Xiaomi Android TV Box discussion II [consolidated]

[gregory_choo]

Wow.. thanks bro.. u know the market well.. after got the mibox.. what apps must install in order to enjoy it?

for chinese shows - google for baijingshiping

 

[a4973]

Hi everyone, would like to get a simple media player for my child's room. It will be connected to an old 720p plasma TV via HDMI for video and to a sound bar via optical cable. Purpose is just to play back cartoons for the child. The sources are USB flash drive and portable hard drive.
The media player should Support as many codecs as available. Don't really need additional capability & features other than the above-mentioned.
What options do I have?
Thanks for reading.
Sent from Nextbit ROBIN using GAGT

 

[trickle_on]

Does anyone know if the Singtel Cast App works on the Mi Box S?

 

[xiaofan]

Does anyone know if the Singtel Cast App works on the Mi Box S?

Yes it works directly on the box as per report here and elsewhere in a Facebook group.

 

[xiaofan]

Hi everyone, would like to get a simple media player for my child's room. It will be connected to an old 720p plasma TV via HDMI for video and to a sound bar via optical cable. Purpose is just to play back cartoons for the child. The sources are USB flash drive and portable hard drive.
The media player should Support as many codecs as available. Don't really need additional capability & features other than the above-mentioned.
What options do I have?
Thanks for reading.
Sent from Nextbit ROBIN using GAGT

For local media playing up to 720p/1080p, almost all new TV boxes can do that without an issue.

Kodi is a very good local/network media player supporting all kinds of video formats. It is available from Google Play store. Other options like Mxplayer or VLC are also popular. You can try VLC first to see if you like it or not.

Mi Box S can do the job if you want a more reliable and reputable brand. It can do much more as well.

Or just buy cheaper like Tanix TX3 Max at around S$45-48 without coupons from Lazada. I know many savvy buyers got all kinds of tricks to get lower price so the price is only for reference.

More info here.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/tech-show-central-show-2019-394/android-tv-box-5678618-94.html

 

[trickle_on]

thank you!

Yes it works directly on the box as per report here and elsewhere in a Facebook group.

 

[a4973]

For local media playing up to 720p/1080p, almost all new TV boxes can do that without an issue.

Kodi is a very good local/network media player supporting all kinds of video formats. It is available from Google Play store. Other options like Mxplayer or VLC are also popular. You can try VLC first to see if you like it or not.

Mi Box S can do the job if you want a more reliable and reputable brand. It can do much more as well.

Or just buy cheaper like Tanix TX3 Max at around S$45-48 without coupons from Lazada. I know many savvy buyers got all kinds of tricks to get lower price so the price is only for reference.

More info here.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/tech-show-central-show-2019-394/android-tv-box-5678618-94.html

Thank you so much.
Just wanted to ask is optical audio out a common feature on most if not all TV boxes? As the playback TV does not have HDMI ARC optical audio out is essential for the feed to the sound bar.
Would this work for me? http://www.acryan.com/shop/veolo-4k-streaming-media-player/#tab-tech_specs
Sent from Nextbit ROBIN using GAGT

 

[xiaofan]

Thank you so much.
Just wanted to ask is optical audio out a common feature on most if not all TV boxes? As the playback TV does not have HDMI ARC optical audio out is essential for the feed to the sound bar.
Would this work for me? http://www.acryan.com/shop/veolo-4k-streaming-media-player/#tab-tech_specs
Sent from Nextbit ROBIN using GAGT

This ACRyan is a very bad box in the market based on feedbacks in the forum. Outdated box stuck in Android 4.4 yet still priced high.

SPDIF is common on Android TV boxes but may not present on all boxes.

Tanix TX3 Max does have SPDIF.
http://www.tanix-box.com/project-view/tanix-tx3-max-android-tv-box-s905w-android-7-1-wifi-bluetooth/

Mi Box S supports optical output as well.

All of my 4 mid end boxes (all below S$80) have SPDIF but I do not use it. I use HDMI pass through from my monitor to connect to a 2.1 speaker. I have low requirement for Audio (sub S$100 Creative 2.1 or Bluetooth speaker good enough) and Video (1080p good enough)

If your soundbar has Bluetooth, Bluetooth may be an easier option. Tanix TX3 Max has Bluetooth as well.

Still not a user of soundbar myself so maybe others can help you better.

Since your budget is at least S$100, just buy the Mi Box S or you can look at new generation of good boxes like Beelink GT1 Mini or Tanix TX5 Max.

 

[qualcom]

Finally my mi box s arrived yesterday. Previously i was thinking of getting ac ryan 4k ultra with an m1 fibre contract but after reading xiaofan and others' comments decided to buy mi box s.

So far tried netflix only and it works great with really good quality compared to the old android box i had. in general it's really smooth, remote is also very responsive and no issues at all.
have to find a way to install viu later because the play store doesn't show it on device.

 

[galliano]

Quick question. Upgraded to the mibox s from the old mibox global.
Where is the "menu" function button? Its missing.

 

[xiaofan]

Quick question. Upgraded to the mibox s from the old mibox global.
Where is the "menu" function button? Its missing.

https://www.guidingtech.com/mi-box-s-tips-tricks/
In the above tips and tricks article, it is said you can remap buttons using Button Mapper app. Try to see if you remap one of the buttons to Menu function.

Live TV button is mostly useless unless you install supported apps, you can try that button. But some say you can not remap that button.

 

[jungle_sg]

try to reload Netflix app by instructing the app to force reload itself..

on any screen of your Netflix, press these in sequence,

up up down down left right left right up up up up.. then select reload Netflix..

alternatively you can sideload this app called Aptoide for TV OS and see if there are any updates for Netflix app.. updates for your some apps may not appear in your TV OS playstore but will actually be available in this app first..

if all else fails then try contacting Netflix and provide the CS a code that is shown to you on the help screen after pressing the earlier mentioned up up down down sequence.

Sent from Samsung SM-G965F using GAGT

Reload doesn't work

 

[jungle_sg]

If you have problems with Netflix on Mi Box S, have you tried to cast from Mobile phone?

Netflix supports Chromecast and Mi Box S has built-in Chromecast function.

Posted using iOS/Android HardwareZone Forums app

Casting doesnt work, got sound but no picture

 

[xiaofan]

Casting doesnt work, got sound but no picture

Looks like you have a wireless Network issue.

 

[Charlie_Zhan]

Reload doesn't work

select contact us. call them and provide the unique code shown on the screen.

Sent from Samsung SM-G965F using GAGT

 

[jungle_sg]

My wife has been doing casting to watch her shows

By the way I am using cable connection not wifi

Looks like you have a wireless Network issue.

 

[jungle_sg]

select contact us. call them and provide the unique code shown on the screen.

Sent from Samsung SM-G965F using GAGT

ok, will do that

 

[qualcom]

Finally my mi box s arrived yesterday. Previously i was thinking of getting ac ryan 4k ultra with an m1 fibre contract but after reading xiaofan and others' comments decided to buy mi box s.

So far tried netflix only and it works great with really good quality compared to the old android box i had. in general it's really smooth, remote is also very responsive and no issues at all.
have to find a way to install viu later because the play store doesn't show it on device.

The only way to install viu on mi box s seems to be downloading it to a USB drive and install it on the box using ES file explorer (or some other file explorer). For launching it, need sideload launcher too. Would have been better if at least it could be launched directly with default android launcher but android just seems to have stupid restrictions.

Anyway my mi box s was working very smoothly so far with no issues at all. I don't understand why there are such mediocre ratings about it on the internet.

 

[Charlie_Zhan]

The only way to install viu on mi box s seems to be downloading it to a USB drive and install it on the box using ES file explorer (or some other file explorer). For launching it, need sideload launcher too. Would have been better if at least it could be launched directly with default android launcher but android just seems to have stupid restrictions.

Anyway my mi box s was working very smoothly so far with no issues at all. I don't understand why there are such mediocre ratings about it on the internet.

because nvidia shield

Sent from Samsung SM-G965F using GAGT

 

[xiaofan]

because nvidia shield

Sent from Samsung SM-G965F using GAGT

Haha people are spoiled.

In fact I do not think there are too many negative comments about Mi Box S yet. There are many many negative comments about Mi Box Global version mianly on the Firmware upgrade from Android 6 to 8.

The most negative review of Mi Box S I've read is this one.
https://www.techhive.com/article/3319662/xiaomi-mi-box-s-review.html

Most of the YouTube reviews are positive.