Nov 2019 - best good value media streamer for youtube / Netflix

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Nov 2019 - best good value media streamer for youtube / Netflix

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#2349864 7-Nov-2019 22:22

I did get an USB.-Ethernet adapter for my Mi Box S because one app and only one app was very pixelated on WiFi and that was a side loaded Amazon Prime Video app. Xiaomi are beta testing Android 9 on the Mi Box S, which includes Prime Video our of the box. So that might change very soon. A few days ago, I volunteered to be a beta tester, yet to get the Android 9 beta rolled out to my Mi Box.

I watched the Rugby World Cup vía the Kayo app and it was absolutely mint. The people saying it is slow are those wanting 4K from their NAS or Plex set up, which is not your use case. I don’t think you’ll regret the purchase. I bought mine on AliExpress through the official Xiaomi shop for NZD90, but it came with a US power supply and an NZ pin adapter. PBTech have great after sales service.

Kiwifruta

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#2349865 7-Nov-2019 22:24

Kiwifruta:
Gurezaemon:
A Mi Box with an Ethernet adapter similar to this one (I have one, works fine) sounds like it would would do the trick.

I bought one of these, just the USB 2 version. It works really well.

Meant to link above what I bought NZ$ 22.06 26％ Off | Ugreen USB Ethernet USB 3.0 2.0 to RJ45 HUB for Xiaomi Mi Box 3/S Set-top Box Ethernet Adapter Network Card USB Lan
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/pZfJl5HI

timmmay

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#2349935 8-Nov-2019 07:04

Good to hear it's getting the Android upgrade. My phone is still Android 7 and works fine, but a bonus.

There's also the official versions of the Xiaomi adapter, but I got the UGreen with the cable. Hope it doesn't take months to arrive like things sometimes do.

Kiwifruta

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#2349937 8-Nov-2019 07:09

Mine took a week or two, via AliExpress’ own postage option.

steve2222

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#2351538 11-Nov-2019 12:28

Gurezaemon:

A Mi Box with an Ethernet adapter similar to this one (I have one, works fine) sounds like it would would do the trick.

I see the adapter you link to shows a mini disc - I presume containing drivers. Did you have to install any drivers from this disk or did the adapter work with the Mi Box out of the box?

@kiwifruta I see you bought a Ugreen adapter. Did that work out of the box, or did it require you to install drivers in the Mi Box?

Cheers

Gurezaemon

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#2351557 11-Nov-2019 13:00

steve2222:

Gurezaemon:

A Mi Box with an Ethernet adapter similar to this one (I have one, works fine) sounds like it would would do the trick.

I see the adapter you link to shows a mini disc - I presume containing drivers. Did you have to install any drivers from this disk or did the adapter work with the Mi Box out of the box?

Nope - that's just for installing on PC, Mac, etc. It has worked, but it is at times unreliable. I'd advise going with the ugreen one instead, at the cost of a few more dollars.

Kiwifruta

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#2351612 11-Nov-2019 13:40

steve2222:
Gurezaemon:

A Mi Box with an Ethernet adapter similar to this one (I have one, works fine) sounds like it would would do the trick.

I see the adapter you link to shows a mini disc - I presume containing drivers. Did you have to install any drivers from this disk or did the adapter work with the Mi Box out of the box?

@kiwifruta I see you bought a Ugreen adapter. Did that work out of the box, or did it require you to install drivers in the Mi Box?

Cheers

Worked out of the box. I bought the USB 2 version since that is all the Mi Box has. It’s designed to be used with the Mi Box.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

timmmay

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#2351627 11-Nov-2019 14:01

I have ordered the USB 3.0 version of the uGreen adapter. In theory USB 2 can do 480Mbps, so the 1Gbps adapter might be a touch faster than then 100Mbps one - though I currently have only 100Mbps internet I figured might as well for the small extra cost.

I expect it to arrive in the next few weeks. I could try the similar one I have at home, but it's a brand / model that I've seen described as "doesn't work with the Mi Box" in the past so I haven't bothered.

timmmay

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#2351662 11-Nov-2019 14:48

I just tested my Anker 3 port USB / Ethernet hub model AH212 with the Mi Box S. It works fine, and the Netflix speed test gives me 102.59Mbps on my 100Mbps fiber internet connection.

I use this for other things, but until the uGreen adapter gets here I'll switch it over to use with the Mi Box.

grolschie

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#2352081 12-Nov-2019 10:35

mattwnz:
Is there an ethernet version of the chromecast or an adapter?

Besides the Chromecast Ultra, you can buy Ethernet adapters for other Chromecasts for less than $20. I have two of these, running my Chromecast 2's. Both powered by TVs and not the power adapter.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/computers/cables-adaptors/usb/listing/2392715424

steve2222

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#2352084 12-Nov-2019 10:40

grolschie:
mattwnz:

Is there an ethernet version of the chromecast or an adapter?

Besides the Chromecast Ultra, you can buy Ethernet adapters for other Chromecasts for less than $20. I have two of these, running my Chromecast 2's. Both powered by TVs and not the power adapter.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/computers/cables-adaptors/usb/listing/2392715424

Is the HDMI port on the TV providing the power for the Chromecast?

grolschie

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#2352087 12-Nov-2019 10:46

steve2222:
grolschie:
mattwnz:

Is there an ethernet version of the chromecast or an adapter?

Besides the Chromecast Ultra, you can buy Ethernet adapters for other Chromecasts for less than $20. I have two of these, running my Chromecast 2's. Both powered by TVs and not the power adapter.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/computers/cables-adaptors/usb/listing/2392715424

Is the HDMI port on the TV providing the power for the Chromecast?

Nope. It's a replacement for the micro-USB cable. The USB plugs into your power adapter or USB port, like the original cable, to power the Chromecast. Except it also has in Ethernet adapter on it. The Chromecast 2 detects the Ethernet adapter no problemo. It's very clever really.

steve2222

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#2352091 12-Nov-2019 11:00

grolschie:
steve2222:

grolschie:
mattwnz:

Is there an ethernet version of the chromecast or an adapter?

Besides the Chromecast Ultra, you can buy Ethernet adapters for other Chromecasts for less than $20. I have two of these, running my Chromecast 2's. Both powered by TVs and not the power adapter.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/computers/cables-adaptors/usb/listing/2392715424

Is the HDMI port on the TV providing the power for the Chromecast?

Nope. It's a replacement for the micro-USB cable. The USB plugs into your power adapter or USB port, like the original cable, to power the Chromecast. Except it also has in Ethernet adapter on it. The Chromecast 2 detects the Ethernet adapter no problemo. It's very clever really.

Okay, must be the lack of photo angles on the Trade Me link you gave. So does the adapter have 3 sockets and/or leads: The RJ45 (for ethernet) that shows in the photo, plus 2x micro USB (or USB) sockets and/or leads for connecting to power pack and the other to the Chromecast - neither shown in the photo?

Thanks

grolschie

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#2352092 12-Nov-2019 11:04

steve2222:
grolschie:
steve2222:

grolschie:
mattwnz:

Is there an ethernet version of the chromecast or an adapter?

Besides the Chromecast Ultra, you can buy Ethernet adapters for other Chromecasts for less than $20. I have two of these, running my Chromecast 2's. Both powered by TVs and not the power adapter.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/computers/cables-adaptors/usb/listing/2392715424

Is the HDMI port on the TV providing the power for the Chromecast?

Nope. It's a replacement for the micro-USB cable. The USB plugs into your power adapter or USB port, like the original cable, to power the Chromecast. Except it also has in Ethernet adapter on it. The Chromecast 2 detects the Ethernet adapter no problemo. It's very clever really.

Okay, must be the lack of photo angles on the Trade Me link you gave. So does the adapter have 3 sockets and/or leads: The RJ45 (for ethernet) that shows in the photo, plus 2x micro USB (or USB) sockets and/or leads for connecting to power pack and the other to the Chromecast - neither shown in the photo?

Thanks

All on the one cable:
1x USB-A
1x micro-USB
1x ethernet

In the picture you can see 2 wires coming out of the Ethernet adapter as it's inline on the cable.

ANglEAUT

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#2352399 12-Nov-2019 18:06

steve2222:

Okay, must be the lack of photo angles on the Trade Me link you gave. So does the adapter have 3 sockets and/or leads: The RJ45 (for ethernet) that shows in the photo, plus 2x micro USB (or USB) sockets and/or leads for connecting to power pack and the other to the Chromecast - neither shown in the photo?

This is a better picture of the same product from the same supplier taken from a 5 Pack listing.

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