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MECOOL M8S PRO PLUS 2GB/16GB $29.99 USD (~$38.40 AUD) with Free Shipping @ Banggood

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CPU: Amlogic S905X 64bit Quad-core ARM-A53 up to 2GHz
GPU: Penta-core ARM Mali-450
RAM: 2GB DDR3
ROM: 16GB
WiFi: 2.4G WiFi Support IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
Ethernet: 10M/100M
OS: Android 7.1.1
Video Decoder: H.265 4K @60fps 10btis, VP9 Profile 2
H.264 4K @30fps, AVS+ 1080P @60fps
Video Encoder: H.264 1080P @60fps
HDR: HDR 10, HLG HDR
DRM: Supported: Google Widevine Level1
Decoder Format: HD MPEG1/2/4, H.265/HEVC, HD AVC/VC-1, RM/RMVB, Xvid, RealVideo8/9/10
Media Format: Avi/Rm/Rmvb/Ts/Vob/Mkv/Mov/ISO/wmv/asf/flv/dat/mpg/mpeg
Music Format: WMA/AAC/WAV/OGG/DDP/TrueHD/HD/FLAC/APE
Photo Format: HD JPEG/BMP/GIF/PNG/TIFF
OTA: Support OTA update
Ports: 1x HDMI 2.0 output 4K x 2K @ 60Hz
2x High speed USB 2.0, support U DISK and USB HDD
1x TF CARD Support 1~32GB
1x 3.5 Phone out CVBS&L/R output
1x RJ45 LAN Ethernet 10M/100M
Power Supply: DC 5V/2A

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closed Comments

  • One of the few boxes that is capable of Netflix HD due to Widevine Level 1. It won't do Netflix 4K however.

    • Reports say it actually doesn't tho

    • Only up to 720P

      • Yeah that's HD. 1080p would have been FHD 😉

  • So can I somehow connect this to my synology ds1511+ to play x265 videos from the nas to my TV?

    • +2

      Easy. But any S905X chipset based media player will do that, this is just one of the cheaper / better ones.

      If you use KODI media player then you add a network mapping to the folder you have all your videos in and they will just play. I have converted all my blurays / dvds to x265 and use this player to play them with no issues.

      *** DO BE AWARE THAT THIS MEDIA PLAYER DOES NOT HAVE AN OPTICAL OUTPUT. If that is important to play surround sound on your surround sound processor ***

      • Be aware too that many cheap media players that have an optical output simply will not work properly with Kodi, and sometimes don't even work with their embedded players, making them useless for playing raw DTS or AC3 content. Downmixed stereo plays fine over the optical-out, but not raw digital. I gave up trying to get my Tronsmart Pavo M9 boxes working with DTS over the optical-out, so have to use my old Astone players for true surround-sound. If anybody has a fix I'd be really happy!

        • +1

          can't comment on the Tronsmart sorry but my mini M8S II generic media players output DTS/AC3 fine through their optical outputs.

        • +1

          @gizmomelb:

          I've had dozens of boxes from cheapie Rockchip devices up to the the Minix U9-H and none had an issue with playing audio via optical. Plenty of other (particularly firmware) issues.

          No optical has the ability to convey DTS MA and Dolby true HD. Just DD5.1 and DTS5.1

        • @philart: yeah I had one Rockchip device and sold it asap as it was utter rubbish, I've found amlogic to be better supported all round.

        • @philart: No optical has the ability to convey DTS MA and Dolby true HD. Just DD5.1 and DTS5.1

          Yes, which is why I said I output DTS/AC3 through optical with no issues. My AVR doesn't support the newer formats.

        • @gizmomelb:

          Yep, I had intended replying to greenie4242's post :o)

  • +1
    • That is the Pro (S912) not the Pro+ (S905X)

      • WRXTASY talks about the Plus model in that same thread:

        https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2634721#…

      • -1

        That is the Pro (S912) not the Pro+ (S905X)

        That is a comment by someone who put zero effort into reading the discussion.

        • Not much more than zero. Read the topic. Hard to account for off-topic discussion.

        • -2

          @Steptoe:

          You think recommendations in a looking to buy post are off-topic?

        • comment deleted, misinterpreted.

      • +1

        It is the correct thread — it starts off on the S912 and then diverges to the S905X about half way down page 1, at this post.

        It seems to be quite a good budget Android box.

        • Agree it's good value. Bought one from the pre-sale.

        • @Steptoe: love how the pre-sale was more expensive than the current sale. So much for early adopters getting a bargain hey?

        • +1

          @gizmomelb:
          US$1 extra and had it for 2 months. I'm not 😭

  • So are these a good replacement for an old WD media player, to play off a USB drive, not connected to a network?

    • +3

      interface not quite as simple / easy as the WD media player.. but essentially yes, and future proofed for 4K TV outputs and h265 playback. everyone seems to love KODI but you can also use the default android media playback app if you prefer.

      hint: you can set up the USB drive under KODI to be EXCLUDED from metadata scraping and then it'll just list the files on the USB drive, the same as the WD does. You don't have to have all the eye candy KODI normally tacks on.

      • +1

        also as as update: if later you just want the player to boot straight into KODI then I recommend installing LibreElec on a USB stick or SD card and then you also have the added bonus that frame rates will auto change depending if you're watching a movie (24 frames per second, roughly) or a tv show (25 or 30 frames per second). Some people can see the stutter if you're watching a movie (24 fps) played on a forced 50 fps display, so either you need to change the android display settings manually each time you change between movies or tv series - or you run KODI from LibreELEC and then it will automatically do it. It's really easy to do even if you're not an IT geek or technically minded.

  • This might be the wrong product, but I want a portable/pocket Linux PC so all I need to do is plug into a monitor. Will this do it?

    • Raspberry-pi will :)

    • why not just get a raspberry pi 3 =/

      • pi3 is great as a pc ….. lots of documentation, community and software …..

    • orange pi zero 2, get case+board combo,make sure it has hdmi

    • https://forum.armbian.com/index.php?/topic/2419-armbian-for-…

      Armbian for ANY amlogic s905/s905X chipset media player, there is also a UBUNTU desktop install for the same media players.

      *** BUT be aware that hardware acclerated video is not support as yet, so youtube in chrome etc. will play (software) at 720p, but it will struggle at 1080p

      • Oh yes, I should have mentioned I want to run it at 1440p. Not for video, but it would plug into a 30" 2k monitor used for coding

        • no idea if it supports that res, I cannot test as I don't have that res. monitor.

  • Good for kodi?

    • +3

      exceedingly good for Kodi. install KODI on a usb stick or SD card and boot direct into KODI (no android) and it's a very,very good media player.

      • +1

        KODI is an app… Are you referring to LibreELEC??

        • sorry yes, install the LibeELEC install on a USB stick or SD card and it boots directly into KODI.

        • OpenElec is another option.

        • @CLoSeR: not for amlogic chipsets it's not. OpenElec is more suited to x86 CPU architecture, some of the OpenElec devs left OpenElec to start up LibreElec which is tailored to amlogic chipsets.

    • Yes, according to wrxtasy (Kodi guru), BUT…

      Inbuilt wifi and bluetooth do not work with LibreElec. Lack of drivers supplied by the manufacturer of the wifi chip.

  • this or Xiaomi mi box?

    • or RPi 3?

      • personally.. neither, I have one of these as well as two x mini M8s II media players (all amlogic s905x chipset devices).

        • Would you please expand on why not?

        • @fryandlaurie: mi box is too expensive in my opinion and has no CAT5 network port (wifi reception is poor, from reviews).

          RPI3 - much more expensive by the time you add a case, power supply, wifi adapter (if wanted.. I use CAT5 cable) and air mouse. RPI3 does not support hardware decoding for HEVC / X265 4K video.

        • @gizmomelb:
          What would you recommend instead? happy to spend more, just want it to work well with blu ray rips via kodi or plex

        • @souljah: this box or any amlogic S905X chipset based box will work fine running libreelec. I play my bluray rips from my nas on my tv using a similar box and HDMI to tv, optical audio to my surround sound.

  • The remote on this is absolutely terrible.

    • not as bad as the usual tiny IR remotes which ship with the vast majority of android media players.. I was actually quite impressed as it has IR learning built in. But I did buy a wifi airmouse and it is much, MUCH better to use the airmouse than any IR remote.

  • Even with Xiaomi my suggestion is a wireless mouse/keyboard is required. Sometimes I just cant get the cursor with the remote to move to the right place.

    I have this box and it works fine running Terrarium

  • Can anyone recommend a cheap but decent device to play h265 on my TV via USB?

    • You want to connect a device to your tv via your tv's usb port and play a video via that connection? I don't think that's possible. The usb port is not an input to the tv. You might be able to use the tv to play a video stored on a usb drive that's connected to the tv. That's a different thing. Doesn't your tv have a spare hdmi input?

      • Sarcasm is best in small doses

    • you're not going to get much cheaper than $40 for an amlogic S905X chipset media player.

  • does it support AV connection (got an old box tv)

    • RCA connectors? No. HDMI only. It's a pretty small unit

    • +2

      Yes it does port out "1 x 3.5 Phone out CVBS&L/R output" - so you need a 4 pin head phone jack to RCA cable.

      • yeah no AV cable supplied with the unit, just a really short (30cm?) HDMI cable, remote and power supply.

  • +2

    FWIW the hot tip on this box by WRXTSY (who is THE Guru of Android Boxes over at Whirlpool) - is to install the appropriate version of LibreElec on them as the OS - vastly superior to the stock Android OS thats on them - which isn't intended to be used with a TV - so causes issues. Apparently results in a very good lil box.

    Just be aware that the remote control will prolly kinda suck - won't be anywhere near as good as the awesome bluetooth remote on the Mi Box.

    Though IMHO its money very well spent getting the Mi Box instead - works incredibly well with an OS thats SPECIFICALLY made for use on your TV - awesome remote control (remember how good it is when you're cursing as your generic Android box remote!) and AC wireless - huge support community as well so you always have support and info. No brainer to pay the $40-50 extra IMHO.

    • or you can install the android TV ROM (which is SPECIFICALLY made for use on your TV) on the MECOOL and spend $20 extra on a wifi air mouse and still have $20 in your pocket :) oh and you don't need to buy a USB to CAT5 network adapter for the Mibox (which reportedly has very poor wifi reception)

    • Correction: WRXYSY (who is the guru of Kodi software on mainly modded android boxes over at whirlpool) Just saying. I beleive he's a Kodi developer.

    • Although its a bit frustrating that the Mi Box cant install some standard apps like the catch up channels etc. Im sure they have a solution over at the Mi Box community you are referring to? Do you have a recommendation?

      • Download apk from trusted source and side load them. Install "TV App Repo" for leanback menu shortcuts.

    • The Mi Box cant do auto frame rate switching so when playing 1080p MKV's in KODI or SPMC the box is useless and all video's judder. This box can play them perfectly.

    • +1

      I've posted this already, but… this box does NOT have working wifi or bluetooth under LibreElec. Obviously, not a great problem if you have access to your wired network from your planned location. Otherwise you need a wifi dongle.

      • +1

        No bluetooth at all.

        • Yes, a $2 option from ebay, and uses up a USB port

      • Thanks, lucky I saw this. Running a Cooleme MB1 (same as a Mini M8S II) on LibreElec at the moment, runs great and wanted to get another to replace a Revo Windows player since Kodi likes to crash on it so often.

        I like to use bluetooth to control it via the Harmony Hub so would be an issue for me unless I went back to IR. Maybe a small price to pay given the price of this box (though the MB1 was about the same, but for 2G/8G)

  • Got one thanks OP. Been looking at a box for a while.

  • Thanks, got one. I currently have a S905 one from a previous deal and it runs LibreElec fine, but it's always good to upgrade and have spares if these things decide to die on you :)

  • Just snatched one, thanks OP

  • Sorry all, noob questions.

    Does this have the play store installed and hence can install You Tube and similar apps to run of wifi?

    Have been looking to get KODI, having read the comments it looks like this may be a solution if I can organise the USB solution. Be easy if I could just buy it pre-loaded?

    Thanks :-)

    • +1

      If you just want Kodi then Rpi3 is a cleaner solution. You can download an image for OpenElec Kodi, write it straight to microSD then insert and go.

      Only difference is it doesn't play H265 well.

      • +1

        Having used both, I prefer an Android box running LibreElec.

        Much cleaner in the end. It usually works out cheaper, comes with a remote and is just as easy to set up LibreElec on an SD card, as well as having hardware h265 support like you mentioned.

  • Would this good to run IPTV on stb emulator or kodi

  • Thanks Ordered another one.

  • As there is 1GB/8gb version is also the same price, just make sure you are buying 2GB version. :)

  • Ordered. Not sure why though. Must be the ozb spirit.

  • Mine still has not shipped, says back order on account page but in stock on the product page. Anyone else getting the same?

    • Same here. I contacted them and asked why it's on backorder if it's currently showing "In stock, usually dispatched in 1 business day" on the product page. They replied:


      For your order XXXXXX, it is out of stock now. Here is the details.

      Out of stock item: [SKU691167]MECOOL M8S PRO PLUS Amlogic S905X Quad Core 2GB DDR3 RAM 16GB ROM Android 7.1 2.4G WiFi 100M LAN 4Kx2K 60fps HDR10 H.265 HEVC VP9 Android TV Box[ Adaptor;AU]

      Expected restock time: around 2017-9-28

      Would you mind waiting for it patiently?
      Best regards,
      Richard


      Doesn't exactly answer the question, and the wait for restock is a bit ridiculous.

      • When did you guys ordered? Ordered mine 3 days ago sept 9, 2017. Says shipped the next day sept 10, 2017 in an email. They even sent me the tracking number.

        • Looks like you were lucky xoom. I ordered mine on the 8th, so 1 day before you and I have to wait 2 weeks for backorder. Yeah, that makes heaps of sense… What a load of bollocks.

        • @6amcrisis: i dont have an account with banggood. Just checked out with paypal. So you guys never got an email saying item shipped with tracking number?

        • @xoom:

          I have an account, and paid with paypal. No email was sent. I had to check the order status myself and saw it was backorder.

        • @6amcrisis: not sure if it makes a difference but i did order mine with US power plug. Pressies for the relos when i go overseas.

        • @xoom:
          Yep, looks like that is the reason, xoom. If you check the product page and select different adapter options (US AU etc) the stock availability date above changes. Au says available 26th, US is in stock. So easy to overlook that as you work down the page. I guess everyone on OZ ordering an AU plug will be in the same boat.

    • I ordered one on the 8th, just checked and says it's on backorder as well. Banggood have done this before and I had to wait months for stock, ended up threatening to cancel order and they magically produced one and sent it.

      Mind you it still says it's in stock on the Banggood page. I'll cancel my order, not waiting a month for another "please wait for stock"

  • Ordered 8th on doorstep this morning quickest anything's been delivered from Banggood

  • Cancelled my order

    • If I can find a similarly specced/priced unit elsewhere I might do the same.

  • Got mine today. What is the best way to get iView and SBSonDemand for this device? Thanks

    • Answering my own comment: straight out the box, install google play store, the iView and other tv apps.

  • Ordered on sept 9. Shipped on the 10th. Just got it sept 25.

    Shipping…. not bad
    Added oz plug adapter. Nice touch though i didn't ask nor really need it as these US plug boxes are going overseas.

    The box itself. Interface was ok. Remote was meh. Does the job but clunky. Just like the interface.

    no batteries for the remote in the box but whatever.

    Didn't install any apps on it. Leaving the relos to do that.

    Tested a usb stick with media on it. Played fine.

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