Looking for the right device for me. Mostly Xiaomi Mi Box S related questions.

by jacoma89

My 4 year old 4K LG "smart" tv doesn't support Disney + and it's appstore is extremely limited. It comes with your standard integrated Youtube, Netflix and Amazon Prime apps (no Disney+ fe). But a simple thing as casting a video of my phone (not through any of the aforementioned apps) seems impossible. I do however ADORE the magic remote that came with it.

I'm looking for a device that has all these apps built in or available for download and has several cast options. What would be even better is if I can attach my external hdd to it so it can play the 4K stuff I've downloaded (WITH subtitles), but that's not the most important thing. I've also read a lot about Kodi and would love to try it. Though I know next to nothing about it yet.

I would however LOVE for it to work with the magic remote. As I've already got about 5 seperate remotes lying around and I'd prefer not to have to add another one.

Will the Mi Box S suffice or will the TV Stick be enough? I'm not familiar at all with other android boxes but xiaomi is a name that keeps popping up. So I'm curious as to how it works and how people are enjoying it. Your advice would definitely be very helpful!

Greetings from the Netherlands

m4xc4v413r4

I honestly don't understand why there's always people coming to threads like this one and recommending nvidia shields...

Yes they're the best... They also cost 4 to 8 times what the devices the OP is talking about cost...

That's like someone asking you if they should buy a BMW 5 series and you tell them they should buy a Ferrari...

MrRenegado

Look at the new chromecast with android TV. It's faster than the Mi box s(had that before). Xiaomi updates are very hit and miss I suppose Google should be better.

I'm from the Netherlands too, it's officially not being sold here, I got mine for from France through fnac.fr for about 75 with shipping.

b0xaa

Mi Box S is fine, runs latest androidtv, youtube, netflix etc. 4k support. Will run Disney, Kodi, Cinema, whatever. It will run emulators no problem (upto ps1). It has a built in Chromecast Ultra allowing casting from any other device.

If your "magic remotes" are Bluetooth, they should work. It recently was updated to support the androidtv remote app & others. The Mi Box S does NOT have an IR receiver.

You can connect an external drive and play media, support for subtitles is app based (ie vlc & select the sub file, or use opensubs etc).

You can sideload whatever apps you want using Downloader & Filelinked.

ZjaZjoe

To me there are a few options for you..

Mi box global or Google Tv.. The reason to pick Mi box global over Google TV for me was that it is the only device that has passthrough of HD audio besides Shield tv (without needing to pay the premium). It however doesn't support Dolby Vision.

Google TV does everything that the Mi box does except it doesn't have passthrough of HD audio. It does have dolby vision.

Onyl reason to buy shield TV is if you need it for gaming or for the upscaling capabilities.. I have a LG C9 tv and the upscaling is good enough for full hd content (I usually watch 4k content). So I don't really value upscaling that much.

I only tested playback of mi box global with eternal hd. And it does fine ith the 4k remux content I throw at it.

finebf20

My suggestion is the Tivo Stream 4k if it is available where you live. I personally love it over the new google tv chromecast and the Mi Box S, I all three.

hairydoublechesis

You only need thop tv for every streaming service.

noahsark3

Everyone’s go-to rec always seems to be the Shield/Shield Pro, and I agree since you have a 4K TV. It’s gotta be the snappiest ATV box out there and my 2015 model is still getting updates. I also got the 2019 Pro and the 4K upscaling is no joke.

Edit: forgot to mention that both shield models do great with casting as well as playing local files using things like VLC or Kodi, and the Shield Pro has 2 USB ports for drives.

Long story short, it’s basically the priciest one out there but the value is undeniable, especially if you use it a lot and plan to upgrade the TV in the next 2-3 years to get even more out of it.

EskieF

nVidia Shield is the best streaming box. I've tried RoKu, Apple TV and Amazon Fire - all good in their own way, the the Shield (4K) is definitely the best for picture quality and sound quality.