Don't update to 9.0 yet. It's a beta update and some people are having problems with it.
I picked up 2 of them on the Walmart sale. Easy set up, no issues with 9.0 update. I already have 2 Shields on my main TVs and the Mi Box interface is almost identical. Remote is fine. I don't have HDMI-CEC on the TV it's hooked up to so I can't say about TV volume control.
Best on android 8. If allready installed by factory on android 9, well i guess the patched it for good. Users who upgrade from 8 to 9 reported frequent problems. So, if on android 8, i thank you can keep it like this. Good luck!
I just got one and it works to my expectations. I use it for moonlight for game streaming and does a pretty good job. Works well with live channels app with my hdhomerun cable tuner. Sometimes the remote asks to be repaired when i wake the box up
No wake on lan, which sucks. If it's off, google home can't turn it on. Only the remote can wake it from sleep
Mine is crashing 2-3 times a day since the last Update. Wouldnt buy it right now
Hulu app stutters when watch directly from mi box. Instead cast a movie from phone, that should fix it. Also, it's a great device for home entertainment. Currently, haven't got any issue from android 9.
You need to know there are now faster AMLogic S905X2/Y2 chipset devices available in the form of the Verizon Stream TV, AirTV Mini (both no USB), and the Mecool KM3/KM9 (no Netflix).
The soon to be released (S905Y2) Tivo Stream 4K - looks real interesting, especially with it's USB-C connector and excellent Tivo Peanut remote:
https://blog.tivo.com/2020/02/heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-tivo-stream-4k/
I just picked one up today and its already on android 9.0 with the new remote. So far everything seems to be working fine but i am using the usb ethernet adapter
Get an usb to ethernet adapter asap
If you wanna spend a little extra get Emerson Jetstream 4k box. Also at Walmart. It has an Ethernet port which mi box s doesn't have.
Works Great for my sideloadrfsome apps, live tv and movie stream.
Hope yours works better
I got the $29 walmart sale too and I just set mine up a few days ago. I had weird issue that I could not cast to or access with Google Home. I had to uninstall the updates on the chromecast on the mibox and reinstall updates. It worked fine after that.
My Philips Android TV stops streaming from certain apps. I had to reset it. Hope the Mibox is more stable, but I will probably use it more often so it will update more often.
Despite the update issues, this is an excellent Android TV box and an amazing value at $30!! There are fixes for the bugs out there or be patient and those fixes will be pushed to you. It's well worth it's price and beyond. Got 3 of them connected to older Samsung TVs. Samsung TVs are real nice too...but there SmartHub gets obsolete in a hurry.
At the moment it would be best to not upgrade to 9. You get Prime Video but it breaks Hulu and in my experience causes stuttering in a number of other apps. My current box works great on 8.1 and that’s where it’s going to stay unless I hear that they resolve all the issues with 9.
PS You can cast Prime Video using the chrome cast functionality in 8.1. They added chrome cast support to Prime a while back.
It’s good except don’t upgrade to 9.0. Breaks everything video. Wish I knew how to downgrade.
It doesn't do DTS-MA or high bit rate 4k, you'll need a 1000gb wired connection for that.
If you don't need those features the mi is good
Mibox S Iz Lit Asf On Mine I Have Custom Launcher Dont update To Android 9
I have paid subscription for Moviebox Pro Media Box HD Custom Spotify no ads Apple Music Paid Sub Tubi Smart YouTube Tv Super VPN Top TV Launcher 2 Paid Puffin TV Netflix Paid Sub
I'll tell ya what. I just picked up my box from the $29 walmart special a few hours ago. I loaded tivimate on it and my wife is super happy. This is all I'm really going to use it for. You cant go wrong for the price