Mi box software question - Patchwall

by BadMiker

For the last week or so I have been looking at the vast number of options to make my old TV smarter. I understand the difference between Android boxes and Android TV devices. However, I live in Shanghai. The local Xiaomi (小米) products are the mi box 3c, 3s, and 3 (white). All of them are running an interface called "Patchwall". Other than that name I don't have any further information about the software. I think it may be a custom launcher over Android 6.0 but I would love some clarification if anyone knows. The only reason I ask is, the 3s locally is about 299¥, the US version with Android TV is imported from Hong Kong and costs about 600¥ for the same hardware. If the box is not running true android TV, is it possible to load the US / global SW on to it? Would it just be better to have the box imported from Hong Kong?

Thanks for any information and advice.

BiggussDikkuss

No DRM and HDCP on all those cheap Chinese Domestic consumption only Mi boxes you listed. So no 720/1080p/4K Android TV Netflix, HBO etc etc...

No Chromecasting certificates as well - so none of that.

These cannot be added just by putting new Firmware on a device. And even trying to do it will be a right royal PITA. We have not even talked about updates yet....

Get a genuine MDZ-16-AB Mi Box if you want the real deal. Plenty of places selling them like Aliexpress in China / Hong Kong.

BiggussDikkuss

Be aware Chromecasting support is spotty on the Mi Box - it definitely not as good as actually buying proper Google Chromecasting hardware. Expect reliability issues with Chromecasting on the Mi Box.

Google are looking to try and improve the Googlecasting Software receiver App on Android TV platforms with a test program that is currently underway.

JimboLodisC

The previous models are all running regular Android with a custom ROM/launcher. The USA model is the only one that runs Android TV.

I don't think you can flash Android TV onto one of the other Mi boxes that run Android. From what I'm reading on XDA, you have to root it just to be able to put the Android TV Launcher on it, yet you'll still be running regular Android.

BadMiker

Cool, thanks for the heads up guys. Looks like I'll buy a US spec one from Hong Kong on taobao. I really only want the chromecast feature and a base KODI install as most of my consumption is from my NAS / server /KODI pc in the living room. This will be a box for the bedroom for watching Yoga videos or the occasional movie in bed.