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

[elf_lord_ZC5]

Whats the benefit of this box over the Telkom LIT Android media box?

Mainly looking to use this to stream DSTV now, Plex and play local video off a USB hard drive.

Also considering Apple TV but that the downsides seem to be cost and difficulty in playing local content.

LIT box has benefit of having an extra USB port and a network cable port, the Mi-Box runs a bit faster.

Mi Box has Oreo update out and available, tho it is cause some problems and others not. Not sure when the LIT box will get Oreo, nor whether it will benefit from getting it later.

If you got good wi-fi and do not require a wired network connection, nor an extra USB port, then I have slight preference for the Mi- Box.

I have both and do not have issues with either.

 

[Jasop]

LIT box has benefit of having an extra USB port and a network cable port, the Mi-Box runs a bit faster.

Mi Box has Oreo update out and available, tho it is cause some problems and others not. Not sure when the LIT box will get Oreo, nor whether it will benefit from getting it later.

If you got good wi-fi and do not require a wired network connection, nor an extra USB port, then I have slight preference for the Mi- Box.

I have both and do not have issues with either.

Perfect, thanks a lot for the comparison. One USB port should be sufficient, and I don't plan on using a wired connection, so will consider the mi box then.

Out of curiosity, are there any other boxes you would consider besides those two?

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

Perfect, thanks a lot for the comparison. One USB port should be sufficient, and I don't plan on using a wired connection, so will consider the mi box then.

Out of curiosity, are there any other boxes you would consider besides those two?

Others I would consider, but don't have are the MyGica boxes with Android TV, or the Skyworthy box tho it might need more fiddling, and I stress the might. If I had the money - a nVidia Shield.

Apple TV box is good solid hardware, seriously let down by iTunes and Apple attitude.

Beelink also make a good box, tho some what more expensive.

 

[rawdog]

I have read that a lot of the video playback issues may be WiFi related. A few people said that using a USB Ethernet adapter solved those problem. I might give that a try. You could also try a different WiFi channel?

I bought the ugreen ethernet adapter from takealot. Need to get a ethernet cable and give it a try.

 

[greg_SA]

I bought the ugreen ethernet adapter from takealot. Need to get a ethernet cable and give it a try. View attachment 552275

Cool. I think that unit is usb type c. So you'll need an adapter to a normal usb 3.0 port to plug into the Mi Box.

 

[phly]

- Reposting this here as it pertains to the Mi Box 3 -

So I am the lucky owner of a Mi Box. Went for it as its google certified. I am also a newbie to the world of streaming and I only started getting my feet wet in the world of streaming a few weeks back - First on pc and now on Tv as well thanks to Xiaomi.

I have a number of question as I have been exploring. Does one need a vpn? Reason being NordVPN - which I read is quite good is having some special going on for $2.75 a month but its a 3yr deal. Secondly - is changing DNS possible and if so are there any "speed" benefits? Reason being I wanted to try using the 1.1.1.1 DNS I just discovered.

Thirdly - how do you guys deal with 3rd party apps installation especially kodi or are there any alternatives to kodi. I have only managed to get one repo working and the rest refuse to work somehow. I am setting up the box for my folks and they mostly care about soapies and live channels and I am trying to assist them cut the dstv chord.

Finally- how does one deal with ads - both in youtube and on mobdro - or does one just live with them? Ad blocker perhaps??

 

[Dan C]

Cool. I think that unit is usb type c. So you'll need an adapter to a normal usb 3.0 port to plug into the Mi Box.

https://www.takealot.com/ugreen-3-0...V6LvtCh2h4QomEAQYBCABEgJKDvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Flipside]

I can confirm the Orico usb 2.0 to ethernet adapter works 100%, R135 at loot.co.za with free shipping from the app (if you can get it to work)

 

[WaxLyrical]

I had at hand a Toshiba 1TB external HDD. I tried it on one of the USB ports on the adapter. No issues. Worked fine.

Good to hear.
Got the one from Matrix yesterday - doesn't work.

I miss the USBs and Ethernet on the MXQ Pro.

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

Good to hear.
Got the one from Matrix yesterday - doesn't work.

I miss the USBs and Ethernet on the MXQ Pro.

Possible to check the make/model/chipset, so we can have an idea of what to avoid, please.

 

[Sumen]

- Reposting this here as it pertains to the Mi Box 3 -

So I am the lucky owner of a Mi Box. Went for it as its google certified. I am also a newbie to the world of streaming and I only started getting my feet wet in the world of streaming a few weeks back - First on pc and now on Tv as well thanks to Xiaomi.

I have a number of question as I have been exploring. Does one need a vpn? Reason being NordVPN - which I read is quite good is having some special going on for $2.75 a month but its a 3yr deal. Secondly - is changing DNS possible and if so are there any "speed" benefits? Reason being I wanted to try using the 1.1.1.1 DNS I just discovered.

Thirdly - how do you guys deal with 3rd party apps installation especially kodi or are there any alternatives to kodi. I have only managed to get one repo working and the rest refuse to work somehow. I am setting up the box for my folks and they mostly care about soapies and live channels and I am trying to assist them cut the dstv chord.

Finally- how does one deal with ads - both in youtube and on mobdro - or does one just live with them? Ad blocker perhaps??

Hi

1. No need for VPN unless you want to watch content that's not available in SA

2. Kodi is available from playstore

3. You can download Aptoide TV for sideloading apps.

4. Alternatively you can download Cetus play on both mi box and your phone to send APK from phone to mi box.

5. Download blokkada for ads - you have to sideload.

6. Download sideload launcher as some sideloaded apps won't appear in the main apps section.

 

[phly]

Hi

1. No need for VPN unless you want to watch content that's not available in SA

2. Kodi is available from playstore

3. You can download Aptoide TV for sideloading apps.

4. Alternatively you can download Cetus play on both mi box and your phone to send APK from phone to mi box.

5. Download blokkada for ads - you have to sideload.

6. Download sideload launcher as some sideloaded apps won't appear in the main apps section.

Thanks for that straight to the point answers.
Guess I'll skip VPN for now - I did have my eye on US catalogue of netflix though
I have Kodi however its the installing of repos that does not seem to work. out of the 4 only 1 has worked. Could be the actual repo though as these die quite often it seems.
Will check out aptoide TV, Blokkada and Cetus - thanks

 

[WaxLyrical]

Possible to check the make/model/chipset, so we can have an idea of what to avoid, please.

Just avoid cheap no name Chinese brand for R229.
Going to get that Takealot one as it has Xtra USB ports.

 

[jman]

I can't access your attachment. Isn't there a way we can ask DSTV to fix the issue? I can't see that it is meant to be that way.

Try harass them on twitter. I have the same issue. They asked me for a whole bunch of info, like ip address, app version, etc which I haven't got around to yet

 

[aomar296]

Thanks for that straight to the point answers.
Guess I'll skip VPN for now - I did have my eye on US catalogue of netflix though
I have Kodi however its the installing of repos that does not seem to work. out of the 4 only 1 has worked. Could be the actual repo though as these die quite often it seems.
Will check out aptoide TV, Blokkada and Cetus - thanks

Very informative,

Any thoughts on the DNS question,

I was looking at this. Will it improve DSTV now usage?

 

[Scary_Turtle]

Thanks for that straight to the point answers.
Guess I'll skip VPN for now - I did have my eye on US catalogue of netflix though
I have Kodi however its the installing of repos that does not seem to work. out of the 4 only 1 has worked. Could be the actual repo though as these die quite often it seems.
Will check out aptoide TV, Blokkada and Cetus - thanks

Seriously don't bother with Kodi get this https://ln.sync.com/dl/05aff7010/ymz4r88d-2rb8nvau-agyn324e-7qppbrsv its add free Terrarium TV.

Basically how Kodi used to be with a better layout, then spend the money you were going to use for a VPN on Real-Debrid https://real-debrid.com/. This will give you way more good quality streams and costs about R160 every 3 months.

You don't have to use Real Debrid but it makes Terrarium better.

After this sign into Trakt.tv (its free) in the Terrarium TV settings which basically converts Terrarium into a netflix so you can login anywhere in the world and what you have watched is saved.

Quality of life Settings

- Make Mx player the default player.
- Filter out non english
- Default play action: change it to play.

 

[phly]

Seriously don't bother with Kodi get this https://ln.sync.com/dl/05aff7010/ymz4r88d-2rb8nvau-agyn324e-7qppbrsv its add free Terrarium TV.

Basically how Kodi used to be with a better layout, then spend the money you were going to use for a VPN on Real-Debrid https://real-debrid.com/. This will give you way more good quality streams and costs about R160 every 3 months.

You don't have to use Real Debrid but it makes Terrarium better.

After this sign into Trakt.tv (its free) in the Terrarium TV settings which basically converts Terrarium into a netflix so you can login anywhere in the world and what you have watched is saved.

Quality of life Settings

- Make Mx player the default player.
- Filter out non english
- Default play action: change it to play.

Awesome stuff - Will definitely do that - I have played with terrarium tv before however this was within kodi (when exodus and alike were dying out).

 

[micham03]

Awesome stuff - Will definitely do that - I have played with terrarium tv before however this was within kodi (when exodus and alike were dying out).

+1 TTV
+1 REAL DEBRID

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

Seriously don't bother with Kodi get this https://ln.sync.com/dl/05aff7010/ymz4r88d-2rb8nvau-agyn324e-7qppbrsv its add free Terrarium TV.

Basically how Kodi used to be with a better layout, then spend the money you were going to use for a VPN on Real-Debrid https://real-debrid.com/. This will give you way more good quality streams and costs about R160 every 3 months.

You don't have to use Real Debrid but it makes Terrarium better.

After this sign into Trakt.tv (its free) in the Terrarium TV settings which basically converts Terrarium into a netflix so you can login anywhere in the world and what you have watched is saved.

Quality of life Settings

- Make Mx player the default player.
- Filter out non english
- Default play action: change it to play.

Terranium TV is nice, but I get too many dead links, "Series" , and slow, which is where Real Debrid comes in, I guess. The dead links are also not for material that is ancient, like "Rich Man, Poor Man" but stuff that is 8-10 years old ...

Can Real Debrid, be used on a single device,only, or can I use it on the 3 streaming boxes, I have at home, 2x LIT Tv boxes, 1x Mi-Box?

 

[Scary_Turtle]

Terranium TV is nice, but I get too many dead links, "Series" , and slow, which is where Real Debrid comes in, I guess. The dead links are also not for material that is ancient, like "Rich Man, Poor Man" but stuff that is 8-10 years old ...

Can Real Debrid, be used on a single device,only, or can I use it on the 3 streaming boxes, I have at home, 2x LIT Tv boxes, 1x Mi-Box?

As far as I'm aware as long as it's on one IP address you can connect as many devices as you want. I have 2 pcs, a MI box and my phone and haven't had any issues.

With rd you get better streams way more 1080p 5.1 surround sound and I managed to watch about 10 series of survivor, rewatched dexter, weeds and house without too many issues