I mostly use the mi box for kodi and casting stuff, works like a Google chromecast. Sometimes the YouTube app. Works great for my needs. But one important thing is that I wouldn't buy it to watch 4k stuff. But most new smart tvs, like my LG Oled c6 TV already has a great Netflix 4k app installed and youtube 4k. Haven't had any internet problems with the mi box. Spent 12$ on a USB to ethernet adapter, works flawlessly. I live in Norway, so many apps that isn't supported either if I use the shield TV or mi box.
10$ more than a chromecast gen 2, cheaper than the ultra and hundreds of dollars cheaper than the shield TV.
Weird to say they are shit and tell people to spend 240$ more. They are two different budgets. Of course, if spending so much money extra isn't a problem for you, go for the shield. I want the shield, but don't see the return of investment considering my needs.
Lots of people shit on the MiBox. But the only thing I have an issue with on mine is that the Android TV remote app quits connecting every other day or so and I have to reboot it.
I use YouTube, PlayStation Vue, Netflix, and Kodi on it mainly. I don't use 4k - and a majority of the population doesn't. There's absolutely no reason for most people to Shell out the cash for a Shield.
I do wish there was another device at or near the same price point just because healthy competition is good.
The Shield is no Angel either - why ?
No Dolby Audio Licence so you need a DD+ HDMI Audio receiver, even a dumb ass - cheap FireTV has got this Audio right decoding to DD for users with already existing DD only Soundbars.
Netflix / Amazon Video random Frame Skipping during playback (see the NVIDIA Shield forums - 26 page thread)
No App 1080p to 4K Auto resolution switching, leading to...
Piss poor 1080p > 4K picture upscaling for a Premium Android Media player compared to what my 4K TV's streaming Apps can do.
that stupid touch sensitive Shield Mini remote - really a dumb idea. The Mi Box's one craps all over it.
no IR receiver on the 16GB 2017 Shield
no optical output on the Shield
no interchangeable HDD in 500GB Model
Its pretty much region by region how usefull this box is, In the UK this box has no OOTB streaming app support outside Netflix and kodi. You can fudge amazon and others but its a PITA.
I tried one and it didn't perform well. I returned it...
I use mine for YouTube (sometimes 60fps videos are choppy - i just change the quality), Netflix 4K has always worked perfectly, Archos streaming 1080p movies from my Samba share is great and i've done some light gaming. I'm more than pleased, its not perfect sure but for the price its definitely a great device.
Would be perfect if it had built in ethernet so I didn't have to use wifi.
I have three of them. They are shit. Buy the shield TV.
You can't even use live channels if the Sling TV app is installed on this thing because it opens sling TV instead of live channels. Annoying bug.
You can't use HBO Now (yes some can but they are just lucky. It's not supported. I cant)
It's still on Android 6 and it was advertised to have Android 7 features like HDR.
It chops at 4k.
Its terrible with USB to Ethernet adaptors which cause network disconnects. (Even on recommend adapters from this forum)
Customer support is non existent.
Apps get awful support since app developers don't even know the device exists or care. Sling TV and many other apps hang at open. Really fun to force close apps all the time just to get them to open. These same issues don't happen on the Shield TV.