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Inexpensive TV box with the H6 SoC and either mid-range specifications (4GiB RAM, 32/64GiB eMMC, 2.4 and 5Ghz AC Wifi) or low end specs (2GiB RAM, 16GiB eMMC, 2.4n Wifi), but missing GBit Ethernet.

Several versions of this box are available with different memory configurations and wifi chips. All versions seem to use the same PCB which has a layout that supports both wifi chips (only one is populated of course).

Identification

Tanix TX6
Manufacturer	Tanix
Dimensions	105mm x 105mm x 25mm
Release Date	Late 2018
Website	www.tanix-box.com
Specifications
SoC	H6 @ 1.5Ghz
DRAM	2/4GiB DDR3 @ 667MHz/800Mhz
NAND	16/32/64GB
Power	DC 5V @ 2A
Features
Video	HDMI (Type A - full)
Audio	HDMI, SPDIF
Network	WiFi: 802.11 b/g/n/ac (47822BS-10 or RTL8822CS) or 802.11 b/g/n (XRadio XR819); 10/100Mbps Ethernet (Manufacturer device)
Storage	µSD, eMMC
USB	2 USB2.0 Host, 1 USB3.0
Other	IRDA

On the back of the device, the following is printed on a sticker:

Model: TX6

Some devices have version suffix:

Model: TX6-A

On the bottom side of the PCB there is a sticker with information about the model variant:

TX-6 (no-suffix version): 4GiB RAM / 32GiB eMMC - Wifi: RTL8822 (47822BS-10)

TX6
4+32(RTL8822)
2018110050

PCB version (silkscreened near the SoC): CS_H6_TX28_V1.0 20181023 L4
This earlier version's PCB doesn't include unpopulated connections for XR819.^[2]

Version A: 4GiB RAM / 32GiB eMMC - Wifi: XR819 (XRadio XR819)

TX6-A
4+32(819) V2.3
20190920

PCB version (silkscreened near the SoC): CS_H6_TX28_V2.3 20190518.L4

Version H: 4GiB RAM / 32/64GiB eMMC - Wifi: RTL8822 (47822BS-10)

TX6-H
4+64(RTL8822) V2.3
20190716

There's also version with datecode: 20190924.

TX6-H (second version) 4GiB RAM / 64GiB eMMC- Wifi: RTL8822CS (RTL8822CS)

TX6-H
4+64G(RTL8822CS) V2.7
12068 20201219

PCB version (silkscreened near the SoC): CS_H6_TX28_V2.7 20200616.L6

Version L: 3GiB RAM / 16GiB eMMC- Wifi: XR819 (XRadio XR819)

TX6-L
3+16(819) V2.3
2019010013

Version P: 2GiB RAM / 16GiB eMMC- Wifi: XR819 (XRadio XR819)

TX6-P
2+16(819) V2.3
20190801

PCB version (silkscreened near the SoC): CS_H6_TX28_V2.3 20190518.L4

Stock Android information

Android information from stock firmware, available under Settings->About:

Model Number: TX6
Kernel Version: 4.9.118
Build Number: p281-userdebug 9 PPR1.181005.003

Sunxi support

Current status

Give a brief overview of the current status of support under sunxi here.

Manual build

You can build things for yourself by following our Manual build howto and by choosing from the configurations available below.

U-Boot

Mainline U-Boot

Use the MANUFACTURER_DEVICE build target.

Linux Kernel

SDK Kernel

Use the tanix_tx6.fex file.

Mainline kernel

From linux-5.4-rc1 use the sun50i-h6-tanix-tx6.dtb device-tree binary.

Tips, Tricks, Caveats

There is a slight issue with the SD-card slot: This is not the spring loaded type, but the one where the SD-card is removed by pulling it out. This is nearly impossible, since the SD-card does not protude from the slot when fully inserted. It does not help that removing the PCB from an opened device becomes quite tricky while an SD-card is present. Sticking a little strip of scotch tape etc. to the SD-card solves this (see pic).

Tanix TX6 SD-card slot and (modded) access to UART

The pin header connector to the left of the picure was added for easy access to the serial console See also "locating the UART".

FEL mode

Left of the SD-card slot, there is a button (barely) visible through the ventilation slots. It triggers FEL mode mode when held down while resetting or powering up. On the PCB this button is marked as "SW001" (there is another button marked "SW900" which cannot be reached without opening the box - purpose unknown). ToDo: Which of the two USB 2.0 ports will act as the OTG device? You will need a USB-A <-> USB-A cable for FEL mode.

Device specific topic

This device uses DDR3 (not LPDDR3) memory!

Device is also equipped with 4-digit 7-segment display, driven by FD650B-S chip.

Adding a serial port (voids warranty)

Tanix TX6 UART pads

The UART pad is this units are not clearly marked ("TX, "RX", ...). The correct pads are part of a 5 pad connector on the right front side of the device. Looking at the opened box with the CPU cooler facing upwards the pads are located on the left side of the PCB toward the front. The leftmost pad is TX, the one next to it provides RX and the two righmost pads are connected to ground (see picture). Please refer to the UART howto page UART howto for more details on using a serial port.

Device disassembly

To open the box, turn it upside down and remove the rubber feet at each corner. This will expose 4 screws which have to be removed. Gently slide a plastic tool or a knife in the small gap around all edges of the box to eventually lift the bottom plate, releasing four plastic tabs in the middle of each side holding the cover. To remove the PCB, first lift the side with the 7 segment display up, then gently pull this side the PCB up. This is allow you to then remove the PCB - the backside connectors somewhat protude into the backside of the case.

Locating the UART

Looking at the opened box with the CPU cooler facing upwards the pads are located on the left side of the PCB toward the front. The leftmost pad is TX, the one next to it provides RX and the two righmost pads are connected to ground (see picture). Please refer to the UART howto page UART howto for more details on using a serial port.