Mi Box vs Raspberry Pi 3?

by juliushibert

Thoughts?

Considering replacing my RPi 3 (running OSMC) with a Mi Box 4K. But is it worth the plunge?

Raspberry Pi / OSMC lacks:

  • Chromecasting facilities. Especially helpful for YouTube
  • iPlayer / Channel 4OD (UK) is ok but really poor and the GUI is terrible in Kodi
  • RPi 3 struggles with HVEC content in Kodi

However Mi Box lacks

  • Ethernet
  • expandable root storage (SD card on Raspberry Pi 3)

Still planning on using Kodi on Mi Box to be able to play streamed videos from my NAS.

UPDATE: After ordering a MiBox 3 (MDZ-16-AB) I've discovered there's no iPlayer or 4oD apps in the Google Play Store that can be installed on it. However the UI is pretty fast and slick in comparison to the RPi3 performance.

pudds

To me, the deal breaker for the pi is no Netflix. Otherwise, I think it's the better device is Kodi is your favorite platform.

damik

I got the Nvidia Shield TV and haven't looked back. Now I'm thinking about other cool projects for my Pi 3.

koshergoy

The specific model number you seek is MDZ-16-AB.

Suggest you use the SPMC android specific fork of Kodi

Why cast Youtube, it is native app on Mibox?

The dual-band of wifi is very effective throughput, and there are workable usb/ethernet adapters if needed.

MiBox does allow for extensible storage

Enjoy!!

elister

I would wait a bit on the MiBox. Currently it has bugs that affect it,where the older Nexus Player doesn't have. HBO go, browse but can't play. NBC News app crashes the player.

Android 7.0 is in beta, give it a month and it should have a stable nogat build that hopefully fixes these bugs.

zacce

I predict one day, you will go back to use Kodi on RPi. Kodi on Android TV is not as smooth as OSMC.

jonnygreen22

I like having android because I can run apps through kodi that dont work on kodi like netflix for example, then when I quit out it goes straight back to kodi. Gives it that nice all-in-one feel to it.

juliushibert

I'm wondering if it might be a better option to keep my Raspberry Pi and buy a Chromecast dongle to work alongside it?

Obviously this wouldn't fix the struggle to play back HVEC content and would mean an extra device.

joazito

I love my Mi box.

sixsence

I much prefer the taste of raspberry pi

ironmountain

I did exactly this - RPi with Kodi to Mi Box (via Google Nexus player actually). Never looked back. The Mi box just works. Smooth menu transitions. Gets heaps of use in Kodi streaming Blu-Ray rips via Wifi, Playing HD Netflix and HD Youtube. Love it.

If I had the cash, I'd get a Shield TV, just for the future-proofing, but I haven't needed it.

juliushibert

Can openvpn be added to Android TV platforms? And is it possible to SSH into the MiTV Box or use some similar remote access to control and access the file system?

juliushibert

I finally bought a MiBox 3 (MDZ-16-AB) as recommended.

Sadly there's no iPlayer or 4oD apps in the Google Play Store that can be installed on it.

supared

u can install emulators on mibox too

sk9592

However Mi Box lacks - Ethernet - expandable root storage (SD card on Raspberry Pi 3)

The Mi Box has a single USB port though. I know it is not ideal, but there are solutions for your issues through USB:

https://www.amazon.com/LENTION-USB-Port-RJ45-Adapter/dp/B013WP94RO/

You can use flash drives instead of SD cards.