Should I buy a new Mi Box now or wait for any updated device?

by eddycha

I understand the futility of this question without any clear information that I've been able to find. I have an old android box (Mk808b plus) which has been showing its age and lack of capabilities.

I want to get the Mi Box due to its 4k, hdr and chromecast capabilities, along with the ability for it to natively run apps on it. For $69 its priced perfectly. However it is now a year old and struggling to get Android 7.0 and so it doesn't feel right to buy it now when I feel a newer device should be coming out soon.

Would you guys end up getting one or waiting at this point? Shield for me is overpriced, chromecast ultra doesn't run apps within in. And certainly an Android 8.0 4K box with faster processor and possibly 3GB ram for under $99 can't be too far away right??

Thanks!

sk9592

I want to get the Mi Box due to its 4k, hdr and chromecast capabilities

If you definitely think you will use 4K and HDR regularly, I seriously would not recommend the Mi Box. It technically can do these, but it quite underpowered and buggy for these purposes. It is very capable for 1080p.

I'm sure you're tired of hearing this, but the Shield TV is a far better experience for 4K/HDR. Although it is nearly $200.

If you want 4K/HDR and Android TV then the Shield TV is a must.

If you want 4K/HDR for a cheaper price, check out the newest Fire TV or Roku (2017 versions), or the Chromecast Ultra.

Laaderlappen

I ordered two monday night from Walmart, already have them.

I honestly don't care about android 7.0 I just wanted to upgrade from my fire sticks, I hope it's worth it!

corneliusjig

Get the shield. It’s a beast

Ausernameneeded

I'd just get the Mi Box now. It works great and I doubt there is any new AndroidTV devices in the near future.

GldRush98

Waiting for the latest and greatest is a fool's errand IMO. Get what is available now.

Bodycount9

Mi Box doesn't have HDR yet but it's promised to come.

Buy one and try it out. You can always return it.

If you don't like it, the shield is your only other option and it's $100 more than the Mi Box.

Notyourdingo

Hold off. I'm coming from a Minix 8h non plus stuck on KitKat . Still outdoes this thing by miles. Kodi and YouTube, YouTube kids, video in general are all weak on mibox. I'm using my old box. I don't use 4k but given that 720 barely works on Mibox, that wouldnt be an option anyway.

Wish I would have gotten a shield.

JimboLodisC

I don't see another box coming out this year. It would have been announced either I/O or this past Pixel event. I'm thinking next summer would be the soonest we hear about a new box, like maybe a "Pixel Player" or Nexus Player successor.

BiggussDikkuss

4K Netflix, 4K Youtube at relatively low bitrates and some not too demanding Apps streaming then that is about it for the Mi Box. Its a $69 device.

It does not have an Ethernet/LAN Port so getting medium to high 4K bitrate video streams into it is a BIG problem. It should not be used for 4K HDR Rips period.

4K HDR Netflix, 4K Amazon + a whole bunch more then buy a Shield. Its the Android King for good reason.

Properly working 4K HDR Kodi - then forget about all Android and Android TV boxes, even the Shield has problems there due to 1080p / 4K Resolution switching and colorspace mapping issues.

Get a DIY AMLogic S912 and run LibreELEC Kodi on it instead. 4K HDR Kodi will actually work properly then. Some of them, like the MECOOL's, even have DRM and HDCP1.x these days and directly install Android TV Apps.

sglville

Get one, I've had mine for 6 months and its not perfect but it's a good living room device and easy to use. When somethign better comes out around the $100 or less price point my mibox is going on ebay and I will upgrade.

WazWaz

Waiting and buying new releases that are more expensive and less debugged than older cheaper products? Hmm, tricky.....

svogon

I got mine for mainly use with Emby and it's various apps. Our TVs are only 1080 and that's all the power I need right now. If we get a 4k around Christmas, I'll probably try it with it to see if it suits my needs. I'm thinking that I'll end up with a Shield w/4k TV, and the Mi Boxes will get trickled-down to den, kids room, and so on. But, they'll be useful for many, many years with the older 1080 TVs in those areas! $69, you can't really go too wrong. I love mine.

razkalgr

would you consider some mini pc units for 4K and HDR? such as beelink m1 (130 euros from gbest)?

ripped_city503

I have a Mi Box and wouldn't reccomend purchasing one. There are far better options out there and the no Ethernet port sucks. I have a shield in my living room and the mi box in my bedroom and it is night and day difference on power.

I'd reccomend going to http://koditips.com/kodi-box-deals-buy-2017-usa-uk-canada/ and taking a look at those boxes they reccomend. They have links to amazon for easy ordering.