So, my TV isn't an smart one and I'm thinking about getting a Mi Box for, primarily, Netflix for the whole family and Twitch. I won't be pushing it hard with games and stuff. Should I get one? Is there any points I should watch out for when getting one?
Edit: as requested, my TV is an AOC LE32H1461.
Realize it's an EOL device. Least in my opinion. 4k isn't going to work well but Apps like Netflix and twitch should continue to work for several years. The hardware is capable of most media, but it's lacking proper codecs. for your expected usage it would work fine and it's priced well if you can go to Walmart for it.
I use one in the bedroom, mostly for Netflix, Plex and Live Channels. Aside from it being a little bit slower than the Shield I don't really have many complaints. The only real issue I've had is the remote will occasionally lose connection for no apparent reason.
Yes
I guess since your TV isn't smart, it isn't a 4K either. If that's the case, then you may go ahead.
I have a good broadband and Netflix works just fine without a hitch over WiFi but Twitch just can't make it on HD. It may be due to the reason that I live in India and twitch not having proper servers in/around India. So please ask other users about their experience with Twitch.
Good luck!
I've had one a while. It's pretty decent. Don't expect many updates though.
The Mi Box is a great alternative to the Shield, and considering you didn’t mention the Shield at all, I’m assuming you’re not looking to spend what it’s worth. If that’s the case, definitely get the Mi Box.
Another alternative you could look into that I would suggest would be the FireTV 2017 if you don’t mind not having Android TV OS. It’s a great box that is especially good if you’re only looking to watch Netflix, Hulu, Twitch, etc. as it’s cheap and performs extremely well. As we all know, the FireOS apps get a lot more updates than we get on Android TV (Hulu...).
If your TV isn't 4K, then it should work pretty well for you.
I have a Shield TV in my bedroom, and don't need all of the power (and my kids miss having its games in the family room).
I would gladly replace it with a Mibox. They're decent.
I have 3 in the house and they work pretty well for youtube, netflix, slingtv and plex. My only real complaint is that i have to cast to it from my phone for Directv Now. I tried to side load the apk, but it crashes constantly...
You can return it if you get it at walmart and don't like it
Look into buying a Nexus player. It's an old device but still works well
I bought mine a couple o weeks ago and works great YouTube tv is working flawlessly, I heard some people complaining about YouTube and Netflix not working...not my case, everything working great over here I recommend it a lot 😊
Mibox is nice device for the price. You may want to make modifications to remove the "recommendation" bar. The only drawback is no prime video Android TV app like the Shield TV.
As someone who has a mi box that has the issue with Netflix (something about hdmi license or some such) I wish I had spent the extra to get a shield.
If you happen to be in Cincy, I’ll sell you mine
recently got a mibox. if i was going to do it again, i probably would get a shield (and I'll most likely upgrade if new shield hardware is released at a reasonable price.)
some thoughts after about 3 weeks with mibox:
remote pairing sometimes dies.
remote app is kinda janky.
no YouTube TV app.
no Amazon Prime Video App.
netflix is better and faster than samsung smart tv app, but has odd quirks, such as immediately playing the first title you scroll to.
sometimes doesn't wake up. sometimes wakes up and auto resumes perfectly.
chromecasting is superior to gen1 chromecast in responsiveness and stream stability, but wifi connected smart phones don't always show controls.
ymmv.
Works good
I've been using one from Gearbest since October and it has been a really great experience for me. It's connected to my monitor, and Kodi plays everything 1080p I throw at it. All major apps works well. Really good investment for the Gearbest price.
I stopped using my Mi box once I got my new Samsung TV. It has most apps built in (except DirecTV now, which I no longer use, I replaced it with YoutubeTV).
It's a dead device IMO. The only realistic options at this point are the Shield TV or an Apple TV (which isn't Android TV). I don't understand how Google can let the market flounder like this, especially when they themselves offer an over the top TV option. IMO they should release a 'Pixel TV' device running Android O and supporting all the latest stuff. I suspect a lot of it comes down to Amazon's stubbornness. Still, Google could easily fight Amazon by offering a compelling experience. They could work WITH DirecTV Now and other providers to provide a great experience. Release different devices for different budgets and you have a winner (PixelTV lite -> 1080p budget CPU, $49, Pixel TV -> $99 4K faster CPU, Pixel TV Ultra -> $149, 4K HDR, fastest CPU)
It’s probably gonna get some hate, but I love my M8S Pro L box and put a Nexus rom on it. Fantastic box even though it’s not a real Android TV Box it works great. HD Netflix and HD audio Passthrough. Works great with Kodi and Plex for Kodi addon.
Nothing posted by other commentors applies to your specific situation.
Please mention the make and model of your TV, as that is the key elements concerning AndroidTV boxes and Netflix.
Netflix has very exacting requirements to support HD streams on andoidTV devices like the MDZ-16-AB.
Not 100% certain that your older tv has the proper DRM facilities to satisfy Netflix's strictures...
Check specs for your tv and verify it supports HDCP, that is the real key to know in advance if it may work.
In view of your older tv, I would suggest an Amazon FireTV device. Since it is not required by Netflix to verify the status of the connected tv, it will work with any tv.
Good luck
I had one and I returned it. It's the only device on the planet that didn't get YouTube TV for unknown reasons. It still isn't even on 7.0, while the 4-year-old Nexus Player is already on Oreo. Once I started getting weird stuttering issues with video playback (at least, with YouTube, and I only have a 1080p TV so it wasn't even a 4k issue everyone complains about) that I spent a day diagnosing and testing to no avail, I was done. I enjoyed the box for what it was when it worked, but understand you're getting the short end of the stick in the Android TV world with it.
For 1080p it's a great deal and plays all the normal app very well: Kodi, Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, ESPN, Spotify, Chrome cast, RetroArch, VLC, X-plore, etc.
For 4K/HDR and "future proofing", no save up for a Shield TV.