Xiaomi Android TV Box discussion II [consolidated]

[qualcom]

because nvidia shield

Sent from Samsung SM-G965F using GAGT

haha you got a point. yeah may be they get paid to write bad reviews.

 

[xiaofan]

haha you got a point. yeah may be they get paid to write bad reviews.

Also in US, Mi Box S got tough competition from Roku and Amazon FireTV Stick 4K.

Ref:
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/xiaomi-mi-box-s,review-5985.html

In Singapore context, Roku is not so useful. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is not too bad in Singapore but lacks of Chromecast support.

Complaints about Mi Box S seems to be focused on Video and Audio output quality and the auto detection of TV resolution.

But considering the price, nothing really beats Mi Box S if you either need Netflix or Chromecast in the Sub-S$100 range or even sub US$100 range.

For people who are willing to pay, NVidia Shield TV is the way to go.

 

[galliano]

Also in US, Mi Box S got tough competition from Roku and Amazon FireTV Stick 4K.

Ref:
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/xiaomi-mi-box-s,review-5985.html

In Singapore context, Roku is not so useful. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is not too bad in Singapore but lacks of Chromecast support.

Complaints about Mi Box S seems to be focused on Video and Audio output quality and the auto detection of TV resolution.

But considering the price, nothing really beats Mi Box S if you either need Netflix or Chromecast in the Sub-S$100 range or even sub US$100 range.

For people who are willing to pay, NVidia Shield TV is the way to go.

I think you can sideload apks into both the Fire Stick & Roku. If so, it’s not bad a choice considering it’s direct plugin and powered via the tv.

 

[xiaofan]

I think you can sideload apks into both the Fire Stick & Roku. If so, it’s not bad a choice considering it’s direct plugin and powered via the tv.

Roku is not Android so there is no apk for it. It has its own apps (channels).

Amazon Fire Sticks run on Android so yes you can load apks from its own store or side load apks.

As for stick format, some people like it. I personally do not like it. I want the boxes with more interfaces like Ethernet port and at least two USB ports.

 

[gregory_choo]

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.

It is not necessary to install if you can chromecast from phone.

If you insist to run it from box, use tv repo app or atv launcher site to generate the icon on leanback launcher.

 

[eslayer09]

bought xiaomi box s bout one mth ago and it has been working well
However few days ago the UI suddenly becomes very laggy, even load the movie oso it stutter
Other than reset the whole box, any other recommendations?

 

[tbs]

Possible to install mouse or keyboard? Find it hard to use to remote?

Any helpful apk for me to install into app? Mainly news programs

 

[xiaofan]

Possible to install mouse or keyboard? Find it hard to use to remote?

Any helpful apk for me to install into app? Mainly news programs

Yes it is okay you can install mouse and keyboard. Just take note Mi Box S has only one USB Port. You can use USB Mouse/Keyboard kit with single USB receiver, that is what I use with my Android TV boxes.

Or you can use an Air mouse with USB receiver.

Or you can use a USB hub if you need more ports. I am using a powered USB HUB myself with Android TV boxes.

As for news app, it depends on the channels you want.

YouTube has many news channel, some of them live. For example CCTV 4 live is available.

Many news apps come with live TV and they are free. TVB News, TVBS News, NHK World, France 24, RT News, DW, etc, are available from Google market, you can try them. Not all of them are optimized for TV though.

Huawen TV comes with some news channels for Mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
http://www.5itv.tv/

 

[Charlie_Zhan]

Possible to install mouse or keyboard? Find it hard to use to remote?

Any helpful apk for me to install into app? Mainly news programs

can get a bluetooth mouse or keyboard if you don't want to mess with USB dongles. I'm using Logitech k400 plus keyboard + touchpad combo on top of the given Bluetooth voice remote

Sent from Samsung SM-G965F using GAGT

 

[qualcom]

It is not necessary to install if you can chromecast from phone.

If you insist to run it from box, use tv repo app or atv launcher site to generate the icon on leanback launcher.

didn't know about atv launcher. will try it. thanks for the details.

 

[gregory_choo]

bought xiaomi box s bout one mth ago and it has been working well
However few days ago the UI suddenly becomes very laggy, even load the movie oso it stutter
Other than reset the whole box, any other recommendations?

1. Disable all video previews at the main page.
2. Remove/disable all preinstalled apps except youtube and netflix.
3. Reatart box once everyweek
4. Turn on "don't keep activities" at the settings oage.

 

[gregory_choo]

Possible to install mouse or keyboard? Find it hard to use to remote?

Any helpful apk for me to install into app? Mainly news programs

Install 'android tv' app on handphone, use handphone's keyboard.

 

[xiaofan]

https://s.lazada.sg/s.3m8A

Offer for Mi Box S at S$65.99. Normally it will run out fast. This Lazada shop will have this type of offer from time to time.

Edit : Sorry this is not Mi Box S but older Mi Box Global version.

 

[Elon Jobs]

https://s.lazada.sg/s.3m8A

Offer for Mi Box S at S$65.99. Normally it will run out fast. This Lazada shop will have this type of offer from time to time.

Thanks for the link!

Can I check, Mi Box 3 and Mi Box S are the same model?

 

[xiaofan]

Thanks for the link!

Can I check, Mi Box 3 and Mi Box S are the same model?

No. Mi Box S is the international version of Mi Box 4.

Older Mi Box Global version is kind of international version of Mi Box 3 (or more similar to Mi Box 3S).

 

[Elon Jobs]

No. Mi Box S is the international version of Mi Box 4.

Older Mi Box Global version is kind of international version of Mi Box 3 (or more similar to Mi Box 3S).

Ahhhh I see. Coz when I clicked on the link you shared, it says Mi Box 3. Just want to clarify if it’s the same as Mi Box S. Thanks for explaining!

 

[xiaofan]

Ahhhh I see. Coz when I clicked on the link you shared, it says Mi Box 3. Just want to clarify if it’s the same as Mi Box S. Thanks for explaining!

Sorry I said wrongly it is Mi Box Global version and not Mi Box S. It should still be very good but try not to upgrade from Android 6 to Android 8 if you can. There are quite some complaints about the Android 8 upgrade.

This one is Mi Box S but at higher cost. It comes with Android 8.1.
https://s.lazada.sg/s.3mIS

In terms of hardware specifications and function, both are almost exactly the same.

 

[Elon Jobs]

Sorry I said wrongly it is Mi Box Global version and not Mi Box S. It should still be very good but try not to upgrade from Android 6 to Android 8 if you can. There are quite some complaints about the Android 8 upgrade.

This one is Mi Box S but at higher cost. It comes with Android 8.1.
https://s.lazada.sg/s.3mIS

In terms of hardware specifications and function, both are almost exactly the same.

I see. I’m an iPhone/iPad user, so can I check if it’s possible to downgrade OS on the Android platform because it almost impossible on iOS.

And one last thing, you’re advising Mi Box S and Mi Box global version are good enough, but Mi Box 3, not so much, am I right?

 

[Charlie_Zhan]

Sorry I said wrongly it is Mi Box Global version and not Mi Box S. It should still be very good but try not to upgrade from Android 6 to Android 8 if you can. There are quite some complaints about the Android 8 upgrade.

This one is Mi Box S but at higher cost. It comes with Android 8.1.
https://s.lazada.sg/s.3mIS

In terms of hardware specifications and function, both are almost exactly the same.

I think it's ok to upgrade the mibox3 o/s to 8.0 already.. there has been a couple of firmware updates since the major one that caused issues to some users.. in fact my own mibox3 didn't encounter any major issue since updating from 6.0 to 8.0

Sent from Samsung SM-G975F using GAGT

 

[Charlie_Zhan]

I see. I’m an iPhone/iPad user, so can I check if it’s possible to downgrade OS on the Android platform because it almost impossible on iOS.

And one last thing, you’re advising Mi Box S and Mi Box global version are good enough, but Mi Box 3, not so much, am I right?

it isn't impossible to downgrade Android o/s version but it can be very technical and complicated on a non-rooted device especially if you are an iOS user..

mibox3 = the previous mibox global version
mibox4/miboxS = the current mibox global version

Sent from Samsung SM-G975F using GAGT