TV set-top box xiaomi mi box review. Review of Xiaomi Mi Box S - TV set-top box and media player. DRM, Google Cast and legal VOD services

Hello, dear lovers of Chinese gadgets. In today's article we will talk about interesting media players, which are called TV Box or TV set-top box, or TV box. Whichever is more convenient for you. True, we will talk, so to speak, about flagship models from a very well-known company. Meet the TV set-top box Xiaomi M i TV B ox 3 (international version).

Considering how quickly this manufacturer releases new products to the market, it is not surprising that there are now several Mi TV Box 3 on sale with various set-top boxes: 3rd, Enhanced Edition, 3S and 3C. In general, they are quite similar, but there are also differences. Chinese companies like to release a dozen models with similar characteristics. Let's see what happened this time.

TV set-top box Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3 4K – review of characteristics

So, according to tradition, let’s first go over the main characteristics.

1. Android: 3rd (4.4); Enhanced Edition (5.1); 3S (6.0); 3C (5.1)
2. HD support: 4K UHD
3. Formats: MKV, AVI, WMV, MOV (all models); Enhanced Edition + MP4; 3S and 3C + RM, RMVB
4. Codecs: H .264, VC 1 (H .265 for all except 3rd)
5. Audio: MP3, WMA, FLAC, APE, DTS
6. HDMI: 2.0 (rd – 1.4)
7. Interfaces : Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth, USB 2.0 Type A
8. Outputs: stereo audio, composite video (Enhanced Edition does not have them)
9. RAM: 1 GB (3S); 2 GB – rest
10. ROM: 4 GB (3rd and 3 C); 8 GB (Enhanced Edition and 3S)
11. 3rd chip: Amlogic AML8726-M3
12. Chip u Enhanced Edition: MediaTek MT8693
13. 3S chip: Amlogic S905X
14. 3C chip: Amlogic S905

Contents of delivery

Package

Set

Of course, the prefix has become widespread in China. It is also sold in Russia, but users prefer to buy in online stores, where they can save a lot. Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3 TV set-top boxes are supplied in boxes typical for the manufacturer with branded logos. The delivery set is approximately the same for each model:

• power unit;
• HDMI cable;
• instructions;
• IR remote control; (3S Bluetooth remote control);

Appearance of TV set-top box Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3 4K (international version)

This is where it gets more interesting. All solutions, in addition to the Enhanced Edition, are presented in a stylish, streamlined case. The design is truly original and makes the Xiaomi Mi TV Box stand out from its competitors. The body is made of plastic, the color scheme is, however, one: black. Connection interfaces are located on the rear side. The Xiaomi logo is on the top. Everything looks beautiful, but is not very practical - plastic quickly collects dust.

But the media player Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3 Enhanced Edition is made in a more classic style. It is presented in a familiar box with smooth edges. Interestingly, the model is sold only in white, including the remote control. Like its brothers, the Mi TV Box 3 Enhanced Edition has all interfaces located on the back. There is a company logo on the top, and a lonely LED is located in front.

If we compare the TV Box Mi TV Box 3 in terms of design with other Chinese set-top boxes, the former have a highlight in the form of smooth edges that look very elegant. In terms of the quality of materials, it is unlikely that Xiaomi devices will seriously surpass competitors in the same segment.

A few words about remote controls

In terms of design, each set-top box from the Mi TV Box 3 line has the same remote control. It looks quite stylish and nice. It is noticeable that the manufacturer was inspired by Apple technology. All versions of media players have it in black; only the Enhanced Edition, which has a white remote control, stands out.

It looks great, but gets dirty quickly, which is not surprising. The remote control not only looks good, but it is also a pleasure to use. There are a minimum of buttons here: power, volume, home, back, menu and a five-way navigation button.

It is worth noting that all Mi TV Box 3 remotes, except 3S, work via infrared. That is, the user needs to direct it exactly to the set-top box. Mi TV Box 3S received a Bluetooth remote control that works via a wireless interface.

You no longer need to point it precisely at the TV box; you can even hide the device behind the TV - everything will work. Among other things, it supports voice commands. They recognize the voice clearly, there were practically no false alarms. A very convenient feature.

Interfaces

As already mentioned, all Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3 are equipped with a set of necessary connectors located on the back side. First of all, we are greeted by the port for connecting the power supply. The second indispensable connector can be called HDMI. By the way, the cable for working with it is included.

Only the Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3rd media player model received HDMI 1.4 version, the rest have “fresher” versions – 2.0. Next we have USB ports. All set-top boxes in the Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3 line, in addition to the Enhanced Edition, have one connector version 2.0. Enhanced Edition has 2 ports. They work flawlessly, quickly and stably. However, Enhanced does not have an audio output, which the rest of the Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3 can boast of.

What modern gadget can do without wireless interfaces? All Mi TV Box 3 set-top boxes received Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Interfaces allow you to connect various peripherals, via Wi-Fi it is possible to access the Network and so on.

Operating system and hardware

In the review of Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3 TV boxes, one cannot fail to mention the most important characteristic - the operating system. Here, of course, a “green robot” is used, which opens up a lot of possibilities. The description of the characteristics already indicates the Android versions for each of the models.

A special shell from Xiaomi is used, which makes the OS more convenient for smart TVs. A serious drawback is the translation into Russian - Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3, following the example of other manufacturer’s equipment, is supplied in Chinese. You'll have to tinker a little to get to English and Russian, fortunately the Internet is full of instructions. And the interface, in principle, is intuitive.

With the “filling” everything is even more interesting. Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3rd runs on Amlogic AML8726-M3 and is assisted by 2GB of RAM. 4 GB is available to the user. Mi TV Box Enhanced Edition received MediaTek MT8693, which is complemented by 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of permanent memory.

3S turned out to be one of the most powerful in the line thanks to Amlogic S905X and 2 GB of RAM. There is also 8 GB for storing media files. 3C, one might say, is a lightweight version, on board which is the S905, coupled with 1 GB of RAM and 4 GB of permanent memory.

A smooth interface is ensured on each of the consoles. If you are going to seriously load your TV Box with resource-intensive programs and games, then you should choose a model with 2 GB of RAM. Permanent memory is not so important, since there are USB ports for external media.

In progress

Each of the media players in the Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3 line has shown its best in practice, as evidenced by user reviews. The only significant drawback is the official Chinese language, which has to be changed manually.

All Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3 consoles support 4K video. There are no problems with launching popular formats. The quality is at a decent level. The operating system and the presence of Wi-Fi allow you to watch movies and TV series online in high definition, play games, communicate on social networks and much more.

Comparison with other Chinese models

Smart TV set-top boxes are all the rage these days, so it’s not surprising that the market is flooded with a bunch of models with a variety of characteristics. The Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3 TV set-top box has a rather original design, but this set-top box cannot boast of unique hardware or capabilities. It is enough to go to AliExpress to understand how many analogues there are. And cheaper.

Today, a TV set-top box on Android looks interesting. Quite nice, not inferior in performance, and most importantly, it has 16 GB of internal memory. Not bad, right? It is not inferior to the Xiaomi Mi TV TV boxes in terms of the set of interfaces, and the OS here is up-to-date, and there is support for the Russian language out of the box.

The remote control is, of course, purely Chinese. It is inferior in convenience and looks worse in appearance than what comes with the Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3. Perhaps the main thing in which the NEXBOX S905X is superior to its competitor from the Middle Kingdom is cost. Its price is approximately 2000 rubles (versus 4300 rubles).

Another example would be a prefix with a simple name. A complete copy of the one presented above at an attractive price. After going through the catalog, you can pick up a dozen more copies of Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3.

In defense of media players from Xiaomi, one can put forward the fact that they have repeatedly become pioneers, receiving new processors or an unusual set of functions. A serious difference from the same-faced Chinese TV set-top boxes is the elegant design, which brings Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3 closer to branded solutions from Apple.

Here we will add optimized operation, high-quality materials, and a convenient remote control that is a pleasure to use. While most competitors of Mi TV Box 3 have the same remote controls, which still have a long way to go on functionality and ergonomics.

The Xiaomi set-top box becomes part of the interior of the room, which you don’t want to hide away behind the TV. The same cannot be said about many Chinese TV set-top boxes, which took a lot from Xiaomi.

Xiaomi Mi Box S (MDZ-22-AB) is the direct successor to the Xiaomi Mi Box (MDZ-16-AB). There have been no significant hardware changes. Both the box itself and the remote control were changed to reduce costs. But in the software part, the box received the Android TV 8.1 system. In general, despite the obvious disadvantages, which you will learn about in the review, Xiaomi Mi Box S is still a unique (not to be confused with the words “good” or “bad”) device on the market without obvious competitors in its price niche - a box with Android TV Certified and Netflix Certified.

Xiaomi Mi Box S (MDZ-22-AB) provided by the store for review GearBest 79,99$ . The price is quite high, but for different promotions it can reach $55.

Specifications

Equipment and appearance

The box comes in a bright cardboard box.

Inside: set-top box, remote control, HDMI cable, power supply, quick guide in several languages.

Branded power supply (AY11BA). Plug type A (American/Chinese). Voltage 5.2 V, maximum current up to 2.1 A. Cable length approximately 110 cm. DC connector 4 x 1.7 mm.

The remote control is neat. Works via Bluetooth. Powered by two AAA batteries, they are included.

The materials are not the same as the Xiaomi Mi Box remote control - in the hand it feels like a cheaper product. The D-pad rattles, i.e. Doesn't sit tight. The D-pad has a worse tactile feel (due to its flat shape) than the previous version.

The microphone hole is at the end.

The box itself is very compact. The body is made of matte plastic. Weight about 150 grams. Size 95x95x17 mm.

On the front there is a barely noticeable white LED indicator. It lights up when the device is working.

There is nothing on the sides. Rear: analog audio output combined with optical S/PDIF (Mini Toslink/Miniplug), HDMI, USB A 2.0, power connector (DC 4 x 1.7 mm).

There are only plastic feet on the bottom cover.

Disassembly of the device and cooling system

The bottom cover fits very tightly on the latches. Removable with any flat plastic tool.

All key elements on the underside of the board are hidden under a metal shield. It is soldered to the board.

Unscrew the 4 screws and remove the board.

On the front side of the board, all key elements are also hidden under soldered metal shields. The location of the SoC through the thermal substrate is in contact with a large metal plate at the top of the case. The Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antenna is located on the board itself. The analog audio amplifier is based on the SGMicro SGM89000 controller. You can notice that the Xiaomi Mi Box S has lost the IR receiver, which was unofficially present in the Xiaomi Mi Box. In general, there is nothing to complain about - extreme minimalism (but sufficient) in circuit design.

The 15-minute stress test runs without throttling with constant maximum performance. Maximum temperature no more than 50 °C.

Software and overall stability

Xiaomi Mi Box S comes with Android TV 8.1 system. This is a standard Android TV system based on the Amlogic SDK with some modifications from Xiaomi.

For those who do not know how Android TV 8.1 differs from the regular version of Android 8.1, I will briefly list some differences:

• There is no navigation bar or status bar.
• The launcher (home screen) is firmly fixed - Google Home Launcher. It displays only those programs and games that are adapted for Android TV. Under certain conditions, Google allows the manufacturer to replace the launcher.
• Global voice search in installed programs / Google Assistant.
• A number of unique features, such as special channels (formerly recommendations), special alerts, picture-in-picture on the home screen, etc.
• The interface is adapted for TV screens and control from a remote control (D-Pad and voice) or gamepad.
• Google programs and services are also adapted for TV screens and remote control.
• Google Play Store for Android TV contains only those applications and games that are adapted for Android TV (interface and control from the remote control/gamepad).
• There is support for Google Cast (on certified boxes).

You can install any programs. But remember that Google Play Store for Android TV only contains apps and games that are adapted for Android TV. You can safely install all other programs via apk, Aptoide TV (illegal software), etc. For programs that are not adapted for Android TV, you may need a mouse. Here you also need to take into account that some programs that require a mouse may not work correctly on the Xiaomi Mi Box S. These are bugs of the Xiaomi Mi Box S system. For example, the appearance of a phantom cursor, incorrect processing of a left mouse button click, etc.

The ideology of Android TV is based on simplicity. But if you start to fight it (“I need it like a smartphone, and I want to control everything with a mouse”), then negative impressions await you. If you accept its ideology, and all your current programs are adapted for Android TV, then you will simply enjoy the operation of the system.

It is also important to understand that Android TV is currently the only official box system from Google. Certification of the regular Android system for boxes has been discontinued for more than two years. In the near future, you will no longer see boxes from A-brands or from operators with a regular Android system.

Xiaomi has reworked and combined Settings (in the Amlogic SDK, the settings are divided into two programs). Localization into Russian has not been completed completely. Elements of the general Android system have been translated (i.e. by Google itself) and some of the settings from Amlogic. What Amlogic added is mostly not translated. For example, screen settings, sound output, etc. in English.

The firmware version with all updates at the time of publication of the review is OPM1.171019.011.430. The firmware uses the 64-bit kernel version 4.9.61. But the Android layer itself is 32-bit.

Global Search/Google Assistant behavior is slightly different from Nvidia Shield TV, for example. Apparently, the difference is in the version of the Google program (it is responsible for search) that is installed on the box. Let me give you a particular example. In the Google Play Store, you click on the Global Search button and search for Kodi. On Nvidia Shield TV, results from the Google Play Store program are shown in priority (priority is given to the results of the active program), i.e. everything is correct according to logic. And in Xiaomi Mi Box S, priority is given to global results; only by pressing Down, you will see other results, including those in the Google Play Store. However, in some programs priority is still given to the results from the active program.

It is also worth noting that Google Assistant still does not fully work with the Russian language in Android TV. Those. just basic search and basic commands. Although it has been working fully on smartphones for almost a year.

There is no root support in the system and it cannot be added.

In general, the system works stably. There are no critical mass problems or bugs in the system. On the Internet you can find possible complaints about the operation of HDMI CEC, sleep mode, Wi-Fi, etc. But here it is worth considering that in terms of sales, the Xiaomi Mi Box S is comparable to the sales of all “Chinese” boxes combined for the same period of time. The more sales, the more possible complaints.

Remote, gamepads and HDMI CEC

The remote control can be called very good. The only criticism is the shape of the D-pad (flat). The central button is tactilely difficult to distinguish from the ring. The remote control works via Bluetooth. The microphone has excellent sensitivity, you don’t need to bring the remote control closer to your mouth, voice recognition works clearly. You don’t need to hold the Global Voice Search / Google Assistant call button for the microphone to work; you just need to press it once to call. The microphone is activated by software by the system if necessary.

There are complaints about the work of Global Voice Search. There is a lag in the audio level display when you make a request, which can be misleading. Those. you start talking, and the level image displays silence and begins to change only after some time.

The Netflix and Live Channels launch buttons are handled non-standardly in the system. Those. you won't be able to remap them to other programs, such as using Button Mapper or Key Remapper.

The button with nine dots opens a window of all installed programs on the system.

I note that the system does not have a menu of previously launched programs activated for convenient switching between programs, quick return to the previous program, and for forced closing of programs if necessary. Those. This menu is not called up by double or long pressing Home (although this option is provided in Android TV), which for some may add discomfort to use.

Pressing the Power button on the remote sends the box to sleep. A long press brings up a ridiculous power menu with one command (this menu was migrated from the Amlogic SDK, and Amlogic has plenty of sick designers and “miracle” managers).

The box can be brought out of sleep mode only with the power button of the standard remote control. If necessary, you can enable the Keep Screen On feature in the Developer Options. Partial sleep mode will work and the box can be woken up by any RF remote control.

Support for different HDMI CEC functions varies from one TV model to another. I have not yet met a single Android box that would have perfect support for HDMI CEC with all TVs, even with different TV models of the same brand. On Amlogic boxes, HDMI CEC support has never been good (mainly due to selective power functions and lack of volume control). HDMI CEC support is enabled in the settings.

HDMI CEC working with a Samsung test TV (just as an example, because your picture may be different):

• You send the box to sleep using the box's remote control, the TV turns off (goes into standby mode) - yes.
• Wake up the box using the box's remote control, the TV turns on - yes.
• You turn on the TV using the standard TV remote control, the box wakes up - yes.
• You turn off the TV using the standard TV remote control, the box goes to sleep - yes.
• You can control the box with a TV remote - yes.

I tested two gamepads with the box - GameSir and Xiaomi. GameSir G3s could not be connected to the box (this is the first case when a specific gamepad does not pass pairing) - I’m just stating a fact, I didn’t understand the problem in detail. Everything worked fine with the Xiaomi gamepad.

Performance

The set-top box uses the outdated Amlogic S905X SoC - 4 ARM Cortex-A53 cores up to 1.5 GHz and a Mali-450 MP GPU. This is a budget SoC. In general, the system works acceptable if you do not load it with several simultaneous tasks. For example, if the system updates software through the Google Play Store, then it is better to refrain from using the box, because the work becomes uncomfortable. The S912 or S905X2 are rockets compared to the S905X. This SoC is not intended for 3D games at all due to the weak GPU. You need to understand that the main thing in Android boxes is media functionality, i.e. VPU and implementation of its capabilities in software. But the processor and GPU must have enough power to make working with the device comfortable. The S905X provides a comfortable level, but on the edge.

The interface is displayed with a maximum resolution of 1920x1080. Even if you select 3840x2160 resolution on the system, the interface and all programs will continue to run at 1920x1080 resolution and scaled to 3840x2160. As with many boxes, only SurfaceView objects can output true 4K resolution (which is what media players and some games use). In fact, it doesn’t matter at what resolution you run test programs and games - at 1920x1080 and 3840x2160 the result will be identical.

For convenience and clarity, I will compare performance with boxes on Amlogic S905X2.

Most 2D games performed acceptably.

Streaming games via Nvidia GameStream (Moonlight), 1080p60 stream, 30 Mbit/s - decoder output delay up to 40 ms for H.265. In this case, a violation of uniformity is visually visible once per second. In principle, you can play many games (here it is important to note that the Keenetic Ultra router was used, you will learn more in the network interface test).

Internal and external storage

In the latest Xiaomi Mi Box S system, about 4 GB of internal memory is available to the user. It’s not enough, but if you don’t install games, it’s enough for most tasks. Moreover, if necessary, you can use a USB storage device (for example, a flash drive) to expand the internal memory.

The linear and random write speed of the internal flash memory is low. Reading speed is good for boxes.

With support for file systems on external drives (as an external drive), everything is bad.

Network interfaces and network services

There is no Ethernet support in the box. If necessary, you can use USB adapters based on the Asix AX88179 controller (USB 3.0 > Gigabit Ethernet) and get a speed of about 250 Mbit/s. The most popular and proven adapters are from Ugreen.

The Broadcom controller is responsible for the wireless network (I won’t name the exact model, because the controller is hidden under a metal screen) with support for Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, MIMO 1x1.

The tests were carried out using iperf 3. The iperf server was launched on a computer connected to a local network via Gigabit Ethernet. The R key is selected - the server transmits, the device receives.

The box was located 5 meters from the router through one reinforced concrete wall - this is the place in which I test all Android boxes and mini-PCs. The line connecting the box and the router passes through the wall at an angle of 45 degrees. So that you understand, I have no goal of finding out the maximum Wi-Fi speed of a particular box 1 meter from the router without obstacles (it doesn’t matter to me whether it squeezes out 200 or 300 Mbit/s there). I simulate a typical case, and all boxes are tested under the same conditions. I test only with the 5 GHz band (if the box has such support).

This time the role of the router was Keenetic Ultra (KN-1810) and Xiaomi Mi Router 3G (Padavan).

During the entire testing period, there were no complaints about the operation of Wi-Fi. The work was stable, there were no disconnections or reconnections.

There are no network file services (server and client) in the system.

Supports direct audio output and audio decoders

The Xiaomi Mi Box S system contains decoders (decoding and mixing in stereo) Dolby Digital and DTS. Both MediaCodec and StageFright have them.

For direct audio output tests, an Onkyo receiver was used.

HDMI Direct Output in Kodi (17.6):

Support for video decoders, video playback, auto frame rate

Xiaomi Mi Box S has HDMI 2.0b output. Supports resolutions up to 3840x2160 at 60Hz, 10bit with HDR10. You can choose color coding in Settings. The interface is displayed with a maximum resolution of 1920x1080. Even if you select 3840x2160 resolution on the system, the interface and all programs will continue to run at 1920x1080 resolution and scaled to 3840x2160. As with many boxes, only SurfaceView objects can output true 4K resolution with HDR support, and they are used in many players.

The system has a non-switchable noise reduction for video(this is visible to the naked eye even without tests).

I didn't notice any problems with HDR10 output (in UHD Blu-ray). HDR to SDR conversion is supported in case you need to watch HDR content on an SDR TV. Amlogic's conversion is not ideal (and it cannot be ideal), but it is one of the best.

Deinterlacing system

Deinterlacing does not work in either StageFright or MediaCodec. Only one of the two fields is displayed. Those. At the output of the decoder for streams with interlaced video, you get half the frame rate and half the vertical resolution.

Playing video

Boxing handles almost any current content in Kodi (17.6) on NAS. Any UHD BDRemux played without problems (when connected via Keenetic Ultra). 2160p60 files and streams encoded by H.265 Main10 also play without problems. 2160p60 streams encoded with H.264 (for example, from some action cameras) play poorly because The H.264 decoder in the S905X does not support such parameters (only 2160p30 or 1080p60 H.264).

Autoframerate

About autoframe

For those who don't know, let's briefly talk about autoframe... Autoframe is the automatic setting of the screen frequency (and in some cases, resolution) in accordance with the frame rate of the video being played (and in some cases, resolution). Autoframe ensures uniformity, which is part of smoothness.

Let's take a movie on Blu-ray or UHD Blu-ray disc as an example. Most of this content is 23.976 fps (frames per second) content. For simplicity, we will assume it is 24 fps.

Your device (box) outputs data in 3840x2160 mode at 60 Hz (as you set in the system settings). How to output a movie 24 fps at 60 Hz, i.e. turn 24fps into 60fps? The most trivial method and the same one used on the vast majority of media players is the 3:2 pull down conversion. Here is its meaning in the picture:

Two frames are made from the first frame, three from the second, two from the third, three from the fourth, etc. Thus, you got a conversion of 24 frames > 60 frames. But this conversion has a negative effect, which is called the judder effect (use Google search to understand the scale of this problem, and what actions are being taken to solve it, which famous companies are involved in this) - unevenness. Those. in reality, some frames take longer to display than others. Imagine a ball flying (24 frames). The first frame is displayed 1/30 sec, the second 1/20 sec, the third 1/30 sec, the fourth 1/20 sec, etc. Uneven flight, “twitching” ball. No problem if there is no dynamics in the video. But as soon as the dynamics begin (it doesn’t matter vertically or horizontally), then all this manifests itself.

But as soon as the scanning frequency is 24 Hz, then everything will fall into place. There will be no transformations, because... there is no need to adjust a sequence of 24 fps to 24 Hz. Each frame will be displayed for an equal amount of time - 1/24 sec. The uniformity will be perfect. The ball will fly evenly. This is precisely why autoframe rate (a generalized concept) exists. When a video stream starts, the player program (if it is a modern autoframe rate) or the system (if it is a system autoframe rate) sets the screen frequency so that it matches the frame rate in the stream or is a multiple of it.

Let me also remind you about the types of autoframe rates...

An autoframe rate implemented in a specific program specifically for a specific box (i.e. using some proprietary functions or commands of the system of a specific box). This is old school and the worst option for implementing autoframerate on a box.

System auto frame rate. Can be implemented either through separate StageFright and MediaCodec libraries with output to SurfaceView, or for two at once. In essence, this is a universal crutch. The programs don’t even know what autoframe rate is or that the output mode changes. Because This is a universal solution, but this type of autoframe may cause problems in some cases. For example, in some programs intermediate switching may occur when rewinding, in IPTV managers unnecessary switching may occur when switching channels, etc.

The so-called modern autoframe rate is an API that Google introduced back in the Android 6 system. An API similar in functionality is found in the system from Amazon, and in the tvOS system from Apple. But only a few box manufacturers have implemented this API in the system. Its essence is that the program can change the resolution and frequency of the display at its discretion. These changes affect only the program itself, and not the system as a whole. This is the most correct and ideal implementation of autoframe rate in programs, because everything is under their control, and not a system that cannot take into account special cases. This is why it is sometimes called modern autoframe for simplicity. The most popular programs that support modern autoframe rates: Kodi, ViMu, Perfect Player, Plex, Archos, Amazon Video, etc. And there will only be more such programs.

Xiaomi Mi Box S does not support any kind of auto frame rate. Xiaomi recently released a test update for Mi Box with support for the so-called modern autoframe rate. So there is every chance that Xiaomi Mi Box S will still receive an autoframe rate in the future.

MVC MKV and BD3D ISO in Kodi only play in 2D.

DRM, Google Cast and legal VOD services

Xiaomi Mi Box has support for Widevine DRM Level 1 and HDCP 2.2, Microsoft PlayReady DRM and CENC. Those. many legal VOD services will work without problems.

There is an official Netflix certification, 4K with HDR10 is supported.

There is full support for Google Cast.

Illegal VOD services and playing videos from torrents directly

There were no problems with content from HD VideoBox (various sources) in ViMu.

To test torrent playback directly, I used TorrServe. If you don't take into account the general problems that can arise when playing through TorrServe, then almost all UHD BDRemux that I tried played well using Keenetic Ultra. And with Xiaomi Mi Router 3G, all the BDRemux and BDRips that I tried were played.

IPTV

IPTV from EDEM, OTTClub, Rostelecom (Wink), Beeline, etc. worked perfectly. There were no problems. Perfect Player with HW+ decoder switched channels in a split second.

With torrent TV services (streams with interlaced video of original quality), everything is bad, because... The systems lack deinterlacing in both StageFright and MediaCodec. Those. High-quality reproduction of such channels on Xiaomi Mi Box S is impossible - the frame rate is halved and the vertical resolution is halved. At the same time, there were frequent jams associated specifically with boxing, and not with the operation of torrent TV at a specific point in time.

YouTube

2160p60 videos played without problems. In videos with 5.1 audio (AAC), only stereo was output. HDR support is still not available in the official YouTube client for Android TV (Google is in no hurry to include it in its own product for some reason).

Conclusion

Is Xiaomi Mi Box S good? More "yes" than "no". For little money you get a working box out of the box, which does not need to be flashed, modified in hardware, etc. We took it out of the box, turned it on and went to install the necessary programs. It is suitable for consumers who are undemanding in terms of video and sound quality, who need simplicity and convenience, a fresh Android TV system, and use is limited to watching IPTV (with progressive video streams), legal and illegal VOD services, watching videos from a NAS, broadcasting videos and photos to TV, 2D games, etc. For movie fans who care about high-quality work with media content (auto-frame rate, direct audio output, UHD Blu-ray, etc.), this box is not suitable. For those who want to watch torrent TV (a free version of IPTV with excellent quality but low stability), this box is not suitable. For those who like to play games (3D, game streaming), this box is not suitable. For those who like to use a browser on TV (there are still such people), this box is not suitable.

Let me remind you that Xiaomi Mi Box S (MDZ-22-AB) can be purchased at GearBest. At the time of publication of the review, its price in the store was

Hello dear readers, today we will tell you how to set up a TV set-top box to watch IP television channels.

Important: The set-top box is equipped with a Bluetooth control panel, with which you can turn it on/off, select and switch channels, and control the volume. But one remote control is not enough to set up the set-top box, because... During setup, the mouse cursor is used, but this functionality is not available in the remote control. To solve this problem, we used a Bluetooth mouse CBR CM530 Bt, but any other mouse should work without any problems with Bluetooth support.

Is it possible to connect a keyboard? Yes, Xiaomi Mi Box Mini supports a Bluetooth keyboard, which makes using the set-top box even more convenient.

Note: The set-top box only works over a Wi-Fi network. To set up, we need a computer or smartphone connected to the same network as the set-top box.

So, let's start setting up:

Plug the set-top box into a power outlet, connect the set-top box and the TV using an HDMI cable, and set the appropriate mode on the TV (HDMI).

Remove the protective film from the console control panel in the battery compartment. Press the “Power” button on the remote control

After turning on the Mi Box Mini, you will see a greeting on the TV display and a prompt to press the center key of the remote control (OK) to pair with the set-top box. Click.

The search and pairing of the set-top box with the remote control will begin.

After detecting the remote control, the set-top box will prompt you to press the central button of the remote control (OK) again to configure the Wi-Fi network. Click.

You will see a list of available Wi-Fi networks, select your network and press on the remote control the center key (OK)

When you try to connect to a Wi-Fi network, you will be prompted to enter a password

Using the Left, Right, Up, Down keys to move around the virtual keyboard enter the password for your network. In our case, the password is the contact phone number of our office. After entering the password, select the largest key on the bottom right on the virtual keyboard and press the center key (OK) on the remote control

The TV set-top box will establish a connection and receive automatic settings for your Wi-Fi network.

Congratulations! The connection has been successfully established, the system will prompt you to press the center key (OK) on the remote control. Click.

MITV Launcher will load

Download and extract to your computer or smartphone

By default, the system has Chinese language installed, and access to the language change menu is limited. The first thing we will do is install an application with which we will be able to change the system language to English, as well as install any applications with the extension .apk .

Let's move on to installing applications:

Return to the home screen of the set-top box and select menu item 3 from the large icons on the left (the menu name corresponds to the image below)

Being on the last tab, find the blue menu item “Remote Install” ( If this menu item is missing, you need to roll back the firmware to the version 1.3.72 )

Select this menu item using the “Left” and “Right” keys on the remote control, a window will open in which the set-top box will report its IP address and port for connection.

http://your_ip_address:6095/203 being on the same network as the set-top box. A window will open with a large button in the middle indicating readiness to download. .apk file.

shafaguanjia.apk .

The process of downloading and installing the application will begin. Shafaguanjia (aka Shafa Market)

After the download process is complete, return to the main menu of the set-top box by pressing the “Home” key on the remote control.

Use the "Left" and "Right" keys to move through the menu to the application Shafa Market and press the center key (OK) on the remote control

In the application that opens, go through the top tabs, moving to the first menu tab using the “Left” key on the remote control.

A menu will open in which you need to select the “Settings” menu item.

Select the menu item “Language & input” (square icon with the letter A) using the “Up”, “Down” keys on the remote control and press the center key (OK)

Select the very first menu item “Language” using the “Up”, “Down” keys on the remote control and press the center key (OK)

In the list that opens, select “English” using the “Up” and “Down” keys on the remote control and press the center key (OK)

Return to the previous menu item by pressing the “Return” button on the remote control

Press the “Return” button on the remote control again to go to the main settings menu. Next, select “Bluetooth” using the “Up”, “Down” keys and press the center key (OK)

Turn on the Bluetooth mouse and prepare for pairing via Bluetooth by activating the pairing mode on the mouse using a key combination (see the operating instructions for your mouse model), in our case with the CBR CM530 Bt mouse you need to press “Left Mouse Key” + “Right Mouse Key” simultaneously + “Mouse wheel key”

On the TV set-top box, select “Search for devices” using the “Left” and “Right” keys on the remote control and press the center key (OK).

The scanning of Bluetooth devices will begin, and if you did everything correctly and activated the pairing mode on the mouse, the set-top box will display a new device, your mouse, in the list of devices.

Select the found mouse using the Up and Down keys on the remote control and press the center key (OK)

Pairing will begin

If successful you will see

Pairing is complete, now by moving the mouse you will see a control cursor on the screen. The keyboard is connected using the same principle. The set-top box can support several Bluetooth connections simultaneously: remote control + mouse + keyboard

Return to main menu consoles by pressing the “Home” key on the remote control

If everything is done correctly, you will see the names of menu items in English, as well as a fully functioning bluetooth mouse.

All that remains is to install an application for viewing IP TV and a player with a set of codecs.

Select and launch the “Shafa Market” application

In the application that opens, go through the top tabs, moving to the last menu tab using the “Right” key on the remote control.

Select the menu item “Remote Install”

A window will open in which Mi Box Mini will report its IP address and port for connection.

From a computer or smartphone, enter in the browser http://your_ip_address:8899 being on the same network as the set-top box. A window will open, in the center of which there is a green button with the inscription APK, meaning readiness to download any .apk files.

Click on this button lazyiptv.apk, from the article provided at the beginning.

Select "Setting"

Select "Allow""Up", "Down" keys on the remote control and press the center key (OK)

In the menu that opens, select “Allow” and press the center key on the remote control (OK)

By performing these steps, we allowed the installation of applications from unknown sources.

Let's install the application again

Click on the green button "APK", in the window that opens, select the file from your computer or smartphone: lazyiptv.apk, from the article provided at the beginning.

The installation file will begin downloading from your computer to Mi Box Mini. Now, instead of a message about the blocked installation, we will see a proposal to install, select "Install"

Installation completed successfully

Choose "Done" and repeat the same with the file mxplayerpro.apk, from the article provided at the beginning.

MX Player necessary to play the video stream, let's install it.

Click on the green button "APK", in the window that opens, select the file from your computer or smartphone: mxplayerpro.apk, from the article provided at the beginning.

Select "Next" and press the center key on the remote control (OK)

Select "Install" and press the center key on the remote control (OK)

Installation completed successfully

Select "Done" and press the center key on the remote control (OK)

An application for viewing IP TV, a video player and all the necessary video codecs are installed. Using the same principle, you can install any other devices supported by the set-top box. .apk applications. For example: Google Chrome, Yandex Weather, Yandex Mail, Rutube player, IVI, Megafon TV, Flash Player, Android L Keyboard and much more.

We really hope that in new versions of TV launcher "Android TV Launcher" from Google, support for the Xiaomi Mi TV Box device will appear, which will make working with Mi Box Mini as comfortable as possible.

Now let’s proceed to the final setup, setting up the LazyIPTV application for viewing IP TV channels. Select and launch the application "LazyIPTV" by pressing the “OK” key on the remote control.

The LazyIPTV application supports Russian language, but the default language is English. Let's change the language to Russian.

Go to the main menu of the application (3 stripes in the upper left corner of the application) and press the center key on the remote control (OK)

Select "Preference" and press the center key on the remote control (OK)

Select "Language" and press the center key on the remote control (OK)

Select "Russian" and press the center key on the remote control (OK)

Congratulations! You have successfully installed the Russian language. Return to the main window of the LazyIPTV application with the key "Back" on the remote control.

Setting up IPTV channels

To add IP television channels, select the menu item "New playlist" and press the center key (OK)

In the window that opens, fill in the fields similar to the image below. It is impossible to enter text on the virtual keyboard using the remote control, so we used the Bluetooth mouse CBR CM530 Bt.

Playlist name: Online TV

Path to playlist file or url: http://iptv.lamp.ufa-it.ru/generate_m3u

Check the box: Refresh on opening

Select "Playlist Manager" and press the center key (OK)

The list of available channels will load, select channel Up, Down keys and press the center key (OK)

In our case, 251 channels are available for viewing.

Wait until the device loads the video stream (10-30 sec).

The setup is complete! Enjoy watching IP TV.

Buy Xiaomi Mi Box Mini you can in our online store.

Like other Xiaomi gadgets, TV set-top boxes are created with the latest technology. Their stylish appearance in the spirit of minimalism allows you to place the device in a prominent place. They will look advantageous in any interior and attract the views of everyone who enters your home. The console will not take up much space, because its dimensions are so minimal that it fits in the palm of your hand. The device works perfectly, without interruptions or other defects. The high-quality materials used in the production of this product will ensure its excellent performance for many years.

The smart TV set-top box broadcasts the image from the phone to the TV screen, which is simply ideal for gamers who value comfort while gaming and want to enjoy the game on the big screen. The Xiaomi TV set-top box will provide a reliable connection to the device, while guaranteeing high data transfer speeds and a constant signal. You can buy a TV set-top box in our store in Moscow at an affordable price.

The Xiaomi Mi Box Mini TV set-top box is a device familiar to most readers. Users remember its only drawback - the lack of Russian language. What are the positive aspects of the device and whether it is worth buying at all will be discussed below. The article provides an overview of the Xiaomi Mi Box Mini TV box and step-by-step instructions for changing the menu language.

Description of the console

Russian users bypass the Xiaomi Mi Box Mini console. The reason for this is the non-Russian menu. Today this problem can be easily solved, but not everyone knows about it.

Advantages of the model:

• High quality image
• High performance
• No system braking

The list of advantages goes on. Let's move on to a more detailed review.

What is included

The package includes the following elements:

• HDMI cable – for connecting to TV
• Remote control – to control the device
• Documentation - instructions and warranty
• Coin battery - for the remote control

Additional accessories (such as headphones) are not included. The set-top box is of a budget class, so the remaining elements are purchased by the user.

What does the device look like?

The entire structure is made in the form of a small white cube with smoothed corners measuring 46x38x38 mm and weighing 38 g. This is convenient when you need to take the console with you.

Read also:

Review of Beelink Sea I TV set-top box

The power supply along with the plug is built directly into the case. It does not fit standard sockets. Buy an adapter to charge your device. Note that there is no USB connector. Buy wireless accessories.

Technical characteristics of the TV set-top box

Model features:

• The average cost of the device is $35
• The body is made of white plastic
• The base is represented by the Android 4.4.2 operating system
• Powered by quad-core MediaTek MT8685A chip (1.3 GHz)
• RAM takes up 1 GB
• Data storage is limited to 4 GB
• Wireless modules include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Performance

The device operates on Android 4.4.2. This is an excellent operating system with a well-thought-out interface. Plus, there is a powerful quad-core MediaTek MT8685A chip.

The performance of the device is characterized by a high level:

• Instant response to remote control commands
• No system freezes or crashes
• Clear operation without image stuttering

Remote Control

The design of the remote control is simple:

• Joystick with central "OK" button
• Volume control "±"
• Return arrow to previous menu
• Home button, return to main menu

The remote control works with the set-top box via a Bluetooth wireless module. It is powered by the tablet included in the kit; there is no need to buy an additional battery.

How to connect Xiaomi Mi Box Mini to TV

To connect the device to your TV, follow these steps:

1. Connect the TV and set-top box with the cable provided;
2. Click on the “OK” button in the center of the remote control;
3. Create and enter a password in the appropriate window;
4. Confirm the IP address by clicking the button on the right;
5. Wait until you reach the main menu.