Xiaomi Mi Box review: TV box with Android TV. Review of Xiaomi Mi Box S - TV set-top box and media player Mi box TV set-top box
I already visited our editorial office at one time - almost two years have passed, and now we have another player with the same name, outwardly a twin brother of the previous one. What is the difference?
Media player provided by Xiaomi.ua store
...Obviously not in the box, which for the new Mi Box (to be precise, the model name is MDZ-16-AB, the designation Mi Box 3 is used in the interface) looks exactly the same as the old one. Inside you can find the player itself, a remote control, a power supply, an HDMI cable and quick guide user. In general, the set is quite sufficient, the only thing we can complain about is the length of the HDMI cable - one meter may not be enough. On the other hand, the player is so small that it will not be difficult to find a place for it under the TV.
Design
The appearance of the player has not changed - it is a small black box a couple of centimeters high with rounded corners, similar to a smaller one Apple version TV with “slicked” edges.
The body is matte, completely plastic, fingerprints appear on it, although not as quickly as on glossy surfaces. There is an infrared receiver on the front side, all (very few) connectors are concentrated on the rear panel, there are no buttons on the case. From the connectors here you can find a full-size USB port, HDMI output and mini-jack, which combines analog audio output with digital optical output. The previous model also had a microSD card reader and a connector micro USB OTG for connection peripheral devices, but in the current model the manufacturer decided to abandon them.
The player rests on a rubberized ring, which noticeably reduces (although does not completely eliminate) the device from slipping on a smooth surface.
Remote control
The “remote control” also makes us remember Apple TV (previous generations) - it’s a small “bar” with a four-way joystick and a confirmation button inside. There are the bare minimum of buttons here - power on, volume control, microphone activation and the Android system "back" and "home" buttons. The remote control fits well in the hand, the buttons are pressed easily and clearly - the only thing I can complain about is the volume rocker, which is difficult to feel blindly. The remote control works via Bluetooth, so it is not necessary to point it towards the player (the infrared receiver on the Mi Box body is, in fact, a “backup option” and, if desired, can be used in conjunction with a regular IR remote control).
Hardware platform
The player uses SoC AMLogic S905X-H, which includes 4 Cortex-A53 cores operating at frequencies up to 2 GHz, and a Mali-450 video subsystem. There is 2 GB of RAM, and there is also 8 GB of internal storage (about 4 GB of which is available to the user). To connect external drives There is a USB 2.0 port, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5 GHz is responsible for connecting to the network (there is no wired connection here).
This chipset is not the most productive, and is not suitable for “heavy” games - however, there are few of those on Android TV, to put it mildly; and it copes perfectly with its main task - playing media content.
Software
Unlike the player we reviewed earlier, which worked under the control of a conventional Android versions, supplemented by its own launcher, the MDZ-16-AB model uses the Android TV 6 OS. I must say, this is a rather rare case; there are still very few players on “television” Android (only three such models are listed on the official website, including and Mi Box). Another important nuance - MDZ-16-AB is an international model, with full access to Google services.
In the past, we have already become acquainted with Android TV players (see our reviews and ), so we will not dwell in detail on the features of this operating system - the Mi Box shell is a “bare” Android TV with minimal intervention from Xiaomi (which includes , in fact, only a section of applications recommended by the company, including Netflix and Red Bull TV clients). Otherwise, everything is traditional here - announcements of several films, a list installed applications, Access to Google Play TV&Movies, Games and Apps. And of course voice search: key element Android systems TV is fully accessible here, since the microphone is built into the local remote control (unlike iNeXT TV 2). With its help, you can search for content in all applications installed on the system that support this function - both in English and Russian. Speech recognition is very good, so voice search can easily be used here as the main option, turning to text search only as an exception.
In progress
When you turn it on for the first time, the player prompts you to quick setup using an Android smartphone or tablet: you need to run Google app and enter the command set up my device in the search bar, after which the device will detect the one located in the same local network MiBox. If something goes wrong (or you don’t have an Android smartphone at hand), the setup can be done the traditional way, by manually connecting to your Wi-Fi. You can also log into your Google account by either entering your username/password using the virtual keyboard, or by authorizing Mi Box via your smartphone (for which you need to go to the g.co/AndroidTV page and enter the PIN code offered by the player).
Mi Box can play local content both from the network and from USB drives. To do this, you will need to install a video player from Google Play - for example, VLC for Android or Kodi media center. It's worth noting that Google Play here only displays apps available for the TV version of Android, so the selection is significantly poorer than in the app store on a smartphone or tablet. However, third party programs You can also install it bypassing Google Play - using apk files recorded on a USB drive (for this you will have to allow the installation of applications from unknown sources). However, for programs that are not optimized for Android TV, you will most likely have to connect a mouse or a gyroscopic remote control with mouse emulation.
4 GB of internal storage is, frankly speaking, not very much, but the situation can be corrected by connecting a USB drive to the player and formatting it to install applications from the market. On the Internet you can find complaints from users that this function does not work for them, but in our case there were no special problems - despite the player’s statement that the connected flash drive (with very decent speed characteristics) “works slowly” , applications were installed and launched on it just as well as from the internal memory.
Mi Box supports Google Cast, this allows you to stream video and audio content from your smartphone to TV: just install the Google Home application on it, after which you can send videos from YouTube, online radio from TuneIn Radio, etc. to the TV. Home can also duplicate video/audio from a smartphone, which allows you to use Cast, albeit with less convenience, and in applications without its support - for example, to view photos on a big screen.
In an express test of compatibility with various formats and performance when playing video (carried out in the VLC player), Mi Box performed very well: all films launched either almost instantly, or (in the case of video files of 30-50 GB) in a couple of seconds. The player easily coped with a bitrate of 160 Mbit/s, which is sufficient for any video, including 4K. Also, 4K video with a frequency of 60 fps, H265 video with 10-bit color depth, etc. were reproduced without any complaints.
Site evaluation
Minuses: lack of Ethernet; There are still few apps for Android TV
Conclusion: The main advantage of Xiaomi Mi Box (MDZ-16-AB) is, of course, Android TV. There are still very few media players based on this particular version of the OS, although it is much better suited for large TV screens than the usual “smartphone” Android, which is used in most modern players. The only complaint we can make here is the low performance in heavy 3D games, but they are clearly not a priority goal when buying a set-top box, but with their main task - playing online and local media content - new Xiaomi Mi Box copes very well.
Specifications
| Card reader | - |
| TV tuner | - |
| Microphone | - |
| Camera | - |
| operating system | Android 6.0 |
| High Definition Video Support | 3840x2160 (4K) |
| IPTV | + |
| 3D support | + |
| Built-in torrent | - |
| Internet services support | YouTube |
| Web browser | - |
| Playing Blu-Ray disc images | - |
| Remote control | classical |
| Smartphone control | iOS, Android |
| Keyboard and mouse support | + |
| Other | control via HDMI-CEC |
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) | - |
| Miracast | + |
| WiDi | + |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.1 |
| DLNA | + |
| AirPlay | - |
| USB | x1 USB 2.0 |
| e-SATA | - |
| HDMI | + (2.0) |
| Composite | - |
| Component | - |
| SCART | - |
| S-Video | - |
| Other | - |
| Analog stereo | - |
| Analog multichannel | - |
| Digital optical | - |
| Digital coaxial | + |
| Headphone output | + |
| Dimensions, mm | 101x101x19.5 |
| Weight, kg | 0,1765 |
| Equipment | media player, documentation, Charger, power cable, remote control, adapter for our sockets |
| Additionally | Pre-installed Applications. Open source - ability to install any application |
Hello dear readers, today we will tell you how to set up a TV set-top box to watch IP television channels.
Important: The set-top box is equipped with a Bluetooth control panel, with which you can turn it on/off, select and switch channels, and control the volume. But one remote control is not enough to set up the set-top box, because... During setup, the mouse cursor is used, but this functionality is not available in the remote control. To solve this problem, we used a Bluetooth mouse CBR CM530 Bt, but any other mouse should work without any problems with Bluetooth support.
Is it possible to connect a keyboard? Yes, Xiaomi Mi Box Mini supports a Bluetooth keyboard, which makes using the set-top box even more convenient.
Note: The device only works on Wi-Fi networks. To set up, we need a computer or smartphone connected to the same network as the set-top box.
So, let's start setting up:
Plug the set-top box into a power outlet, connect the set-top box and the TV using an HDMI cable, and set the appropriate mode on the TV (HDMI).
Remove protective film from the control panel of the set-top box, in the battery compartment. Press the “Power” button on the remote control
After turning on the Mi Box Mini, you will see a greeting on the TV display and an invitation to press the center key of the remote control (OK) to pair with the set-top box. Click.
The search and pairing of the set-top box with the remote control will begin.
After detecting the remote control, the set-top box will prompt you to press the central key of the remote control (OK) again to Wi-Fi settings networks. Click.
You will see a list of available Wi-Fi networks, select your network and press on the remote control the center key (OK)
When you try to connect to a Wi-Fi network, you will be prompted to enter a password
Using the "Left", "Right", "Up", "Down" keys to move around virtual keyboard enter the password for your network. In our case, the password is the contact phone number of our office. After entering the password, select the largest key on the bottom right on the virtual keyboard and press the center key (OK) on the remote control
The TV set-top box will establish a connection and receive automatic settings your Wi-Fi network.
Congratulations! The connection has been successfully established, the system will prompt you to press the center key (OK) on the remote control. Click.
MITV Launcher will load
Download and extract to your computer or smartphone
By default, the system has Chinese language installed, and access to the language change menu is limited. The first thing we will do is install an application with which we will be able to change the system language to English, as well as install any applications with the extension .apk .
Let's move on to installing applications:
Return to home screen consoles and select the 3 menu item on the left from the large icons (the menu name corresponds to the image below)
Being on the last tab, find the blue menu item “Remote Install” ( If this menu item is missing, you need to roll back the firmware to the version 1.3.72 )
Select this menu item using the “Left” and “Right” keys on the remote control, a window will open in which the set-top box will report its IP address and port for connection.
http://your_ip_address:6095/203 being on the same network as the set-top box. A window will open with a large button in the middle indicating readiness to download. .apk file.
shafaguanjia.apk .
The process of downloading and installing the application will begin. Shafaguanjia (aka Shafa Market)
After the download process is complete, return to the main menu of the set-top box by pressing the “Home” key on the remote control.
Use the "Left" and "Right" keys to move through the menu to the application Shafa Market and press the center key (OK) on the remote control
In the application that opens, go through the top tabs, moving to the first menu tab using the “Left” key on the remote control.
A menu will open in which you need to select the “Settings” menu item.
Select the menu item “Language & input” (square icon with the letter A) using the “Up”, “Down” keys on the remote control and press the center key (OK)
Select the very first menu item “Language” using the “Up”, “Down” keys on the remote control and press the center key (OK)
In the list that opens, select “English” using the “Up” and “Down” keys on the remote control and press the center key (OK)
Return to previous point menu by pressing the “Return” button on the remote control
Press the “Return” button on the remote control again to go to the main settings menu. Next, select “Bluetooth” using the “Up”, “Down” keys and press the center key (OK)
Turn on the Bluetooth mouse and prepare for pairing via Bluetooth by activating the pairing mode on the mouse using a key combination (see the operating instructions for your mouse model), in our case with the CBR CM530 Bt mouse you need to press “Left Mouse Key” + “Right Mouse Key” simultaneously + “Mouse wheel key”
On the TV set-top box, select “Search for devices” using the “Left” and “Right” keys on the remote control and press the center key (OK).
The scanning of Bluetooth devices will begin, and if you did everything correctly and activated the pairing mode on the mouse, the set-top box will display a new device, your mouse, in the list of devices.
Select the found mouse using the Up and Down keys on the remote control and press the center key (OK)
Pairing will begin
If successful you will see
Pairing is complete, now by moving the mouse you will see a control cursor on the screen. The keyboard is connected using the same principle. The set-top box can support several simultaneously Bluetooth connections: remote control+mouse+keyboard
Return to main menu consoles by pressing the “Home” key on the remote control
If everything is done correctly, you will see the names of menu items in English, as well as a fully functioning bluetooth mouse.
All that remains is to install an application for viewing IP TV and a player with a set of codecs.
Select and launch the “Shafa Market” application
In the application that opens, go through the top tabs, moving to the last menu tab using the “Right” key on the remote control.
Select the menu item “Remote Install”
A window will open in which Mi Box Mini will report its IP address and port for connection.
From a computer or smartphone, enter in the browser http://your_ip_address:8899 being on the same network as the set-top box. A window will open, in the center of which there is a green button with the inscription APK, meaning readiness to download any .apk files.
Click on this button lazyiptv.apk, from the article provided at the beginning.
Select "Setting"
Select "Allow""Up", "Down" keys on the remote control and press the center key (OK)
In the menu that opens, select “Allow” and press the center key on the remote control (OK)
By performing these steps, we allowed the installation of applications from unknown sources.
Let's install the application again
Click on the green button "APK", in the window that opens, select the file from your computer or smartphone: lazyiptv.apk, from the article provided at the beginning.
The installation file will begin downloading from your computer to Mi Box Mini. Now, instead of a message about the blocked installation, we will see a proposal to install, select "Install"
Installation completed successfully
Choose "Done" and repeat the same with the file mxplayerpro.apk, from the article provided at the beginning.
MX Player necessary to play the video stream, let's install it.
Click on the green button "APK", in the window that opens, select the file from your computer or smartphone: mxplayerpro.apk, from the article provided at the beginning.
Select "Next" and press the center key on the remote control (OK)
Select "Install" and press the center key on the remote control (OK)
Installation completed successfully
Select "Done" and press the center key on the remote control (OK)
An application for viewing IP TV, a video player and all the necessary video codecs are installed. Using the same principle, you can install any other devices supported by the set-top box. .apk applications. For example: Google Chrome, Yandex Weather, Yandex Mail, Rutube player, IVI, Megafon TV, Flash Player, Android L Keyboard and much more.
We really hope that in new versions of TV launcher "Android TV Launcher" from Google, support for the Xiaomi Mi TV Box device will appear, which will make working with Mi Box Mini as comfortable as possible.
Now let’s proceed to the final setup, setting up the LazyIPTV application for viewing IP TV channels. Select and launch the application "LazyIPTV" by pressing the “OK” key on the remote control.
The LazyIPTV application supports Russian language, but is installed by default English language. Let's change the language to Russian.
Go to the main menu of the application (on the left top corner applications 3 stripes) and press the center key on the remote control (OK)
Select "Preference" and press the center key on the remote control (OK)
Select "Language" and press the center key on the remote control (OK)
Select "Russian" and press the center key on the remote control (OK)
Congratulations! You have successfully installed the Russian language. Return to the main window of the LazyIPTV application with the key "Back" on the remote control.
Setting up IPTV channels
To add IP television channels, select the menu item "New playlist" and press the center key (OK)
In the window that opens, fill in the fields similar to the image below. It is impossible to enter text on the virtual keyboard using the remote control, so we used the Bluetooth mouse CBR CM530 Bt.
Playlist name: Online TV
Path to playlist file or url: http://iptv.lamp.ufa-it.ru/generate_m3u
Check the box: Refresh on opening
Select "Playlist Manager" and press the center key (OK)
The list of available channels will load, select channel Up, Down keys and press the center key (OK)
In our case, 251 channels are available for viewing.
Wait until the device loads the video stream (10-30 sec).
The setup is complete! Enjoy watching IP TV.
Buy Xiaomi Mi Box Mini you can in our online store.
What is a TV set-top box and what is it for? This device allows you to use streaming services from your TV, greatly simplifies the search for movies, etc.
The Xiaomi brand has released a high-quality and functional set-top box based on .
For this reason, it easily interacts with (Music, Movies and more). It features good functionality, uninterrupted operation with fairly small dimensions and relative ease of setup. It has powerful processor And good opportunities for processing graphics and sound.
There is a model marked S.
Its main differences:
- Touch joystick on the remote control;
- Higher file reading speed limit;
- Updated processor and graphical interface.
There is no option to change the interface or get .
Functional
In general, this gadget has the same functionality as most devices of this type.
The main functions used by users are:
In fact, using a set-top box, you can create one from any regular TV.
Specifications
What distinguishes this device and makes it the preferred choice when purchasing a set-top box?
This gadget has good performance characteristics, which are ahead of many analogues in this price segment.
Key performance indicators are shown in the table below.
| Characteristic or parameter | Meaning or presence |
|---|---|
| operating system | Android TV 6 |
| Main processor | Amlogic S905X-H, 4 cores, 2 GHz |
| GPU | ARM MALI-450 |
| Built-in memory | 8 GB |
| Operating memory | 2 GB |
| Wi-Fi profile | Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz/5 GHz |
| Bluetooth | Yes, version 4.0 |
| Dimensions, cm | 10x10x2 |
| Weight, in grams | 75 |
| Formats | H.264 (AVC/MVC), H.265 HEVC, VP9 Profile-2 (from 1080p to 4000p and FPS from 30 to 60), HDR 10 and HLG HDR |
Such parameters and indicators make the device high-quality and multifunctional, which is why many users prefer it.
Equipment
The console comes in a square, bright orange box with color printing and a glossy finish in some places.
The cover shows the console itself and lists its main parameters.
The box is made of thick cardboard and covered with a water-repellent shell.
Included in the kit, sold locally Russian Federation, includes:
Inside the box, the device itself is fixed on a plastic base, with documentation and the necessary cables located underneath it. The box is quite compact, and the entire packaged set is not very heavy.
Design
The attachment is made exclusively in black, has a square shape with smoothed corners, and is quite flat (up to 2 cm thick in the center).
The case is matte, but despite this, fingerprints and any dust are clearly visible on it.
The plastic of the case is durable, the assembly is good - the device does not stick together, its parts do not deviate, etc.
The base of the attachment has a rubber coating, making it non-slip. The case is not smooth, so the device does not slip out of your hands - it is quite difficult to accidentally drop it. In general, the design is minimalistic, extremely functional, however, the device looks quite aesthetically pleasing.
The front panel is almost completely devoid of functional elements.
Only the signal receiver from the remote control was placed on it remote control and an indicator light indicating the operating status of the device.
All functional connectors are concentrated on the rear panel - there are connectors for connecting power from the network, HDMI, USB 3.0 and a 3.5 mm mini jack.
The remote control is also small in size and weight, extremely functional and made of the same material as the body, in black.
The remote control is about 25 centimeters long, about 4-5 cm wide, and weighs no more than 60 grams.
Powered by two “little finger” (AAA) batteries, the socket for installation of which is located on the reverse side of it and is covered with a panel.
The body has an ergonomic shape, the edges are optimally connected so that the device is convenient to use and it fits securely in the hand and does not slip out. The dimensions make it completely comfortable to operate with one hand.
The disadvantage is the same as that of the console itself - fingerprints are visible on the case material, which is especially problematic when it comes to the remote control. The advantages are also similar - good quality assembly and greater body strength.
In the upper left corner of the case there is an on/off button, below there is a circular joystick in the form of a button in the shape of a ring. Below in the row are the Home keys, Confirm selection (OK), and enable or disable voice input. Below them is a vertically located elongated volume control button.
Test results
In general, the device received positive marks from testing.
The quality and technical (operational) characteristics of the hardware are quite sufficient for normal, stable functioning when using the basic set of functions.
No obvious lags, freezes or slowdowns were detected; during tests it was revealed that the operation was stable and fully in accordance with the stated characteristics.
Despite the high stability of operation, you need to understand that the device is not designed for maximum settings and the highest load. It is rather intended for the average user, so you shouldn’t overload the console too much.
After flashing, installing additional programs, they, theoretically, can start, but not guaranteed.
Another minus– it is impossible to minimize a tab or window with an application so that when the window is maximized, it continues from the same place. This is due to the fact that when you exit to the main screen, the system saves the program not in the current state, but in the one in which it was at the time of launch. Otherwise, working with applications is convenient, familiar and stable.
Own video player initially in operating system there is no attachment.
It needs to be downloaded from Google Play and installed additionally.
Any functional type will do, since the set-top box supports playback of all types of files.
The device catches and holds the net well and stably. The connection is not interrupted both on clogged channels and on freer ones.
Possible to expand functionality and work in other systems.
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Conclusion
The set-top box is suitable for the average user who does not place excessive load on the device.
It is ideal for viewing, showing presentations and surfing the Internet.
At the same time, resource-intensive applications may not start at all or work much worse on it, so for such purposes it is better to choose another device.
The market for TV set-top boxes based on Android TV can hardly be called saturated. And although a large number of people are satisfied with models such as the outdated Nexus Player or the brand new top Nvidia Shield, the choice among Android consoles can hardly be called good: there is much less variety on it than, for example, among smartphones. Companies simply don't see the point in producing something that will sell in small quantities, especially considering Google Chromecast, which has eaten up a significant share of the market.
Xiaomi Mi Box 3s offers a small black box with rounded edges that runs on Android based TV and supports 4K resolution with HDR mode. It includes a minimalistic touchscreen remote control. All this wealth is very inexpensive - in our retail stores it can be found for about 4,000 thousand rubles. It is worth noting that Xiaomi has released its set-top boxes before, but this model is one of the first to work on full-fledged Android TV.
Google needs the support of manufacturers to promote its Android TV OS, and Mi Box 3s is one of these devices. But will this device live up to expectations and can it completely replace Chromecast? Let's try to find out.
Mi Box 3s is delivered in a small minimalist box, inside of which the console itself, an HDMI cable, a charger, a remote control and instructions in Chinese were found. The material of the console is a pleasant matte, slightly textured plastic. The thickness of the device is only 10 mm, which is not much thicker than the thickness of most smartphones. It can be easily hidden behind the TV if necessary.
At the bottom there is a rubberized ring that serves as a stand. This material is great for slippery surfaces. All ports are hidden at the back. The only thing that stands out against the black background of the console is the small Mi logo. In addition, while the console is operating, a small LED lights up, which does not interfere at all.
The Bluetooth remote control is also designed in a minimalist style. It weighs nothing at all - and this is taking into account two AAA batteries, which, by the way, come with the remote control. The main control buttons are the up-down-right-left buttons, which are located on a large circle. In the center is the OK button. The circle itself is touch sensitive - when you make circular movements along it with your finger, for example, the text input cursor jumps either to the beginning or to the end of the text field; otherwise there is almost no place to use it. It would be logical to attach a video rewind function to it, but this does not work. In addition, there are buttons for power, back, exit to the home screen, call context menu and volume control.
As already mentioned, Mi Box 3s comes with an HDMI cable, which is actually not bad, since a number of other budget set-top boxes do not have it. Its length is approximately 1 meter. The length of the charging cord is also small - still the same meter. This may cause some problems with the positioning of the set-top box, given that the power connector is round and not standard USB Type-C or microUSB, and the charging cord is inseparable from the charger.
Installing the set-top box is very easy: just plug in the power and connect Mi Box 3s to the TV via an HDMI cable. Then you can simply switch the TV to the desired input and follow the instructions on the screen using the very convenient remote control.
Mi Box 3s runs on Android TV version 6.0.1. After a little initial setup of the Wi-Fi connection, a rather laconic start menu appears, which for some reason was originally in Indonesian, fortunately, from the icons in the menu it was easy to guess how to change the language to English. There is no Russian language.
In the start menu at the top there are search icons by voice or text. When you click on voice search, an error is displayed, which is understandable - there is no microphone in the set-top box. Text search finds videos on Youtube, everything is correct here.
One gets the impression that we are looking at a console re-flashed by craftsmen, the device’s menu looks so crude. By default, the following applications are installed: Youtube, Google Play, an application for launching media files from a flash drive or over the network Media Explorer, and the Sideload Launcher application, which provides access to all device settings. Two types of settings are available: settings for the firmware itself and standard settings Android. Some settings are not available: for example, we were unable to access some application installations.
WITH using Google Play can be installed various applications. Video apps work fine (we tested Youtube and Vimeo), including at 4K resolution (the console only gets slightly warm), but some games have a problem. For example, Minion’s Rush crashed with an error and no longer launched; Asphalt 8 prompted us to enter our age, which we were unable to enter from the remote; but Hill Climb Racing started up and worked great. Perhaps you need a joystick for this. By the way, it is worth noting that the built-in free memory not much - only about 5 GB, so you can’t install many games.
The function of playing files from a flash drive is available: video, music and photos. It is also possible to connect to a shared folder on the network; all you need to know is the device’s IP address. To do this, just go to Media Manager and click the “Add device” button.
In general, that's all. You can also delve into the settings: connect a Bluetooth joystick, change the Wi-Fi network, change the time settings and other settings. It is worth noting that not all settings items are translated and sometimes texts appear in Chinese, as well as the fact that for some reason the device is displayed as Android Shield.
To sum up, we can say with a high degree of confidence that Mi Box 3s is not a device for everyone. Its most obvious competitor in this price range - Chromecast Ultra - looks, in our opinion, preferable because it has more easy setup and it is much easier to control, although you will need a smartphone. Of course, it has fewer features, but otherwise it looks like a much more integral and complete product. For half the money, you can get a regular Chromecast, but keep in mind that it does not support 4K resolution.
In general, if not for the firmware flaws, the Mi Box 3s could be safely recommended for purchase. Now it can only be recommended to those people who do not need games, but desperately need the features of the Mi Box 3s: a separate remote control, the ability to connect their own drives or shared folders over the network. In this regard, it certainly looks much better better than the competitor from Google.
Xiaomi Mi Box 3 is a compact set-top box that will allow you to watch movies, surf the Internet and play games on your TV. The gadget has an Android TV system installed, so it has a lot of capabilities typical of a smartphone. More about them later.
Xiaomi equipment and device appearance
Included with the TV set-top box, the user receives:
- remote control and strap for it;
- batteries;
- HDMI cable;
- Charger;
- documentation.
The components are standard, everything you need is available.
Xiaomi mi box 3 is a compact device with dimensions of 101x101x19.5 mm and a weight of 176 g. The design of the gadget is simple and stylish, and the smoothed corners add elegance. The console will fit into any interior and will not take up much space on the table.
The body is made of matte black plastic, with the company logo on the top. The build quality is, as usual, excellent: no cracks or glue residue. On the front of the TV set-top box there is an IR port and led indicator, and on the back there are connectors: USB, HDMI, a port for a power supply and a 3.5 mm audio output. On the bottom panel, the manufacturer installed a round rubber insert that prevents the device from sliding on the table surface.
The design of the remote control is also minimalistic, its dimensions are 150x38x15 mm, and the weight including batteries is 65 g. There are not many buttons: power, circular joystick, “Back”, “Home”, “Voice input” and a volume up and down key. There is a microphone on the front panel of the remote control.
Read also:
Review of IPTV set-top box Etlex NV-501
Technical characteristics of the Xiaomi mi box 3 TV box
Let's consider specifications gadget. The xiaomi TV set-top box uses a 4-core AMlogic S905 processor paired with a Mali 450 graphics chip. The performance is sufficient for multimedia functions and there are no lags. When tested in Antutu, the mini-device scored 36,000 points, which is an average score.
Volume random access memory is 2 GB, and the built-in one is 8 GB, but 3 GB of them are occupied system programs. Thanks to the Smart Box, a regular TV acquires the functions of a smart TV, but you can hardly play games. Only in the simplest ones, and even then you will have to set the graphics settings to medium.
“Abilities” of the Xiaomi TV set-top box
When the user starts working with Xiaomi, he needs to connect the remote control to the set-top box by performing synchronization. Then on your smartphone or manually configure xiaomi mi tv box 3.
The Google search engine is located on the desktop; a phrase can be entered using the microphone of the remote control, just say “Okay, Google” and the query of interest. This is a distinctive feature of the console. Eat quick start programs that a person has used previously, as well as files recommended for viewing. A long press of the “Ok” button selects the icon; it can be moved to any convenient location on the main screen.
