Amlogic S905X4 Chip For Digital Signage Player

Ready to power the next generation of digital engagement? At the heart of every seamless, high-impact digital signage display lies a processor engineered for excellence. Enter the Amlogic S905X4 chip—a system-on-a-chip (SoC) designed to redefine what's possible for digital signage players.

Dive into our blog to explore how the Amlogic S905X4 is setting a new benchmark, providing the core intelligence for vivid, connected, and future-ready digital signage solutions.

1. Amlogic S905X4 Chip Configuration Table

CPU	Amlogic S905X4 Quad Core ARM Cortex A55
GPU	ARM Mali-G31 MP2
OS	Android 11.0
Memory	DDR3：4GB
Flash	eMMC：32GB/64GB
WiFi	2.4G& 5G；Support WiFi IEEE 802.11 b / g / n / ac
BT	Support BT4.X
1*HD	4K*2K UHD Output, HD 1.4/2.0
1*IR Reciver	Remote Reciver Connect
USB host	1*USB3.0 1*USB2.0 normal type
Ethernet	100M
Micro SD	Support
Power	DC 5V/2A；LED indicator，Working ：Blue; Standby：Red
Video	-Amlogic Video Engine (AVE) with dedicated hardware decoders and encoders  -Support multi-video decoder up to 4x1080P@60fps -Supports multiple “secured” video decoding sessions and simultaneous decoding and encoding -Video/Picture Decoding -VP9 Profile-2 up to 8Kx4K@24 fps -H.265 HEVC MP-10@L5.1 up to 8Kx4K@24 fps -AVS2-P2 Profile up to 8Kx4K@24 fps -MPEG-4 ASP@L5 up to 1080P@60fps (ISO-14496) -WMV/VC-1 SP/MP/AP up to 1080P@60fps -AVS-P16(AVS+) /AVS-P2 JiZhun Profile up to 1080P@60fps -MPEG-2 MP/HL up to 1080P@60fps (ISO-13818) -MPEG-1 MP/HL up to 1080P@60fps (ISO-11172 -RealVideo 8/9/10 up to 1080P@60fps -Multiple language and multiple format sub-title video support -MJPEG and JPEG unlimited pixel resolution decoding (ISO/IEC-10918 -Supports JPEG thumbnail, scaling, rotation and transition effects -Supports *.mkv,*.wmv,*.mpg, *.mpeg, *.dat, *.avi, *.mov, *.iso, *.mp4, *.rm and *.jpg file formats
Audio	Supports MP3, AAC, WMA, FLAC, O
Image	HD JPEG、BMP、GIF、PNG、TIF

 

2. Key Characteristics of the Amlogic S905X4 Chip

• High-Performance Processing: Features a quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 CPU architecture, delivering efficient and powerful processing for demanding applications.

• Advanced Multimedia Engine: Supports stunning 4K Ultra HD (60fps) video playback and hardware decoding for modern codecs including AV1, H.265, and VP9, ensuring compatibility with the latest content while reducing bandwidth usage.

• Future-Ready Video Support: Equipped with an 8K video codec, providing readiness for next-generation ultra-high-resolution content.

• Modern Operating System Compatibility: Optimized to run smoothly on the Android 11 OS and other Linux-based systems, offering a secure and up-to-date software environment.

• Comprehensive Connectivity: Integrates a wide range of interfaces including HDMI 2.1 for output, USB, Gigabit Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth for seamless connection to displays, peripherals, and networks.

• AI Enhancement: Incorporates a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for accelerated AI tasks, enabling features like image upscaling, voice control, and smart scene detection.

• Power-Efficient Design: Built on an advanced 12nm process technology, offering a excellent balance of high performance and low power consumption, which is ideal for always-on devices.

• Compact and Versatile Form Factor: The chip's design allows for incredibly compact and fanless hardware designs, making it perfect for a variety of space-conscious applications.

3. Amlogic S905X4 for Digital Signage: Pros and Cons

The Amlogic S905X4 is a highly competitive System-on-Chip (SoC) that powers numerous modern media devices, including digital signage players. Its suitability depends heavily on the specific requirements of the deployment.

Advantages

1. Excellent Video Decoding Capabilities:

4K@60fps Playback: Effortlessly handles ultra-high-definition content smoothly, which is essential for high-impact digital signage.

AV1 Codec Support: This is a major advantage. AV1 offers superior compression efficiency compared to H.265, leading to significant bandwidth savings without sacrificing quality. This is crucial for streaming 4K content or managing large networks of players.

2. Power Efficiency and Thermal Management:

Built on a 12nm process, the chip is very power-efficient and generates less heat. This allows for:

Fanless Designs: Players can be completely silent, making them ideal for quiet environments like libraries, museums, or high-end retail stores.

Lower Operational Costs: Reduced power consumption is beneficial for large-scale deployments with hundreds of units.

Higher Reliability: Less heat translates to reduced component stress and longer hardware lifespan.

3. Modern AI Integration (NPU):

The integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) provides basic AI acceleration. This opens doors for smart signage features like:

Audience analytics (e.g., counting people, estimating demographics).

Interactive experiences triggered by gesture or voice.

Automated content optimization based on real-time data.

4. Strong Connectivity Options:

Native support for Gigabit Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi 5 (AC), and Bluetooth ensures flexible and reliable network connectivity for content updates and management.

5. Cost-Effectiveness:

The S905X4 offers a very compelling feature set for its price point, providing excellent value for money. It brings advanced features like AV1 decoding and an NPU to a mid-range market segment.

Disadvantages (Cons)
1. Limited Raw CPU Performance:

The quad-core Cortex-A55 CPU is efficient but not a powerhouse. It is perfectly capable of running a signage OS and playing video, but it may struggle with:

Very complex, multi-layered HTML5 content or web applications.

Heavy-duty video walls that require simultaneous decoding and warping of multiple 4K streams.

2. GPU Limitations for Advanced Graphics:

The ARM Mali-G31 MP2 GPU is adequate for menu navigation and basic UI rendering. However, it is not designed for high-end 3D rendering or intense graphical effects often found in advanced gaming or simulation-based signage.

3. Android 11 Consideration:

While Android 11 is stable and well-supported, it is not the latest version of Android. For some enterprises, the lack of the newest security patches or OS features in the long term could be a minor concern. (Note: This depends on the manufacturer's implementation and their willingness to provide updates).

4. Implementation-Dependent Quality:

The final performance and reliability of the player heavily depend on the manufacturer's design choices: the quality of the PCB, memory (RAM), storage (eMMC), power supply, and software optimization. A poorly built S905X4 player can be unreliable, while a well-built one will excel.

4. X96  Max+ Ultra Amlogic S905X4 Digital Signage Player

X96 Max+ Ultra TV Box uses a quad-core Amlogic S905X4 processor, supports 8K video codec, and runs the latest Android 11 system.

Processor: Quad-core Amlogic S905X4 ARM Cortex A55.

Video: Supports 4K UHD playback & 8K video codec.

OS: Runs Android 11.

Connectivity: HDMI, USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.

Design: Compact form factor.

Use Cases: Home entertainment, gaming, office, digital signage; offers high performance & smooth multimedia.