Android por ejemplo.


Mejoras



  • Implementación de un modo de escritura (basada en algún buffer). con esto se podría almacenar directamente en el disco, realizando una copia de datos como si fuese un pendrive.
  • Implementación de un "lector" de estructuras de DVD. Con esto, sería muy posible que dispositivos Android puedan leer una estructura de película como datos, y de esta forma algún reproductor pueda leer estos ".VOB" para reproducir directamente dichas películas.


Conclusión



Polivalente es un buen adjetivo para calificar a este dispositivo. Los usos que pueda tener pueden resultar limitados, pero dependerá del ingenio y "necesidades" de cada usuario para encontrar el uso adecuado y práctico al dispositivo, aunque siempre se puede contar con el como grabador de discos standard para windows.

Cierto es que a dia de hoy, el uso de discos ópticos es menos popular que hace unos años atrás, pero este tipo de productos está enfocado sobre todo a aquellos usuarios que han almacenado una gran cantidad de información en medios opticos y que este dispositivo brinda una alternativa para acceder a ellos, que extiende la plataforma de uso mas allá de Windows (Mac), como pueden ser los dispositivos Android que tan de moda están en estos momentos.

También quiería mencionar que tal como comento en el vídeo, existen alternativas incluso de Blue-Ray que ofrecen el mismo tipo de funcionalidad, y que también podría interesar tener en cuenta.

Para mas información, he visto el Samsung SE-506, que tiene funciones de grabador Blue-Ray, y que resulta ser un disopsitivo muy interesante a considerar.

Palabras Finales



Dar las gracias por haberte tomado la molestia de leer este artículo y sobre todo de ver la videoreview (y sufrir con mi voz y explicaciones). Se que no soy muy claro hablando, y que no es lo mío (me cuesta salir de un teclado), pero haré mi mejor esfuerzo por seguir mejorando y ofrecer información de mas productos de la manera mas clara y directa que pueda.


Zalu2!

Deen0X

24 marzo 2014

[REVIEW] Phablet/Console JXDS5800 (Quad-Core, 5")

[REVIEW] JXDS5800 (Quad-Core, 5")



Note: In first place, apologize my rude english. I do my best for writing directly in english, avoiding automatic translators, but is possible i do some mistakes. I will be glad receiving any improvement or fix, if you consider necessary, but in general speaking i think the main content of the article is understandable (most of this article is technical information). Hope you don´t get problems on reading it.



Acknowledgments


To GeekBuyiung for send me a sample of JXDS5800 device to test it and write this review.


Usage of this article


Author give permission to use this review, part of this or by a link reference, to anybody wants to use it, with only one condition that you must keep the author of this article, and the original source, that is on my blog.

For any update for the content of this article, i suggest to visit the link avobe.



Introduction

JXD releases their first hybrid between smartphone and android console, bringing an interesting device that keep the main shape as their big version JXDS7800B, but adding 3G/Calls functionality, all this reduced to a 5" IPS display, that is a demanded size by many customers for portable android gaming device.

The mix is interesting, with many potential usage, and may be enough for most users, but there is a (big) problem that we cannot ommit, and any future user of this may consider before buy. There are button overlapping problems on the device. I will talk about this in the article, but is something that i consider important to mention before any other info, and to keep in mind when you read this review.

But please, read the article (or the part you prefer) and get your own conclusions about it. I think this device can offer many ways entertainment, and may be enough for your kind of usage.

I will keep al of my part to bring all the info i can for anyone that wants to get more info about this.

Note


Considering the problem of the device with overlapings, is not my intention to show it on each video and mention this each time when i´m doing testing. For this reason, most of the videos i´m capturing are centered on the game performance and running itself, capturing direct from the screen (the device don´t have HDMI output), and using external controller to allow camera to capture in clear way, without movements and/interferences from my hands (between device screen and camera)



Product showcase

(Checking of the external view of the package)


The box is a box with the look of recycled cardboard. Print is simplist and clear. There is a draw of the device in the face, indicating the kind of device it is, a 3G Phone Game



The rear of the package have some tech info about the device, but in chinese. Even you can deduce some aspects of the device checking icons and some words that are universal (Android 4.2, Cortex A7, 1GB RAM, etc)



In the box, there is a slot for secure transport of the device, and the rest of the space is for accessories and printed guides/manuals of the product.


Package contents

(Unboxing y full description of the package contents)


When the package is opened, we found the following elements thats, i understand, are part of any standard shippment for this product.



  • JXDS5800 device
  • Headphones
  • MicroUSB cable (for data and charging)
  • MicroUSB OTG cable
  • USB wall charger
  • EURO connector for charger
  • User guide
  • User reference
  • Warranty
  • JXD Sticker



Product description

(Enumerate of components that conform the product)


In the following section i will explain briefly each component that comform the device, listing each component existing in their structure and doing comments about these elements when i consider.

In this section i will list only the device parts that may contain elements interesting to comment.

Note: These faces of the device that don´t containt any element i will omit.

Front view




  • Left Analog Stick
  • D-PAD
  • Phone Speaker
  • [HOME] Button
  • [KEYMAPPER] Button
  • Front Camera
  • 5" IPS Screen
  • Right Analog Stick
  • Front Action buttons [D], [C], [B], [A]
  • Front Speaker (Monoaural)
  • [BACK] button
  • [MENU] button
  • [START] button
  • [SELECT] button




Rear view





  • Rear Camera



Right side view




  • [VOL +] Button
  • [VOL -] Button


Left side view





  • [POWER] Button



Top view




  • [L1] Button
  • [L2] Button
  • MicroUSB Port
  • Headphones Port
  • [R1] Button
  • [R2] Button


Bottom view




  • Phone Mic


Internal View






  • Battery 3000 mAh
  • Battery Slot
  • Multicard
    • SIM 1
    • SIM 2 (MicroSIM)
    • MicroSD


About the Screen




The screen have good bright, but there are some light bright in the top (in vertical, left in horizontal) that i don't like, but that does not bother anyway.



Testing the screen, is configured at 60 Hz, and this is a very good news because most of emulators runs ok with this.

for people that don´t understand this, i will put an example, using another similar device, the Much i5, and this.


In this video i´m running the same game, with the same emulator version, and the similar configuration in both cases.

Much i5 runs at 64Hz screen refresh rate, and the gameplay is unplayable, but running the same in S5800 device, the game runs smooth, very smooth and without graphics glitches.

This is the main reason why is so important that devices focused on gaming (like JXDS5800) must have their screen at 60Hz, to ensure maximum compatibility with most of emulators and games.


About the sound


The device come with two speakers, but for distinct functions.

The right speaker (in horizontal) is for device media sounds. This sound is monoaural, and the quality is poor. enough for listen what happening on the screen, but not for enjoy a movie or music.

The left speaker is for phone. In the case of the device i´m testing, i have some issues with the phone mode, and i cannot test in deep this function, but as i can check, the sound appear to be enough for phone.


About the controls




Face buttons and DPAD size are good, and shapes are comfortables.

The sticks are a little bit hard to use, making games that requires some stick precition hard to play. May be with some usage will get soften than now.



These sticks are a little bit small than JXDS7800B, and their top have different surface, better in the S5800 in my opinion

Pressing L2

Pressing L1


L1, R1, L2 and R2 are so near each to other. is so easy to press accidentally L2 and R2 when pressing L1 and/or R1 (and in extension, L1 and R1 when pressing L2 and/or R2)

Normal usage of Stick and L1 & L2 buttons.

Normal usage of DPAD and L1 & L2 buttons.


Handling the device normally, you get confortable with the situation of these buttons, but still is so easy to press accidentally some of them (these buttons are very sensitive).


About camera


I will not center on this point, but i can say that the device come with a camera that is enough for some photos, if you don´t have a proper digital camera near.

Camera is not the best, but is not so bad too. Come with autofocus, but not Flash Led.

Is suitable for usage with programs such CamScanner, getting good scannings with clear reading of text.

I did test takin few shots in my house.


(Hi Saya!)

Bot are inside. I will try to take more photos outside with sunlight for completing this section.


About Keymapper


This keymapper is the same than other devices include, but light evolved

Now, the keymapper include:


  • L1
  • L2
  • Start
  • Select
  • R2
  • R1
  • Left Stick (can be divided)
  • Right Stick (Stick mode or View mode)
  • 4 buttons for DPAD
  • Face buttons D, C, B, A

About storage




As usual in last devices, there is an option on Storage settings that let to the user to select wich storage will be used as disc write destination (sdcard). This means that the device don´t need to do a "swap" method to change this config.


First Impression

(What i feel in my first impression with the device)




Taking in consideration i tested JXDS7800B, i expect this as a small sized of the same device, and it is.

The unit i have for testing present an important problem, and as i know, is a general problem of the device that JXD recognize that is a hardware related problem, and cannot be solved by software update. This problem is the button overlappings, that is so evident using the device for few minutes.


As you can see, in the video i´m showing some of the overlappings of the device.

Checking on the web, i see there are some articles about this device but don´t mention this problem that make to me to think there are some units without this problem (maybe the sample units), but commercial release of this device have this issue, and is so evident.

In any case, there are many titles (android basically) that can be played using this device without issues, but in most emulators you will find some input problems to play normally.

As i know, JXD will release a revision for this device with these problems solved. With this in mind, i will test the device focussing on what this can do (CPU&GPU), and taking the overlapping problem as a second plane, but this don´t mean that the problem is not important (in fact, is the most important issue), but if there is a new revised device, most of the information on this review should apply for both versions. (assuming that CPU&GPU will be the same), for this reason most of the testing (videos) i will use external controllers for avoiding the problem (but some of these testing will be with the device control, to show how it respond in general)

Talking about the shape, this is a small size of JXDS7800 device. Back of the device is with curve lines, and this don´t let to put quiet on a table for interact with the screen. Is a similar  problem than JXDS7800B


The DPAD, i feel that is not enough heavy to press, in fact, pressing any rect move (up, down, left, right), is so easy to generate accidental diagonals, and this is a problem in general. May be with a little bit of practice i master this DPAD to play without problems, but for now is a little bit complicated to use.

The sound is disappointing. Only one of the speakers is enabled for media output (right speaker), and the sound is no good quality. Well, i usually plug my headphones on devices (or bluetooth headphones, in this case) and i forgive it, but i really expected that both visible speakers works well  (both in front, that is a good point).

Device manufacture appear to be solid, in the same way as S7800B.

Screen is brighter than S7800B, with clear image. For now appear to be one of the best points of this device.

Note: Usually i don´t use other devices in a review, but this case i will use few of them to graphic some points.

The size of the device is big for 5" phone. Comparing with some 5" devices:

ThL T100S

The ThL T100S is a 5" phone that i consider big, because have so much borders in bottom and top, but considering this, JXD is so bigger for their 5" screen.

Now, comparing with PSVita, the device still is biggest.

On top, JXDS5800B, Bottom, PSVita

I'm focussing on this point, because this will may generate some problems to transport the device, and you want to use as Phone device at the same time.

Currently, i´m using another device, a Much i5 that fits perfect in a PSP belt cover, but this device cannot fit in the same cover (or it fits, but cannot close the cover)

Top JXDS5800, bottom Much i5

This may be a problem and you must consider to create a specific cover for this, or buy a puch bag for transport in your bag, backpack or jacket, and protect sticks of the device.




Product information




According with the manufacturer, or searching info on web pages, we can found many sources of information about the device and sometimes these information may be not consistent (may be different from one web page to other), and this may cause some confusion for anybody that wants to get info about this product.

On this section i will post the info i get from the manufacturer (or is not possible, the web page that i consider more reliable), listing only the relevant points for a tech analysis of the product, and omit these points that don´t get any relevant info about the device (as many time we found on many pages, things such video capabilities, mail capabilities, etc, that really are software based features that we can install on the device, and not a real feature of the device itself)

  • Chipset: MTK6582, Quad-Core Cortex A7
  • Screen/Display: 5-inch IPS Bright LCD, Resolution: 960*540 pixels
  • Touch Panel 5 point Capacitive Screen (G+G )
  • Communications: 3G (WCDMA) Calling+2G (GSM) Calling
  • Network: Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n), built-in 3G (WCDMA)
  • RAM: 1GB DDR3
  • Flash: 8GB Flash, support external TF card up to 32GB
  • OS: Android 4.2
  • Buttons: Direction buttons, ABXY, Dual LR, Dual analog joysticks, select, start, Vol+/-, Reset, POWER, Home, Back, Menu and Mode switch button
  • G-Sensor: 3 Axis Gravity Sensor
  • Bluetooth: Support
  • GPS: Support
  • Camera: 0.3MP Front Camera, 5.0MP Rear Camera
  • Battery: Built-in 3000mAh replaceable and rechargeable lithium-ion battery, Charge with 5V 2A DC adaptor or USB charging (slow)
  • Vibrator motor
  • Sound device: Speaker, phone receiver and MIC
  • I/O USB2.0 High Speed
  • OTG: Connet Keyboard, mouse, Ethernet, U disk and Hard disk
  • 3.5mm Stereo earphone mini jack
  • Size: Length: 198mm Width: 156mm Height: 88mm


Info from the device itself (Android info)


In first place, to get a reliable source of info about the system, i take some screenshots from the same device showing android system info (thata usually is insufficient), and from another software that can give us more detailed information about the system, and with this info we can get a general idea about the capabilities of the device.





Default programs on the device


Antutu Benchmark X System Info











Quadrant Standard Info








Vellamo Device Details








CPU-Z






Benchmarks



For people that don´t know about these programs, i can tell (in short words) that a benchmark is a program or normalized test that runs on a device. These tests give points (usually, averaging many results) the performance of a device, in the way that the final total point may be useful to compare, in a simple and direct way, the general performance between many devices.

There are so many benchmarks on Google Play Store, but in my test usually i use the most populars.

For the running of these benchmarks, the initial conditions of the device are:

  • CPU Frequency: 1.3 GHz
  • CPU Governor: Hotplug *
  • Screen Resolution: 540x960 pixels

* most of MTK devices come with a non optimal performance governor. In most cases, this governor set the CPU to the specified speed, but enable only one core (disabling others). For this reason, i use this governor (that enable all the cores) but setting minimum and maximum cpu speed to the same value (in this case, to 1.3GHz), to emulate something similar to Governor performance.



3DMark - The Gamer´s Benchmark

 (Google play version)


This benchmark have two parts, the first "normal" called "Ice Storm", and the second with high resolution graphics called "Ice Storm Extreme"

The final total is the averaging of all the test of the benchmark (in each of this parts)



Ice Storm





  • Total Score: 2920


Ice Storm Extreme






  • Total Score: 2006


Ice Storm Unlimited






  • Total Score: 2843






Antutu Benchmark X Edition

 (Google Play version)

This is a version special anti-fraud edition from this popular benchmark.

Many manufacturer do some tricks to bring best results when running Antutu Benchmark, most of these tricks is temporal overclocking the CPU/GPU, when the SoC detect the benchmark is running. For this reason, this special edition of Antutu Benchmark was created, to avoiding these kind of cheats/tricks from manufacturers, offering a real result for their tests.

Note: running this test, the device hangs on 87% of the benchmark.



Forcing to stop and load the test, appear the following results:




Summarizing points:


  • RAM Operation: 687
  • RAM Speed: 907
  • CPU integer: 1726
  • CPU float-point: 1037
  • 2D graphics: [540x960] 977
  • 3D graphics: [540x960] 4816
  • Storage I/O: 801
  • Database I/O: 620
  • CPU frequency: 1300 MHz (x4)
  • Multitask: 2764
  • Total: 15388


RealPi Benchmark

 (Google play version)


The main goal of this benchmark is basically to calculate PI with a fixed decimals, and based on the time taked to calculate this.














  • Pi calculated in: 28.52 seconds


  • CF-Bench



    This benchmark suite is specific designed to test performance of multi-core devices, and get 3 general values (totals): Native Score, Java Score and Overall Score.



    • Native Score: 23266
    • Java Score: 11508
    • Overall Score: 16211



    Epic Citadel



    This benchmark generate an intensive GPU usage, using the Unreal Engine 3 and get as a final result the average framerate that the device can show the test.

    Based on the kind of the devices and their features/capabilities, the benchmark can offer two or three kind of benchamark types: High Performance, High Quality and Ultra Hight Quality (This test only will be available for devices ables to run this benchmark).


    High Performance



    • Average FPS: 55.8


    High Quality



    • Average FPS: 52.5




    Nenamark1



    This benchmark is designed to test OpenGL|ES2.0, and will show graphics with a variety of effects such reflex, dyamic shadows, lights, etc. This version was designed for medium-low devices, but i run as a standard in any device thata i write a review.






    • Total score: 60.0 fps



    Nenamark2



    In the same way as the previous version, this benchmark is designed to test OpenGL|ES2.0, but in medium-hight devices. In the same way, this benchmark show graphics but with Hight Resolution, and apply effects such reflex, dynamic shadows, light, etc.







    • Total score: 60.0 fps



    Quadrant Standard



    This benchmark is one of the first dedicated software for testing devices, and become a reference, but currently i use as a informative way, because this app don´t have multi-core support, then their results don´t get a reliable source of information, beause the performance of 1 core running on the device is not the same if the device can run with 2 or more cores, where distribute proccessing and run more relaxed in genearl, giving a better score to the system.





    • CPU: 9968
    • Mem: 2251
    • I/O: 4333
    • 2D: 500
    • 3D: 2406
    • Total: 3892



    Mindwill


    Windmill is a technology demonstration that showcases gaming engines from Allegorithmic and Unity. Windmill includes a benchmark mode that pushes your mobile platform to the limit by exercising multiple CPU and GPU cores with complex geometry and interesting texture and shader effects.

    The dynamic change of season and visual style (cartoon, spring, summer, winter) is made possible by the Substance technology.





    • Average Frame Rate: 12.15 FPS (960x540)



    This becnhmark is a testing suite, that basically are routines for HTML5 and CPU specific (Metal) testings.




    • HTML5 score: 1936
    • Metal score: 546



    Official firmware




    The official firmware of the device is useful for, in example, if we have a "soft-brick", caused by some mods on the system and the device cannot start in a normal way.

    For these cases, is good to get a way to recover the device, and one of these ways is getting the official firmware (and the steps to flash it)

    WARNING!


    Flashing official firmware will delete your imeis. Before you proceed, install Mobileuncle from google playstore, and do a imei backup. IS SO IMPORTANT THIS STEP, before continue updating your device.

    Once you get your imei backups safe, continue with following steps.

    Installation is a little bit weird if you follow the directions of the manufacturer, but is so easy if you use SP_Flash tools.




    Use the drivers if you need to install on windows.


    • Unpack Flash_Tools and JXDS5800 firmware
    • press on the "scatter-loading" button (second in the right side)
    • Select your scatter file "MT6582_Android_scatter.txt" from firmware directory
    • press on the "download" button in Flash_Tools
    • With the device fully powered off, plug the microUSB cable
    • Flash_Tools starts automatically to install the firmware on the device.


    • when the process end, there will be a green circle on the screen.


    and that´s all. Your device is updated!.


    Device Rooting


    One of the best things that take advantage on Android, is precisely get the device rooted and the superuser privileges enabled for our needs.

    There are so much users that have scared about the methods to get root on their devices, and for this they don´t get encourage to root it, limiting their experience because there are so much apps that uses this feature. Applications such Titanium Backup or Tincore Keymapper (for mention few) requires root acces to work property.

    For rooting, i installed Shaume, but you can use directly Root Genius.

    If you prefer Shaume, there is the links:





    • Install Shaume (chinese)
    • After install, unpack English patch and copy the .exe file on the Shaume install directory
    • Run Shaume_Eng.exe


    • In the main screen, you will se a "Root" icon with a red dot. Press it.
    • The program will open Root Genius
    • Press the button on the bottom-right



    • The program start rooting your device
    • After rooting, the program show this screen:




    • you´re done!




    ClockWorkMod(CWM)/TeamWin Recovery Project (TWRP) - Custom Recovery)




    Android have a special mode called Recovery, that is used many times to recover the device if this have problems to run properly, but there exist an alternative Custom Recovery that add a lot of new functionality and tools, and few of the most popular is one called ClockWorkMod Recovery, and another called Teamwin Recovery Project.

    The most important difference between these both custom recoverys, is the kind of interaction that offer to the user. CWM is focussed on functionality, and is the first that become popular. TWRP bring a nice and very functionaly touch interface, that may be more comfortable for most users.

    There are some devices that can install CWM, another devices that can install TWRP, or some devices that have both versions availables to install. In any case, is so recommended to install any of these custom recovery on the device.

    One of the most important features of these custom recovery, is the NANDROID generation, a way to generate a full backup of the nand (where the operating system resides) to a directory, and can be used as a recovery point for the device in case of semi-brick, or simply if you want to get a clean firmware on it.

    Take note that this backup (nandroid) is a image of the NAND, this means, there will be stored all your configs, users, passwords, accounts, etc. Is a good idea to get a clean firmware insatlled on the device, and install and configure all your base programs (file admins, cloud services, google account, etc) and then get a nandroid for your personal use. When you get back to this image/backup, you will get a clean and configured system, saving lot of time on basic configurations and installing basic software.


    The installation of CWM on this device is easy. For this, i follow the next thread on XDA forum:

    How to install CWM on most rooted mtk devices

    This method is based on Rua1 tool (a russian guy that develop a specific MTK took), and i will try to explay step by step.


    • First, you need the drivers ADB installed on the system. If you don´t get yet, then download and install PDANet (for windows, there is the 4.12 installer).
    • Then install PDANet, and when the program ask for connecting the device (USB), connect your Much.
    • Program will install drivers (if ask to you, select "other manufacturer" for generic drivers)
    • When you get installed this program, then go and download "MTK Droid Root & Tools | MediaTek Android Smartphone" ver 2.4.8 (from this thread on XDA)
    • Run the program. If the antivirus or firewall warning about a unknown thread, ignore it.
    • After proper install device drivers, you get a screen with green rectangle
    • Click on the tab 'root,backup,recovery' and select 'to use boot from phone' then click on 'recovery and boot' and shortly after a dialogue box will appear asking if you want to 'make cwm recovery automatically' click yes



    • System start to generate the CWM version.




    • Is possible that the tool show a dialog with a warning "ATENTION! There is a probability to damage the boot block!". Select "Yes"



    • The tool will then create the recovery and another dialogue box will appear asking to 'install created recovery to phone', click yes



    • Finally, the program ask to us if we want to reboot in recovery mode (select Yes to test it)




    • The program will reboot the Much device.
    • CWM is now installed on your JXDS5800!

    For moving, use [VOL-] and [VOL+]
    For selecting, use [POWER]



    Note: First time you start the recovery, may have an issue, but is not important. When you try to select any item, the system will hide the CWM menu. Simply reboot the device and start again the CWM, and you will be fine!



    Custom Firmware




    A custom firmware usually is a firmware stock with some moddings, via tweaks or compiled directly from source code (if this exist), and generating an optimized version of the original system.

    Beside the above, the custom firmwares can add new functionality to the device, that originally don´t get in the firmware stock such bluetooth usb dongle support, gamepad support, fixing framework, updating modules, CIFS, etc.

    At the moment of writing this review, there is no Custom Firmwares for this device, but with CWM tool, is easy to generate a custom firmware based on stock firmware.

    Hope will see some interesting roms for this device, and some scene around them.


    Game Performance




    As usual, the most common way to show the performance of a device is running and playing games, android natives and emulated (roms) using emulators.

    In the following lines i will show some games and emulators running on the device, and some comments with relevant info.



    Android Games




    Android games are specific for touch screens, and may use another device sensors such tilt sensor, and most of them show on screen controls to interact with the game, but only few of them have native joystick/gamepad support.

    For now, there are some alternatives that we can use to bring these kind of support (joysticks/gamepads and other devices) on these games, bringing another way of playing using physical controls. Most of these alternatives are based on emulating the events and mechanisms that the device originally support for interact with the games. Most of these events are touch screen based, then this kind of apps will "emulate" these touches, linking physical controls (buttons, sticks) to screen locations.


    Nova 3




    The game run ok in the device.

    I managed to connect the device as remote display sender, to another (JXDS7800B) to use as remote display receiver, and get TV output (and HDMI capture).

    Using this way, game have some slowdowns, but is palyable in the device screen.

    Note: This way is only for demostrate how it works as remote display. This method is not enough for a real gaming fo this title, because remote display have some lag that become unplayable most action titles. Consider this testing a proof of concept of gameplay using remote display.


    Neon Shadow



    The game run well and so smooth, but mapping is weird. Shotting button is "X" (in PSX nomenclature), and become so uncomfortable to use to play.

    Using any keymapper, the game don´t recognize the gamepad.

    Hope this game fix this problem to play this title in normal way.


    Riptide GP 2



    This title have good graphics and gameplay is so smooth. The device don´t have any problem on running this, and controls are recognized directly by the game.


    Asphalt 8: Airborn



    This game requires powerful device to run smoothly, because is not so optimized. I feel the game run smooth in this device and gamepad support is nice.


    Rayman Fiesta Run



    A game so fun, and with intense graphics generation. I appreciate some slowdowns in the game, but is playable in general speaking.


    Grand Theft Auto San Andreas




    A well known title. This android version run well on the device. There are few slowdowns but no matter really because the title is fully playable.

    Note: this title must be played with analog stick, for avoiding some overlappings and undesired results.


    Deus Ex



    Graphic impressives. This game have touch interface, and is hard to generate a proper mapping to controls.

    There are many slowdowns, because GPU have intense work.


    Soul Calibur



    This game is non so optimized, and some scenarios can cause so much slowdowns.

    In the video, i´m playing via remote display, and for this reason i get slowdowns.

    The game, in normal mode (without remote display) run better, with some slowdowns (less than remote display, and with better speed)


    Need for Speed Most Wanted



    The game runs smoothly, with good response, nice looking and no problems in general.

    Note: I´m using another device as a gamepad, using DroidMote to passthrough from Gamepad device (client) and JXDS5800 (Server), and with any keymapper (stock, gamekeyboard, etc) can handle to run the game.


    Dead Space




    This game don´t have a propre gamepad support, and is hard to map it with on screen controls. Some actions can be mapped on screen. sush move (for left stick), aim (for right stick), but there are lots of on screen elements that requires the user touch them to play.

    The gameplay is smooth and ok.


    Mini Motor Racing



    Good game for android gaming devices. Nice graphics and nice gameplay.


    Emulation (Playing emulated games)





    In the same way that Android games are an important way of testing the performance of a device, emulation is another factor to get in concern, and most important, for systems that are quite hard to be emulated, because with these emulators/roms we can see differences between devices. (most of times, the pure power of a CPU/GPU can run better a game in a device, and get poor performance in another device)

    In Android, we get many emulator alternatives (emulated systems) that we can recreate on the device that we are testing. We can use emulators of old computers, videogame consoles, and is possible to run some x86 system (MS DOS, windows 9x but so limited), and we can run most modern systems such Nintendo64, Playstation one (PSX), both of these emulators are consider the top of the current frontier of emulation, but this is not limited to these systems. There are new emulators that most probably will become the new top/frontier, with emulation of PSP that many games currently are playables with near of 100% of speed, or Nintendo DS, that currently is able to run many titles.at full speed (or near to)

    This way, we can say that the emulators are important than Android games en terms of entertainment, and for this reason are a big and important part of any testing planning of any device.



    DraStic (Nintendo DS)




    This app is able to emulate many commercial games, with full speed (or near to) and in a short time this emulator become as one of the most popular apps of this kind on Google Playstore.

    This emulator run flawesly in most of devices with average specs (dual core and up)


    New Super Mario





    Gameplay is ok, but i feel there are some slowdowns, but without importance.

    I´m playing with the original device, and there is some screens that are a little bit hard to play normally, because overlappings generate undesired actions sometimes, but the game is playable in general speaking.


    Castlevania Order of Ecclesia



    Smooth gameplay. I configured R2 for screen swapping and L2 for half screen swapping, but these buttons are very sensile, and i pressed many times accidentally, and change what i´m watching on the screen, then i must unconfigure these buttons to play normally.

    Many times i do undesired special moves (union glyphs) because the dpad do UP (diagonals) instead on moving rect to left or right, resulting hard to play normally.

    Hope in the revised version of this device these problems will not happen.


    Metroid Hunters



    In this gameplay, i´m using Droidmote as remote controller (with GPD-G5A device).
    i´m controlling the right side of the S5800 (aim control) with my finger on the G5A device, for this reason is so weird this gameplay. Really, is a proof of concept.

    The game itself run without problems.


    PPSSPP (Playstation Portable PSP)




    The only PSP emulator for Android. This app can run many games in a playable way, and get so many updates to improve their emulation and new features.




    DJ Max




    (Remote Display)


    This game can be played without problems in this device.

    The game itself run ok, but there are some stages that the emulator cannot run at 100% speed.




    Lord of Arcana




    This is a good example on how to implemente right stick of the device for controling some aspects on PSP Game.

    In this case, this game uses D-PAD for control camera. If you setup right stick as D-PAD, then you can play this as a normal action game, with two sticks:

    • Left for normal moves
    • Right for camera/aim


    The game run with good speed and no major graphic glitches.


    Final Fantasy Crisis Core




    This game has no major problems to run. (sorry about my poor gameplay)


    PSRevolution




    Just another dancing game. I like to test devices with this kind of games (and fighting games), because i can feel if the device have some input lag.

    I don´t appreciate any input lag, but sound have a normal lag for this emulator and system (android)

    Anyway, the title is fully playable (considering the audio lag)





    Mame4Droid (Arcades)




    Personally, i think this is the best arcade emulator on the Store. I prefer this (for arcade) instead of another alternatives than Retroarch or similar, because many titles run smoothly than another emulators.


    Marvel vs Capcom



    The game run ok, smooth and fast, but the problem of overlapping buttons don´t let to play normally. There are many times when inputs don´t get the correct action, and is hard to play in this condition.


    Reicast (Dreamcast)




    This great emulator allow to us to play our dreamcast games in android devices that don´t requires high end specs (but some decent needed). The emulator is under development, but for now can execute many games in smooth way.


    Rival Schools




    The general speed of this game is poor, but there is no important graphic glitches.


    Gamestreaming




    With this section i want to test devices for gamestreaming, focused in control usage and wifi (strenght, stability, heating)

    My tests are based on the article i wrote for gamestreaming "From PC to our Android Gaming Console" (in spanish, but you can use english translator of the blog), and this may help to bring examples of another kind of usages of the device.

    Usually, i test with the same games, for comparing devices. You can visit my youtube channel for more gameplays on many devices, and compare with this.

    Of course, the image quality of these gameplays are poor than original image on PC, but are enought (most of time) for normal gameplays. There are a little lag too, and for this reason i use games that can play correctly, even with this lag in sound, image and/or controls. For more info, i suggest to visit the link of the article i mentioned previously.

    If you want to see these videos, i suggest to see on your device (mobile/android gaming device). These videos will looks well in small size screens. If you see them in your PC or similar, in full screen, of course you will see a low resolution image quiality, but for devices are enough for playing.



    KAINY





    This app allow to stream from PC (Windows and Linux) to many kind of devices, including:

    • Android (Smartphones, Tablets, Set top Box, etc)
    • IOs (iPhones, iPads, etc)
    • Chrome browser (chrome plugin)
    • PC to PC (using Chrome version, or native windows client)
    • Allow to connect via 3G/4G


    Support up to 4 gampeads (4 concurrent connections to a server), Direct XInput implementation on gamepad and more other features.

    I've tested some games using this alternative, and there are some videos of these testing.



    Blades of Time




    The device cannot get a smooth streaming. I didn´t appreciate wifi problems with normal usage, but with streaming, there are some problems with non stable signal, and the game run with "gaps"

    The overlapping problems of the device are replicated in the windows emulated controller, and depends on the game we are running, these problems may be critical or not.


    DmC: Devil May Cry



    In general speaking, gamestreaming have some issues with smoothness, because wifi signal is not so good.

    As you can see, there are some glithces on screen (left border), that i don´t know what are (i did not see this kind of glitches in another device)


    About Phone


    The device come with Multislot for normal SIM card, micro SIM and microSD


    Here is not so much what i can explain. This device works as any other standard dual-sim phone.

    The multislot come with MicroSIM and Normal SIM slots. this is a non common configuration, but there is no problem cutting a normal SIM to fit in microsim (or getting a copy of your sim)

    Phone interface is so common as any other standard dual-sim phone. The device come with a specific Settings menu for manage these SIMs.

    When you insert a SIM, the phone recognize it at booting time, and show to you what do you want to do. You can use voice with any of both sims (or configure to ask to you wich SIM you want to use each time you want to make a call). The same way you can configure SMS service and Data (internet) service.



    Images are self explanatories.

    Managing SIMs is so easy with the SIM manager integrated with the system.


    About Battery




    Battery usage is a little bit hard to comment in absolute terms, because each user have their own needs of usage of their devices.

    In my testing, i will use some battery logs that help to me to show what i´m using in the device, and with this, you can get a general idea about the real battery duration on my kind of usage.

    I don´t have a better way to talk about this point, without using subjetive judgments that may not be so clear for many users.

    For now, i can reach a day of normal (non intensive) usage. This usage may be 2 or 3 hours of PSP emulation (Tekken, Soul Calibur, DJ Max and PSRevolution basically), some browsing and chating (1 hour may be), music (1 hour), and all with bluetooth headphones. With this, i can reach 40% of battery left aprox.

    Without SIM, i calculing that battery can reach 6 hours of usage, that is, more than a normal day of usage (of course, you will not playing continous).

    Sorry  if i cannot bring to you exact data of usage. I will try to monitor my battery and update this point in next updates of this review.


    Pros, cons and improvements.




    As in every product, there are pros and cons points that are good to mention in a clear way. These points will help to us to decide if the device features are enough for what the user are looking for in a device of this kind.

    Pros are based on features that highlight, comparing the device with another similars, or these features improve the experience of the user.

    In the another hand, the cons are these points that worse the experience, or the feature is not enough for fulfill what we expect from the device.

    Finally, the improvements pints are some features or specs that i think must be improved in a supposed new version of the device, and will generate a better experience in my opinion.


    Pros




    • L2 and R2 buttons included in the layout of the device
    • IPS Screen
    • Bluetooth
    • Back camera enough for photos and other usages (Scanning, etc)
    • System running smooth.
    • Bluetooth have good operation range
    • System boots so quick, between 8 and 15 seconds.
    • There is no need of doing swap for microSD. The system settings have an option to select the destination disc for the system.
    • All gaming buttons are included on the Keymapper.
    • Device itself is the same as most android devices, featuring common specs such FM Radio, Vibrators, GPS, etc.



    Cons




    • The critical issue is the Overlapping button. This limit so much to this device, basically with emulators (Android games can be played without problems in general speaking)
    • Device size, may become a problem for cusomers that want to use this device as normal phone.
    • L1 & L2 and R1 & R2 are so close, and is so easy to accidentally press wrong buttons.
    • Monoaural speaker. Really is not a big problem, but with two spaces for speakers, most users will expect a stereo front sound.
    • Wifi antenna, after doing sone testing, i conclude that the wifi antena range is so weak.
    • There is no Status led (notification led)



    Improvements




    • Redesign of L1, L2, R1 and R2 buttons.
    • Add a cover case for transportation and protect with this the sticks of the device
    • reduce some the lenght of the device, for become to a more practical device to use as phone.
    • Of course, fix any issue with overlapping buttons.
    • Add CIFS support to the firmware.
    • Add HDMI port.
    • Add notification led


    Conclusion




    This is an evolved 5" JXD device, and must the base for future devices of this size.

    Adding L2 and R2 (to 5" device) is something that customers was asking for a while to JXD.

    For customers that are looking for a good 5" alternative, this may be one for considering, but take note, point to the new revision of this device (if exist), to avoiding the overlapping problems.

    Thanks to their 60Hz screen refresh rate, many emulated games run smoothly and looks so good, in special PSP games. 

    I have a mix of good and bad taste of this device. Is a clear example that what may be a good 5" alternative to Android gaming console, but there are some things that relegate this to "just another try".

    If JXD fix all the problems of this device, then will be a very intersting android gaming console (i doubt that this device is a good alternative for normal phone usage)

    At this moment, there is a new video (supossely from JXD) where you can see the revised version of the device:



    As you can see, overlapping button problem appear to be fixed. (but i prefer to test myself for check if really there is no other problems now). In any case, if the problems are solved, then is a very good news.

    If you´re interested on this device, most probably when releasing this review JXD release their new fixed device (and if i can get one of them, i will write about it too)

    Final words





    I take time on publishing this review, because i´m waiting for news from JXD about their fixed device, but there is no news yet, and i prefer to publish now this and, if needed, write another article refering to the new device.

    Hope this review bring to you information about the device and help to you to decide to buy (or not) but with most info you can get from it (and i try to bring to you)

    I will try to update this article with new information i receive about this device.

    Zalu2!

    Deen0X