Tronsmart T1000 - “easy” media player for broadcasting images to the big screen

After a fairly successful launch on the mini-computers market, the Chinese company Tronsmart is mastering a new kind of media players, which are designed to broadcast an image from a smartphone / tablet / computer screen to a TV screen. These devices are easy to use and very affordable price. In today's review, we will introduce the model called Tronsmart T1000.

► Specifications

Image display modes: 720p (HDMI), 1080p (HDMI)

Processor Semi AM8251 (MIPS)

128 MB of permanent memory

128 MB of RAM

Linux operating system

Connectivity: 802.11n 150 Mbps WiFi (b / g / n compatible) with support for WEP, WPA and WPA2 encryption

Tronsmart T1000 runs on Linux, supports image output in both 720p and 1080p. The broadcast takes place using the Ezcast application, you can also use Miracast, DLNA, and if you have an iOS device - Airplay.

► Appearance and equipment

The box with Tronsmart T1000 is quite compact:

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Behind the brief characteristics:

The package includes only a USB cable, which is used to connect the power:

Power can be connected both from the outlet and from the USB port of the TV.

The Wifi module is attached to the same USB cable:

Front view resembles a regular mini-computer in dongle format:

But the size is a bit smaller, almost like a flash drive:

There are ventilation holes at the back.

Connects to TV using male HDMI:

On the other side is the microUSB for power supply, and on the side is the Reset button combined with the operation indication (weak red backlight):

► disassemble

Let's see what is hiding inside:

MIPS processor Action Semi AM8251 and 128MB RAM NANYA NT5C864M1SDP

On the other side is 128MB NAND Flash Toshiba TC58NVG0

Realtek RTL8188 Wifi Chip:

► Work with devices on Anroid OS

Tronsmart T1000 can communicate with various Android and Windows devices through the Ezcast application, and also supports Miracast and DLNA.
Consider the work in each mode separately.
First of all, we connect the Tronsmart T1000 to a TV or monitor and turn on the power. Switching on takes place automatically, the download is fast - about 4-5 seconds and information about connection methods already appears on the screen.
To manage, you need to download the Ezcast application and install it. In order not to bother with downloading the application from the browser - you can scan the QR code directly from the TV screen:

First, let's check the capabilities of working with Android devices. After installing Ezcast on your smartphone, connect to the Tronsmart Wifi access point, the connection password is displayed on the TV screen.
General view of the Ezcast application on the smartphone screen:

Go to the settings Tronsmart T1000 by clicking the Settings button.

You can adjust the screen resolution, Wifi access password, select an access point for connecting to the Internet, select a menu language, and also update the firmware. Firmware is updated quite often and downloaded by air (OTA update).
Navigation in the settings on the smartphone is carried out using a virtual control panel:

First of all, go to the Internet section and from the list select your router:

Now Tronsmart T1000 is connected to your smartphone and simultaneously has access to the Internet.

Let us consider the features of the Ezcast application:
Photo - display photos from the gallery of your smartphone on TV. You can edit the photo and then save it.

Camera - broadcast images from the camera of the smartphone. You can switch from the rear camera to the front camera and change the image quality settings:

Music - playing music. Everything is simple - choose a sound file on your phone and the sound is transmitted to your TV

Video - broadcast video files from your phone to your TV. Everything is simple as with music - choose a file and send it to the TV.

The video plays smoothly, without jerks. This effect is achieved by file buffering. But to completely replace the home media player most likely will not work - on heavy FULL HD files, playback may be interrupted for buffering. Movies in 720p are played without any problems.

Document - view PDF, DOC, PPT, Excel files, without the possibility of editing. You can only draw something:

Web - browse the web:

When scrolling and zooming there is a small lag.

Cloud Video - view videos from Youtube, Vimeo and other popular video services.

Start the necessary service, select the file and it is already broadcast on the screen of your TV.

Cloud Storage - access to your files on Dropbox:

Comment - you can leave a wish to the developers of the Ezcast program, as well as evaluate the application.

A short video of how it works:

A convenient feature of the Ezcast app is its ability to run in the background. Those. You can put the broadcast video on TV, and most at the same time to do their own thing, or even put out the screen.

► Miracast

Tronsmart T1000 supports Miracast mode. In this mode, the screen of your device is completely duplicated on the TV screen. This function works quite well, but playing games on the big screen will not work - a rather noticeable lag of about 1 second makes itself felt. But if you need to show something on the big screen, then Miracast is exactly what you need.
To switch to this mode of operation, you need to click on EzMirror in the Ezcast application, go to the screen settings of your smartphone and turn on the wireless projector.
Video work in Miracast mode:

► DLNA

You can broadcast video, sound files or images using DLNA connection. To do this, you need to install a third-party application to work with DLNA on your smartphone (I chose the Skifta application), select the source from where to broadcast, select the device where to broadcast and specify the file to transfer:

► Windows

The Ezcast application is also under Windows systems. I tested on Windows 7, the developer’s site claims compatibility with the following operating systems: Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.
Ezcast program is as follows:

T1000 can connect in Mirror mode (screen copy), or Extension (extended desktop).
High or Low allows you to change the quality of the transmitted image.
Audio On - allows you to turn off or turn on the sound
Music - broadcast audio files
Video - broadcast video files
Update - check for the availability of program updates
DLNA - broadcast video / audio files using DLNA
Video how it works:

The delay in the transmission of the image is present, but it is not so significant. In this way, you can broadcast the work of applications on the big screen, or show presentations. With the broadcast of 3d-games somehow did not work out, I found only a couple of games, but when switching to full-screen mode on the monitor there was a black screen. I find it difficult to answer - this is the problem of my laptop, a feature of the Ezcast work in Windows 7, or Tronsmart T1000. Platformers were broadcast normally.
Work is also supported on Windows 8.1. You can connect both desktop computers and tablets, such as Dell Venue 8 Pro, or Lenovo Miix 2.

► Conclusions

Fast start

Stable operation of all functions in the Ezcast application

Device support by the developer in terms of firmware upgrade

Works with Android, Windows, MacOs, iOS

Unable to shut down programmatically.

At first, I was very skeptical of this kind of device, but after becoming acquainted with the T1000, my point of view changed. Tronsmart T1000 is ideal when you need to display a picture from your phone or tablet on the big screen, but you cannot do it with HDMI or another wired connection.

► Price

The cost of Tronsmart T1000 in the Geekbuying.com store is $ 30 with free shipping. On the market there are cheaper options, but in terms of support from the developer Tronsmart T1000 stands out among its competitors. The cost of a more distinguished competitor Google Chromecast is $ 35, excluding shipping costs.

And if you have planned to purchase an 8-core smartphone, then Tronsmart T1000 can be received as a gift when you buy any smartphone from this list . You just need to add the smartphone and Tronsmart T1000 to the cart and apply the coupon MOCSFRCO

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