Mi Box S Review - $59 Official Android TV Box

[@lamardoss83]

This is why I much more prefer watching your videos rather than many other tech creators on KZbin. You bring out real world usage pros and cons and not just quoting a spec list. Expectations are much clearer the way you present products and it’s highly appreciated.

[@dave4shmups]

Happy Birthday Lon! Your channel has been a blessing in my life, and I’m sure in the lives of many others!

[@THEDFVIDEO]

The biggest part about this....it has a Chromecast Ultra built in which is normally $20 more on it's own...you have Android Oreo Android essentially for free while you get a discounted Chromecast Ultra 4k. It's best to run it on am actual TV and not a computer monitor.

[@DeMathijs33]

The mi box 3 got a update to Android 8.0 a few months ago

[@JFinns]

And another update last week that fixed a bunch of bugs

[@neonlost]

I unplugged mine during the summer cause how broken the os became.. Hearing it got 8.0 makes me wanna fire it up and update it

[@lilreese240]

I think they temporarily took the update down because of bugs

[@Markgb3]

@@neonlost Most recent update fixed WiFi disconnecting issues and improved stability. But they still have not fixed the issue they introduced in Android 8.0, where the bluetooth on the Mi Box would disconnect from the remote while the device is asleep, causing you to be unable to turn on your Mi Box.

[@nester1179]

It's essentially the same! Why did they bother with a new model? Edit: It looks thicker than the previous one. Maybe better heat dissipation?

[@superandroidtv2680]

Great review Lon. For those interested in local network playback of 4K content, I have found the KY-888 gigabit ethernet adapter provides the additional throughput necessary to handle it. Connected to this Mi Box it provides 320mbps down and 200mbps up. The link is listed below.

[@superandroidtv2680]

eBay item number 302891809110

[@Jasterrrr]

For me Kodi matters the most and that bug with adaptive refresh rate based on video FPS is a deal breaker.

[@paulanderegg5536]

Just picked up the S at WalMart for $45...it's currently $50USD. KZbin works well with the major exception that it will not play in HDR. If you Cast to the device, you can get KZbin HDR, but 4K 60Hz KZbin HDR will stutter, sputter and drop a lot of frames...glitches, not buffering. The display output has every resolution and framerate imaginable, and the options for RGB, 8/10bit, YUV, 4:4:4, 4:2:2, 4:20 are also selectable as well, although those selections will diminish the higher the resolution and framerate you take the output to. Netflix seemed to play flawless, but HBO Go in 1080 24Hz left me with slightly unsmooth payback, with infrequent glitching. I bought my S to replace my Chromecast Ultra, and as it offers selectable 24Hz at all resolutions, it was definitely a steal at $45!

[@hpog2468]

I got into this androud tv box late.. as usual. Got the Mi Box S. Looked up some reviews and yours so far is the best. You just get into the meat of the details straight up. Others try too hard to be cool. It's cringey to watch. Thank you.

[@mac2me100]

Ounce again you had me at emulators. Tired of playing the on phone & tablet. Now I can get my 8bit to 16bit gaming on the big screen. If a cord reduces lag I'm still sold on getting it. Retro gaming is all about the cord anyways back then. Thx man that's why I trust your channel, all truth no BS for likes of numbers like most other channels focus on.

[@RetroBerner]

If you open the old one up there is no antenna actually connected to the wifi adapter. You can grab any old cheap one off ebay for it. You can sideload the amazon apk that someone ripped from the Nvidia Shield TV, look around on XDA for it.

[@f23r23]

I've heard many people complaining about the Mi Box (S) and some even getting angry with it. Honestly, I think it's brilliant. For that low of a price and its tiny size, I think it packs a lot and delivers as promised. As long as you have a good stable Wi-Fi connection, you should have no problem playing both Full HD and 4K videos (KZbin or Netflix). Worked great for me. Chromecast also works perfectly smooth. And I believe the pure Android TV OS is a plus (the only box to officially support it, besides Nvidia's Shield). If a portable smart TV is what you're looking for, then go for Mi Box S.

[@KitBaty]

I am not sure for how long - but the box is now $44.99. At that price, I am going to upgrade my old MiBox to the new one. I have had my MiBox for a couple of years, and it has been fine. Nothing outstanding, but not awful at all. I even play some Android games on it (like Crossy Road, etc.) and it works fine. Nowadays though, once I turn on my television it takes a minute or so for the remote to work with the box. So, I cannot do anything with the box until the remote syncs with the box. Or maybe the box is 'waking up' - I am not sure. But it takes a minute or so to get started. Having said that, at 60 bucks I wasn't considering an upgrade - but at $45 I am probably going to do so.

[@PeterMacPL]

Does this new Mibox S support passthrough DTS-HD, True HD ? I hear it dosen't now it not have IEC61937

[@techman2471]

Sounds like a device I want to try out in the near future. i am trying to cut the satellite cord now.

[@richardvacanti4265]

David Parker try a streaming service called NoraGO. Its in both app stors. Look up how to install VU STREAMS. And how to purchase the service. I have had it now for 3 Months and its great.

[@davidmiscavige5663]

Is the live tv button reprogrammable? Say to take you to the HD Homerun app instead? Edit: it’s not an included feature but third party apps should allow you to remap the button to do other things

[@ManaurysSuazo]

No

[@markmoberg7999]

You can save your favorite channels to do what you are asking

[@gabrielsousa743]

Congratulations for the great review! I'm thinking about getting this one but it's useless to me if it can't direct play videos with hevc codec (8bit/10bit profiles) on PLEX app. Do you, by any change, know if it can direct play videos with that codec without problems on plex ? I only need it to play videos with 720p/1080p quality. Thanks in advance.

[@angel77lopez]

Nice review but I want to state that the old Mi Box is also running Android 8.1. It did have a few bugs once it came out and they have resolved all those as of last weeks update. This is a cheaper option than the older one as well.

[@odedau]

Hay Lon! Great video, 1 question: Will connecting the box to a network cable prevent the use of Chromecast ?

[@renatinhoss]

I have the first version and love it! Lon are the best reviewer on the interwebs!

[@merman93]

I hope you get opportunity to review Jetstream 4K Ultra, also at Walmart. Very similar performance, but some of the issues you mention on Mi Box S are resolved on this unit,...included Ethernet, micro as card slot, Google Certified.

[@eprovensen]

I agree. You definitely need to compare this Android TV box with the Jetstream 4k ultra. Same specs but performs better than both Mi box models.

[@marioStortuga]

I have both of these. Personally I'm not keeping them since I'm giving them to family. However if you are going to choose between the two get the Jetstream it's an overall better purchase. I have two Nvidia shields.what I'm doing is sideloading Amazon video and direct TV to both boxes so they have what they want.

[@htxsupercrewon22s]

Is it true android tv? Or is it more like those android boxes you find on amazon?

[@Timpskie]

Hi! Can I cast something from my phone when the Mi Box is turned off? Or If I say to my Google home mini: "Hey Google, play Friends on Netflix" will it turn on the Mi Box and start playing? Because I read somewhere that the cast function isn't available when the Mi Box is turned off, and the Mi Box doesn't show up as a casting device on your phone.

[@kiothebrain]

Can you please say what does AIDA64 shows as its CPU, Amlogic S905X-H (same as 1st Mi Box International version) or S905L (same as Mi Box 4/4C Chinese versions)?

[@jcthrower]

Hey Lon, great review! Quick question, have you been able to get HDR video to work in youtube? My Mi Box S connected to my Vizio P quantum, runs 4K like a champ, but wont show that it is playing HDR videos (tried about 5-6 that have it). I am going to try and upgrade my netflix packge when I get home and see if it will do netflix in HDR. I read a couple places that not all boxes support youtube HDR, not sure if that was true and wanted to see if you could test it out? Thanks in advance!

[@lokz9632]

Great review. Does it support connecting FAT32 / NTFS formated USB external storage devices like flash drives or external HDD?

[@tyranny28]

Great video, what is the best budget Android device for streaming, I'm looking at getting one for my daughter's bedroom. Firestick maybe?

[@franzb69]

the mi box 3, the older mi box already runs on android tv 8.0. it's not really an issue with the manufacturer as more that it's a google problem. google's lagging in development for their android tv os.

[@AZ_]

Good review. 👌 What was the monitor used for testing?

[@jhonadrianl]

I have few questions: 1. Can you hook up usb hub and plug in mouse and keyboard, and use the mouse to navigate the UI? 2. Can you install MX player directly from Playstore? 3. Can you sideload apk files? 4. Can it manage and play local .mp4 or other video files? 5. Can it do screencast natively?

[@gselby8107]

You pretty much reviewed mostly everything I've experienced with my MiBox 1. And I agree it is definitely not the best choice for a home theater experience. For me, using it in my home office connected to a TV to have cable news on while I'm working... it's perfect. Also, with the official Google OS, I can watch DRM channels via Live Channels as well as pause live TV. I also prefer the grid EPG vs HDHR UI. And i learned that if I want the live TV pause using Live Channels, I need to open the HDHR app first, let it initlaize, then open the Live Channels app and add those channels. Overall a good box for the money. Thanks again for the review.

[@BartechTV]

Is that a ZX81 on the shelf in the background?

[@LonSeidman]

It is! The us version which we called the Timex Sinclair 1000

[@gselby8107]

Hey Lon. I just got the Mi Box S for Christmas and am using it in my upstairs bedroom, more or less about my Netgear X10 wifi router. I have connected it on the 5GHz and it streams great. HOWEVER, if I'm watching something... live TV, Netflix, whatever... it interrupts with a prompt to re-scan my channels. I have re-set the box and made sure that the HDHR is working on it as well as scanned the Network Tuner as well as the HDHR tuner. Any thoughts why it keeps prompting me to re-scan? Thanks.

[@gsnassif]

Million dollar question: Does the volume up/down button work when watching live TV channels app (when connected directly to a TV)???? The new Jetstream box has an error message: "This app is set for surround sound. Use the TV remote to adjust the volume." Please, please, please let me know if it works for you...in either CEC mode, or via in app volume control. Obviously, I don't expect this remote to "learn" or replace a TV volume command. But if this box is supposed to be great in a guest room (without a home theater setup), I would love the volume keys to work in live TV.

[@ncohafmuta]

Always curious as to the kodi/plex problems. It the original mi box review you did 1080p in plex/kodi (don't know what the bitrate was) and 4k 2Mbps kodi. So are the limitations for high bitrate playback in this box the wireless/ethernet or just processing power in general? Kind of glazed over it. Also might be nice to see some basic network speed tests on devices. So you could say, well the original box's wifi was 50Mbps and this box now gets 70Mbps with the better wifi, or whatever the numbers are. Thanks!

[@warpspeedpower]

Beelink GT1 Mini also costs $59 and you get 2GB RAM, 32GB storage and an Ethernet jack. Yes, the Beelink product is not running "official Android" but it still works great and you get WAY more hardware for the money. I can live without Netflix or KZbin in 1080p. The other apps I use work fine with 1080p. With the MiBox S you don't even get an ethernet jack and the onboard storage is far, far too little for today's applications. Even with 16GB you run out pretty fast after installing a bunch of apps. Bottom line is that you have a device with conservative hardware specs, which means the user can't expect much from it. In that case, why buy it? Just go ahead and purchase better hardware for the same money and you can do much more with it.

[@godbilla1991]

xiaomi pulled the 8.0 update for the original mi box. Apparently the 8.0 was glitching and bricking devices. (mine did brick once, and i had to factory reset it from the bootloader) Who knows if they'll actually push the update again with the new one coming with 8.0 out of the box. Android 6.0 on android tv is so painfully slow compared to android 8.. I was trying to update my parents miboxes and couldn't get them to update from 6 to 8 and with my quick google search I found out about them pulling the update.. hope they put it back on soon, I scored a couple original miboxes from walmart for 35 bucks.

[@mrtiff99]

Thanks for the review Lon. Can it play 4K content from plex with no transcoding?

[@DrohneschweizCh]

Is possible to use it as a multiroom music? ( Google Home ) with other google devices ?

[@EduMiguel16]

Hey I noticed your macs on the back. Do they still work? My father has a working Power Macintosh 7500 and he uses it everyday for the last 20+ years and still working! It's the only computer that can run an old printer

[@kevinlouwrens2756]

Hi Lon! How well does this box run Google apps? An you perhaps do a quick video about it? Maps, Music, Calender etc.

[@FAMUCHOLLY]

Thanks for the review Lon. Personally, I bought the new Jetstream for my father rather than wait for this box because MY Mi Box hasn't really excited me with it's performance. Glad I didn't wait after watching your review! P.S: Which Tri-band Router would you recommend? I have had TERRIBLE luck with both the Nighthawk R7900P and Linksys EA9200 dropping WiFi on a regular basis under what could be reasonably considered light to moderate loads including streaming. Help?

[@cheerbeerification]

Casting does not work for all apps. KZbin TV and Plex cannot cast to this box with the current firmware. Also I found the Google Assistant would not hear me right on the first attempt, and then would work on the second. Overall the bugs made me return it and get a Shield, which just works for everything.

[@hitardo]

Thank you! I was looking for your review just today. And you released it, just some hours after. I love your content! Keep it up :) Cheers!

[@alirezaNikkhah]

I have beelink GT1 but I need to change this box to something much stronger , IAM watching lots of tv on Android , so please let me know what you prefer , money is not issue for quality

[@JuanCarmenChetty]

would you suggest this over the Roku Streaming Stick +

[@robertwright1317]

I got one but when i put it standby or switch off it loses wifi connection. I also tried it with an ngreen ethernet adapter and the same thing happens. Any suggestions as to the problem is.

[@travellinbug886]

Is there a way to block users from accessing any settings or installing apps? I know there is restricted mode but this feature disables both voice commands and all cast features.

[@lokz9632]

Also, does it support installation from "unknown sources" within system menu?

[@Gintokikreuz1]

Can you Chromecast a browser video to the Mi Box s?

[@admiral2145]

8.1 on the old mi box works flawlessly... Same hardware.... Also get atmos and dts x no issues... 5ghz wifi ac is great on 4k remux blurays 40 to 80 gigs... Not sure why your having issues.

[@ormanmarvin]

There is no 8.1 for the 1st gen Mi Box.

[@DanSangiorgio]

Just got this device, for the CEC options it turns on the TV just fine but doesn't turn the TV off - trying to get that to work...

[@nellienel5140]

How do I turn off the white drop down option screen before I'd have to hold center button now it just pops up every time

[@daven7536]

Should be getting mine on Monday! Like to run HDMI to Projector and Audio to my Optical in or digital coaxial input. Any help would be great so I can order cable now that is needed. Thank you for the great information your channel provides

[@leverettson]

Looks like it checks a lot of the boxes for just 60 bucks. If it supports Bluetooth controllers I assume it will also support Bluetooth earbuds. Looks like a good device for out in the shop or the exercise room. Thanks Lon.

[@trentfordham]

Hi, can you tell me if Vudu will work on this box? Many boxes will not let Vudu work, and I need it to. Thanks.

[@ggcub25]

DTS-HD passthrough if you use directly from external drive?

[@jasonlin1937]

It's very important to note that this box, like the Shield, cannot support HDR from KZbin's HDR videos. So it's not exactly a Chromecast Ultra replacement. Also, I cannot get my box to display 4K 60p even if I change it manually. I think it's stuck at 720p. KZbin's 4K videos are detected but look like 720p. Netflix 4K shows has HDR symbols but no Ultra HD???

[@lchambers56]

I really enjoy your reviews. Thanks for this review and for the review of the previous Mi Box as well. I had one at one time, but over time it would no longer connect to the Wi-Fi at all. However, apart from that issue, I found it to be a very capable device and worked great for gaming. I had a usb hub and I used a Rock Candy wired Xbox 360 controller, so I had no issues with lag. I had emulators up to psp and it ran them all well. Of course, with PPSSPP, how well it runs depends on the settings and the game you may be running at any given time. In addition, it ran higher end Android games well like Asphalt 8. It is disappointing, however that they did not upgrade the hardware. Anyway, thanks again for the review!

[@huyvo8434]

Hello, do the LG remote can be used to control the box ?

[@antonio1681]

Happy bday! Lon

[@danho1904]

I always Enjoy and learned lots from Your Post. Thanks🙏. I am stlil looking for a comparison of Xuaomi MiBix S vs EVPads or Unblocks Media Boxes.

[@edwin_cho]

Hi, does it support Google search? Google Chrome? Can it download APK files? Thanks

[@ScottOwens28]

Is there full support for most apps from the Play Store? If so, where does it store the Apps it downloads? Also, can you plug in a USB flash drive to the USB port and view basic files like images, etc from that stick? Thanks.

[@markmoberg7999]

Yes you can add memory by adding a memory stick

[@KarlLimPH]

Hi, can it play movies offline from a macOS formatted hard drive?

[@dannyboy42223]

Awesome review as always, is the USB network still slower than that Wi-Fi?

[@superandroidtv2680]

Daniel Witzel not this one. Google search “KY-888 gigabit ethernet adapter”. It is faster than Wi-Fi and will give you the bandwidth necessary for full bitrate 4K.

[@gsnassif]

@@superandroidtv2680 bought the product you keep promoting all over the web and it doesn't work. The box doesn't recognize an ethernet connection.

[@luisluiscunha]

I have exactly that monitor LG 24ud58, and I am planning to get exactly that TV box :)

[@cixin10x]

That gamepad looks cool. Where I can get it?

[@stpav2698]

NEED HELP!! Can I turn it WITHOUT internet connection and run ts 1080p movie from external drive, just plug and play????? Thanx

[@KolaOlanipekun]

Will the Shield Controller work with this? Just curious.

[@Le_Omare]

At 6:25 there's Amazon prime video for Sony Bravia lineup with AndroidTV

[@Julian-zc9vm]

Is the Nvidia shield the only Android TV device that has 3gb of RAM? All it would take to dethrone the Nvidia shield is 3gb of RAM, and 4k HDR sorry for Netflix, KZbin, and Amazon video.

[@christosmanoli1759]

Can you access play store so you can fownload apps??

[@Brasilianer1]

Hi works amazon prime on the box?

[@M0neydev]

Would have liked to have seen how this box plays with plex 4k HDR content direct play.

[@SCTR7]

Interesting option, the App button, I'm going to see if i can program such a button on my Harmony (hw/hub) companion remote

[@bharatjagwani]

i have terrible wifi issues in this box .i have 50mbps line and cant seem to get go over 0.2 mbps....somehow mobile hotspot works....amazon prime does not work ...cannot see the installed apps in the app list...strange box

[@Slippinjimmy12]

Wow! Someone who finally explains about 24p automatic switching. Subscribed immediately. Can you suggest one good TV box that supports automatic frame rate switching and has Amazon Prime video as well?

[@LonSeidman]

The Nvidia shield is still the best. Everything with the exception of Dolby Vision works great on it. Has Prime too.

[@Slippinjimmy12]

@@LonSeidman Thank you so much. Ordered it. :D

[@fallguy6196]

Can you download apps on this like you would on your phone like say Showbox ? And then you wouldn't have to use your phone anymore?

[@aramb]

Hello Lon, have you tried running VLC on it?

[@wyrenutz]

For prime video, you can cast the phone's screen to the box and then open prime.

[@Akhil.0]

Sideloading shield apk of prime video works, aptiode tv also u can install

[@wyrenutz]

@@Akhil.0 I agree, but some people don't know to do stuff like that. I just thought telling them a simpler way to do it.

[@askmefirst9625]

Hey lon does it have a google playstore?

[@McLovine46]

Hi Lon, you can install the Nvidia Shield Prime Video apk on the Mi Box. I did it on my 1st gen Mi Box and it works flawlessly. Google it shield tv prime apk mi box.

[@jamiec1686]

@LON Lets talk about the Elephant in the Room and that is the supposed Dolby Audio support on the Mi Box's. Basically it's non existant ! You cannot get basic 5.1 Netflix audio out Mi Box from an App like Netflix unless you are HDMI connected to a DD+ audio receiver. There is no DD+ audio to DD only audio down-mixing support. You get no 5.1 audio from copy protected video streaming Apps like Netflix over SPDIF with Mi Boxes - no 5.1 DTS either. Support is really poor. Basically Xiaomi are falsely advertising actual Dolby audio support. It's a complete Con ! Please make that an important point in your reviews for those users that have older DD only audio equiptment and want 5.1 audio support from these cheap Android TV devices. This type of Audio downmixing is what the Mi Box's competitor the FireTV's have implemented correctly for years now.

[@garypranzo9334]

Wait for a sale on the Nvidea shield. you will pay $70 $90 more but get $200 in additional value, The Shield TV is that much better. If You don;t need the features of the Shield TV then just get a Fire TV 4K or competing Roku (Most of My TV's use Fire Sticks). These alternate Android TV boxes are just a recipe for frustration as you go searching for apps to side load like Prime Video / The Shield TV and the Apple TV 5th gen are the BEST streaming boxes bar none and should be on at least your main TV. The Idea is that it simply works and Nvidea Shield is the first box to get Android TV to just work. Only con of Shield TV is the proprietary power supply that is expensive to replace if you break or lose it. (NEVER BUY A USED ONE THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE POWER SUPPLY) Remote is easy to replace for $10.00 and you can use third party game controllers.

[@thebigk3009]

I've used a Sony Bravia Android TV and that one has a native Amazon Video client

[@SteveKluver]

Thank you much, Lon. I sure hope you can get ahold of the upcoming Skystream 3 box. Then give us some insight on it. It sure looks to be a winner. I think it's to start shipping between now, and mid-December.

[@pedrobenfica4438]

have you tried the T95X2tv box? great review, thanks!!1

[@jayadithyanalajala9604]

Which Android picture quality is best nvidea or mi box

[@09ศรวัสย์ศรีสาคร]

This box can work with google home mini to control the TV with voice command to google home mini like google chromcast?

[@herston2]

Following

[@actorlife]

Hi guys Is there anyway to get rid of the voice assistant on the Mi Box? Damn annoying. It's on Netflix and Amazon Prime. Please help thanks.

[@MC4K]

I appreciate your correct pronunciation of Xiaomi!

[@YasinHasan]

will it get android 9?

[@HOUDIN24]

how do you close the windows or apps?

[@MrSeanVideos]

Do you have to install Kodi to access your hdhomerun?

[@LonSeidman]

No it has its own app. lon.tv/dvr2017

[@onyx443]

is your tv smart tv?

[@OriginalNoseBleed]

Keep your finger on the select button brings up the app screen

[@Phil-D83]

With the shield on sale for 120$ usd atm, get that instead. Less pain

[@heymanchan9007]

Just want to know if the USB Ethernet dongle work with the MI box or not? Thank you

[@LonSeidman]

Covered it in the review

[@markmoberg7999]

Yes it does. I would suggest getting a USB ethernet adapter with USB connections so you can add memory sticks to the box

[@gsnassif]

@@LonSeidman would a USB 3.0 dongle be a waste of money vs 2.0? I don't think the 2.0 standard handles gigabit speeds, am I right? Most if not all USB adapters with Ethernet and USB go up to 10/100.

[@EvertGuzman]

@@gsnassif Yes, ethernet 100 is slower then usb 2.0. So to max out the usb 2.0 bandwidth you need a gigabit 1000 ethernet dongle. Which is usually usb 3.0

[@TechInspected]

So even with a Google Play store for Android TV you couldn't get Amazon Prime video app from the store? Weird... hmm. Thanks for the review as always.

[@hoopdie]

I regret buying this because when I upgraded it, it can't detect my wifi anymore 😞 waste of money for now I'll be keeping it away and hope Pie gets an update for this that will fix all these bugs. No wifi with this makes it a brick.