I recently got a Mi Box S. I have been using a Chromecast Ultra but figured for the price it was worth it to have an actual OS attached to it. I added it to my Google Home but I can’t get ambient mode to work with anything other than the featured art. Is there some trick to this or what is going on?
I’ve mostly been a Roku user for our streaming but loved being able to cast from Google Home to my Ultra. Not sure if the Mi Box S is worth the trouble yet or not.
Chromecast built-in is a second class citizen, compared to an actual Chromecast. Various things don't work correctly with it, some of them seem to be platform specific as well.
Since the recent MI BOX S - Compilation 588 - Kernel 4.9.61 update a few days ago (adding auto refresh sync). I have noticed that ambient mode is working as part of the screensaver, now showing correctly my selected Google Photos albums. Either the update fixed something else or coincidentally Google changed something server-side for all 'chromecast built-in' devices.
It works on my Nexus Player but not on my OG MiBox, I don't think MiBox ever anything more than standard featured art or your own photos
See I’m an iPhone user that is still invested in Google services and uses Google Homes for my home automation. I have a few minis, Insignia clocks and a Home Hub. I’ve used Rokus for our TV streaming for awhile and have one on every tv. I just used the Chromecast for those things that the Roku didn’t do and to cast something with my voice. So it really wasn’t necessary to even get the Mi Box. Just saw some decent reviews and the price was nice that I figured I could get it and sell my Ultra to cover the cost so it’s like a trade. But I’m now wondering if it would just make more sense to keep the Ultra for what I need and have the more guaranteed support and services from Google.
As far as I know it does not work on Android TV at all (Sony TVs do not work). Bit there is a suitable alternative since you can choose your screensaver app in settings: An alternative is https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.furnaghan.android.photoscreensaver It even has more settings, but lacks the smart album and simplicity in configuration. Besides that it works great!
You mean this? https://i.imgur.com/sHwLDUf.png
It's no help, but I have this same situation and question.