Xiaomi TV Discussion Thread VI [consolidated]

[boonkang]

Long post. TLDR (Too Long Don't Read).

my Mitv is 2018 china version. Still on MIUI Tv version 1.3.85 with android 6.0.1 and processor is A53.

are there any ways i can upgrade/update it to Patchwall 3.0?

What is the main purpose you want to update Xiaomi Patchwall? You want to have more shows that you can watch for FREE?

Xiaomi's Patchwall officially only support (some) selected countries and up to now -- Singapore is not included.
(Even if you can update the Patchwall on your Xiaomi TV -- officially it will not work here.)

If you want to watch as much stuff as possible for FREE, then you must be willingly to help yourself -- by using many unofficial TV apps.

If you're not lazy -- spend a bit of time regularly -- to download, install & try out various TV apps:

Then -- after some time -- you'll built up a pool/collection of working TV apps that you can use to watch many different stuff

If any TV app don't work or you don't like the TV app after trying it, you can always uninstall.

Some TV apps may work well when initially installed -- but may stop working after days/weeks/months/years of use. If/When any TV app stops working, you can also uninstall.

The good news is that new TV apps appear every year -- so no shortage of new TV apps to try from time-to-time.
(Just like new apps appear on the Google Play store all the time.)

Mostly all the pre-install apps cant be used and always hang.

Apps on your Android TV / TV box are just like apps on your phone. Updates are required from time-to-time.

If apps on your phone are never updated -- do you think they can continue to work properly forever?

The same goes for TV apps you have on your Android TV / TV box -- you need to spend a bit of effort to keep the TV apps updated regularly.

Currently i can only download apps from aptoide and there is no google playstore.

Having Aptiode or Google Play store is not a must to get (more) TV apps.

(Many TV apps I tried before are not even found in the Google Play store.)

If you're not lazy, you can:
(a) Manually download the install file of a TV app (called APK file) from the Internet.
(b) Copy to a thumb drive.
(c) Connect the thumb drive to your Android TV / TV box to update/install the TV app.

You can download the APK files of apps from the Google Play store -- from sites like APKMirror.

Some people I know use Filelinked sources to update/install TV apps.
(But you still depend on others to update the Filelinked depositories in a timely fashion).

And you've to hope that the Filelinked depositories you use regularly -- are not hacked or compromised in any way.

Nothing beats if you're able to manually get/download the TV apps' APK files yourself.

I can only watch netflix and another 1-2 apps installed via apk.

The next question always is: Where to get many APK files of various TV apps to install & try ?

Examples of sources:

(1) Join Gregory's Facebook group for TV apps.
(Many many TV apps can already be found in the above Facebook group; and new posts appear from time-to-time -- that add/discuss new TV apps.)

(2) For more Western / English TV apps (both LIVE TV & VOD apps): https://apktime.com/
(3) For more Chinese / China TV apps (both LIVE TV & VOD apps): http://www.dangbei.com/app/ OR http://app.shafa.com/
(4) There are (too) many blogs / Web sites that specialise in providing info on TV apps, example: https://troypoint.com/streaming-apps/

Some TV apps may require a VPN connection for optimised use.
(e.g. many shows on some China TV apps will not be geoblocked -- if you use a China VPN)

Some TV apps may need a wireless mouse to operate.

It's best to have an air mouse (w/ qwerty keyboard) -- if you install & use many different TV apps.

***
If the above is still not enough for you...

Do you know there are tons & tons of Web sites out there -- that provide shows that you can watch online?
(Some such Web sites even have LIVE TV / LIVE Sports to watch)

You can install a browser on your Android TV / TV box to access such Web sites directly.
OR
You can install apps on your phone / tablet -- that able to Chromecast videos / LIVE TV found on Web sites to your TV to watch.

If your Android TV / TV box don't have built-in Chromecast -- you can install apps like HappyCast that will add DLNA + Airplay receiving capabilities to your Android TV / TV box.

Read post #3453, post #3455 and post #3454 in the Android TV box thread.

...youtube app sucks...

For YouTube, you no need the official YouTube app to be able to watch YouTube !!

Besides the official YouTube app, there are (multiple) alternative apps that you can install to watch YouTube.

Examples are:
(a) Smart YouTube TV
(b) Newpipe
(c) YouTube Vanced

Yes, all these alternative YouTube apps are FREE to use.

Can work on most Android TVs (or TV boxes) -- including those Android TV / TV boxes without Google Playstore / Google Play Services.

I like to use these alternative YouTube apps because:
(i) They have (some) functions not found in the official YouTube app.
(ii) You don't get YouTube ads -- when using these alternative YouTube apps.

(Personally, I hardly touch the official YouTube app -- after starting to use these YouTube alternative apps)

Some of these alternative YouTube apps can also be used on Android phones & tablets.

Hope the above helps.

 

[doglefox]

I believe Apple TV 4K doesn't have any option to disable/enable Dolby Vision. Netflix will display contents that are available in DV if TV supports it else at 4K. For some reason the DV supported shows I watch are able to display in DV (when I checked the In-App Info screen). I then disabled HDR on the TV and tried the same show again and true enough the Info screen is showing "4K" instead of DV. This means Netflix is able to determine and match my TV's display setting.

Previously i tried to install Netfix app on my TV but having issues. I couldn't find it on the App Store and had to load the App manually. But even so it couldn't run well - kept hanging. My TV model is L43M5-5ARU.

After making the previous reply to you, I (later) then realised what you're doing -- don't seems to make sense.

If I'm not wrong, Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 43" TV can support HDR10 -- but don't support the Dolby Vision HDR format.

Some known specs for Xiaomi Mi TV 4S (32"/43"/55") can be found at this link:
https://skyjuiceiswater.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-global-mitv-with-android-tv.html

So, why do you want to enable Dolby Vision on your Apple TV 4K device -- when the TV you're using don't support Dolby Vision?
(Unless I'm wrong, I'm not aware you can playback/stream a Dolby Vision enabled video -- to a TV that don't support Dolby Vision)

Refer to this article below about 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision on your Apple TV 4K device:
https://support.apple.com/en-sg/HT208074

From above article -- depending on capabilities of your 4K TV, the Apple TV 4K device can operate differently:
(a) 4K Standard Dynamic Range (SDR): Used for 4K televisions that don’t support HDR10 or Dolby Vision.
(b) 4K High Dynamic Range (HDR): Used for 4K televisions that support HDR10
(c) 4K Dolby Vision: Used for 4K televisions that support Dolby Vision HDR

You should just configure/setup your Apple TV 4K device to operate at (b) -- since your Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 43" TV can support HDR10 (but not support Dolby Vision).

***
A known list of Xiaomi TVs can be found at this link (updated to 2020-09-29):
https://github.com/KHwang9883/MobileModels/blob/master/brands/mitv.md

What is the exact model of your Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 43" TV? Is it L43M5-5ASP?

If it is L43M5-5ASP -- this is already a Netflix certified 4K Android TV.

By right, for the Xiaomi L43M5-5ASP TV -- you can simply just run the Netflix app on the (Android) TV directly -- and you should be able to watch 4K HDR10 Netflix shows.

If you can successfully watch 4K HDR10 Netflix shows -- by running the Netflix app on the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 43" TV itself -- you no need the Apple TV 4K device.

If you wanted to get Dolby Vision on Netflix -- then you should have bought a TV that supports Dolby Vision.

There is a long (heated debate) thread on Samsung Web site -- because of no Dolby Vision support on Samsung TVs !! See this link:
https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/tv/samsung-you-have-to-introduce-dolby-vision/td-p/1264207/

Yes, I know -- sometimes as users, we may have difficulty getting a right mixed/combination of HDR devices to work the way we want.

That's why, according to this 2020 Jun article below, HDR is a mess -- w/ multiple competing standards + "made even more difficult to navigate because of all of the moving parts" (in the industry):
https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/hdr-is-a-hot-mess/

(I've also shared the above link to the 2020 Jun article in another thread.)

Hope the above helps.

 

[guicamacho]

What is the cheapest place to get 65" version right now?

Found the following...

QOO10 with minihelperssg - $775

Buy qoo10 gift card on Shopback for 4.5% cashback (with citibank cards)

Shopee with minihelperssg - $779

15% cashback with Shopee and 1% gift card with Shopback.

Anything better I'm missing?

 

[CrabNian]

Does anybody have problem connecting bluetooth keyboard to Mi TV 4s 55inch? Tried to connect my lofree dot bluetooth keyboard to the TV but it keeps saying couldn't pair. Any solution?

Notes: the TV has no problem pairing with any other bluetooth devices. Same to the keyboard

 

[Davo23]

Long post. TLDR (Too Long Don't Read).



What is the main purpose you want to update Xiaomi Patchwall? You want to have more shows that you can watch for FREE?

Xiaomi's Patchwall officially only support (some) selected countries and up to now -- Singapore is not included.
(Even if you can update the Patchwall on your Xiaomi TV -- officially it will not work here.)

If you want to watch as much stuff as possible for FREE, then you must be willingly to help yourself -- by using many unofficial TV apps.

If you're not lazy -- spend a bit of time regularly to download, install & try out various TV apps:

Then -- after some time -- you'll built up a pool/collection of working TV apps that you can use to watch many different stuff

If any TV app don't work or you don't like the TV app after trying it, you can always uninstall.



Apps on your Android TV / TV box are just like apps on your phone. Updates are required from time-to-time.

If apps on your phone are never updated -- do you think they can continue to work properly forever ?

The same goes for TV apps you have on your Android TV / TV box -- you need to spend a bit of effort to keep the TV apps updated regularly.



Having Aptiode or Google Play store is not a must to get (more) TV apps.

(Many TV apps I tried before are not even found in the Google Play store.)

If you're not lazy, you can:
(a) Manually download the install file of a TV app (called APK file) from the Internet.
(b) Copy to a thumb drive.
(c) Connect the thumb drive to your Android TV / TV box to update/install the TV app.

You can download the APK files of apps from the Google Play store -- from sites like APKMirror.

Some people I know use Filelinked sources to update/install TV apps.
(But you still depend on others to update the Filelinked depositories in a timely fashion).

And you've to hope that the Filelinked depositories you use regularly -- are not hacked or compromised in any way.

Nothing beats if you're able to manually get/download the TV apps' APK files yourself.



The next question always is: Where to get many APK files of various TV apps to install & try ?

Examples of sources:

(1) Join Gregory's Facebook group for TV apps.
(2) For more Western / English TV apps (both LIVE TV & VOD apps): https://apktime.com/
(3) For more Chinese / China TV apps (both LIVE TV & VOD apps): http://www.dangbei.com/app/ OR http://app.shafa.com/
(4) There are (too) many blogs / Web sites that specialise in providing info on TV apps, example: https://troypoint.com/streaming-apps/

Some TV apps may need a wireless mouse to operate.

It's best to have an air mouse (w/ qwerty keyboard) -- if you install & use many different TV apps.

***
If the above is still not enough for you...

Do you know there are tons & tons of Web sites out there -- that provide shows that you can watch online?
(Some such Web sites even have LIVE TV / LIVE Sports to watch)

You can install a browser on your Android TV / TV box to access such Web sites directly.
OR
You can install apps on your phone / tablet -- that able to Chromecast videos / LIVE TV found on Web sites to your TV to watch.

If your Android TV / TV box don't have built-in Chromecast -- you can install apps like HappyCast that will add DLNA + Airplay receiving capabilities to your Android TV / TV box.

Read post #3453, post #3455 and post #3454 in the Android TV box thread.



For YouTube, you no need the official YouTube app to be able to watch YouTube !!

Besides the official YouTube app, there are (multiple) alternative apps that you can install to watch YouTube.

Examples are:
(a) Smart YouTube TV
(b) Newpipe
(c) YouTube Vanced

Yes, all these alternative YouTube apps are FREE to use.

Can work on most Android TVs (or TV boxes) -- including those Android TV / TV boxes without Google Playstore / Google Play Services.

I like to use these alternative YouTube apps because:
(i) They have (some) functions not found in the official YouTube app.
(ii) You don't get YouTube ads -- when using these alternative YouTube apps.

(Personally, I hardly touch the official YouTube app -- after starting to use these YouTube alternative apps)

Some of these alternative YouTube apps can also be used on Android phones & tablets.

Hope the above helps.

Thank u very much sir!
It really helps a lot. Will heed your suggestions!

 

[joeltng]

Hoping we get the new google tv interface... Or at least for it to work sideloaded into our tvs.

 

[wlun228]

May I know what airmouse or mouse+keyboard that you guys using?

Find it abit hard to control with the remote.

Thanks

 

[Teo Ming Ern]

Yeah same sentiments as bro wlun228...

Anyone connected this particular Logitech keyboard to the Mi 4S TV before? Does the touch pad work? I refer to the the K400 - link below...

https://www.amazon.sg/Logitech-Wire...ocphy=9062499&hvtargid=pla-365069386733&psc=1

 

[wlun228]

Initially was looking at something like what you mentioned too, but my friend told me he bought an airmouse with keyboard on the back. Seems not bad

Wondering if anyone got any comment on this

Thanks

Yeah same sentiments as bro wlun228...

Anyone connected this particular Logitech keyboard to the Mi 4S TV before? Does the touch pad work? I refer to the the K400 - link below...

https://www.amazon.sg/Logitech-Wire...ocphy=9062499&hvtargid=pla-365069386733&psc=1

 

[acidcrash]

Just got the 43" 4s delivered yesterday. Now looking into vpn. Any ones working well with this model?

 

[Carol_88]

What is the cheapest place to get 65" version right now?

Found the following...

QOO10 with minihelperssg - $775

Buy qoo10 gift card on Shopback for 4.5% cashback (with citibank cards)

Shopee with minihelperssg - $779

15% cashback with Shopee and 1% gift card with Shopback.

Anything better I'm missing?

Cheapest I found is to use the Qoo10 coupon and the shop coupon, it will get you at least $70 off.

Qoo10 $60 coupon can collect here.
https://www.qoo10.sg/gmkt.inc/Special/Special.aspx?sid=909

and get $10 extra coupon here.

https://www.qoo10.sg/item/MINIHELPERS-XIAOMI-65-INCH-4K-ULTRA-HD-SMART-LED-TV-DIGITAL-READY-ANDROID/677837607?banner_no=1305330

At check out page scroll all the way down and click
Shop/Cart Coupon (use my coupons to use the coupons!!)

With your above giftcard and cashback add ons, think it will be easily below $700!

 

[joeltng]

Yeah same sentiments as bro wlun228...

Anyone connected this particular Logitech keyboard to the Mi 4S TV before? Does the touch pad work? I refer to the the K400 - link below...

https://www.amazon.sg/Logitech-Wire...ocphy=9062499&hvtargid=pla-365069386733&psc=1

I can confirm it works. but not in all apps. (Puffin Browser for example)

 

[Teo Ming Ern]

I can confirm it works. but not in all apps. (Puffin Browser for example)

Thanks bro! Sorry but do you mean the touch pad doesn't work in Puffin browser?

 

[boonkang]

Hi All,

Not sure if anyone faces the same issue as me. I am using Mi TV 4S 43 inch and Apple TV 4K. In Netflix after i set to 4K HDR, the menu looks dim and washed out. This is particularly obvious when i view movies with HDR/Dolby Vision. I also tried changing to 4K SDR and enabled match content (dynamic range and match frame rate) in Apple TV settings also same result.

Not sure if this has anything to do with the display settings in my Mi TV. So for now i switch back to 4K SDR (without enabling match content) but this will mean i cannot enjoy the HDR/Dolby Vision offered by the Apple TV 4K.

Anyway it is fine probably i will just play them in non Dolby Vision format as 4K is fine. Thanks!~

My TV model is L43M5-5ARU.

I composed a long reply for you -- but then decided I won't post here.

Because my reply is mainly discussing Apple TV 4K + HDR + Netflix -- not (very) relevant as this is a Xiaomi TV thread.

As a suggestion -- why not you try the following instead?

(1) Install Netflix on your phone (or tablet).
(2) Chromecast Netflix from your phone/tablet -- to your Xiaomi Mi TV 4S L43M5-5ARU TV to watch.

Although your Xiaomi L43M5-5ARU TV is not Netflix certified -- it is still a Google certified Android TV & so has Chromecast Ultra built-in.

Chromecast Ultra itself -- supports up to 4K HDR10.
Your Xiaomi Mi TV 4S L43M5-5ARU TV also supports 4K HDR10.

So any Neflix shows available in 4K HDR10 -- (by right) via Chromecast -- should playback & display correctly in 4K HDR10 on your Xiaomi TV.

Although Chromecast Ultra supports HDR10 -- it doesn't support Dolby Vision. This in theory should help you.

Then -- there's also no worry Netflix shows you Chromecast to your TV will playback in Dolby Vision (which is not supprted by your Xiaomi TV).

If I'm not wrong, most/all Netflix shows available in Dolby Vision should (also) be available in HDR10 as well.

So any Netflix shows available in 4K Dolby Vision -- (in theory) when playback via Chromecast -- should then be streamed as 4K HDR10 on your Xiaomi TV.

If the above works well for you -- you actually don't need the Apple TV 4K device

Feedback here if the above works for you -- to help others share in your experience when doing the above. Thanks.

Hope the above helps.

 

[hyperfuse]

the xiaomi mi 4s 65 inch seems like the cheapest 65 inch tv in Singapore if i am not wrong. TCL still cost more.

so technically i currently have one of the best 4k OLED which is the LG 65CX and one of the cheapest 4k 65inch tv in Singapore. Price difference is more than 5 times. And i can definitely say the xiaomi tv is a very good buy for its price. Tbh, theres no point buying a mid range 65 inch from other brands that cost above 1.2 to 2.5k especially they are still using the same Lcd technology. The mi tv 4s is really decent for normal tv and streaming usage.

The only reason i feel if u wanna buy other mid tier TVs or from established brands are just for warranty purposes. Other than that, unless u want the best picture quality, then the next in line are the OLEDs with the perfect black and rich color contrasts.

 

[boxerfan]

so technically i currently have one of the best 4k OLED which is the LG 65CX..

If u don’t mind me asking, how long have you owned the OLED, have you encountered burn in issues with your OLED, and is it easy to get rid of the burn in?

 

[guicamacho]

Cheapest I found is to use the Qoo10 coupon and the shop coupon, it will get you at least $70 off.

Qoo10 $60 coupon can collect here.


and get $10 extra coupon here.



At check out page scroll all the way down and click
Shop/Cart Coupon (use my coupons to use the coupons!!)

With your above giftcard and cashback add ons, think it will be easily below $700!

Thanks!!! Purchased through Qoo10 using Shopback vouchers and above coupons

 

[joeltng]

Thanks bro! Sorry but do you mean the touch pad doesn't work in Puffin browser?

yes, touchpad doesn't work in puffin.

So touchpad support is dependant on app support

 

[boonkang]

the xiaomi mi 4s 65 inch seems like the cheapest 65 inch tv in Singapore if i am not wrong. TCL still cost more.

...

The only reason i feel if u wanna buy other mid tier TVs or from established brands are just for warranty purposes. Other than that, unless u want the best picture quality, then the next in line are the OLEDs with the perfect black and rich color contrasts.

The Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 65" L65M5-5ASP is great value.

But if I'm not wrong, the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 65" L65M5-5ASP don't support Dolby Vision HDR format.

Many TCL TVs -- including some TCL TVs smaller size than 65" -- have Dolby Vision support.

If you're a heavy Netflix user -- it may be advisable to buy a TV that supports Dolby Vision.

Many heavy Netflix users want to watch their shows in Dolby Vision on their TV.

If nothing else, you may not feel physiologically bad every month knowing you pay the same Netflix fee as everyone else -- but can't enjoy your Netflix shows in Dolby Vision.

Even if you're not a Netflix user now -- it doesn't mean you won't start to subscribe to Netflix in the future.

Of course besides Netflix, there are other streaming services like Amazon Prime video, Disney+ etc.

If you're a heavy Amazon Prime video user, then the Xiaomi 65" L65M5-5ASP is just nice -- because it has HDR10+ support:
https://www.pocket-lint.com/tv/news...s-smart-television-price-details-release-date
https://www.slashgear.com/xiaomi-mi-tv-4s-65-is-a-4k-smart-tv-worth-getting-jealous-over-27614687/

If you don't use Netflix or Amazon Prime or any streaming services, then I guess you may not need to care about any of the above.

If you pay more for your TV, of course you expect more warranty coverage. Nothing special here.

One man's meat is another man's poison. Each individual person has own taste/preference.

 

[gregory_choo]

May I know what airmouse or mouse+keyboard that you guys using?

Find it abit hard to control with the remote.

Thanks

android tv is designed to work with only remote control, although you can connect mouse and keyboard, but it is not necessary.

important point to to install apps designed for TV, not those designed for handphone. unlike a few years ago, the android tv apps are plenty and sufficient and don't try to use phone apps and torture yourself.

if you need to search for movie titles, use voice command, it works well with sg accent, you can also use your handphone's keyboard, compare to wireless keyboard, handphone keyboard is faster and easier to use on TV. It is better because you can see what you typed, unlike keyboard, you have to look down to see the keyboard, then look up to see the result.

install the app from playstore "android tv remote control" so that you can type from handphone. It support dpad too, but I don't recommend using it because you need to look at the phone to press the key and look at the tv for the result. dpad on the remote control is still the best.