From this comment. Better than lightinthebox deal and Banggood is pretty good with dispatching quickly.
Referee gets $2 in coupons. Referrer gets 10% off (if referee spends over US$10)
I've had many happy experiences with this vendor so far. Much better than Gearbest or Geekbuying.
and + for the vendor as well. Banggood is way better than GearBest (the worse). For me, goods arrived within 2-3 weeks period always. Very happy customer here :)
Good price.Happy so far with Kodi and SMPC.
Built it in Cast too.
Great price!
Loving my one… mainly for exodus and afl live !!
Can you elaborate on afl live? are using the add-on in kodi or something else?
isnt the afl live quality terrible? as in mobile phone quality…?
I use the AFL Video addon in Kodi. Not HD but certainly watchable and better than paying for Foxtel. Works with my free AFL Live Pass subscription from Telstra.
This ^
agree 100%
I get some stuttering sometimes but free is free.
with exodus, what is the experience on wifi streaming of 1080p movies?
It's fine as long as you have enough bandwidth IME
Mine was "quickly dispatched" on 15/03, arrived 11/05. 8+ weeks, tracking broken.
same. got mine yesterday. also got refund a few days ago.
Don't expect China Post tracking and others to work once it reaches Australia. Auspost consider it to be untracked mail.
It was promptly sent from China to Switzerland (can anyone explain that move?), and there was no tracking after that. Not Auspost's fault obviously.
Switzerland post probably. Would have gone to the sorting centre there first then sent to Aus.
Says coupon not available for limited offer products?!
They just added a "promo" that dropped price 12c and removed coupon availability!
bastards
looks like this is not even a deal.
wish this thing had a gig port. would have bought it ages ago. :(
Same. Thought about a ethernet to USB convertor but that came with issues when I had it on my Intel Nuc so won't be trying that again.
is your wifi not stable at home? why do you need a ethernet port?
It's stable but prefer my tech to be wired if I can. I find most of my wireless devices struggle near the TV or when the net in the house is under heavy use.
won't trust wifi to stream 4k with stability.
HOw good/easy is it for a cheap NUC to be able to wire up media streaming onto an old school LCD? You know the types that were too heavy for a singl eperson to lift, big boxy "LCD"s?
Mainly ask as I don't have my smart tv with apps built in and a Samsung app store - so wanting not just Netflix but other anime and drama streaming apps that the mrs enjoys (viki, crunchyroll etc). Just not sure how to get it onto the tv? Short of working out how to connect a non HDMI out laptop (VGA Only??) and I think there may or may not be an usb (but definitely one HDMI slot) on the TV? Any suggestions? NUC?
Or a media player like this?
Excuse me if my response is brief (on a mobile device at the moment) but have you considered a Chromecast if you have a HDMI input and a smartphone/tablet?
I was mainly using my NUC for Plex and Netflix (not Kodi) and a Chromecast has proven more then adequate for those purposes. Much cheaper then a NUC and less headaches to setup. Only downside is not all apps support streaming.
I thought the chromecast only supports things that can be 'cast'. so with sites that stream Asian drama, anime etc (viki, anime lab etc) these would not have chromecast support necessarily??
The ps4 does have animelab as an app randomly…. but was looking for something that works like my small 32" Samsung smart tv: e.g. apps, web browser, youtube etc.
I assume only an android tv set top /tv box does that? NUC I assume you need an OS and all setup? So much harder than android plug and play ?
Doesn't this xiaomi use an HDMI input cable to connect to the TV anyway? I thought it was usb but looking at the banggood page it seems hdmi?
edit: not sure what kodi is but I assume it's another streaming content app like stan and plex? I might get Netflix but otherwise if it's for Asian drama and series for the gf and anime for myself I probably don't need stan or plex, kodi etc?
@SaberX:
I wouldn't recommend a NUC unless you have a need for it and knowledge to set it up. It's essentially a small computer with no operating system when you first get it.
If your looking for "apps, web browser, youtube etc." then an Android box like this would be more suitable.
Thanks cheepo. THe lack of and ability to install an OS was my worry (given you can't just pop in a windows cd haha).
I will take your advice and go with an android box. The chromecasts etc. type devices seem limited as it only supports websites that feature the casting option that is compatible?
No worries. Correct…casting only if the app on the phone supports it. Can't comment on casting from specific websites as have only tried it briefly from Chrome.
If you know the initial setup process and your way around on an Android phone, then you should have no major issues with an Android box.
I'm currently doing this (USB to Ethernet), as my wifi is unstable and weak
Is an Ethernet to USB converter cheap, and I'm surprised this works? Ithought the port the Ethernet goes into would be designed to accommodate data whereas an USB port was just electrical current, albeit I guess data does come through usb drives through it. I don't know the technical side of it haha, but this has me intrigued.
For what it's worth this adaptor here works without any fuss…
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ugreen-3-Ports-USB-3-0-Gigabit-Et…
It also allows you to add extra drives for storage of video etc.
It's mentioned quite a few places that it works without any fuss at all for gigabit ethernet and the USB 3.0 extensions for external drives etc.
Hi guys,
Just new to all this - but does an android tv set top box only allow apps/streaming through the apps per the xiaomi listing's picture? Or can you scroll to websiteS?
I ask as I have an old school LCD TV which while It has HDMI (one slot?) I am not sure about USB slots. No wifi obviously. My smart tv it was easy to scroll to the Samsung app store - got viki, crunchyroll I think, so you can stream direct to the tv.
Now looking to entertain the mrs and needed a way to get this to the tv. Would a set top box allow you to use apps or even just go direct to websites to stream to an older school TV over my NBN wifi (assuming I can find an USB slot on the old tv to connect to? Otherwise is there a way to connect to VGA or the HDMI port with a converter???)
edit: what is this google cast? Is it similar to chromecast in that it is another inbuilt function into certain streaming sites these days to 'throw' over wifi from your phone or laptop onto the Mibox? So hard to keep up to date these days haha.
jeez.. can't believe someone down votted negged me for asking…
Not sure why you've been downvoted for asking a question..!
You hook this up via a standard HDMI cable, not USB - so most TV's should be fine.
You can use this box like any android phone - you can download apps like crunchyroll, or browse to specific sites to stream (provided they use something supported by the browser, like flash etc).
It has a "cast" function built in so you can, for example, browse a youtube video on your phone and click to cast it and it will display on your TV, as it'll be casting from the box (via your phone) just like a Chromecast.
Ooooh. interesting - so the casting through google cast is just another verison of chromecast's casting? Albeit different name? Again I need an app or website that supports that functionality though?
The issue I assume with built in web browser is some old school android tablets in past had issues like you said about the web browser supporting the sites for what they need to stream or display e.g. flash? But if this is android based can one just install an all in one web browser - which isn't chrome or firefox inclusive? And keep that up to date?
I note it only appears to have 2gb of memory, and no SD card slot it seems? If I read right.. so you'd be limited in number of apps to download in that sense?
And thanks - great to know it will hook up to the HDMI. When this big tv conks I will definitely get another smart tv. It's free, and big, so it suits me, and as a hand me down for my own house when I moved out I can't complain! Still my small tv with smart tv and multiple ports/connectivity feels so much easier haha.
I've been casting Amazon Prime from a tab in Chrome on my PC (because Amazon doesn't natively support Chromecast) and I think the quality is fine. I tried tab-casting a couple of years ago when I first got my Chromecast and it was pretty choppy but the quality has improved markedly.
and yeap.. not sure what I got downvoted for a question… I find as ozb's grown asking questions on things that's quite simple to others usually results in a down vote haha. Personally I find it hard to keep up with all these app services , content services, devices etc. even as a Gen Y - as I don't live, breath and buy new things like this often.
2GB of RAM is decent for these and will ensure things are relatively snappy, performance-wise.
The device has up to 8GB of storage though, so that is what will dictate how many apps etc you can install.
Generally, apps are only sub 100mb so 8GB is probably plenty.
Ideally, you'd want standalone apps and not rely on websites to work natively - but yea, some browsers may work better with some sites than others like you alluded to.
And with regards casting, yes I believe "casting" is now getting added to lots of TV's and Android boxes and will function exactly like a Chromecast.
I'd be weary. Read the comments.
It's confirmed to be the international version, the site has been updated to clearly specify that it's int version too.
Read ALL the comments.
@Gav:
I wonder if Banggood's shipping time is any better than lightinthebox. I haven't received my xiaomi mi band from light, but with bang I have received that really cheap <$1.50 fountain pen lol, and that took forever (That I forgot I even ordered).
@SaberX: I've had pretty good results with Banggood in the past - it really depends on the availability of the stock and their drop shipping schedule.
how's lightinthebox though? I ordered the xiaomi mi band on the sale here on 14th april. only got 'sent' 24 april (if that's to be believed). Still nothing yet on 12 may. I assume it'll take longer being from china. won't make it for mother's day at this rate :(
Worried as so far banggood has sent goods before. haven't bought many, but it was 'ok' for time.
shoppingsquare still seems better, as some things are aus stocked and they are transparent if it's international stock.
Lightinthebox took two weeks to post mine (they advertised 5 days), and they keep sending spam. Their "unsubcribe" links either do nothing, or point to a server which does not exist.
true - I've got a heap of emails from them. Only reason I've kept them is they occasionally throw up wedding décor and items which we are considering haha.
Still waiting for my mi band from april. Until they arrive I can't assume they actually send anything. At least banggood I received that cheap fountain pen haha
shopping square seems more reliable as I have ordered multiple times and SD cards seemed real/not fake speed classes
Hi SaberX, my Xiaomi Mi band 2 ordered on the 19th of April just arrived today! Hopefully yours will arrive next week ;)
interesting, i ordered mine on the 14th april though! when was your dispatch date? as mine cliamed to be 24th april sent… you've already received yours despite ordering a good 5 days after me?
@SaberX: my apologies, my order was created/paid on the 11/4 and the item was shipped on the 19th
Order Status History
Date Time Status
April 11, 2017 02:55 PM Order received
April 11, 2017 02:55 PM Payment received
April 19, 2017 01:13 AM All shipped
ahh drats the deal ended.
Be great if it comes back - the benchmarks on the page's youtube video claims to be one of the top android tv boxes. Can anyone confirm how good this xiaomi offering is compared to other alternatives? For $77 (when on sale) it seemed alright.
Dog shit!
Why only have a deal for 1 damn hou
Not happy banggood!
Waiting for another deal! Seems like a few people hold this box in high regard? So it seems like it's suitable for what I'd need :)
Any good nougat boxes out there beside Nvidia
?
If you can afford the Shield TV, it's the best by a long way. The support is fantastic with frequent feature adds and updates. I'm yet to see anything that comes close to the Shield TV.
Generally I would regard the Mi Box as a distant second, but still a very good device.
Managed to pick one up just in time, thanks for the deal!
Very happy with mine. Do yourself a favour and buy a ugreen USB 3.0 to Ethernet Hub. Gives more USB ports and Ethernet. Mine now works flawlessly
Where from?
Google it. "UGreen" is the brand.
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Ugreen-USB-Ethernet…
www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ugreen-USB-3-0-Gigabit-RJ45-Ethernet-Lan…
Price $16.14 delivered to Australia.
I did and spotted the eBay link you posted. Just helps others when you have links, particularly if you got it at a good price.
I bought mine from here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LLUEJF0/ref=s9_dcacsd_d…
Fulfilled by Amazon and it came reasonably quickly.
The MiBox is very tempremental when it comes to USB Ethernet, so don't buy anything else thinking it'll just work
Can confirm this one works 100% and is of a very good quality. Have also plugged a Logitech wireless keyboard into the HUB and worked out of the box.
Thanks. Reconsidering this box now after your recommendation and those of others on Reddit.
This version in the Amazon link is a USB 3.0 3 post hub with a gigabit ethernet connection
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/152201585121 $24.41 AUD
Ethernet Specification:
1. Support 10/100/1000Mbps network access;
2. IEEE 802.3, 802.3u and 802.3ab (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, and 1000BASE-T) compatible;
3. USB-Powered, with no additional adapters required;
4. Supports suspend mode and remote wakeup via link-change, Magic Packet, Microsoft Wakeup Frame and external wakeup pin;
5. Supports Full and Half duplex operating modes;
6. Backwards compatible with USB 2.0 & 1.1;
7. Chipset ASIX AX88179.
USB 3.0 Hub:
1. Extend 3 ports USB 3.0, convenient for your flash drive, keyboard, mouse, Camera, printer, HDD etc
2. Support the speed up to 5Gbps
3. Backward compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1
4. Additional DC-jack is optional for some power hungry devices
did it work automatically?
Yes, it's plug and play. No hassles whatsoever.
Great to hear I can now go and buy one.
So i don't know how useful the remote is, but you could connect this evergreen amazon linked product - connect ethernet to your router (NBN) and run an usb powered keyboard/mouse in one to control the xiaomi box? It would work with simple plug and play? 2nd usb coudl then be a hard drive for external media and so forth?
That easy to just plug and paly peripherals and they just work? Assuming that's how it works?
why usb3? The Mibox only has usb2. (which is plenty fast enough for what it does)
I really have no idea.
Thanks for the idea. I was just about to query about getting more USB ports for the mi box.
Any more recommendations for addons and keyboards that work very well with this unit would be appreciated.
Thanks for the usb hub info. What did you pay for yours?
https://addonhq.com/best-kodi-addons-movies-2017/ provides instructions.
One hint is that you do need a keyboard/mouse to navigate around the menus. I am using a Logitech bluetooth keyboard with a built in mouse pad. The controller that comes with it is cool and accepts voice commands but it doesnt extend to navigation.
Im guessing still no Stan app?
Any way of identifying if the banggood version is the mdz-16-ab that everyone is requesting in the lightinthebox page/deal?
You can see it in the photos. Also says "international version".
The lightinthebox website had the two models confused, with wrong photos, but they have since fixed it.
Thanks.
One thing I'm wondering is how does video files support work? On the banggood website they list a few formats, but wondering what happens if you have .avi and other similar video files (.mpeg etc) and not the .h264 files? WIll they not be supported? Or must you go through a VLC player app installed on the media player to work?
P9 Profile-2 up to 4K x 2K @ 60fps
H.265 HEVC MP-10 at L5.1, up to 4K x 2K at 60fps
H.264 AVC HPat L5.1, up to 4K x 2K at 30fps
H.264 MVC, up to 1080P at 60fps
Supports HDR10/HLG HDR processing (software upgrade required
how does video files support work?
It works by installing the app of your choice. MX, VLC, Kodi etc etc. Same as your phone, Windows or Linux.
There is no "native" player.
You do seem to be confusing file formats with video codecs
Yes, I think I am.
I am just familiar with browsing your windows and having .avi files typically, which gave way to .mkv and what not. I assume these are file formats, as opposed to video codecs? What I pasted previously was codecs, correct?
Looking at the lightinthebox listing the file formats are:
Supported Video Format RM / RMVB, WMV, MPEG
Supported Audio Format OGG, WAV, WMA, MP3
Supported Picture Format JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP
Supported Resolution 4K
So to play .avi and other common files you would install vlc , mx player etc from play store then just access the files via these and the file formats would therefore play?
Can I ask - the listing states this is hdmi 2.0a - which appears to be the new format for 4k definition. I am planning to pair this up with an old TV (like old school LCD, so I assume when there was only "HDMI" when first released).
Would this therefore work, and be backwards compatible? Does the hdmi 2.0a cable just mean that any hdmi enabled device will work, but if I get a tv with hdmi 2.0a capabilities I need to get a likewise cable to enable up to 4k resolution?
Or are there specific connector sizes on TV's that differ according to HDMI type?
Yes, avi is an old file format. Usually no problem.
For high-def, you need hardware decoding. ie not something that can be upgraded with software. This device is good.
hdmi 2.0a - which appears to be the new format for 4k definition.
For TV, yes. The old hdmi2 is OK for 4k video at 24-40 fps. But for 4k DRM, you need hdmi2.
No problem with FHD here. Just buy it!
Confused at the lingo but I am going to assume the old HDMI port on this TV will work with this new age HDMI 2.0a stuff for the xiaomi and relevant 4k video haha. Just need to find a decent deal - seems only the lightinthebox deal is the only one going now for under $80. ALbeit with an EU power pack with aus adapter plug. Seems like there isn't an official aus plug anyway.
Can someone advise how to load to streaming via Kodi? Mainly I want to add foreign tv channels.
My TV box got dispatched yesterday so kudos to Banggood. Lightinthebox has still yet to dispatch some of my stuff from last week.
Just followuped up my mi band fitness tracker. It states it could take up to 1 june to arrive (when I raised a support ticket), so yeah they definitely aren't quick. was 10 april I ordered. dispatched 24 april (so it also takes ages to get it sent) - then they count the 39 business days or whatever form there.
Definitely don't order anything you need in a hurry if not paying for express shipping.
any deals on international with an AU power pack instead of travel adapter ?
It's never been released with an AU power pack from the manufacturer. US or EU power pack only. You then need additional adapter for AU.
So the light in the box providing you an "AU" plug - is this similar to a travel adapter plug? Can you then just use this with the EU power pack with no issues here?
Upvote for the Mi box international at that price. Can't comment on vendor.