Mi Box - Wow!

by mdmogren

I'm new to Android TV, but have owned many other streaming devices - Apple TV, XBox One, PS3, Multiple Rokus, Chromecast, Samsung Smart TV, etc.

After briefly considering a Chromecast Ultra, I discovered and immediately picked up a Xiaomi Mi Box this morning at Walmart. I am completely floored. This thing is awesome. Faster, more reliable, easier to use than any of the other boxes listed above.

Summary:

  • System UI and app performance is far superior to anything else I've used (even Sling runs well, it's been garbage on every other platform I've tried)
  • The remote is fast and reliable and you don't have to aim it (I'm looking at you, XBox media remote)
  • Built-in casting seems to work well and faster than my 2nd gen Chromecast. I can't wait to use this Google Home.
  • Supports every service I use (sans Amazon Prime) and some great one's I've never heard of (like Pluto). I haven't tried installing the Amazon APK yet, but have seen reports here that some version of it is working.
  • I was worried about storage space, but after installing every app I wanted, it still has 3.1GB free - but even if that became a problem, USB drives are cheap.
  • The WiFi seems to work well - everything loads fast with no buffering, hiccups, etc.
  • This thing is dirt cheap - seemingly does everything the Chromecast Ultra does plus WAY more, AND it comes with a bunch of great coupons

Caveats:

  • Voice search seems a little buggy in the Play Store - I have to repeat myself before it picks up, but seems to work fine from the home screen.
  • The whole thing seemed very buggy and slow until I did a system update, but I got the update right away and it's working pretty great since then
  • I disabled the XiaomiLeanbackCustom app for a more "stock" experience
  • I'm testing this on a low end 1080p TV in a hotel while traveling, so can't say anything about 4K or Plex streaming
  • Sling TV seems to require a play/pause button to play/pause. This remote doesn't have one, I blame Sling.

Feel free to AMA. Will definitely be picking up a second one of these for the bedroom.

jclendineng

I love it! It performs and looks so much better than my roku. The only thing I'd like is a way to listen to the audio wirelessly like my roku for private listening.

maineguy1988

I wanted so much to like it but the Plex app is terrible and apparently this device does not support DTS passthru at all. And Vudu is only stereo, no surround sound. I'll be returning mine on Monday.

CTU

How well does it play videos you throw at it. I have at least 1 MKV file that my nexus player just can not play.

How good is support for connecting USB hard drive or flash drives and any trouble getting Kodi to see it without rooting it?

betam4x

Anyone else having issues getting VLC to recognize a network path? Keeps asking me to enter the password even though the password is correct.

jclendineng

I'm also not able to control surround 5.1 with the remote, it passes through to the receiver. Kinda sucks but I'm sure that's a software update.

erired

How is it compared to Nexus Player? Anyone?

1unacy

Sling TV seems to require a play/pause button to play/pause. This remote doesn't have one, I blame Sling.

This bothered me in Kodi at first, but then I tried my Nexus Player's remote and it works perfectly, except for the voice search thing. Maybe? I don't know. The first time I used it was to test it out for this comment. But the official remote worked exactly as great unreliably.

wisockijr

can you run games at 4K? 3840x2160? for example, can you see photos from GooglePhotos in 3840x2016 on a 4K TV?