Android TV: Fire TV vs Mi Box

by amJets

I currently have a Nexus Player and I really love the device, it just works (mostly). Unfortunately, the lack of HEVC/x265 10bit is becoming a deal breaker. Ideally, I'd buy another Nexus device since it ensures stock UI and prompt updates but that is no longer an option. The obvious solution would be to get Shield TV. Since I'm not much of a gamer, not even casual gamer, Shield TV is kind of expensive for streaming duties. Personally, I'm leaning towards the Fire TV since it has an Ethernet port and Amazon seems to update the device (???). I hate the Amazon bloat but the lack of Ethernet port on Mi Box really bothers me. I was hoping to hear from device owners about their experiences.

Bodycount9

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LLUEJFU/

Ethernet port for the Mi Box solved. It's solid. Been working on both my Mi Box's for over a month with no downtime.

Ausernameneeded

I think it comes down to UI. I don't use or want Amazon Prime, so I preferred stock Android TV.

Like you, I don't want to play games on my AndroidTV, so ShieldTV would be a waste of money ( for me! Not saying to to piss off the extremely loyal Shield fanbase. It's good for others).

So I went with Mi Box and it has been flawless for me. I do use wifi, so can't speak for hardwire.

sk9592

The obvious solution would be to get Shield TV. Since I'm not much of a gamer, not even casual gamer, Shield TV is kind of expensive for streaming duties.

Even if you're not a gamer, I would still recommend the Shield TV if you could afford it.

The Shield TV has consistently gotten more features added over the past two years and is still the best 4K video playback device. It is pretty much the only one that isn't underpowered.

Rubytux

If you dont need Netflix in case your Mi Box presents issues or if you can return it in case Netflix isnt working, i would get the MI Box.

The Fire Tv is said to be renewed in about 4 months., i would try the Fire TV Stick(1080p) instead. It supports H265/HEVC

JimboLodisC

You know, people use USB ethernet adapters with their Nexus Players. Works the same way for Mi Boxes.

And Fire OS is different from Android TV OS. They're both forks from touchscreen Android, but one is by Amazon and the other is by Google. Depending on your needs for streaming options, one will appeal to you more than the other.

chiefVetinari

I used to own a Mi Box but changed to use a Shield due to the Netflix issues. I would recommend the fire tv. I think it's specs might be slightly better than the Mi Box and app support will be better.

Honestly the main reason I stick with Android Tv over Fire Tv is that chromecast support is built in. If the Fire Tv had that, I would have switched ages ago. I have a Fire Tv stick as well. The new Fire Tv UI is pretty good imo, similar to the Android TV UI.

vba77

I have both and use both. It's similar, both are Android based, both get Kodi. The fire TV has grown restrictions in countries it's not sold in that make it annoying. Alexa is dumbed down on fire TV, mi box had voice search better integrated across the board.

Crazeeavery

I prefer the Android TV interface. The fire TV is all geared around Amazon videos and it's slow and a closed system, you can't even use Vudu on it. I don't have the Mi Box so I can't comment on that. I use the built-in Android TV on my Sony TV and I'm loving it.

BiggussDikkuss

None of the FireTV's can hardware decode 10bit HEVC so its game over right from the start: http://www.aftvnews.com/comparing-h-264-vs-h-265-video-playback-on-the-fire-tv-1-2-and-fire-tv-stick/

RevOfEMS

I'm also curious out of the 2 boxes which one responds to wifi usage better because I've heard mixed things on both. I've heard both respond to wifi great with no buffering then I've heard the opposite. And I'm talking on 100+mbps internet. Can anyone say for sure which one performs better on wifi?