X10 MID does 1080p video output on the cheap
By Donald Melanson 
posted May 26th 2010 1:00AM
posted May 26th 2010 1:00AM
A $179, Windows CE 6.0-based MID / tablet may not sound like the most exciting proposition at first, but this so-called X10 MID from a manufacturer that apparently prefers to remain nameless might just pack enough features to at least pique your interest. Chief among those is support for full 1080p video output via the MID's HDMI port, not to mention support for just about every video file format you could ask for to go along with it. Otherwise, you'll get a 7-inch 800 x 480 display (resistive, judging from the stylus), along with a 720 MHz Telechips 8901 ARM 11 processor, 256MB of RAM, 2GB of on-board storage, a microSD card slot for expansion, and built-in WiFi and GPS. Willing to take a chance on it? Then hit up the source hint below to get your order in.
Update: Our pals from Engadget Chinese recently managed to get some hands-on time with device, which is made by a company called Kinstone. Head on past the break for a video, and check out a few more pics in their gallery right here.
Very cool. Been waiting for something mobile that does 1080p over HDMI. I'm a little worried about the "nameless" company part, however. Maybe Engadget could review one?
@guruboy x10 apad reviews are here http://apad.tv/aboutapad.html
@guruboy Wowzers, the D7001 apad has trackball... http://pricedinchina.com/search.aspx?find=apad
@tonyromas09 best on this site is the SayCool M5A
:-)
Mmmmm Telechips, sounds YUMMY!
For a 2GB/1080p video, how many minutes content can it hold?
@mianmian A decent-quality, feature-length movie in 1080p will be at least 8 GB, so 30 minutes to fill the built-in memory. Anyone buying this would want to add a 16GB+ microSD card.
@mianmian Who cares? Stream it from your windows home server/NAS.
@guruboy Should be less, the OS takes up its bit of space too.
@Ducman69 .. Have you actually tried streaming 1080p over Wifi ? .. I have never managed to get it working even with a N connection.
@guruboy wanna link to my highest quality 1080p torrents that will not exceed 4GB?
@mianmian and 720 MHz processor can't run 1080p Video :D
@taligent Your router sucks then. My DLink Gamer and Linksys e3000 both have no problem.
Its ultimately moot though on a low resolution display.
@Ducman69
.....Stream a 1080p hd movie over wifi? lol. Good luck.
@mianmian USB OTG/host + expandable microSDHC
@taligent Where did he say anything about wifi?
@taligent nvm. I thought I saw an ethernet port on there...
That actually sounds like a really good deal....but are there any videos of the thing running?
I think everyone would want to see the UI in use.
@abedinthehouse
Not even that. Netbooks can technically "play" 1080p video. I want to see this thing do full 1080p video without dropping a frame and without pegging the CPU to 100%
If it can do that, I might be more inclined to vote with my wallet towards it.
This is a rebranded product. You guys can see it in action here :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj6IaDnNmDM
For those who concerns this device is capable of playing 1080P smoothly or not, then they should look at the SmartQ V7. Its specs just like above but with a less powerful Telechips 8902 clocked at 600Mhz but it still does 1080P video over HDMI.
So maybe I will get one?
So, I have a rugged phone (G'zOne Rock) for work that I'm allowed to use for the few personal calls I make. I'm looking for a pocketable device that I can use on AT&T for data/pmp only. Is there any way to do this without AT&T demanding I pay for voice?
Eww, it has IE. Watch out, you might get cudi.
Why is there a stylus?
@Teslanaut
Resistive touchscreen. Says right in the info.
Windows CE.
Resistive.
Only 256 MB RAM.
No. Just No.
@Johnny Rockets
nothing wrong with resistive technology. the only reason why people prefer capacitive displays over resistive is because that usually includes multitouch. newer resistive displays have become very sensitive. the advantage of resistive displays is that they can register touches more accurately than a capacitive display, which is why companies are still researching and releasing multitouch resistive displays. take this product for instance: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/27/stantum-shows-off-resistive-multitouch-slate-pc-were-awed-agai/
in the end, you shouldn't be complaining about a screen being resistive just because it is resistive. complain because it's a crappy resistive display.
@condimentstation
Can we be sure it is a crappy or a good one? No way to know until someone gets a hands on.
I personally can't use capacitive screens. My fingers are too calloused and I have pretty severe difficulties getting touches to register. Resistive presents no such obstacle for me.
@condimentstation
another plus for resistive screens that i forgot to post is pressure sensitivity. resistive is a better technology when it is properly implemented.
@Johnny Rockets You do know Aune HD and WP7 is based off CE right? And, that the iPad runs on 256MB of memory just fine? The price is the real selling point here... IF the device runs smooth and the UI works well, it will be appealing to a lot of people. We have to wait and see.
I can't believe people are liking this crap. And with WIN CE...!990 called and they want their WIN CE back.
@anotherworld You act as if people think it's an iPad alternative. If the thing plays 1080p smoothly (there are already similar products out there that do), it's worth the price. I wonder how long it will take for Apple to release a mobile product that does 1080p over HDMI, even with a $100 adapter.
@anotherworld
2006 actually. Updated as of late 2009, so I'd say it is very current.
Now called, they want their idiot back.
@guruboy who the hell mentioned an ipad?
@guruboy Then why don't you order one then?
@pika2000 Cause it's crap. Running an outdated OS. And with a Teletubbies processor.
@anotherworld OK I'm not talking about a $1000+ laptop when I say "mobile device". I shouldn't have used that term with the less-experienced Engadget crowd, but when I do I'm not talking about a laptop. Most people in the industry use the term "mobile device" to mean a handheld or a tablet; something you can hold in one hand. Wikipedia is your friend. Also, you don't have to be so snarky. Live and learn.
I mentioned an iPad. I mentioned it because it's by far the best mobile device on the market in its category. The same sentence with any competing product would have looked ridiculous...but I guess you folks wouldn't have thought ahead that far.
Its software is crap, its hardware is crap, all pretty much true, but it plays 1080p smoothly. That's why I'd order one...or does anyone have an alternative? I'd love something in the ~$200 range.
I'd buy one if it could run flash
@smitty5569
Funny enough... it has a flash based UI. But yea, that doesn't mean it has software to actually run outside flash coding. Nonetheless, being WinCE, it may be able to use browsers developed for WinMo, some of which are able to run flash.
@smitty5569
Flash 8 and lower supported, I'll be working on mods and hacks when I get mine to optimize its potential...might start learning how to port Android OS if I have to, and work that.
have a 230 dollar version with 32gb of storage, 1gb of ram, along with a capacitive display..
wait what's the battery life on this thing? better make it 250...
nice UI
Wow, may get this instead of an iphone 4g
@Extinction Then go order it. What's the hold up?
Looks pretty cool, but I wish it had more memory. The only thing making me not want it right now.
@darkninja962
A more pressing question for me right now is why would any manufacturer want to remain anonymous when they've designed and released a product?
So, you can order one from the source link. Let's see if all the Apple haters are willing to buy one.
@pika2000 Are you capable of posting something that's not just daring people to spend $179?
if i can boot another OS is the perfect machine ..
this with android would be THE PERFECT TABLET...
I think I'd stick with the SmartQ V5/7 if I got one of these for the community support.
Are you sure this runs Windows CE.... the desktop looks like enlightment e17.... there is also this penguin in the task bar ...