Mi Box vs. Fire TV Box

by freiform

Hi,

hopefully this is the right sub for my question. I'm considering replacing my FireTV Stick for a bit more performance and a USB Port.

I'm primarily using Kodi (streaming from a NAS), Netflix and Amazon Prime. I plan on setting up RetroArch and SomeGame, replacing my RPI with RetroPi.

I was looking at the current FireTV Box (90 €), but saw that the Mi Box is currently available for 70 €. I won't need the Mi's optical out and while the FTV's SD-Card slot is nice, I can't really think of anything to do with it.

I'm comfortable with side loading, so I understand that bringing Amazon to the Mi should be no Problem. I would require good wifi connectivity, tough (5 GHz). I heard the Mi lacks in that department? And with Android TV appearing to be a neglected child of google, reviews report some general problems with the Mi's operating system ans usage, is that true? Of course there is better support from Amazon if anything should break, I suppose that might be more problematic with the Mi, but are there other considerations?

Any input would be appreciated.

Tinmania

I have a mi box with Amazon Video side loaded. It works but the quality is far from great. You can get better quality by side loading Chrome and accessing Amazon from it but it is cumbersome and you need a mouse. So if you want easy to access good quality Amazon video the Fire TV is a better choice in my opinion. You also get 4K Amazon Video which I doubt will ever be possible on the mi box.

I like my mi box but not for Amazon video. My living room and bedroom TVs are also both 4K smart TVs and have good Amazon video apps so I use that.

switchy85

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the side loaded amazon video apk didn't work on the mi box.

kissthering

I don't know your technical experience but as far as the SD card slot, I'd say that's not a selling feature. I'm sure you can get a card reader that will work with the Mi Box, but I would recommend mounting a network share. I know SMB/CIFS will work, and I'm fairly sure that an NFS share would mount to an android tv too. I've got a Fire TV, a Nexus Player, and a Shield TV. I avoid using the Fire TV if I can (I just signed up for DirectTV Now and I can't use that on Android TV yet except with casting). Android TV is vastly better. I stopped using Fire TV on a regular basis because the UI is crap. Mostly due to Amazon constantly pushing their own content. It's basically 10% stuff I use and 90% Amazon ads. I'd suggest the Shield TV, but if that's not in the budget I know my girlfriend likes her Mi Box.

Sfetaz

I have owned all 3 this year. I replaced my Fire TV box with a Mi Box, and use fire stick when I travel. With the specific things you listed, the Fire TV is better for you over Mi Box. Unless Google play music and/or Google play movies and TV are as important to you as prime video.

pawdog

Amazon is the hardest working company in the streaming box business. The Box is the best hardware outside of the Shield and Amazon is constantly improving it. I love my MiBox but it hasn't been proven that it's nice the best it's ever going to be. It needs work and the company has been silent about its intended support.

I was not satisfied with the quality of the worked around Amazon app on the MiBox audio or video. Also too much time is still being spent doing workarounds to have parity with the Fire TV. I would not be without both boxes though.

igotthisone

I honestly recommend going with a combination of the MiBox + FireTV stick. Quick access to Amazon video content, but all the other perks of an Android TV experience. Amazon video technically exists for the MiBox but the quality is pretty bad and it keeps breaking (requires constant tweaks) and is not worth the hassle. You have more than one HDMI port, right?