Minix NEO U1 | Android TV Box Review

[@GaryStanden]

Thanks again Roberto! Just picked up a U1 for the living room and could not be happier! Time to start decommissioning my X8-H Plus boxes. The A2 lite is a must!

[@markyb3575]

I spent a good chunk of time over the last few days watching all your reviews on the latest and greatest android boxes. Almost had the trigger pulled on the x8h+ but heard about the u1 last minute through one of your comments. I loved what I'd read of the specs and the benchmark numbers, so I took a leap and ordered it last night. So glad it proved itself to be an oustanding machine and that you thoroughly enjoy it. Great review, thanks!

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Mark Boston Hey Mark, thanks for the feedback!! THe U1 is indeed a great machine, although its not a upgrade to the X8 X Plus it delivers everything that i could wish on a Android Box :) Hope you enjoy your new toy!! All the Best. RJ

[@davidpenney1915]

I must take this opportunity to thank you Roberto. Based on this video, I purchased 2x U1's (one for lounge and one for bedroom) in September 2016.....I previously had the X-8H Plus, but the U1 blows that model out of the water in every way! Excellent Test. Excellent Report.....excellent Choice. Much appreciated. DP

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hey David, glad you are happy with your machines!!! The U1 is a complete beast compared with the X8H Plus. Funny is that the S905 is supposed to be inferior to the S812 but Amlogic implemented so many new features that Wow.. Besides that Minix used the fastest Emmc Flash Storage available at the time and its way fast than most media players, just the Nvidia Shield has one faster than the U1 :) even the U9-H that just came out, we can barely see any difference :) Thanks for the feedback!! RJ 👍

[@johnjurewicz9317]

Roberto, I have to say thanks again, I picked up the minix air 2 per your advice. What a difference , like night and day. Again thank you and best wishes to you and your family !

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+John Jurewicz Hey John, hehe!! Glad to know that are happy yep i know what you mean by night and day, its exactly that. I believe that in the future all machines will come with wireless remotes. Enjoy it :) RJ

[@johnjurewicz9317]

Roberto, thanks for all you do. After your review I bought the minix u1 , not disappointed at all.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+John Jurewicz Hey John, thanks for the feedback and also sharing your experience with the U1. its a nice litle beast this one hehe!! Glad you found the video useful All the best RJ

[@bigtom1948]

Roberto, I really enjoy your reviews. They are clear and don't hold back on the "Like The Least" issues as you say. I was impressed with this unit. but like others I too would like a comparison between this and the Minix Neo x8H Plus. I hope that you can squeeze such a comparison into your schedule. Keep up the fine reviews I trust them and I am sure I am not alone in that confidence in your testing and reviews.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Julius Jahnke Hi Julius, hehe i never hold back and believe me i always try to find any con on all boxes because im sure there are but honestly when everything works perfectly out of the box i cant lie :) On my tests the machine behaved wonderfully and its being used as a daily driver for the past week on my bedroom and so far no issues :) Regarding the video yes, i will have to record a video with my thoughts about the line up because im getting a lot of similar questions, users are a bit confused right now :) i will do my best to help as usual :) All the Best. RJ

[@zoharok]

hi, Robert, great job as usual, is it possible to connect the box to a pc keyboard (wireles for instant)? is there a way to connect to a pc monitor?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hi Zohar and thanks for your feedback!! Regarding the keyboard sure, any keyboard will work, either wired or wireless :) and to a pc monitor yes as well. You will need a monitor that has HDMI input which is the best option for resolution. If you dont have HDMI input on the monitor there are some adapters but the quality will suffer All the Best RJ 👍

[@dproulx797]

Hi Robert, can you turn the U1 on with the A2 remote? I can't with my X8H plus due to the USB port not being energized when the unit is off.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hey!! Yes the U1 can be turned on with the A2 light that i use so the A2 will work as well. The U1 works differently in this case. Although i dont usually turn my off but it works. Usually this is a function that only works in some IR remotes like the Zidoo ones, but the Minix U1 + A2 combination works like a charm :) 👍👍

[@mone88ita]

+Roberto Jorge (Tech Reviews) What app did you use to stream Steam games to U1? Is it the stream of the whole computer's desktop? Thank you...

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+mone88ita Hey!! Full guide here for game stream on mini machines :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4e2aaWAnM-la6c

[@eurossocial]

Hi Roberto, I saw your video and I bought my Minix Neo U1, just yesterday night. Today I set up everything as it should. The 1st thing I did was to connecting the power wire and the hdmi on my Panasonic FulHD tv. and 2nd, I tried for some hours to Add my Google accounts, and was keep throwing me out and keep telling me to login to my account in order to update KZbin and Google Playstore. I recieved many times the google verfication codes on my phone while I was trying to connect my account. I still can not connect. What I was missing here? What I do wrong? and I didn't understand the part with the "device UPDATES" you did here: at 2:19, where did you go to find the Updates? thank you

[@stephencornelious]

Great video Roberto. I have tried that S905 from from another company different from minix that only had 1gb of ram. It was terrible. You could definitely feel the difference and I'm sticking to the S812s for now

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+stephen cornelious Hi Stephen, thanks. The S905 is a great CPU, a lot of power difference from the last S805 but its not only the cpu that makes 1 machine :) The S812 is still a great CPU and will last for a while. For those with a S812 machine i see no real reason to upgrade just now. :) All the Best. RJ

[@stephencornelious]

+Roberto Jorge (Tech Reviews) Absolutely right Roberto. I'm definitely sticking with the S812 for a while. No lollipop but doesn't make a big difference to me cause I switch my launchers anyway

[@hassansaad56]

Thank you so much I appreciate your support, happy holidays to you and your family and friends

[@DCifuentesJ]

Hi Roberto! Quick question: Are you planning to review the Skystrean One? Seems to be a fine ATVB. I own a MInix Neo U1 and a Skystream One, so I was just wondering how they turned up when compared. Thanks!

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hi Daniel, i have no plans to review the SkyStream

[@stephanevdm]

WOW ! I'm really impressed ! Airplay from a mac, Mirror Link, Great Kodi, Game streaming (I need to check that) ! Everything I see on this video makes your television a central part of our media life ! I keep it in mind and continue to search for other super android boxes but this one is great.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hey Stephane, thanks for the feedback!! We use it everyday for our multimedia needs including our Slideshows live stream from imac to the tv trough the U1 The Minix U1 has proven to be one of my favorite machines for 2016 over 50 machines used so far Once you use a Android box you wont go back hehe All the Best RJ 😀

[@stephanevdm]

+Roberto Jorge (Tech Reviews) : what's your opinion on the Sony android TV? What's the power of these devices? For simple 720P video is it enough?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

***** Hi Stephane, my opinion is simple 😀 if you are getting a new tv for whatever reason than if you have the choice of getting one with android built in at the same price of a regular tv than go for it. If the price difference is big than humm i would avoid In the case of being the same price is a good deal as you will have a system that will work fine maybe for a couple of years until you feel the need to upgrade to a faster Android TV box If the price is higher i would prefer to invest my money on a box as its much more powerful than any tv manufacturer is building on their tvs Hope it helps RJ 😀

[@אלילויט]

Hi Roberto Jorge, which gamepad are you use for the demonstration in the video? and which gamepad are you recommend that works prefect with the U1 without any special requirements or installation? thank you.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

HI, i use 2 gamepads. Ipega 9028 and the logitech F710 but at this moment i would go with the logitech because the Ipega does not work with Asphalt 8 airborn (The turbo) No installation required on the 2 gamepads RJ 👍👍

[@normanbambrough6287]

Hi Robert, great video! I've just ordered myself a U1 and was wondering which model game pad you were using in the video. Thank you.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+norman bambrough Hey Norman, thanks!! Regarding the gamepad its the Ipega 9028. Hope it helps and enjoy your new toy!! :) All the Best. RJ

[@tiagoarnaudyt]

Olá jorge! Podes me dizer porque é que q ps4 com o update do youtube não dá full 4k? há alguma box que dê full 4k como um mmac ou pc? não sei de nenhuma e quria comprar uma. parece que só a nova nvidea shiels consegue. diz nos po r favor as alternativas, obrigado

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Oi >Tiago, a unica que eu usei que consegue 4k no youtube é a Nvidia Shield TV. A Ps4 eu não tenho forma de testar Abraço RJ 👍

[@StephenPierre]

Hi Roberto, I got the opportunity to saw your latest review on the Minix Neo U1 as you had suggested. I was a little concern about the compatibility in the Caribbean, but having read your response I feel resolute in my decision. I'm going to purchase the Minix U1. When it arrives I will let you know how the set up went. Thanks a lot.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Stephen Pierre Hey Stephen, glad i could help you to decide on your Android Tv Box!! Enjoy your new toy!! And yes share with us your experiences and your feedback once you have time to play with it :) All the Best. RJ

[@mohamedachouchen3506]

hi roberto thanks again I really apreciate your support that helped me make a decision. All the best and a happy christmas to all the familly.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Mohamed Achouchen Thanks!! All the Best to you to my friend!! :) RJ

[@oceanyt8]

hi Roberto, thank s for uploading the new Minix. Does this version comes with audio DTS and Dolby Sound? If you have choice, 8 H plus or neo u 1?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+oceanyt8 Hi my friend, thanks for the feedback!! Unfortunately i dont have a AV receiver that i can test the audio pass trough, sorry about that. I would head over to minix forums and search there to see if anyone has confirmed the audio or if you don't find than open a thread there with that particular question My personal favorite is the U1 at this moment hehe!! Really fast machine! :) RJ

[@bruno88]

excelente review! você acha que vale a pena comprar agora ou esperar os modelos com processadores com suporte a vp9?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Bruno Meireles Capobiango Oi Bruno, se precisas já compra, eu não vejo assim uma necessidade real num futuro próximo para VP9, pelo menos na minha opinião claro. Abraço. RJ

[@bruno88]

+Roberto Jorge (Tech Reviews) obrigado pela ajuda! tenho que analisar bem antes de comprar porque aqui no Brasil esse aparelho vai custar umas 3 vezes mais caro por causa dos impostos! Então não vou comprar outro tão cedo.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Bruno Meireles Capobiango Sim, já ouvi falar nas taxas absurdas que vocês têm no Brasil, é um roubo mesmo. Em relação á máquina é muito boa vai é ficar cara.

[@bruno88]

+Roberto Jorge (Tech Reviews) pois e! vou importar e esperar que não seja taxado! hahahaha obrigado.

[@edounboxingofficial]

hey, I have a 4K Lg Tv and I love to watch live fooball streaming and what movies in good quality. Should I buy the Minix Neo U1 or Minix Neo X8-H Plus?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Austine John Hey Austine, at this moment i would go for the U1 as its a dam fast machine!! :) RJ

[@johnmccracken99]

hey roberto, I have just ordered one on your recommendation. Which joystick/games controller did you use in the video ?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hey John, i use the ipega 9028 and the Logitech F710 :)

[@clayleitch2639]

Thanks for the review. I have a question.. will this box take the newer android marshmallow?

[@arashmohsenijam6132]

Hi Jorge Great review... This video is posted while ago, do you still think Neo U1 is the best anyone can buy (regardless of money)? Does it worth waiting for new boxes to come or the changes will be minimal? Also which controller would be the best for this tv box? Thanks a lot.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Arash Mohsenijam Hey Arash, the U1 is one of my favorites boxes and probebaly my favorite as its one of the fastest machines out there atm. We should see the Amlogic S912 this year but honestly i dont see what else they can bring to the table. Off course it will be with more raw performance but for our needs i dont see where we are going to use more cpu power :) I would not wait, get the U1 and be happy hehe!! Let us know Oh i use the Ipega 9028 and a Logitech F710, hard to say which i prefer :) pros and cons on both All the Best RJ

[@yasser2j]

ok I have 2 questions 1- what type of joystick do you use? 2- is the Minix U1 is better than Minix neo x8-h plus??

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Yasser Al-Jumaily Hey!! 1- I use either the ipega9028 or the Logitech F710 2- At this moment i would go for the U1 as its really fast compared with the X8 H Plus RJ

[@gonzchi]

Hi, I am reading a bit about Android TV boxes and learning. I know that this box is not running the Android TV software from Google, but a generic Android build. My question is...when you install an app from the Play store... will the box be recognized as a TV device and install the TV version of the app? Or it will be recognized as a tablet/phone and install the "normal" version of the app? Thanks!

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hi Gonz, the Android TV OS can be a advantage or disadvantage :) On one hand you will have the aps optimized for the tv but on the other you are limited in what aps you can install. The Pure Android Experience that we have on machines such as the Minix U1 is that we get the aps that are optimized for tablets / phones but we can install everything from the playstore. I like the Android TV OS but i honestly prefer Pure Android. This is a important factor when choosing a box 👍👍 And its a very personal choice RJ

[@gonzchi]

Muito obrigado amigo!

[@gonzchi]

Debating between getting this one and the new Xiaomi Mi with Android TV. I was thinking the same...that stock android would be better. Question..in an Android TV box like Mi... I guess you can sideload any app and it will still work, right? (even if you can't download from Playstore) Thanks so much

[@AC_Milan1899]

Roberto, many thanks for your reviews. I'm highly tempted by this box,I have tried a few so far but haven't settled on one. Is there any Android box which allows you to play sound from your tv via hdmi and also play 5.1 DD or DTS from a soundbar connected via optical? just like a normal blu Ray or DVD player can do

[@AC_Milan1899]

I meant to add, play both at the same time without needing to change settings in the Android box menu

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+AC Milan 1899 Hey, i understand the question but humm!!! Not sure if it will play on both and this answer is for any box not just this one. The Minix U1 its a great box and i love the experience but i have never tested that situation. I would suggest buying trough amazon so that if you are not pleased you may return it easy. Non the less if you cannot with the U1 you will not be able with any other Let me know if it works please once you have tried it :) RJ

[@johna1489]

Hi Roberto...great review as usual...considering Minix U1 or new Xiaomi Mi Box...any thoughts on Mi Box?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hey John, thanks. The U1 is a solid choice, the Mi Box im not sure how the firmware will be implemented so i cant say how good or bad it is RJ

[@riddle725]

thanks for all your reviews you do a great job , it help me to decide what box to order ,I just ordered the minix u1 I should get it next week, thanks again

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hey Riddle, thanks for sharing and im glad that you are getting a new toy!! Enjoy it and if possible share your experiences with us Thanks RJ 👍👍

[@TheKAOTICJOKER]

Hey robert i have a question for some reason any video i play through kodi are only showing on the top left of screen with this box any ideas ? I have tried the setting but i dont no what wrong

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Manuel Perez Hi Manuel, are you using HDMI? I have never had that issue with HDMI connection, but i had with AV out. If you are using HDMI make sure you have the resolution according to your tv, this has to be a issue of resolution, i cant see anything else that could cause this. RJ

[@Truth_Seeker86]

Where would I be able to buy the compatible gaming controller for this in Canada?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Check Amazon for the ipega 9028 or logitech F710

[@Truth_Seeker86]

Okay. Thank you.

[@jerryjukofsky5810]

I now own every Android box from your best of 2015. (addicted) Also, have 2 of these Minix Neo U1 (This is my favorite box by far) - spoiler alert :) Bought Nvidia Shield on two occasions and returned both times. Don't like the restrictions and the fact that it does not have a full google play store. Thanks for your awesome videos !!!

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Jerry Jukofsky Hey Jerry, hehe!! You are really a tech "addicted" hehe!! Yep the U1 is a great machine. The Nvidia Shield was a bit of a disappointment specially because the limitations that we have. As i said on the other video i prefer the Pure Android Tv Experience which gives me freedom :) Thanks for sharing!! All the Best RJ

[@B.D.B.]

Did you have a chance to test bitstreaming DTS-HD / DD TrueHD? As well as playback on Kodi, not the preinstalled, minix specific version?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hi, sorry but i have no way of testing audio pass through :) RJ 👍

[@Al9Capone]

I use pass through. It's a bit tricky if you are not au fait with the way passthrough works. If you are not, goto WIKI. The TV box you use has to be connected to an a/v system that will allow pass through to your TV and speakers. Normally, the HDMI cable from your TV box carries the sound and vision to an AV centre. The AV centre splits the signal, Vision only to the TV and audio out to the speakers. If your AV centre allows Digital Dolby (DD), AC3, and DTS, then you are good to go. You don't need to use Kobi to stream from a NAS, etc, most Video apps that you can use probably supports these formats, and you will get surround sound. I don't use Kobi, I find it too cumbersome. I use one of the available apps, and have set it to open automatically (it is set as the default app for streaming video). I don't need to open the app, just select the movie and off we go. So easy.

[@B.D.B.]

I got the unit already and I didn't test thoroughly, but DD TrueHD pass-through worked as well as frame packed 3D from BR image. Haven't tested with non-preinstalled Kodi.

[@RobinMoran]

Great review. Is there a way for the Minix to act like a Chromecast since it can do the iOS Airplay mirroring?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Robin Moran Hi Robin, with IOS / OSX and Windows works great and i have seen also some people using android screencast although i never used it, should work fine :) RJ

[@RobinMoran]

+Roberto Jorge (Tech Reviews) Thanks Roberto. Btw, what software do I install to game stream from the PC?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

***** There are a few but i usually use Moonlight kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4e2aaWAnM-la6c RJ 😀

[@RobinMoran]

+Roberto Jorge (Tech Reviews) Awesome! Thank you!

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

***** 😀

[@ashscool]

Hey RJ, great video there. Which model is the gamepad that you are using to play? Also, what's the best wide angle camera you suggest for conferencing using the minix? I've a X8-H Plus.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Ashwin Ramesh Hi Ashwin, thanks for the feedback!! :) Im using the Ipega 9028, just search on YT and you will find my review of it, it has been with me for a while and works great for this type of machine :) Regarding cameras i dont use but if you check the minix foruns you will see that users use the Logitech cameras successfully Hope it helps. RJ

[@ashscool]

Awesome!! Thank you for the suggestion!! Keep the great videos coming!!!

[@melquinones70]

hello there keep doing a great job, I have one question for you wish box is better neo x8-h plus or neo u1?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+M. quinones Hey and thanks for the feedback!! The S812 on the X8H plus is still superior in performance but the S905 is competing with top end machines giving the same results in real life situations and also playing newer formats like 10Bit that older cpus cannot like the S812. Both machines are great and for those that have the X8 H Plus i dont see the need to run and get the U1, but for those on the market for a new box i would go for the U1. You will notice that the machine has a really fast storage and makes it very responsive compared with the X8 H plus. SSD vd HDD :) Hope it helps RJ

[@melquinones70]

Thank you, you did help me

[@0ctoberForever]

Being a newer model, is this better than the other MINIX Devices on offer right now?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Ryan Trodden Its a new cpu the Amlogic S905 but its not the upgrade for the X8 H Plus, the X8 is still superior, but the U1 is delivering some great results and has a really fast storage :)

[@matthouser307]

Thanks for your reviews!....do you prefer the U1 or x8H plus?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Matt Houser Hey Matt, although i love the X8 H Plus at this moment i prefer the minix u1, its a dam fast android tv box :)

[@Viperxtreme3]

+Roberto Jorge (Tech Reviews) you can download torrents with this box direct to a external hard drive?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Francisco Vicente Yep :)

[@chriskowalewski5794]

I'm still trying to figure out how to plug the cables in. I have no clue where to plug in what. Any answer would be appreciated. Chris.

[@bassred7065]

Have you ever tried Matricom g-box? It was a choice between that and this.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Bass Red Hey Bass, i have never used a Matricom G-Box. For a safe purchase and great experience i would suggest the Minix U1. Minix is a serious player on the Android Tv Box world and has some of the best machines around. usually a bit more expensive but with support, huge community etc Hope it helps RJ

[@jacktorrance9254]

Nice review.......will it mount a 5tb external hard drive?

[@steelgtr]

Is this really better than the M8S? I read that the S812 was actually faster than the 905?

[@dthao227]

Is this like a plug and play Andriod TV? Still new here, and planning to ditch all my cable tv.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hey, it depends on what you mean by plug N play, it is but if you are thinking that comes with channels etc no it wont, you will need to install them your self using maybe Kodi and Addons RJ 👍

[@angeldanielrangel]

Hi roberto, I really appreciate all your reviews, but let me make you a question, have you tried to use a 4TB portable HDD (usb powered) with this unit? What is the maximum external HDD capacity supported by this minix box?

[@wizlee-dev]

Hi Roberto, just watched this and your other review on Zidoo X6 Pro. Is it safe to say that the general performance and functionality of Minix U1 is better than the X6 Pro? Any area that I missed out that the X6 Pro does better?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hey Wiz, the X6 is a nice machine but franqly the Amlogic S905 on the Minix U1 beats the crap out of the Rockship 3368 on the X6, so if you want a fast machine with 10bit playback, game stream and one of the fastest storages available, the U1 is the way to go. RJ 👍

[@wizlee-dev]

Thanks! Crystal clear ;)

[@rdhermes]

hi Rob , I have a Minix Neo u1 and have 2 problems with it . 1) everytime I try to do the ota update the is crashes and I have to reset it to factory default. 2) if I don't use or move the remote control(A2 lite) the box turns off on its own after 15 minutes . is there some way to fix these 2 issues? thanks regards Rami Hermés

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hi Rami, this is the 1st time i hear this issue so i would suggest that you create a post on Minix foruns so that support and the community can help. Hopefully there is someone else with that problem but if not then Minix support will let you know how to troubleshot. Sorry that i have had not that issue and that i dont have a better answer for your problem RJ

[@andrewhuynh812]

Hi Robert, I'm thinking to purchase one. Would this plays HD, 720 and 1080p movies? Thank you.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+tx77006 Oh!! Yes, i did play everything on the U1 even 4K files from my NAS without any problems. But this also depends on your ethernet / internet access. RJ

[@Valkyrie2246]

Hi Roberto, I have bought the Neo U1 and tried to set it up. The box does not 'recognize' that it is connected to internet via a wired connection and fails to connect to Google and the Minix website. Have I done something wrong or do I have to 'force' the box to see the connection? Thank you.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Valkyrie2246 Hi Valkyrie, it should connect automaticly but if it doesn't go to the settings and select Ethernet. Oh! Disable wifi, it can only be connected via Ethernet or Wifi at the time. RJ

[@Valkyrie2246]

Thank you for responding, much appreciated.

[@renjithc6476]

hi roberto - i'm getting confused with the line ups of minix with every new version out: X8H-Plus the oldest had DTS/Dolby+GigNIC+True4K+HEVC / Come newer Z64- no DTS/Dolby+100Mbps+1080p / come even newer U1 - not even proper DTS pass through+GigBack+Questionable display ... i'm really lost considering if minix wants me to prefer only a snappy UI response vs give up on things which matter more here - playing back Video & Audio. (I may not be accurate on thse specs - but in general thats what I could understand) do advise which one is really speaking more sensible to use here.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Renjith Chembakarayil Hey, regarding audio its really difficult for me as i cant proper test the pass-trough, i dont have a capable AV receiver at the moment In terms of machine it self at this moment i prefer the U1 because its faster than the 2 X8 and Z64, although the raw performance of the U1 is inferior because the cpu is inferior, but has new tech so can compete with top end machines. I believe that on your particular case probably the X8 H Plus is the best choice regarding the audio concerns, its a more mature machine and people had enough time to test and report issues and Minix has fixed most of them, the U1 is still very recent so it will go trough the same process that the X8 had Difficult choice there Renjith RJ

[@A72CUTLAS]

How fast of a connection do I need to take advantage of this box's speed? What i have now is an avg of 15MB down. Too slow?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hi, it depends on the qulity of the videos that you will be streaming. 1080p Blueray MKV files will take more than that but if you use your internal network it will be faster than you internet connection so i would suggest saving your movie collection on a NAS and then stream from it RJ 👍

[@dochoa730]

I was wondering if u ever tried or heard of anyone using PLAYSTATION VUE on any MINIX device? Does it even show in the play store on a MINIX box?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

I havent sorry, and i dont have PS so i cant test it RJ

[@McLovine46]

the Minix streaming TV boxes are high quality. It would be very interesting if Minix would come up with dual boot OS (Windows 10 & Android) in the near future, that would put Minix to another whole level. Very nice review Roberto.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Carne Frita TV Hehe!! That would be a killer, dual OS with 64GB of storage hehe!! Thanks for the feedback!! RJ

[@SaudiSportsEntertainment]

hey Roberto what machine would u go for out of the minix u1 or nvidia shield I will mainly be using for watching live sports also how does the u1 compare with the nvidia for gaming? thanks

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Gary Lindsay Hey Gary, there are pros and cons on both, including prices & the way that we use it, i personally prefer the Pure Android experience on the U1. In terms of games i see no Android game that can benefit from the better hardware of the shield. Both the Shield and the U1 can use Game Stream. The shield has Geforce Now which is unique to nvidia but i don't find it useful to me personally, having in mind the price and the limitation of the games. I have published a video with my experiences with the shield a while back here kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6XSqnmnrLyqhrM Hope it helps RJ

[@davidpenney1915]

Roberto, have you tried this box with the latest Kodi (17.3), yet? I seem to get a little bit of jerkiness in video playback from my NAS - with 17.3 and Ares Krypton Build. What do you use with this box for streaming your video playback?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

I believe that i still have 17.1 on the U1 :) If there are issues try to create a support ticket on the Minix forum, im sure that if they are not aware they will address it as soon as possible.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Kodi, Plex and Emby are my favorite ones being Kodi the simplest one because it has no need for a server :)

[@davidpenney1915]

Roberto Jorge would you be able to list your Settings... Player.... And what the settings show, please?

[@davidpenney1915]

If you don't give out settings, thats not a problem....or did you not see my message, regarding the Kodi Player in Settings?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hey David, sorry i missed a few messges and im delayed on answering :) Settings i usually use the default and i change the auto frame rate and basicly thats it :)

[@taneleertivan87]

hi roberto just wondering how you do the system update using KK launcher thanks jack

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Captain Jack huurrr Captain Jack hehe!! The update is the same, you just need to go to the app drawer and press the update app and it will update the system the same way. The launcher is basically a skin, it will not change anything besides the look :) RJ

[@AehreWemAereGebuehrt]

How does the Airplay feature work? Is there any special software needed? Sorry, if this is a stupid question...i'm a complete beginner in this area.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+sucka223 Hi and there are no stupid questions on this channel :) If you buy a Minix Box you will have included a app called Air Pin Pro and you just need to open it once and configure the basic settings, after that all your devices will see the minix box as a Air Play device. That is how i see live Apple events on my living room hehe!! :) hope it helps RJ

[@AehreWemAereGebuehrt]

thanks very much!

[@jims888]

Hi Roberto, which do you think is better between Minix U1 and Zidoo X9? I have watched both your reviews but can't really tell which one is better as they are both positive reviews. Thanks

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Jimmy S Hey Jimmy, the U1 has the new S905 CPU which i really like because it can play every format that i have tested and also the U1 has the fastest storage that i have tested (just between by the Nvidia shield) So Minix U1 is a really nice beast at this moment. The X9 is also a nice machine, older tech and the reason to go for the X9 would be if you need that your machine records from a HDMI input Hope it helps RJ 😀

[@jims888]

Roberto Jorge Hi Roberto, thank you for your reply. Just need to ask one more thing, does it support external hard drives with capacity more than 2 TB? Thanks

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Jimmy S No prob Jimmy, if it has external power you can connect as many as you need 😀 RJ

[@lock_]

Thanks for the review. Simple question: is it possible to set an app like Kodi to autoplay at start? I'm going to get one of these boxes as a replacement of my old Mede8er and, since I would use it exclusively for video play, I'd like to skip most of the Android interface and go directly to what I need. Thanks. :)

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Lock _ Hey Lock, sure use the app "start up" and you can define anything to start once the machine boots. Hope it helps RJ

[@lock_]

+Roberto Jorge (Tech Reviews) Many thanks Roberto, it works perfectly. :)

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

***** 😀

[@KarinasContent]

would you recommend the NEO U1 for 1080P TV displaying KODI or would you still say Z64 is better for that resolution?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+mistaken29 Hey humm 2 great machines and you cant go wrong with either, but at this moment i would go for the U1 :) RJ

[@KarinasContent]

Roberto Jorge Thanks! Love your reviews Keep up the Good Work!

[@robb5289]

Does the Minix U1 allow users to customize Kodi? IE with add ons or wallpapers or builds like with the firestick?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Tony B Hey Tony, once you are inside Kodi you may just use it as in any other machine windows, android, linux etc. you can install anything you want and customize the way you need it :) RJ

[@bigversionofchrist]

Hi Roberto, I love your reviews! I am considering buying the U1 but I'm concerned about the 16gb storage since I intend to install a lot of games on it. can you suggest me another box with similar specs and price but with more storage?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hi and thanks. Now that is a good question and instead of recommending a box i would recommend that you wait a little bit for the next Minix machine to appear which will have probably the S912 Soc but more important the Android 6.0 version that allows us to install aps on external storage like the SD card making the internal storage less relevant. There are already machines out there with 6.0 but as you want a great quality box i would wait a while Hope it helps RJ 👍

[@vanthanhthikhuong4261]

Hi Roberto ! I'm usually watch movie and using home cinema system . Could you let me know about quality sound ? It can play Dolby 5.1 or 7.1 ? Please ! Thanks

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hi Kien, i dont have a capable av receive so i cant test audio at this moment. Sorry man RJ

[@coronaflo]

Can you install the latest Kodi version on this unit. I have read it has a special version of Kodi preinstalled.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

You can but for the best results its better to use the Kodi version optimized by Minix RJ

[@robertayala8723]

have you done a review on the skystream one android box ?

[@kenball1980]

thanks for another great video. i have always loved MINIX boxes. I'm currently running a x8-h, not the plus model. is there any big difference between this and the u1? if i were to get another box it would definitely be either another MINIX or an nvidia shield TV.

[@alairdottin8101]

Are users of the minix neo x-8 plus doomed now that kodi doesn't seem to be supporting boxes with versions of below 5.0. ?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hi Alair, there is hope :) www.minixforum.com/threads/is-there-an-update-to-lolipop-or-no.14589/ We just need a bit of patience. Jun / july maybe RJ 👍

[@alairdottin8101]

Thanks mate

[@udaibhan32]

Thanks for your reply. I need your opinion, I am very impressed by your Minix Windows reviews. I need a for light weight desktop replacement. Should I wait for the Cherry Trail processor? Which should be hitting the market soon, currently only one media box has Cherry Trail.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+udaibhan32 Hey and thanks for the feedback!! Regarding the Z64 Windows is a really nice machine that can replace any older big Computer that we have on offices such as schools etc and these mini pcs on my opinion are totally capable of replacing those units. If you can wait a bit longer wait to see the prices that the new Cherry Trail will come, i expect that they will be a bit more expensive than the Z64 as the specs are higher for what i have seen, like the SSD´s with 128GB etc but at least by then you can make a choice a Z64 or a newer model depending on price and on your needs If on the other hand you need it right now get the Z64 W which is a fine machine. All the Best RJ

[@udaibhan32]

+Roberto Jorge (Tech Reviews) Thank you Roberto, as usual very well researched reply. Will wait for now.

[@knykcom]

Hi +Roberto, I am new to TV box and I am currently considering U1 or Zidoo X6pro. which one should I go for in your opinion.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hey Kelvin, check my latest video on the Best Android TV Box for 2016 and humm it might help to decide kzbin.info/www/bejne/l326qaJ7j5xngtk All the Best RJ 😀

[@knykcom]

Roberto Jorge thank you so much on this. Zidoo not even mentioned, so I got myself U1. I bought at 520MYR. is that expensive?

[@kevinwilliams1530]

hi Kelvin. Where did you buy your U1? I want to go pick one up.

[@knykcom]

i bought in Malaysia, are you in Malaysia?

[@eufioselected]

Hello Roberto and thank you for the review - quick question - I have the Minix Z64 A and I am pretty happy with it. A buddy of mine was looking for a recommendation - is the U1 better/ faster / more future-proof than the Z64? In my country it seems cheaper than the Z64 ...

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+eufioselected Hey man 😀 quick ansewr Yes!! U1 Great little beast!! RJ

[@eufioselected]

+Roberto Jorge (Tech Reviews) Thank you Sir. What about the risk of Kodi discontinuing development for Android users ( apparently they no longer have any devs for Android...would a Minix user still be able to use an older version of Kodi?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

eufioselected No problem 😀 Regarding KODI im not very concerned really. Although Chris Browet was the only KODI Android Dev im sure they will get someone else. Regarding Minix they have stated recently that although Android has no longer a KODI coder, their machines will be kept up to date with their team doing the improvements on their KODI optimized version. As last resort in a really dark scenario if KODI was to disappear from Android there would always be the SPMC solution so no worries :)

[@Nnyan]

Did you test support for DTS-MA?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Nnyan Hi Nnyan, sorry i dont have a capable AV receiver. Its one of my handicaps and im pondering to get one in 2016, not sure if possible but ill do my best. RJ

[@Shirodx]

Excellent review as always. Can you tell me please what game pad you used on this android box? Thanks.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Shiro DX Hi Shiro, sure here goo.gl/lSH5H5 :) RJ

[@Shirodx]

+Roberto Jorge (Tech Reviews) Thank you for the link! Love your reviews. You have helped me make my decision on which Android box to get. Keep them coming and keep up the good work!

[@NESDUB]

Hi Reberto, as far as performance and video quality would you recommend the U1 or the Z64?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Dwayne Cofer Hey Dwane, video quality is the same but the U1 can play more formats like 10Bit and H265 is smooth. At this moment i would go for the U1 which has also a faster storage :) Hope it helps RJ

[@omegalfaPT]

Hi Roberto, congratulations for you great reviews! Tell me please, what is the better box, X8H+ or U1 ? I will use it mainly for live IPTV and stream movie online. I will also connect to internet by wireless. Great job again, by the way I am also from Portugal (Montijo).

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+omegalfaPT Hey :) There is a video review in my portuguese channel :) and although i could speak portuguese with you ill keep it english so that everyone understands hehe!! Although the S812 on the X8 H Plus is a superior CPU at this moment i would honestly go for the U1, its a "Mini Beast" great performance, and way faster than the X8 H Plus in terms of storage, its like using a SSD and a 7200rpm hdd :) Grande Abraço RJ

[@ptsere1981]

Did you try to play Netflix? Were you able to get 1080p resolution?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Pavlos Tseretopoulos Hi Pavlos, no i havent but Minix machines are not the device i would suggest for Netflix at least in the past i could not get HD resolution. When possible ill test it. :) But dont get high hopes. RJ

[@ProcrastinatinZombie]

Can this work with regular computer monitors? Also, does it come with preinstalled apps for tv shows and movies other than Netflix and the such

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+ProcrastinatinZombie Hi, yes sure, the only thing that you will need is to connect a external speakers as usually pc monitors dont have sound :) but everything works great. It comes with aps but like on any other android phones you may download the aps from the google play store which is great!! :) Hope it helps RJ

[@ProcrastinatinZombie]

+Roberto Jorge (Tech Reviews) Thanksy thanks

[@DoyThinksThis]

Roberto, what app are you using for game streaming?

[@daniellimarodrigues3820]

Boa Tarde Roberto, estou a pensar adquirir uma minix U1 mas gostava de pedir a tua opinião uma vez que só a penso utilizar para Netflix, Plex e Kodi (Live TV) e se esta é a melhor a comprar tendo em conta que tenho um budget de £120. A minha internet em casa está agora em 200 Mbps por isso uma box que use esta velocidade em pleno também será um ponto a valorizar. Muito obrigado e muitos parabéns pelo excelente trabalho.

[@anilsasnik9890]

sir please suggest me which is box is best under 4 thousands

[@boshapasha7787]

awesome review, but i have a very important question, does it play at 24p like the wdtv or not ? if yes then this is it

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Bosha Pasha Hi, if you use Kodi it will play the frame rate of the movie, so it will be variable depending on the footage that you play including 24 Hope it helps RJ

[@boshapasha7787]

+Roberto Jorge (Tech Reviews) thanks very much for your review , you're the reason I've decided to buy this btw , i had another question, how does do with 3d playback and full bd's ? thanks again

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Bosha Pasha Hehe!! 3D is not my thing really i dont test just because i cant stand 3D, i get dizzy and headaches :)

[@boshapasha7787]

+Roberto Jorge (Tech Reviews) oh ,that's right thanks again mate

[@marneysmithies8558]

i have this machine and have had it for about 1 year. bought 1 for a friend about 2 months ago. love it. i am wondering if there is a better machine out now @ the ~$140-160 ish price point ? i have 2 people interested in buying & want me to get for them, so thought i would ask here, i dont have time to research read up on each movie box & I really like the minix brand.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

hey Marney, the U1 is a beast and only beaten by the newest U9-H which has the S912 instead of the S905 but for real world usage we wont notice any difference. Get the U9-H if you are going to use Adaptive storage and want Android 6, if not the U1 still going strong 😀

[@marneysmithies8558]

perfect ty for confirming...i just bought 3 more for friends...now i have to do all the installs which seem to change from XBMC now to KODI, back n forth. i was planning on installing kodi, then collusus, sanctuary, then ares repo. my 1st machine videos were all about XBMC which the U1 comes with but all current (sept '17) videos seem to be KODI based.

[@marneysmithies8558]

perfect ty for confirming...i just bought 3 more for friends...now i have to do all the installs which seem to change from XBMC now to KODI, back n forth. i was planning on installing kodi, then collusus, sanctuary, then ares repo. my 1st machine videos were all about XBMC which the U1 comes with but all current (sept '17) videos seem to be KODI based.

[@kicksreason]

Once again Minix has shown how important is not only to have a good hardware, but great support and software to drive it.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+kicksreason Hey!! Yep i believe that there is a lot of work behind the scenes to get a machine working great as this one, no problems whatsoever. Thanks for the input :) RJ

[@uldisauzins7371]

Hi, Roberto ! Thank you for your videos and reviews ! Sorry for offtopic, but do you have any information about Minix Neo U9-H release date ? So many rumours, so long delays ... I need an upgrade, because I'm a lucky owner of new UHD 4K TV. Which one Minix to choose - U9-H, or an "old" U1 ? Thank you and good luck. Uldis. Latvia.

[@SalamS]

If the money is not an issue should I buy U1 or X8 H Plus ? Thanks

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Salam S Hi Salam, at this moment the U1 is my choice :) RJ

[@0157peteblack]

Hi Robert, I realise you are very busy, however I have a question about external hard drives with this box. I plugged the hard drive in initially and the box read it fine once, however it won’t read it again? I tried a different hard drive that has its own power source and it still wouldn’t read it, do you have any suggestions? Many thanks Pete.

[@SoundSyndicateDJ]

Now that we are in 2017 do you still recommend the Minix U1 or do you have a new box of choice? I've looked at the shield but it is rather expensive in my opinion for an android experience. Would you suggest waiting for a new Minix box which from what I have read is rumoured to be out very soon? Thuss driving the price of the U1 down maybe some deals?

[@rich5354]

hi Roberto, do you think there is any chance of this unit upgrading to marshmallow in the future?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hey Richard, i dont think so. Not sure but if it would i believe that it would have happened already!! :) RJ 👍

[@tiagoarnaudyt]

Only nvidea play 4k youtube. Do you know other tv box that play 4k youtube videos? Thanks.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hi Tiago, as far as im aware only the shield does (at least that i have tried) RJ 👍

[@yanni6969]

Great review once again. Mind if I ask what apps you use to gamestream from pc to the android box? Thanks. :)

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+FackeddTV Hey!! Thanks. Better than telling you heres my guide showing how to achieve that :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4e2aaWAnM-la6c Hope it helps RJ

[@elapo]

Hi from Puerto Rico! Thanks to your review i have this machine now!

[@oldskoolsasha36]

Roberto Wonder if you could help me please. Do you know if the Neo u1 does 4k HDR

[@apolloleasingpool6156]

Hi Roberto hqve you done a review on the DroidBox T8-S Plus OpenELEC box? if so please foward/post the URL, Thanks!!

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hi, no i havent RJ 👍

[@petehreid1]

Really good review, thank you. Having a 4K UHD television I wanted to upgrade from Amazon fire stick which lagged and froze. The minix has been awesome I must admit was tempted with Nvidia shield but read some reports on unreliability. Only issue I have had is with the on/off which can be problematic despite an update. In saying that the playback is brilliant and 4K really good. Would definitely recommend and got a deal which includes better remote

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hey Pete, thanks for the feedback and im glad that you are happy with your new toy!! Hehe!! Regarding the remote i use the Minix A2 Lite and it works awesome :) RJ 👍👍

[@TheLastFraudster]

Is this still the latest box from MINIX? I'm looking to upgrade from a cheap box and have my eye on this model. This there another box you'd compare this to for better value?

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Hi :) yep the U1 is still the latest one. We should see the new models with the new Socs S912 soon arriving the market so if you can wait a little bit would be a good idea. Even if you decide going with the U1 after the S912 release at least you had a option :) At this moment the U1 is my choice for the price / performance category, check out my Best Android TV Box 2016 video where i do a few comparisons with other machines 👍👍

[@syeboa]

Hi Jorge. If money is not an option, which xmbc box will you opt for?

[@chuongnguyen798]

hello Roberto Jorge, minix forum seem to be closed?! I cant download firmware of my Minix Neo U1. Do you have one? Thanks you so much.

[@faisalr2783]

hi roberto, i have no 4k tv or 5.1 audio, and the price between this and neoz64 is so close, do u think i should get this or just get the z64?

[@faisalr2783]

after finishing watching your review, im certain im gonna get this u1, thanks for the great video roberto! cheers

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Faisal Rahman Ah! I just replied on your other comment :) hehe!! Yep the U1 at this moment would be my choice :) RJ

[@faisalr2783]

+Roberto Jorge (Tech Reviews) yeah, after i watched your earlier video i snoop around your channel and find this video and made up my mind 100%, thanks RJ :D

[@jmt3504]

Hay Robert need your help. Could u give me the name of that Launcher you used please

[@DeathByDurians]

I wonder how this box stack against the new Tronsmart Vega S95 since they both have pretty much the same spec.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+Justin Feroz Hey Justin, im testing the Vega S95 for about a week now and so far so god :) i will be sharing soon. The bigest diference that i see now is the Storage on the Minix is much faster

[@DeathByDurians]

+Roberto Jorge (Tech Reviews) Are you testing the S95 Telos version with the SATA port? I'm not sure how I can use the SATA port coz all my HDD are either USB, FireWire or Thunderbolt. Eagerly waiting for your review. Thanks ;)

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

Justin Feroz The Sata port can be useful to connect a 2.5" HDD directly, although i dont use it might be useful for some. :) RJ

[@avi1777]

hi roberto, ,where do i find? thanks.i have the u1 as well but cant find 4k content

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

+avi1777 Hey, its really hard to find 4K content. Besides the samples i believe that you will have some YT videos and that is about it. If you are looking for 4K samples to test out i have the links on the video description :) All the Best RJ

[@avi1777]

hi roberto, why when i watch you tube with the u1 it dosent give the 4k option?in a regular pc its working but not with the u1 browzer. thank you.

[@RobertoJorgeTech]

avi1777 On all boxes that i have tried except on the Nvidia Shield we dont have the 4K option, the maximum is 1080p. I believe that is a limitation on the KZbin app for these boxes and that does not happen on the version for the Android TV OS

[@avi1777]

so in the nvidia i can watch 4k on youtube?

[@avi1777]

on the minix with chrome its 1080,with firefox its1440 but with the minix browser its 4k but very slow