Cheaper than Clear's deal after 7% Cashback - Brings it down to ~AU$94.21
AE's Black Friday/Cyber Week is here with some good discounts, here's one :)
Last seen 11 days ago for US$5 more!
I know right ;) haha
(For those playing at home, he told me about the cashback making it better, not the deal itself :) )
Sneaky Slippery Spackbace :p
That one lists Android 5, this is v6…
Not to mention the lousy seller rating
Chinese version. Runs older Android and has S905 instead of S905X.
Would I want this if I already have chromecast 2??
Yes.
Lol depends what you do, and what devices you have. At the very minimum, this will give you 4K and a remote control
Chromecast disadvantages:
* frequently laggy reponse in use, due to using wifi remote instead of IR remote / mouse / keyboard;
* an extremely limited set of compatible apps, whereas a box like this can install and play most any app on the GooglePlay store — whether that is of value to you is open for debate but if you're like most people you would have numerous apps on your phone that might be handy on your TV, so an Android box will allow them, and it is a very simple matter to share apps between Android devices, unlike with Chromecast;
* accessing (networked media, thumbdrives, external harddrives, memory cards, etc.) is not nearly as simple or flexible as Android box;
* you cannot continue using it, if your phone battery goes flat;
* ethernet not included, you have to buy an expensive adapter.
Chromecast advantages:
* Chromecast is slightly simpler to setup;
* Device Mirroring and Casting works out of the box for Android phones, these features doen't work flawlessly with every Android box;
* easy to network with CCAudio to set up multiroom audio system.
Decided to grab one, turns out it does have IR so will see how it goes with the Harmony.
Is this as error ridden and confusing as the wd media player????, i had constant problems with it not sharing or finding the shared folder
Quite a lot different to a WDTV.
For networked media, you'd be best to install SPMC/Kodi on this which is a lot nicer than the crappy WDTV SMB implementation.
so is it as easy as sharing a folder on pc and directing the Xiaomi Mi TV to that via wifi and your done ???
Best to install the app and follow a guide on how to set it up.
Otherwise, installing Plex server on your PC is a great idea www.plex.tv
@XeKToReX:Agreed. I replaced my Pi-based Kodi box with a Nexus Player. Haven't looked back. Now replacing Nexus with this.
Yeah, they'll be about the same, but I wasn't suggesting it based on price.
I've used all of the above and nothing beats Rasplex provided you install black edition skin.
Just my opinion of course.
@t3chshopper:
What was the issue with the nexus player? Are you just upgrading for 4k or is there something else you didn't like?
@t0ast: No issue. I love that thing. Can't buy them any more though.
Upgrade-itis also I guess.
I do want to see how well I can play h265 in Kodi though on the Mi box.
@t3chshopper: I was waiting for one to come up on here and I ended up waiting too long haha. Looks like this might be the next best thing.
I have a question, i have a 4K tv already, what does this thing do? do I need it? -noob-
Do you have anything to play 4K media?
xbox one S console?
Hmm fair enough
Your 4K can't play 4K/H.265 movies? How about streaming movie via Plex from PC to your 4K TV?
If it can, then no need to buy this box.
Any Chinese live TV channel in this Mi box?
I would like to know as well.
You can install 电视管家 and HDP, but need to root it first I believe.
HDP has pretty much all the chinese channels live.
Thanks. What is HDP?
Chinese streaming app, works here in Aus. Can get all the CCTV and regional TV stations.
From my experience most Chinese TV streaming app require you to be in China to be able to view. Is this the case? Has anyone tried?
I think if you can get a hold of some old apk files then they may not require you to be in China.
I thought the Global version has those built in?
@nix1016: I found that if I update some of the Chinese apps then they no longer work because of region locks.
Pity I can't revert back to the original apk.
Just tried HDP install on my bluestack on PC.
Streaming chinese channel flawlessly. Well CCTV chanel anyway.
I use this HDP live version though :
http://www.apksum.com/download/com.hdplive.live.mobile_1.1.0…
So tempting now thanks OP, missed out on the $4 coupon.
FYI can get $2 off coupon with this seller here if anyone interested. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Xiaomi-MI-BOX-Streaming-Medi…
Looks like the same model but would be good to get confirmation.
Can you run Kodi on this and stream HD video?
Based on comments above and that it is Android with Play store, you can install any app like Kodi, plex or netflix.
Does this force you to create a Xiaomi account in order to use it? (their nano router does… why?!)
Easier to associate the data they gather from the devices if there was an account linked to it hehehe
You need a google account to use the international one
"Great experience with easy and funny
Highly integration of Google, make the set process smooth and easy"
Funny…
And easy
Luckiry this is the 'Intelnational' version, including Engrish ranguage menu option.
Funny is included yes, but FFS — how much would it cost Xiaomi to check their website using a native speaker, along with the manuals and device menus…
Aliexpress mobile app is quoting me in AUD… That's not actually what they'll charge me in, is it? It's just their estimate displayed for my convenience?
Edit - I risked it for the biscuit, and turns out I was charged in AUD, unfortunately. I used mobile app as I had a $2USD voucher on it, so that combined with the non-optimal exchange to AUD means I end up about even. $102 AUD. Dat extra few cents tho. =(
Reckon if I ordered this I'd actually get it before xmas?
Do any of these Chinese droid boxes actually run Android Tv ala Shield or Sony TV sets? Or are they all essentially mobile phones blown up to a tv output?
This runs Android TV 6.0 as stated on the Xiaomi website.
Lovely, cheers. May pick one up to gadget around with.
I am already using Chromecast and newby at this. How this is different to Chromecast, and what are its main usage? Thanks in advance fellas.
This is capable of 4k playback/streaming and is a standalone media box, where as the Chromecast is only capable of FHD (1080p) and requires a separate device (smart phone/tablet) to cast content to it.
only capable of FHD (1080p)
Only!? How far we've come from my Kodak DC40 way back when….
Am I missing something? It's priced at $69 USD on the xiaomi website. But then again, I can't seem to find a link to purchase it from the official website.
Exactly. If you lived in China, that would be your price…
Also this is with shipping.
I'd rather an amlogic s912 with improved Mali gpu
I guess netflix will only play content in SD on this?
No - the Mi Box is one of the few exceptions that is certified HD.
Can I connect my external 3 Tb hard drive to this one and play movies from that? Will it recognise massive external drives?
Should do!
I have this.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/32692529207/32692529207.html Loads cheaper and is an awesome unit for the price.
No LAN port is a killer for me.
I have this, which is half the price and does everything I need, as well as having a LAN port
Interestingly the remote is identical to the Xiaomi
http://www.gearbest.com/tv-box-mini-pc/pp_443335.html?wid=21
And it recognises external hard drives (and will power a 2.5 inch drive)
Does your Beeline play Netflix in HD ?
No idea sorry, dont use netflix
He asked because the answer is no. That's a common use case now (certainly for me) and the one thing that most of the cheaper Android-based units can't do.
the xiaomi does offer a usb to lan port adapter.
Alternatively, I have tried a few of my own no name branded usb to rj45s and they work fine.
How does this stack up ? looks to be a stronger CPU with LAN Port etc.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Tronsmart-Vega-S96-Octa-Core…
If you are using it to stream local media then the one you linked to do is better. But if you want to use for Google Services, Chromecast and Netflix above 480p then the Mi Box is much better.
The Tronsmart does Google services ;)
I got one of these. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/391529842854
My other two android devices have been running like new for years but i wanted to give the a
'Fully Loaded' box a try . Heaps more fun imo.
Does anyone know what kind of games controller the people in the Xiaomi advert are using to play the motor racing game? Buggered if i can find anything like that.
Xiaomi Gamepad.
Be aware of the extremely slow shipping. I ordered this when the last offer came up and paid for Express Shipping via DHL but the order has been showing on DHL as "Shipping Information Received" since 14th November.
Same seller? AliExpress consists of many thousands of sellers.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2016-TX5-Pro-Quad-Core-Andro…
Can anyone confirm what the major difference between this one and what OP posted would be?
For me the main difference is the Mi Box runs AndroidTV not the standard 'phone' Android like nearly all the generic offerings like you linked to.
You can google how they differ.
can you plug in a usb TV tuner?
The seller dont seem to have much feedback (1)…wouldnt that be a concern?
Thats product feedback, seller feedback is:
MC-MART - 10793 - 99.1% Positive feedback
(up top of listing)
cool that's very confusing….hahaha
Is this a plug and play unit? For a noob who's interested, how would one get the most out of this? Thanks in anticipation! :)
These are good.. I've an older version (I think..) my partner's chinese so she sets it up.. got it from china.. rooted and all.. for like $30 more or less.. plays everything.. !!!
Getting this one because English menus!
Correct me if i'm wrong, but no ethernet port on this?
I'm looking to replace some WDTV's that are buggy, was looking at a Pi w/kodi, but from people comments in here the Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3 is better.
No ethernet, but has AC wifi, or can use a USB to ethernet adapter.
Didn't think about a usb to ethernet adaptor, thanks
my modem doesn't have AC, but everything else on it functions fine.
Thanks OP, just ordered one. It wouldn't let me upgrade to express shipping so hopefully it gets to me before Christmas! Anyone have any guesstimates as to when these might arrive to capital cities?
Can this play HEVC 4K video on a local HDD connected via USB for example?
My built in media app on the HiSonic 58" 4K can't.
Sorry OP for being a little off topic. I love the price of this Android device and its ability to do 4k and other Apps.
But does anyone own these Intel stick http://www.shoppingexpress.com.au/buy/BOXSTCK1A32WFC-64GB. They were at $99 with memory card yesterday and if these can do the same 4k Video streaming from NetFlix or DLAN servers like Plex
The SE page does not specify if it can stream 4k though. Like windows device alternate to NUC as you can use the PC for other windows features as well.
I have the next model up (the STK1AW32SC)…see comments below regarding media playback:
Ta
Thanks for the WP link. This reply makes me think to rethink on selecting the sticks or NUC:
At least with a powerful enough Intel NUC, you can Software decode some 10bit HEVC content up to the point where you run out of CPU ponies.
Intel is way way behind with Hardware decoding of 10bit and 4K support. Even Intel HDMI2.0 will cost a bomb compared to ARM based media players.
I would not use Windows as a media player OS only – because it's a PITA trying to use it with just a remote control. There are a lot of better options.
The future consists of 10 bit HEVC content. Don't start off with a new device with one hand tied behind your back….
You have tested them ( I have no idea about the 10bit thing). I want to play my video library over DLNA and games from my windows 10 PC if possible. Had steam link, but could not stream my origin games, so got rid of it.
NUC are pretty expensive, so thinking to hold on for game streaming and have video streaming alone and some basic windows functions.
I received an email 22 hours later after payment is made saying: "Your Order No. xxxxxxxxxxxxxx has been cancelled because payment was not made before 28 Nov 2016 13:48. If you would still like to buy this item, please reorder it at AliExpress.com."
Anyone got that too?
Is the tracking number working for you guys?
Took a few days but yeah it eventually came up, mine left China on Saturday
Ordered mine on the 22nd, arrived this morning (MC-MART through aliexpress) Took less than 3 weeks, I'm happy with that :)
How does it work? As expected? is streaming any good? I'm considering for nba league pass and kodi streaming (and internet radio)
I shouldn't have told you :P