Xiaomi Mi Box S - Freezing / Stuttering Issues?

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kingjj

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#2335223 10-Oct-2019 20:20

jonathan18:

What USB/ethernet adapters are recommended?or is it not fussy?)
Bought a Xiaomi USB to RJ45 off off Ali for about 12 bucks, works a treat.
Does it run Kodi OK? 4K or only 1080? (I get that it doesn't seem to support some high-end audio formats but that's probably not a biggie)
Runs Kodi fine at 1080p, haven't tried at 4K.
Can one install the NZ 'FTA' on-demand apps, ie 3 Now and TVNZ On Demand? (I don't particularly like using the Kodi plugins for these)
Have installed the 3 Now and TVNZ android apps in the past but ended up switched yo Kodi addons as they were easier to use
Does Google Play Movies perform ok (and with discrete audio, eg DD 5.1)?
Play Movies works fine but can't comment on audio output (only use the TV speakers, yes I know).
Is it relatively easy to install other VOD services like UKTV and BBC iPlayer?
Haven't tried but its not hard to side load apps (eg. SparkSport, Sky Go etc).

Thanks in advance.

Kiwifruta

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#2335262 10-Oct-2019 23:54

jonathan18:
evilengineer:

Saw them on sale in PBTech the other day for about $125.

Might be a bit cheaper direct from China.

But you'd have the extra consumer protection buying local.

Thanks; doh! I hadn't realised that PB/Mi Store stocked these.

In regards to Chromecast functionality - would there be any benefit to getting a Chromecast Ultra compared to getting a Mi Box and using its built-in Chromecasting?

I'm frustrated that I can't get Google Play Movies working on an Amazon Fire TV, and I'm not that keen on the lack of 5.1 when watching Play content via YouTube, so had thought about getting a Chromecast Ultra; but given the Mi isn't too much more than a CC Ultra, but could probably even replace the Amazon Fire, I'm wondering whether this would be a better option.

All Google Play rented or purchased movies are available to watch on a Fire TV (or any other device) vía the official YouTube app under purchases.

Kiwifruta

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#2335265 11-Oct-2019 00:07

What USB/ethernet adapters are recommended?or is it not fussy?)
Use the Ugreen ones from AliExpress, they have ones compatible with the Mi Boxes

Can one install the NZ 'FTA' on-demand apps, ie 3 Now and TVNZ On Demand? (I don't particularly like using the Kodi plugins for these)
TVNZ on demand is available, ThreeNow is not.
Use the live channels app and the TVirl app to watch the free to air channels. Check out Matt Huisman’s website for the instructions.

Cheapest place to buy is via the official Xiaomi store in AliExpress. Mine took two weeks to arrive.
Side loading apps is easy, use the app Xplorer .
1) Upload the app to your google drive account and then
2) use Xplorer to download them from google drive

Alternatively, I haven’t yet tested this, side load the apkpure apk and then directly download the apps from there.

However after considering all this, it might be worth considering the new Vodafone TV device.

jonathan18

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#2335328 11-Oct-2019 06:57

Kiwifruta:

All Google Play rented or purchased movies are available to watch on a Fire TV (or any other device) vía the official YouTube app under purchases.

Yes, I think it may have even been you that usefully pointed this out in another thread when I asked about getting Google Play Movies on the Amazon Fire. It works perfectly on terms of video, but as I suspected there’s no discrete 5.1 audio support. (From a decent amount of research I’ve done, I understand that the ‘free’ YouTube doesn’t support any discrete surround audio, and will downmix everything even if uploaded in this.)

If I’m paying to watch a movie, especially more bombastic ones in which the audio is a significant part of the experience, I really don’t like settling for subpar sound. I get that this isn’t a concern for most people, but it is for me!

Last night I tried airplaying from the iPad app through an ATV and got the same result...

Also, thank you for your second post responding to my questions - really helpful.

CB_24

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#2357183 19-Nov-2019 11:32

Anyone manage to get Chrome browser onto this device?

SamF

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#2357187 19-Nov-2019 11:36

CB_24:

Anyone manage to get Chrome browser onto this device?

I managed to install Chrome on mine, but it was basically useless; navigating or using it with either the native remote or an attached BT keyboard / mouse was basically impossible.

Dell

Shop now for Dell laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

CB_24

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#2357266 19-Nov-2019 13:47

SamF:

CB_24:

Anyone manage to get Chrome browser onto this device?

I managed to install Chrome on mine, but it was basically useless; navigating or using it with either the native remote or an attached BT keyboard / mouse was basically impossible.

What guide did you follow? There seems to be a few but no joy so far.

SamF

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#2357267 19-Nov-2019 13:54

No guide really; I just used an APK extractor on my phone and copied the apk file to a USB drive, then installed it from there onto the Mi Box using the build-in file manager.

Good luck if you're going to attempt this and let me know if you figure out how to get it working properly! :)

steve2222

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#2357311 19-Nov-2019 15:45

CB_24:

SamF:

CB_24:

Anyone manage to get Chrome browser onto this device?

I managed to install Chrome on mine, but it was basically useless; navigating or using it with either the native remote or an attached BT keyboard / mouse was basically impossible.

What guide did you follow? There seems to be a few but no joy so far.

If you really want Chrome on the Mi Box - that is your call.

But Puffin is an Android TV specific browser app - in the Google Play Store

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