Android TV Box Recommendations

[jxyang888]

Hi xiaofan, i am using a LG WEBOS TV 55ub850t and Sharp LED TV LC32LE155M for room.
I am thinking of getting chromecast / chromecast with google tv (not launch in SG) yet or even Mi Box S.

Main purpose is to be able to watch disney+, singtel cast(EPL/Nick Jr) , mewatch( live tv channel 8/5/CNA) , netflix. And to be able to cast app or stream from iphone.

I dont mind chromecast with google tv(US SET) but its not launch in SG, i am concern if there is limitation in apps or i will run into support issues. For mi box S, i am concern on reliability.
Chromecast without TV its merely casting app from phone, i am concern about the lag and quality of picture.
any suggestion which will be more suitable and reliable?
thanks in advance.

 

[xiaofan]

Hi xiaofan, i am using a LG WEBOS TV 55ub850t and Sharp LED TV LC32LE155M for room.
I am thinking of getting chromecast / chromecast with google tv (not launch in SG) yet or even Mi Box S.

Main purpose is to be able to watch disney+, singtel cast(EPL/Nick Jr) , mewatch( live tv channel 8/5/CNA) , netflix. And to be able to cast app or stream from iphone.

I dont mind chromecast with google tv(US SET) but its not launch in SG, i am concern if there is limitation in apps or i will run into support issues. For mi box S, i am concern on reliability.
Chromecast without TV its merely casting app from phone, i am concern about the lag and quality of picture.
any suggestion which will be more suitable and reliable?
thanks in advance.

Mi Box S is very reliable. I have it myself since Nov 2019 and it is still working fine.

No point using the dumb Chromecast now.

Among the three I will actually recommend Chromecast with Google TV as the services you mentioned should all work. You can double confirm on its own thread.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/chromecast-with-google-tv-2020.6384782/

 

[jxyang888]

Thanks xiaofan. I will ask in that thread for chromecast. Whats the experience for mi box S ? Any issues and if the after sales support is good?

 

[jxyang888]

Mi Box S is very reliable. I have it myself since Nov 2019 and it is still working fine.

No point using the dumb Chromecast now.

Among the three I will actually recommend Chromecast with Google TV as the services you mentioned should all work. You can double confirm on its own thread.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/chromecast-with-google-tv-2020.6384782/

by the way can the mi box S support the services i mention? Did you get it from shopee or lazada? I wish get it from a reliable source. If i make a decision to buy mi box S.

 

[xiaofan]

by the way can the mi box S support the services i mention? Did you get it from shopee or lazada? I wish get it from a reliable source. If i make a decision to buy mi box S.

You can get Mi Box S from the official Xiaomi store in Lazada or Shopee at around S$89 (when on offer) or S$99 (when no offer). It does support MeWatch and other services you want. It is just that it is a bit slower compared to Google Chromecast 2020 and it does not support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

S$89 now from Lazada Xiaomi official store global.
https://www.lazada.sg/products/xiao...a-player-support-i1245654839-s5099444751.htmlXiaomi Mi Box S Global Version 4K Ultra HD Streaming Media Player Support
$89.00 ($99.00-10%)

Not so sure what kind of support you need. Quality is good so there is not much HW support you will need. As for Software they can not do much to help you either but the apps you mentioned should just work fine.

 

[jxyang888]

You can get Mi Box S from the official Xiaomi store in Lazada or Shopee at around S$89 (when on offer) or S$99 (when no offer). It does support MeWatch and other services you want. It is just that it is a bit slower compared to Google Chromecast 2020 and it does not support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

S$89 now from Lazada Xiaomi official store global.
https://www.lazada.sg/products/xiao...a-player-support-i1245654839-s5099444751.htmlXiaomi Mi Box S Global Version 4K Ultra HD Streaming Media Player Support
$89.00 ($99.00-10%)

Not so sure what kind of support you need. Quality is good so there is not much HW support you will need. As for Software they can not do much to help you either but the apps you mentioned should just work fine.

Thanks Xiaofan. I was referring to after sales support. For eg: tech support, ease of upgrading firmware.

 

[xiaofan]

Thanks Xiaofan. I was referring to after sales support. For eg: tech support, ease of upgrading firmware.

I do not think you need much tech support and there will be no good tech support from any TV box vendors. Xiaomi is probably one of the best in Singapore if you buy local version -- at least you get one year local waranty. But then again it will last for many years so that you really do not need that.

Upgrading FW is okay -- Xiaomi is not bad and it keeps updating the FW, but not as good as vendors like Nvidia.

The best support may come from vendors like Nvidia (Shield TV box) but it will be a bit troublesome since you may need to send the box back to US in case you need warranty services.

All in all, if you think you need after-sales support, local version Mi Box S is probably the best choice. But you need to lower your expectations. Usually the issue may come from the apps and the box vendors can not do much.

 

[jxyang888]

Ok thanks Xiaofan for your input. Appreciate it!

 

[radzkal]

Hi @xiaofan I got the xiaomi stick 4k and i love it. I've actually unplugged and kept my android box so THANK YOU!

However, i have a sound problem with this stick. No idea why but the sound output on netflix, YT etc seems to be capped to low. I connect edifier r1280db to my tv via optical. Do u know if that's the reason? I'm tempted to get a soundbar and connect to tv via hdmi arc but idk if that would solve it. I know u are not xiaomi support but u seem very knowledgeable and I'm trying my luck...

 

[xiaofan]

Hi @xiaofan I got the xiaomi stick 4k and i love it. I've actually unplugged and kept my android box so THANK YOU!

However, i have a sound problem with this stick. No idea why but the sound output on netflix, YT etc seems to be capped to low. I connect edifier r1280db to my tv via optical. Do u know if that's the reason? I'm tempted to get a soundbar and connect to tv via hdmi arc but idk if that would solve it. I know u are not xiaomi support but u seem very knowledgeable and I'm trying my luck...

Ah, this one I am not so sure. I have always used HDMI passthrough for my Mi Box S (from my Dell HDMI LCD monitor to a powered Creative speaker) and I have not encountered this issue. I do not have any speaker system using the optical input.

@gregory_choo may be able to help you better in this case.

 

[evilduxy]

Xiaomi Mi TV Stick 4K review -- this can be a good box, a powerful upgrade for the Mi Box S
Review: https://androidpctv.com/xiaomi-mi-tv-stick-4k-review/
Youtube review:

hi so this is a upgrade from mi box s? but this doesnt have any usb port so if i would to buy this how am i able to download mudtv on to this ?

 

[radzkal]

Hi @xiaofan I got the xiaomi stick 4k and i love it. I've actually unplugged and kept my android box so THANK YOU!

However, i have a sound problem with this stick. No idea why but the sound output on netflix, YT etc seems to be capped to low. I connect edifier r1280db to my tv via optical. Do u know if that's the reason? I'm tempted to get a soundbar and connect to tv via hdmi arc but idk if that would solve it. I know u are not xiaomi support but u seem very knowledgeable and I'm trying my luck...

Found the solution. For anyone facing a problem whereby sound from mi stick (netflix, youtube etc) is soft, press on google voice assistant on remote and say “sound at maximum”. Voila.

 

[radzkal]

hi so this is a upgrade from mi box s? but this doesnt have any usb port so if i would to buy this how am i able to download mudtv on to this ?

Sideload via browser is my guess.

 

[Philippng]

Sideload via browser is my guess.

there are a few sideload app that you can use to send apk to the box without usb
try sendanywhere or x-plorer
sendanywhere is u need to sender device and the receiver device both to have sendanywhere installed
x-plorer is a file manager. you can send your apk to the cloud and from x-plorer link to the cloud to get your apk
good luck bros

 

[meize_one]

In terms of future-proofing, is it better to have Dolby Vision or AV1 codec support? Deciding between Mecool KM2 Plus which has AV1 support but no Dolby Vision (only has Dolby Atmos sound) or Chromecast with Google TV which has Dolby Vision & Atmos but no AV1. Can @xiaofan advise?

 

[xiaofan]

In terms of future-proofing, is it better to have Dolby Vision or AV1 codec support? Deciding between Mecool KM2 Plus which has AV1 support but no Dolby Vision (only has Dolby Atmos sound) or Chromecast with Google TV which has Dolby Vision & Atmos but no AV1. Can @xiaofan advise?

Personally I will think Dolby Vision and Dolyby Atmos will be more important if you have compatible setup (TV and Sound System). These boxes are cheap enough so that you can buy a new one in the future if the Google Chromecast 2020 is not longer good enough for you.

Basically Google is a better brand than MeCool and that plays a part in my opinion as well.

 

[symbiote28]

very comprehensive list. what would you guys recommend for a wired connection for a android box model?

 

[xiaofan]

very comprehensive list. what would you guys recommend for a wired connection for a android box model?

You can consider Mecool KM2 (S905X2) or Mecool KM2 Plus (S905X4).

 

[xiaofan]

Mecool has come out with more Netflix certified and Google certified Android TV OS box.

Mecool KM2 Plus is probably the most interesting one.

Specifications:
S905X4 CPU, 2GB RAM + 16 GB eMMC storage, 100M Ethernet, 1 USB 3.0 port, 1 USB 2.0 port, BT 5.0, SD Card, Dolby Atmos, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG (no Dolby Vision), etc
https://www.mecool.com/products/tv-box-mecool-km2-plus
Comparison with the older KM2.


Review:

 

[xiaofan]

Another interesting one from Mecool is KM3 in stick format. Looks like the MicroUSB port is only for power and not for USB OTG.
https://www.mecool.com/products/202...eaming-tv-stick-av1-supported-2gb-ram-8gb-rom