[General Accessories] vectron:
Review of MK809-II Android TV with lots of pics!!!

Since I already started this topic and didn't know where it will take me, I wanted to post an update since I actually got that Android TV dongle and found it to be pretty cool. Maybe I will try to figure out how to make it work with Note 2, because for $48 it's cheaper then Samsung multimedia dock and offers way too many other options :)

So, this is a Review of MR809-II Android TV dongle: http://dx.com/p/cozyswan-mk809-ii-a...b-ram-8gb-rom-wi-fi-tf-bluetooth-black-185736

After reviewing numerous accessories for N2/N7/S4, I'm switching my gears and decided to do a project of converting my tv into "smart tv". If you think about, that's what the whole Google TV is about - taking your regular old TV and bringing it up to a new level with an enhanced option of Android and the same benefits you get from your Smart phone or tablet. I didn't want to buy any old gen stuff with overheating problems and those old AC adapters with round connector, or something that will cripple my use by not allowing access to Google Play, etc.

The unit I received came packaged very nicely with a lot of bonus connections. The main Android dongle measures about 110mm x 40mm x 10mm and weights about 34g. In addition to that, you get HDMI extension cable just in case if you don't have easy access to plug the stick into the back/side of your TV. It also came with OTG adapter with micro-usb to full USB connection which can turn the spare micro-usb port on the stick into another "host" to allow connection of other peripheral devices without a need for a hub. And you also get a quality AC adapter with a full 2A output to use usb to micro-usb cable to power up the device. I noticed older generation device were using round plug wall adapter which always a drag to carry around. This device, you can use ANY of your smart phone ac charging adapters, as long as it 2A (like the one which came with Note 2).

Now, about the spec of the device. This one uses RK3066 CPU, dual core Cortex-A9 with clock speed up to 1.6GHz; 1GB of DDR3 memory, and 8GB of internal memory which can be expanded further with micro-sd card (from a built in slot). The built quality seems to be decent, not flimsy at all; it looks like a big usb stick with a cap over HDMI port. Also, I noticed the back has vents for additional cooling. While using it, I haven't noticed too much overheating. The device supports WiFi and Bluetooth, and I had no issues with it's connections. I have my router on the first floor while I was testing it with a tv in our bedroom on the second floor, pretty far away. For interface, I was using Anker mini keyboard (candy bar type of BT keyboard with a touch pad). At first to initialize it I had wired mouse plugged into USB host port (no need for OTG adapter, goes right into full size USB port labeled "host" on the stick) to pair up with BT device. Once I did it the first time, afterwards mouse was unplugged and I was using mini BT keyboard to control it.

The stick came preloaded with Android 4.1.1 and full access to Google Play!!! I was very pleased with that since I know a lot of cheap tablets don't have access to Google Play and you have to side load your apps. Not with this device. I signed in with my Google account, and was able to get to Play right away. Also, with its file manager, I was able to connect to other devices shared on my wifi, such as network hard drive. I have seen some people complaining about wifi connection with their MK809-II, but let me reassure you the one I got worked perfectly. It also supports every possible audio, video, music, and picture format under the sun.

Overall, setup was very easy where within minutes I was running full tablet interface on my TV. This is my first Android TV experience and I was very pleased with the results.

Here are some pictures to ago along with my review: