Xiaomi Mi Box / Mi Box S [Android TV OS]

[Sumen]

Product Link - https://www.mi.com/global/mi-box-s/

Information

Specs:



Where to Buy:

Local -

• Mia Africa SA( official distributor) (Mi Box S) - https://mia.africa.com/za/mi-tv-box-s
  
  
• Incredible Connection - https://www.incredible.co.za/xiaomi-mi-tv-box
  
  
• CyberRange - http://www.cyberrange.co.za/electronics-gadgets/gadgets-fun/xiaomi-mi-products/xiaomi-mi-box-4k-android-6-0-media-player.html
  
  
• Mi Phone - https://miphones.co.za/collections/gadgets/products/mi-tv-box-3
  
  
• ZEEK (Mi Box S) - https://www.zeekonline.co.za/products/xiaomi-mi-box-s-2018-4k-hdr-android-tv
  
  
• Cellucity Online - https://cellucity.co.za/online-shop/xiaomi/xiaomi-mi-box-media-player/
  
  
• TVme - https://www.tvme.co.za/product/mi-4k-android-tv-box-2gb8gb/
  
  
• Loot (Mi Box S) - https://www.loot.co.za/product/xiaomi-mi-box-s-4k-tv-smart-box-black/kdyb-5940-g320
• 
  
• Geewiz (Mi Box S) - https://www.geewiz.co.za/media-players/87902-xiaomi-mi-s-4k-android-media-streaming-tv-box-mi-tv-box-4.html

International -

• Geekbuying (Mi Box S) - https://www.geekbuying.com/item/XIAOMI-Mi-Box-S-International-Version-402412.html
  
  
• Gearbest (Mi Box S) - https://www.gearbest.com/tv-box/pp_009861850176.html?wid=1349303

 

[Sumen]

- It has no ethernet, so an adapter will have to be purchased if you are not able to use WiFi.

Some working adapters:
- https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Ethernet-1000Mbps-Nintendo-Chromebook/dp/B00LLUEJFU/ref=redir_mobile_desktop/141-7999412-7273962?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=ya_st_dp_summary

- https://www.takealot.com/orico-3-port-usb3-0-hub-with-gigabit-ethernet-adapter/PLID49520645

- https://www.loot.co.za/product/orico-usb-2-0-fast-ethernet-adapter-black/xcxx-5253-g030
​

- Batteries are not included with the remote (Only Mi Box)

- DSTV Now app works (Both versions of the box)

- Some people have WiFi issues (Only Mi Box)

- Android TV 8 (Oreo) is available (Only Mi Box , Mi Box S has 8.1 Pre-installed)

- The Oreo update is causing issues on some boxes while some boxes have no issues (Only Mi Box)

- An update has been released that fixes the NTFS issue and HDPC 2.2 issue, more updates are incoming to fix other known issues (Only Mi Box)

- It's advisable to reset the box after a major update takes place (Only Mi Box)

- If you encounter some stuttering it's advisable to turn on CEC settings (Only Mi Box)

- Mi Box S doesn't have an IR receiver

 

[P00HB33R]

Thanks for this. Any idea if DSTV Now App works on this unit?

 

[Saber_rider45]

Thanks for this. Any idea if DSTV Now App works on this unit?

Yes DSTV now works on this can download from the app store.

 

[Sumen]

Thanks for this. Any idea if DSTV Now App works on this unit?

Yep, DSTV Launched the Android TV version last year so it should appear in the playstore.

 

[PDF_27]

Awesome thread. Thanks Sumen

 

[Sumen]

Also available from Cellucity's Online Store.

 

[Deanoblado]

I have a weird issue with mine, I play a lot of movies of my HDD plugged in directly, whenever the movie reaches 1h:33, audio dropouts occur and the video "judders" badly, i have to stop the movie and continue again. This happens every time at that exact moment.

Curious to know if anyone else have this issue?

 

[Sumen]

The YouTube app on the Android TV OS got a redesign and added back the option to change video quality, which was removed for some reason in the previous version.

In case you haven't heard about Android TV, it's essentially a version of Android made for smart TVs and multimedia devices, such as the Razer Forge and the Xiaomi Mi Box. Android TV is successor to Google TV, which was launched back in 2010.

Now, let's talk about the update. Although it doesn't bring much to the table, the things it does add are well desired by the Android TV community. First thing you'll notice is the app got a visual redesign. Some of the tabs where also moved around and the search bar got refreshed as well. Also, the theme color of the app has been changed to gray, previously red, and it strictly reminds of the dark theme found in the PC version of YouTube. Another thing added is the option to manually choose video quality, which was previously set to the highest available, depending on your network and TV.

Source: https://www.phonearena.com/news/YouTube-Android-TV-redesign_id102709

 

[mcclod]

Does the Netflix app on the mi box support 1080 resolutions and up, as well as 5.1 sound?

 

[RedhotNeo]

Does the Netflix app on the mi box support 1080 resolutions and up, as well as 5.1 sound?

Netflix has 1080p support as the mibox is google certified with widevine level 1 support.. not too sure on audio but this will be pushed via HDMI. so it will depend on how your audio system is setup

 

[AdamW]

Netflix 5.1 support

Netflix 5.1 works via HDMI if your receiving device supports DD+
Netflix 5.1 does not work via the optical out
I successfully used a cheap HDMI Switch which strips the audio from HDMI and put that out optically to obtain Netflix 5.1 via optical

Note there is an built-in infra-red receiver so you can configure a universal remote ( I use an old Logitech) with the Mi Box 3 profile and this works fine

 

[jones123]

BTW there is and OPTICAL out at the back , however its a MINI toslink connection, i havent found one locally , you do get mini to maxi toslink cables just havent found one locally.

i got mine from us at walmart and they stocked the cables too. buddy brought both while coming on holiday.
dd and dts pass through works perfectly.

 

[AdamW]

You can buy a toslink adapter locally, about R30. I could never get Netflix DD or DTS to work via the optical out. Pass through via HDMI works fine but my AV receiver supports all the latest formats, including DD+.

KODI 5.1 HDMI pass through and optical via the Toslink optical port work fine.

Not all USB to LAN adapters work but I hear this is being addressed by Xiaomi. For me wireless is working perfectly for all Netflix, local streaming from NAS, YouTube, etc.

NordVPN in conjunction with Netflix works nicely too 90% of the time, but you need to install a screen rotator as it is an Android Ap. Occasionally you have to restart the Aps in the correct order or reboot.

 

[jones123]

You can buy a toslink adapter locally, about R30. I could never get Netflix DD or DTS to work via the optical out. Pass through via HDMI works fine but my AV receiver supports all the latest formats, including DD+.

KODI 5.1 HDMI pass through and optical via the Toslink optical port work fine.

Not all USB to LAN adapters work but I hear this is being addressed by Xiaomi. For me wireless is working perfectly for all Netflix, local streaming from NAS, YouTube, etc.

NordVPN in conjunction with Netflix works nicely too 90% of the time, but you need to install a screen rotator as it is an Android Ap. Occasionally you have to restart the Aps in the correct order or reboot.

where to get adapter please ?
kodi 5.1 dd dts i can confirm passthrough ( but you lose ability to control volume via mi remote buttons )

have never used netflix so no experience there

 

[touch_stone]

I've got a 1tb NTFS formatted 2.5 drive and the box won't pick it up :-(

Tried google play and eventually found an app - not free though to mount the drive.

Another app is required to read the mounted drive.

Such a schlep, anybody have an easier workaround?

BTW: don't really want to reformat the HD as it means copying about 700 gb of data back and forth

 

[AdamW]

HDCABLING.CO.ZA
CABLEKIOSK.CO.ZA

Google toslink to 3.5mm

 

[Acid0]

Who has purchased from cyberrange?
Do they have quality items?

 

[MDE]

Hey,

Bought a usb to rj-45 adapter dongle (UGREEN - UG-USB-30305) and can confirm that it works with the Mi Box.

Link

 

[Sumen]

Link - https://mia.africa.com/za/mi-tv-box-eu