Xiaomi Mi Box S - Freezing / Stuttering Issues?

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SamF

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#258555 9-Oct-2019 15:27

Hey guys,

After quite a bit of research I've come to the conclusion that the Mi Box S from Xiaomi is the best streaming box for me, however, I've seen a HEAP of negative reviews on the net about this model having issues with stuttering / freezing and requiring a full power off to resolve.

Can anyone who has owned this model share your experience with it?

Cheers.

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~HONYAKKER!~
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#2333433 9-Oct-2019 15:45

I've had one for a year, and it has been great. There was a period last year (?) with a dodgy Android TV update that gave all sorts of problems with stuttering, etc., but it is fine now. Smooth as silk.

driller2000

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#2333515 9-Oct-2019 18:13

I have the older one and it has been great - esp since the Pie upgrade.

Excellent value for money and have brought and set up 5 or 6 of them for family and friends.

kingjj

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#2333587 9-Oct-2019 22:22

Have one running at work for Spark Sports, wouldn't hear the end of it if it was having any issues. Has been stable as when I've been using it at work. Got the older version and home and also rock solid.

jonathan18

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#2333588 9-Oct-2019 22:25

Some reviews comment that FHD streaming is ok, but it really struggles with 4K content - how to you guys find 4K video on your Mi Boxes?

driller2000

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#2333595 9-Oct-2019 23:15

Re 4k:

Earlier FW struggled with 4k streaming for my local content - but that was a while ago now.

However now (and just tested YT and Kodi to verify again):

YT 4k - All good - gets to 4k within seconds.

4k Rips (80G size incl ATMOS etc) - playing from my unRAID server using Kodi - few seconds to start - then 4k.

Netflix 4k (when I had it and on VDSL at the time) - All good - steady inc in res for 10 - 15 secs - then 4k.

Note - My set up: MiBox (Original) - Dongle Ethernet - Cabled Cat 5 - Gig Switch - unRAID server. (And now 100/20 Fibre)

So no 4k issues for me.

SamF

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#2333598 9-Oct-2019 23:41

Thanks for the feedback guys!

I've ordered one now so I'll let you know how I go after a couple of weeks of use!

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Handle9

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#2333601 10-Oct-2019 00:09

driller2000:

Re 4k:

Earlier FW struggled with 4k streaming for my local content - but that was a while ago now.

However now (and just tested YT and Kodi to verify again):

YT 4k - All good - gets to 4k within seconds.

4k Rips (80G size incl ATMOS etc) - playing from my unRAID server using Kodi - few seconds to start - then 4k.

Netflix 4k (when I had it and on VDSL at the time) - All good - steady inc in res for 10 - 15 secs - then 4k.

Note - My set up: MiBox (Original) - Dongle Ethernet - Cabled Cat 5 - Gig Switch - unRAID server. (And now 100/20 Fibre)

So no 4k issues for me.

I have the same experience. It is much smoother than my Sony Android TV.

nzbsgfan

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#2333624 10-Oct-2019 06:58

driller2000:

I have the older one and it has been great - esp since the Pie upgrade.

Excellent value for money and have brought and set up 5 or 6 of them for family and friends.

Totally agree - they are beautifully designed. The only issue I've had is around dodgy software updates.

I've considered the "S" version as an upgrade - but at the moment my old one really hasn't missed a beat so there isn't a need.

Handle9

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#2333625 10-Oct-2019 07:02

nzbsgfan:
driller2000:

I have the older one and it has been great - esp since the Pie upgrade.

Excellent value for money and have brought and set up 5 or 6 of them for family and friends.

Totally agree - they are beautifully designed. The only issue I've had is around dodgy software updates.

I've considered the "S" version as an upgrade - but at the moment my old one really hasn't missed a beat so there isn't a need.

I wouldn't bother upgrading. Bluetooth 4.2 is the only difference.

Same SOC same RAM. No real world difference.

jonathan18

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#2333648 10-Oct-2019 08:43

Which places people would recommend purchasing the Mi Box from?

evilengineer

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#2333664 10-Oct-2019 09:04

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.

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jonathan18

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#2333687 10-Oct-2019 09:34

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.

driller2000

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#2335006 10-Oct-2019 13:23

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.

I believe MiBox does all the CC Ultra does? - AND more + it has a remote, which I find handy.

So I would def get the Mi over the CCUltra.

SamF

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#2335026 10-Oct-2019 14:00

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.

You'll pay ~$30 less on AliExpress, but then of course you have to wait.

That said; If you order from PB (or any other NZ retailer for that matter), you will still have to wait at least a week as no-one seems to have them in stock.

However, I managed to get one overnight from these guys on TM.

Pretty happy so far!

What's the best forum for info on this model?

jonathan18

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#2335046 10-Oct-2019 14:28

driller2000:

I believe MiBox does all the CC Ultra does? - AND more + it has a remote, which I find handy.

So I would def get the Mi over the CCUltra.

Thanks, makes sense; the lack of a remote is the main reason I elected for Amazon Fire TVs instead of CCs.

In terms of whether the Mi Box can be a full replacement for our Amazon Fire, can anyone please provide some feedback on the following questions; it's just that if I can get rid of the Amazon Fire TV, the money from selling this will help me justify to my wife the purchase of a new box!

What USB/ethernet adapters are recommended?or is it not fussy?)
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)
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)
Does Google Play Movies perform ok (and with discrete audio, eg DD 5.1)?
Is it relatively easy to install other VOD services like UKTV and BBC iPlayer?

Thanks in advance.

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