Noontec Cube A9 turns your TV to an Android Smart TV

We’ve seen the likes of Sony, LG and Samsung promoting expensive Smart TVs since last year. But current prices of majority of Smart TVs in the market are over Php50k, even going as high as Php300k in larger models. A cheaper alternative if you already own a TV is to get a set top box running Android to hook up to your HDTV.

If you’re familiar with the LogiTech Revue, the Noontec Cube A9 is basically the same concept. We’ve feature several Noontec HD Media players here before and the design is almost the same except for the installed operating system.

The Noontec Cube A9 is an Android box that’s powered by a 1.2GHz Rockchip processor with 512MB RAM and 2GB ROM running Android 2.3 Gingerbread. You have access to thousands of apps since Google Market is already pre-installed.

You can hook it up to an external display or TV via RCA or HDMI cable. It also has a built-in WiFi modem so once you’re connected to the wireless LAN, you’re all set to watch YouTube or other streaming apps.

The Cube A9 can output 1080p full HD videos using popular formats (AVI, MKV, MP4, etc) and you can even plug it to an external HDD to store files or download torrents.

Was playing some games like Angry Birds and was able to comfortably do so with the wireless keyboard and trackpad (the wireless keyboard is an optional accessories). What comes with the box is just a small and simple wireless remote control.

It’s a pretty interesting box although I’m hoping they could come out with an ICS update in the future. I’m not sure when this will be available but I remember the folks from Noontec Philippines told me the price would be under Php8k. Updated: Exact retail price of the Noontec Cube A9 is Php6,900.

Note: You can also get additional accessories on top of the basic ones included in the box (the Cube A9, Wireless Remote, Cables, etc.). To use a physical keyboard instead of the virtual keyboard on the screen, there’s a compatible Wireless Keyboard & Mic (Php4,600) or if you want to do some video conferencing, you can also get a compatible USB Camera (Php1,750).

Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

https://www.yugatech.com

20 Comments

Dwengster says:

12 years ago

What about that SmartTV Qube is offering for 23K? It’s 42″ and runs on Android

http://www.buyqube.com/Q-Qube42LEDInternetTV-Specs.htm
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yanb says:

13 years ago

Any idea kung sang online store nagbebenta ng Noontec Cube A9?
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lawrence says:

13 years ago

try mo sa Widget City:

http://www.widgetcity.com.ph/product/media-players/noontec/noontec-a9-smart-tv-box

ivannn says:

13 years ago

what are the subtitle formats that this unit can play? where can we buy them locally? can this be used as a substitute to a NMT?
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benchmark says:

13 years ago

If this device has a usb port, maybe they can buy a wireless keyboard (php890) plus wireless mouse (php280) all in cd-r king. We use this on our med8er hd player (bought in yugadeals). By the way, cd-r king also a mini wireless keyboard worth 2k i think.
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reader says:

13 years ago

just look around. there are other brands of similar featues (android OS and all) for around 5.5k to 6k.
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steelicon says:

13 years ago

And oh, did I forget to mention the SONY KDL-32EX520 included Sony Video Unlimited and Sony Music Unlimited service through the Internet? And also you can do Twitter and Facebook through the apps, not to mention download apps to it. There are lots of apps to download and install for it, relatively speaking, for less than Php35K, this is a steal!
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Lj says:

13 years ago

It’s the torrent option I like
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wamoz says:

13 years ago

This would be a cool replacement for my WDTV Live that’s hooked up to my PJ… i can imagine my niece playing Angry Birds on that screen..haha

but 6.9k price, too bad it did not meet my 5k expectation.. standby mode for now..
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akosijayboy says:

13 years ago

additional keyboard remote is 4.6k? overkill!.. on HK website dealextreme its only $40!

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/usb-rechargeable-handheld-2-4g-wireless-qwerty-keyboard-w-touchpad-laser-pointer-58528
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steelicon says:

13 years ago

@yuga – Apology accepted. Apologies also for shooting from the hip. I just took notice of some misrepresented facts and figures, just here to help out, even if unsolicited.

Anyways, there’s still that elephant in the room, the sub Php50K Smart TV that Abenson is offering:

SONY KDL-32EX520

Price: Php 31,999.00

Approx. $749.04

(w/ 3 Years Warranty)
Price: Php 38,499.00

Approx. $901.19

with 3 years warranty.
1 year manufacturerâ€™s warranty
with 2 years extended

It comes with a FREE Skype Camera, FREE Sony WiFi USB dongle and FREE entry level Sony DVD Player.

Can surf the Internet and play Youtube. Also can play most video file formats throught the USB 2.0 connection.

ANDâ€¦ you can stream content through DLNA and control it from your Sony (Ericsson) Mobile MT15i Neo or MT11i Neo V.

Total price : Around Php50K, including a very capable Android phone = Sony (Ericsson) Mobile MT15i Neo or MT11i Neo V.

You might also want to amend your previous statement:

Weâ€™ve seen the likes of Sony, LG and Samsung promoting expensive Smart TVs since last year. But current prices of Smart TVs in the market are over Php50k, even going as high as Php300k in bigger models. A cheaper alternative would get a set top box running Android to hook up to your HDTV.

It IS still on SALE with STOCKS from 2011 up to currently 2012.
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Abe Olandres says:

13 years ago

@steelicon – apologies for the confusion. Item #2 and #3 are merely add-ons. The package itself already has the basic necessities like a wireless remote, etc. so you don’t need the add-ons to make it work.

I have removed them now to avoid further mix-ups.
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benchmark says:

13 years ago

Its like you are plugging in a cpu in your lcd tv. At first its great to have a net in your tv screen, but in a long run, you will stick with your phone, netbook, desktop pc or tablet to access the net.

I think this is only good if you have a reliable connection….internet connections here in Ph…sucks big time.
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steelicon says:

13 years ago

There’s actually a sub Php50K Smart TV, albeit not a Chrome nor Android one, available @ Abenson.

SONY KDL-32EX520

Description

32 inches LED TV

SPECIFICATIONS
Feature Description
Other Features :

Light Sensor

DLNA Certified

Internet Widgets

Skype Ready

Full HD Internet TV

X-Reality Picture Engine

Remote Keyboard

6degrees upward style

Wi-fi Ready

Plus! Points: 639.98pts.*

Price: Php 31,999.00

Approx. $749.04

(w/ 3 Years Warranty)
Price: Php 38,499.00

Approx. $901.19

with 3 years warranty.
1 year manufacturer’s warranty
with 2 years extended

It comes with a FREE Skype Camera, FREE Sony WiFi USB dongle and FREE entry level Sony DVD Player.

Can surf the Internet and play Youtube. Also can play most video file formats throught the USB 2.0 connection.

AND… you can stream content through DLNA and control it from your Sony (Ericsson) Mobile MT15i Neo or MT11i Neo V.

Total price : Around Php50K, including a very capable Android phone = Sony (Ericsson) Mobile MT15i Neo or MT11i Neo V.
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steelicon says:

13 years ago

Noontec A9 Smart TV is Php6,900
Wireless Keyboard with Mic: Php4,600
USB Camera: Php1,750

Grand total: Php13,250

What is this price list all about?

Sony Ericsson gives out Noontec peripherals?
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Abe Olandres says:

13 years ago

@steelicon – cheapest Xperia Neo V is Php11.2k while this one s Php6,900 lang po. Almost double po ata ang price.

@papapau – bigay po ni Sony Ericsson
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Papapau says:

13 years ago

Hey Abe, where did you get the Android Toy?
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steelicon says:

13 years ago

For around that price you could get a Sony Mobile Xperia Neo or Neo V, hook it up the HDTV via HDMI. Same result with more features like Android 4.0 ICS update sometime Q2 2012, more bang for the buck. Just saying.
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ehroze says:

13 years ago

w0w,whatta bright idea,turning your tv to an android smart tv s0unds c0ol.
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Wamoz says:

13 years ago

That’s cool, gives people who recently bought a non-smart TV to experience the same.

Although i think that 8-10k is a bit expensive.. hopefully it’s around 5k when they release it. :)
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