Tanix TX6

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 = 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: TX6 4+32(RTL8822) 2018110050 PCB version (silkscreened near the SoC): This earlier version's PCB doesn't include unpopulated connections for XR819.
 * TX-6 (no-suffix version): 4GiB RAM / 32GiB eMMC - Wifi: RTL8822 (47822BS-10)

TX6-A 4+32(819) V2.3 20190920 PCB version (silkscreened near the SoC):
 * Version A: 4GiB RAM / 32GiB eMMC - Wifi: XR819 (XRadio XR819)

TX6-H 4+64(RTL8822) V2.3 20190716
 * Version H: 4GiB RAM / 32/64GiB eMMC - Wifi: RTL8822 (47822BS-10)

There's also version with datecode: 20190924.

TX6-L 3+16(819) V2.3 2019010013 TX6-P 2+16(819) V2.3 20190801
 * Version L: 3GiB RAM / 16GiB eMMC- Wifi: XR819 (XRadio XR819)
 * Version P: 2GiB RAM / 16GiB eMMC- Wifi: XR819 (XRadio XR819)

PCB version (silkscreened near the SoC):

Stock Android information
Android information from stock firmware, available under :
 * Model Number: TX6
 * Kernel Version: 4.9.118
 * Build Number: p281-userdebug 9 PPR1.181005.003

= Sunxi support =

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

Sunxi/Legacy U-Boot
Use the  build target.

Mainline U-Boot
Use the  build target.

Sunxi/Legacy 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). 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) =



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.

= Pictures =

= Also known as =

= See also =

Manufacturer images
= References =