iPhone Chinese Entertainment Apps

[StarLightJewel]

No idea i didnt check if it was HDR if i play from the phone instead

Yes SIM only plan got alot of data and good price. Handset just buy separately can liao. For me getting a mid-range phone i think it's cheaper than the total sum paid for 2 years combo plan minus the data cost.



Ok back to topic, i think with 酷喵VIP you can select the quality to 帧亨 (high framerate, high resolution, HDR, dolby atmos surround sound) when casting to TV? i only have the tier 1 VIP so can only select this when watching on mobile, but when casting to TV, max quality available only 1080p.

I'm not sure about casting with google chrome, have to test that out.

 

[xiaofan]

Ok back to topic, i think with 酷喵VIP you can select the quality to 帧亨 (high framerate, high resolution, HDR, dolby atmos surround sound) when casting to TV? i only have the tier 1 VIP so can only select this when watching on mobile, but when casting to TV, max quality available only 1080p.

I'm not sure about casting with google chrome, have to test that out.

Not so sure about casting. But if you have 酷喵影视VIP, you do have access to 4K 帧享 with the TV box. No need to use DLNA cast.
Ref: https://m.sohu.com/a/426044145_100302690/?pvid=000115_3w_a

If you only have mobile/TV version VIP, then there will be no 4k and no 帧享 when casting to TV, only up to 1080p.

You can always try to upgrade to 酷喵VIP for one month to see if you see big difference or not. I think it is worth the upgrade if you have 4K TV and a nice sound system.

Actually sometimes the offer price of 酷喵VIP is only a bit higher than normal Youku VIP.

For me I only have 1080p display and cheap 2.1 computer speaker so that normal Youku VIP is good enough. I mainly use Huawei P20 phone with Youku, Tencent Video and QQ Music, only occasionally I will use Mi Box S and the Dell 24inch LCD.

 

[drag0n]

Not so sure about casting. But if you have 酷喵影视VIP, you do have access to 4K 帧享 with the TV box. No need to use DLNA cast.

I think StarLightJewel was saying some shows he can't play from tv app directly despite having 酷喵VIP, that's why have to cast.

As for my case, some videos i can't find (doesn't appear in the search function) in the tv app. Not sure if it's limited by VIP tier.

Will upgrade to 酷喵VIP only after i get a video streaming device (to install CIBN酷喵) that supports 4k. Still deciding which to get.. haha
Currently i only have Mi TV Stick that supports only up to 1080p, which is bought mainly for my old analog tv that is now shifted to bedroom.

 

[xiaofan]

I think StarLightJewel was saying some shows he can't play from tv app directly despite having 酷喵VIP, that's why have to cast.

As for my case, some videos i can't find (doesn't appear in the search function) in the tv app. Not sure if it's limited by VIP tier.

Will upgrade to 酷喵VIP only after i get a video streaming device (to install CIBN酷喵) that supports 4k. Still deciding which to get.. haha
Currently i only have Mi TV Stick that supports only up to 1080p, which is bought mainly for my old analog tv that is now shifted to bedroom.

Mi Box S and Google Chromecast 2020 should be fine for 4K 酷喵影视. Google Chromecast 2020 is better as it has faster CPU.

Or you can consider more powerful box with S905X4 CPU, like Mecool KM6 which is running official Google Android TV OS (but not Netflix certified).
https://androidpctv.com/mecool-km6-sale/

 

[drag0n]

Yea via goolge chrome. Xiaomi tv has the bulit in chromecast.

Ok i've just tested with google chrome on mobile, it is the same as the last time when i tested in desktop. The cast icon does not show up in the video.

I guess you are using the screen-mirroring function from Google Home?
That is different from casting because the resolution will be limited by your mobile device (4k or not), and audio wise i doubt you'll be getting surround (dolby 5.1 or atmos) sound?
You might want to test it out and let us know
And finally for mirroring, your device cannot navigate away from the video, so the video has to be playing on both the mobile and the TV, which is both inconvenient and batt depleting.. I think this feature is more suited for presentations.

 

[drag0n]

Mi Box S and Google Chromecast 2020 should be fine for 4K 酷喵影视. Google Chromecast 2020 is better as it has faster CPU.

Or you can consider more powerful box with S905X4 CPU, like Mecool KM6 which is running official Google Android TV OS (but not Netflix certified).
https://androidpctv.com/mecool-km6-sale/

Thank you for the recommendations. Yes i have considered both Mi Box S and Google Chromecast 2020, and on top of that also 电视果 by iQiyi.

Chromecast is good for many apps that are outside of china. Eg. Facebook, Netflix, SingTel cast, iQiyi international etc.

As for 电视果, its advantage is to access available iQiyi china content in 4k HDR. And iQiyi china does have several Hollywood shows like Alita, and all the Disney shows that i can think of (Frozen 2, Avengers 4, etc). And it also comes with a free 1 month VIP card. Subsequently i can just get a 1-month VIP card (cheaper than renting a single show on Google Play Video or Amazon Prime) as and when i want to watch any show that is only available in iQiyi and not Youku.

Another advantage of 电视果 is its easy set-up like Mi TV Stick. Just have to attach to the hdmi port and the usb port of the TV and it can work. No need for external power plug. This translates to good portability in the case need to bring it to anywhere outside or even within the house.

One more interesting feature from 电视果 is the 'silent mode'. Allows watching shows on the big screen at night when you do not want to disturb others, but the audio will output from your mobile, and you can listen with earphones.

When it comes to content consumption, i am mainly looking to watch blockbuster movies on the big screen with family members, so i guess Youku subscription + the iQiyi content would suffice. And my smart TV already has built-in Netflix & Youtube, so i guess i can forgo the the chromecast technology.
(If i want to watch anime with awesome sound effects through my home audio system, i can still cast from some website through dlna. Have tested using my Xiaomi phone's built-in browser and casting to Happycast. I think it will work the same when casting to 电视果. If not, i can always use the 'Web Video Cast' app).

Also, IF one day (probably very far into the future) i were to upgrade my TV, i will most definitely get an Android TV with chromecast built-in. So by then, the 电视果 will still have its advantage.

And finally, just to share that 电视果 will be having a CNY sale when it hits midnight (20 Jan), with 电视果5S priced at just 228Rmb (< S$50).
https://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.39.f65331771yddHd&id=603043685599&ns=1&abbucket=4


EDIT (26 Jan)
i realise the 电视果 model in above link is actually not suitable for 酷喵 as it does not have tv box functionality that support apps. Only videos from iQiyi can be casted on TV with <EDIT 31 Jan> DRM decoding capabilities for high resolutions. Does not apply to any other streaming platforms that restrict casting of copyrighted videos in high resolution to only their tv apps (Youku, etc).
电视果5S PLUS is the better model that has a number of pre-installed apps, namely the TV ver apps of the popular video streaming platforms. Price-wise around S$6 difference only.
https://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=620461163864&spm=a2141.7631671.content.6

 

[xiaofan]

Actually in terms of applications, anything iQiyi 电视果 can do, Mi Box S or Google Chromecast 2020 can also do, just install the TV version of iQiyi, Tencent Video and Youku, at most you just install one more app like HappyCast.

Many things Mi Box S or Chromecast 2020 can do but iQiyi 电视果 can not do, as you already found.

 

[drag0n]

Yes, application wise, Mi Box S or Google Chromecast 2020 can also watch iQiyi videos in 4K provided you sign up for the 星钻VIP, which costs around S$8++ per month.

Whereas with iQiyi 电视果, i can watch in 4k with just tier 1 VIP (well not every single show, cos some are locked to 星钻VIP only, eg. Disney Mulan). And i can buy the 1-month VIP card (S$4+) as and when i wish to instead of paying monthly subscription.

Of course 电视果 is not meant for running many other kinds of apps. So it depends on individual's needs.
But for my needs, it is cost-saving and sufficient. Mi Box S or Google Chromecast 2020 are priced around 50% more than 电视果.

Also, it has other features like portability and the silent mode

 

[xiaofan]

Yes, application wise, Mi Box S or Google Chromecast 2020 can also watch iQiyi videos in 4K provided you sign up for the 星钻VIP, which costs around S$8++ per month.

Whereas with iQiyi 电视果, i can watch in 4k with just tier 1 VIP (well not every single show, cos some are locked to 星钻VIP only, eg. Disney Mulan). And i can buy the 1-month VIP card (S$4+) as and when i wish to instead of paying monthly subscription.

Of course 电视果 is not meant for running many other kinds of apps. So it depends on individual's needs.
But for my needs, it is cost-saving and sufficient. Mi Box S or Google Chromecast 2020 are priced around 50% more than 电视果.

Also, it has other features like portability and the silent mode

Good point. Yes it will be a good one if you want to get iQiyi mobile version VIP but use it on big screen.

And looks like you like stick format.

 

[drag0n]

Ahah yes i've been shifting my Mi tv stick between living room and bedroom tv so many times now already. Very convenient.
But i think i probably won't need to switch anymore once i get the 电视果

 

[drag0n]

I've bought the 电视果5S and tested it.
And i realise i bought the wrong version.. should've bought the 5S PLUS instead in order to watch Youku on CIBN酷喵. Today I've brought it the post office to mail it back
Mainly, it's because the 5S model doesn't have apps (CIBN酷喵), like the PLUS version.
EDIT (31 Jan): which is required for casting copyrighted videos in higher resolutions.
(i've edited my earlier post that contains the link, with more detailed explanation)

<EDIT (30 Jan)
Jialat, i don't know what i was thinking.. actually without the CIBN酷喵 app it doesn't matter, i just need the 酷喵VIP to cast 4k on the device.. realize i send it back for nothing, now have to wait for them to receive and then send back to me >

Anyway another disappointment is that when i have the iQiyi VIP, vpn is still required on the streaming device side when casting to TV. And to add on to the complication, you can't install 3rd party (vpn) apps on 电视果, it just comes with the pre-installed popular apps. Furthermore, there is no advanced (eg. proxy) settings for the WiFi connection on 电视果, the TVguo app (for performing setup & navigation) that binds the mobile to the device will just detect whatever WiFi the phone is using and apply the same to the device.

I think the approach to this vpn issue will be to either 1) connect to vpn on the router side or 2) connect to vpn on PC and somehow share the network with vpn to the phone, and same will apply to 电视果.
But i don't really wish to buy a vpn subscription though, and same thing for iQiyi VIP, since it has so many contrains, i'll just watch their exclusive hollywood shows every once in a while. Youku will still be the main platform for me. Hence, vpn wise i'll try out tcpvpn and see if can find a solution there.

Oh i should at least mention something good haha. the TVguo app has a section for playing live china TV channels.

 

[xiaofan]

Thanks for the updates.

I will still recommend normal Android TV boxes like Mi Box S or Chromecast 2020 with Google TV. As you have the freedom to install apps including VPN apps.

 

[drag0n]

Thanks for the updates.

I will still recommend normal Android TV boxes like Mi Box S or Chromecast 2020 with Google TV. As you have the freedom to install apps including VPN apps.

I'm thinking that having to pay an additional approx S$25 for the Mi Box S or Chromecast 2020 with Google TV, this amount can actually be used for a number of months of VPN or VIP subscriptions.

After looking through a number of different VPN providers, i realise AJS 爱加速 that you recommended (thank you for good recommend! ) is still the cheapest, and it has this ¥1 for 6 hours option (for now) which i think is the best fit for me! considering the low occasional usage, a pay per usage model is good.

But yes i totally agree that the restriction of not able to install VPN apps is a REALLY big pain...
i even contemplated if i should just forget about iQiyi shows. Haha

After scouring through the net for a few days, i have figured out how to tap on the Transocks VPN on my mobile. Firstly, will need to change the settings in Transocks to global instead of selected apps, and then install Every Proxy to start a proxy server.
Then on another device that needs to tap on the VPN, will have to set proxy settings (using phone's local ip) in the Wifi connection.
i've tried this on my laptop and yes i can tap on the mobile's VPN. But when i tried on my Mi Tv Stick, it doesn't work :\

However the bad news for me is that 电视果 doesn't have options for changing the Wifi's proxy settings..

And after more searching, i FINALLY found a working method to share the network that has gone through proxy from my laptop hotspot. Have to install a software called WinGate. Can find out more from this link.
https://superuser.com/questions/1120012/devices-connect-to-hotspot-oblivious-to-proxy-settings

Btw, i have yet to try out AJS which comes with 3 days trial. I wish to save it till when i'm actually going to watch an iQiyi show with family, instead of using the trial just for testing.

There's actually a more direct (and easily found on the net) method for sharing the VPN network from laptop in this link
https://support.cyberghostvpn.com/h...are-a-VPN-connection-over-Wi-Fi-on-Windows-10

So i'm wondering if xiaofan you have tried using the AJS Vpn on windows before? and does it create a 'TAP Windows Adapter' like described in link which enables easy sharing of the network?

I've tested this other Vpn (GoLink) that comes with a 1 day trial. But that Vpn is applied to specific selected apps within its interface, and doesn't create an adapter.. So above method is not applicable.

 

[xiaofan]

Sorry but I never use AJS on the Windows laptop. I do not use the Windows laptop in general as it is for kids.

 

[xiaofan]

Anyway, I just installed AJS on the Windows laptop and yes TAPI adapter will be installed once I choose global mode.

 

[rerear]

What is best way to get alternative to Xiami after shutdown? Don't mind paying for vip or vpn. Better if it includes TV

 

[drag0n]

Anyway, I just installed AJS on the Windows laptop and yes TAPI adapter will be installed once I choose global mode.

Thank you xiaofan for helping to test it out!
Glad to know i can use the more direct method to share VPN instead of having to go through 2 devices.
(anyway, the most convenient way will be to share directly from mobile but that will require a rooted Android, which i don't wish to perform)

Btw, i just realise i mailed the 电视果 back for nothing Have edited earlier post to reflect why..

EDIT (31 Jan)
Have edited earlier posts to reflect more accurate specifications for why 电视果5S will not work for me like the 5S PLUS will.

 

[drag0n]

Btw, i realize in Taobao i can find shops selling 酷喵VIP for rather low prices. Much lower than the subscription price from Youku's official app.
But i'm wondering what will happen after it expires. Will it auto downgrade to normal VIP or will it try to deduct from the account that is tied to VIP payment.

 

[xiaofan]

What is best way to get alternative to Xiami after shutdown? Don't mind paying for vip or vpn. Better if it includes TV

Get QQ Music VIP. It is anyway much better than Xiami Music in terms of contents. QQ Music TV version is also pretty good and can be used as a Karaoke app as well.

But you may need to use a China VPN since some songs are blocked. Transocks is easier in terms of payment.

Transocks mobile is free (ads supported) but the TV version is not free. You can use the mobile version on Android TV boxes as well. The free version is good enough for QQ Music.

 

[drag0n]

Last night i came across this app called 悟空遥控器
Pretty interesting, seems to have quite a number of shows, and also live TV channels from China.

Haven't really tried it on a streaming device though. Need to cast to play on TV. Doesn't do anything for the mobile version alone.