Mi Box = Disappointing

by kd4das

I'm returning mine for a couple of reasons. Video playback is not smooth. There are dropped frames everywhere I look. WatchESPN and the Vudu app are particularly noticeable. If you watch the scroll on ESPN, there are stutters -- not as bad as I've seen, but not smooth. This is my primary test of a media device. Streaming quality should be indistinguishable from satellite/cable or even better quality given how much compression happens with satellite/cable.

The other problem is video quality. The picture is noticeably washed out compared to a 2nd-generation Fire TV, Apple TV 4 and the Nexus Player. Yes, the first two devices cost more, but the Nexus Player was less by the time I bought it. The Nexus Player is slightly slower in its interface, but video quality is miles above the Mi Box.

I'm skeptical they can fix these problems with firmware. The hardware just isn't as good as other devices. I'll stick with my Nexus Player. The Mi Box may be worth it if you absolutely have to have 4K, but based on reviews, it looks like there are issues there, too.

Panther90

You may want to hold off on returning for a week or so. See if they have further updates.

lstepnio

I'm happy with this after spending an hour jumping around. 1080p/60 display and using an Unifi AP Lite for connectivity. Kodi and Plex seem to be fine.

jclendineng

Same, I love love it. Looks so much better than my roku and is super fast and snappy, doesn't really get as hot as my roku and Android TV is amazing. I'll agree plex for Android TV sucks balls compared to the roku app but they will update I'm sure. It still works. I have issues with not being able to control surround volume with remote but that is Patch able in an update.

PolaresBears

Haven't had any of those issues and I've ran the box almost non stop for over 8 hours at a time. I did do an update so maybe that's your issue. If you're streaming, it may be your network.

8bitInventor

I initially had mine hooked up via wireless, 5ghz to an access point about 15 feet away... access point showed 150Mbs connection to the Mi Box.

Plex was terrible, and HBO Go was buffering / hanging.

I went ahead and connected via 1Gb Ethernet, Plex is working much better, no major issues on any of my content, slight frame skips here and there, but I can deal with it.

HBO Go on the other hand is still not working, I started a stream of Westworld, it played about 1 minute, buffered, played a bit more, then hung, finally showed an error "Can't Play Video"

I've got Verizon Fios 50/50 and never had this problem on my Nexus Player (wireless), Fire TV (wireless), Roku 3 (wireless and ethernet).

Somethings wrong with the Mi Box. Hopefully it's software related (yes I applied all of the updates).

Chjapa

The Nexus Player sucked out of the gate as well. Horrible Plex performance even wired. Now it runs perfect even over wifi. Same for the fire stick. Will iron itself in time with the key phrase being "in time".

bmg1001

Where did you purchase your Mi Box from? Any issues returning?

wisockijunior

can you please tell me if the box itself runs all apps in 4K? Can I use all apps in 4K or just movies? for example, can I see 8MPx photos from google photos in 3840x2160? Thank you

Gtarumble

I can confirm I have the same issues as well.

Playing on a Sony 4K TV with the HDMI cable that came in box.

Colors are noticeably washed out.

4K videos on YouTube have frame drops and micro stuttering.

Netflix only plays in HD, I have 4K subscription.

I tried 4K resolution both in 30hz and 60hz.

nervana

It has the hardware it's just not optimized. Wait for updates.

spektricide

I can't possibly believe it's worse than the Nexus Player. The Nexus Player STILL has washed out blacks.

bartimeus

I had some issues with mine last night but after plugging it into my TV directly rather than through my AVR it's working better. Only issue is now HBO GO is completely messed up. It won't even work when I try to cast from my phone.

GldRush98

No issues here. I've watched 3 TV episodes, 1 Movie, some Youtube stuff, and am streaming stuff from the Disney Jr. app right now for my kid, zero issues with any video so far.

Maybe your wifi is unable to keep up with the bandwidth or something?

crimethinking

I applied the latest OTA out of the box. YouTube has stutters on anything that is 60fps, 720p30 and 1080p30 work fine. I hope they sort it out, I got this only because it does 60fps YouTube per specs.

emd2013

it's runs Android TV why so surprised

urbanastronaut

How could you be sceptical that they could fix performance problems with a firmware update? Thats one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard. A firmware and software update is made to do EXACTLY that. I'm not sure if you happened to get a defective unit, but maybe you should do more research or be more patient and try the thing out for a while. I had slight problems straight out of the box, but once I installed the first update I noticed my streaming and performance was pretty much flawless. Or, you should check and make sure you didn't get a defective item and try out another one from Walmart. Many other people in this subreddit are happy with the performance of their mi box. I could understand your unhappiness if this was a horribly widespread problem, or you waited longer than a day to lay claim to such an emotional verdict. But neither, as far as I can tell, are true.