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: Model: TX6

On the PCB there is a sticker with information about the model variant: TX6-H 4+64(RTL882) V2.3 20190716 TX6-L 3+16(819) V2.3 2019010013 TX6-P 2+16(819) V2.3 20190801
 * Version H: 4GGiB / 32/64GiB eMMC - Wifi: RTL8822 (47822BS-10)
 * Version L: 3GiB RAM / 16GiB eMMC- Wifi: XR819
 * Version P: 2GiB RAM / 16GiB eMMC- Wifi: XR819

The PCB has the following silkscreened on it: CS_H6_TX28_V2.3 20190518.L4

In android, under Settings->About Tablet, you will find:
 * 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 =

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 there is written "SW001" near this button (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.

= 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 =