Android TV set-top box xiaomi mi box 3. Xiaomi Mi TV Box - TV set-top box and media player. What Xiaomi TV Box can do out of the box

Like other Xiaomi gadgets, TV set-top boxes are created with the latest technology. Their stylish appearance in the spirit of minimalism allows you to place the device in a prominent place. They will look advantageous in any interior and attract the views of everyone who enters your home. The console will not take up much space, because its dimensions are so minimal that it fits in the palm of your hand. The device works perfectly, without interruptions or other defects. The high-quality materials used in the production of this product will ensure its excellent performance for many years.

The smart TV set-top box broadcasts the image from the phone to the TV screen, which is simply ideal for gamers who value comfort while gaming and want to enjoy the game on the big screen. The Xiaomi TV set-top box will provide a reliable connection to the device, while guaranteeing high speed data transmission and constant signal. You can buy a TV set-top box in our store in Moscow at an affordable price.

A TV box is a device that can turn your old TV (tube coffins from the last century don't count) into a home multimedia station for just $60. To give it a second life, just use one HDMI connector. Thousands of TV channels, which are conveniently sorted by categories (sports, news, children's, fashion, etc.), watching recorded TV programs (if you missed the series), YouTube, online movies, games, music, and even weather forecasts, alarm clocks, quickly search for information - all this is easy and convenient using your home TV. Moreover, you can even connect a webcam to organize a video surveillance system for your apartment. To understand a little better what we are talking about, we recommend watching our video on this topic.

In this video we talked about Xiaomi device Mi Box, its problems, and also considered, as it seemed to us, a more successful alternative from an unknown Chinese manufacturer. But immediately after the release of this video, many of our subscribers paid attention to one very important nuance, which we, for some reason, forgot: when dealing with equipment from Xiaomi, you need to roll up your sleeves and create your own happiness with your own hands. In general, the situation is the same as with smartphones. This does not mean that Xiaomi is a bad brand. On the contrary: it is quite stupid to scold a designer for the fact that it is delivered in disassembled form. The manufacturer provides excellent hardware for minimal money, and scolding the brand for its ideology is, to say the least, wrong. Therefore, we are forced to admit that we did not understand the issue deeply enough, but this time we will try to improve.

We are grateful to the subscribers who pointed out our mistakes and suggested solutions to the problems that arose. Now we are correcting ourselves and publishing our configuration option. It’s worth noting right away that everything is not as bad as we thought, but it’s not perfect either. In addition, everything listed below can be done on any other TV box, so Xiaomi Mi Box still has virtually no advantages over its competitors. Moreover, in our opinion, it still loses to the MX10 box, because the latter has 7 times more free memory (28 GB versus 4 GB for the Xiaomi Mi Box), 4 USB port, a full-fledged Android with a normal market and Root rights, a little more powerful processor(although also “not a fountain”), an Ethernet port and a lot of other advantages. However, Mi Box also has the right to life, because, thanks to the recommendations of our subscribers, you can now quite comfortably watch movies online on it, even stream torrents, and the box also has a nice appearance and a good remote control that can be used quite well on an ongoing basis, but for absolute comfort it would still be much better to separately purchase a special remote control with a full keyboard, joystick and gyroscope (or touchpad).

Setup instructions

So, below is a list of steps that will make “candy” out of your Xiaomi Mi Box. Let's start from the very beginning (first launch):

Download the archive from the link. Unpack it onto a USB flash drive. Insert the flash drive into the TV box.

We turn on the TV box, connect it to the TV via HDMI and go through initial setup: select Russian language, connect WiFi, log into your Google account.

Go to settings - About device - System update - check for update.

We launch Google Play, install ES Explorer.

Launch ES Explorer, open the LeanKey + Rus installer from the flash drive.

Go to settings again -> Applications -> System applications -> go to the end of the list -> select XiaomiLeanbackCustomizer - select “Disable notifications”, then click “Disable”, confirm and reboot the system.

Install MX Player (from a flash drive or Google Play). Required for some programs to work.

Install HD Video Box (from a flash drive or Google Play).

Install Movian (from a flash drive or Google Play).

In the Movian application, go to the Plugins section and install everything that may be useful to you ( Screen keyboard- Cyrillic, Video streaming - Rutor, etc.).

Functionality

Thus, only 2 applications (“HD Video Box” and “Movian”) can almost completely solve almost all problems and deploy a real multimedia station in your home. On the other hand, you become hostage to only two applications from, to put it mildly, not the most famous developers, and if these applications for some reason stop updating (and there are prerequisites for this), then the situation may become much less rosy. Of course, there are other alternatives, like the same “ProgTV” and others like it, but all of them cannot be compared. And when I decided to delve even deeper into the topic: create my own quick access library, change video decoding parameters, configure audio streaming through other wireless devices(not through TV), etc. - I immediately started catching various errors and slowdowns, even freezing the application, so this whole story can be described as follows: installed and used. Change of some superficial additional parameters usually does not entail any dire consequences, but some deeper settings are extremely unstable and you should probably know about this before you decide to dive headfirst into this whole idea of ​​​​buying a TV box.

conclusions

In general, a TV box is certainly not just a toy, but a truly useful device that you will enjoy using for many years. As for the Xiaomi Mi Box, it’s a pretty good device that’s really capable of a lot. It is worth admitting that initially we greatly underestimated it and were wrong when we called it a useless device. On the other hand, other similar devices for the same money can offer you all the same, and even more. The only objective advantage of the Xiaomi device is its remote control remote control, but, as mentioned above, for real convenience it would still be much better to separately purchase a special 3-in-1 remote control for the box: keyboard (Russian/English) + game joystick + gyroscope (or touchpad). Such a gadget will cost around $10 - $30 (depending on the model), and you will enjoy using it for several years.

Xiaomi Mi Box 3 is a compact set-top box that will allow you to watch movies, surf the Internet and play games on your TV. The gadget has an Android TV system installed, so it has a lot of capabilities typical of a smartphone. More about them later.

Xiaomi equipment and device appearance

Included with the TV set-top box, the user receives:

• remote control and strap for it;
• batteries;
• HDMI cable;
• Charger;
• documentation.

The components are standard, everything you need is available.

Xiaomi mi box 3 is a compact device with dimensions of 101x101x19.5 mm and a weight of 176 g. The design of the gadget is simple and stylish, and the smoothed corners add elegance. The console will fit into any interior and will not take up much space on the table.

The body is made of matte black plastic, with the company logo on the top. The build quality is, as usual, excellent: no cracks or glue residue. On the front of the TV set-top box there is an IR port and an LED indicator, and on the back there are connectors: USB, HDMI, a port for the power supply and a 3.5 mm audio output. On the bottom panel, the manufacturer installed a round rubber insert that prevents the device from sliding on the table surface.

The design of the remote control is also minimalistic, its dimensions are 150x38x15 mm, and the weight including batteries is 65 g. There are not many buttons: power, circular joystick, “Back”, “Home”, “Voice input” and a volume up and down key. There is a microphone on the front panel of the remote control.

Read also:

Mecool M8S Pro TV box review: practical media player with easy navigation

Technical characteristics of the Xiaomi mi box 3 TV box

Let's look at the technical characteristics of the gadget. The xiaomi TV set-top box uses a 4-core AMlogic S905 processor paired with a Mali 450 graphics chip. The performance is sufficient for multimedia functions and there are no lags. When tested in Antutu, the mini-device scored 36,000 points, which is an average score.

Volume random access memory is 2 GB, and the built-in one is 8 GB, but 3 GB of them are occupied system programs. Thanks to the Smart Box, a regular TV acquires the functions of a smart TV, but you can hardly play games. Only in the simplest ones, and even then you will have to set the graphics settings to medium.

“Abilities” of the Xiaomi TV set-top box

When the user starts working with Xiaomi, he needs to connect the remote control to the set-top box by performing synchronization. Then on your smartphone or manually configure xiaomi mi tv box 3.

Placed on the desktop Google search engine, the phrase can be entered using the microphone of the remote control, just say “Okay, Google” and the query of interest. This is a distinctive feature of the console. Eat quick start programs that a person has used previously, as well as files recommended for viewing. A long press of the “Ok” button selects the icon; it can be moved to any convenient location on the main screen.

IN Lately Xiaomi Mi Box 3 is very popular, which is due to the widespread use of smart TVs. They allow you to watch not only your favorite television programs, but also discover a whole world of virtual entertainment - games, Internet browsing, watching your favorite films online. Xiaomi Mi Box 3 review will introduce you to the capabilities of the Android set-top box, which provides a regular TV with Smart TV functions.

The device is delivered in an unremarkable package, inside which you can find only all the essentials: the TV set-top box itself, the remote control, its strap, batteries, an HDMI cable, a network adapter and documentation.

Design

We start our Xiaomi Mi Box 3 review with its appearance and immediately note that the console looks very impressive. It pleasantly surprises with its compact size and smooth shapes. This once again shows that it was not for nothing that Xiaomi designers were awarded several awards for the design of TV set-top boxes.

At the bottom there is a rubberized round clamp, thanks to which the device practically does not slip on the surface.

The Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3 review informs you that on sale you can only find a black version made of semi-matte plastic. The solution is not the most practical - fingerprints are very visible. The Mi series logo was placed closer to the front side of the case.

Regarding the build quality, everything is perfect - the case is strong and reliable, has no gaps and does not creak if you press hard on it.

Mi Box 3 pro review showed that on the front side they placed infrared port and LED indicator.

Space for the rest functional elements highlighted at the back - HDMI port, USB port, connection connector network adapter and 3.5 mm audio input.

Xiaomi Mi Box 3 remote control

The remote control weighs 65 grams and has a very compact size, especially considering that its design contains two AAA batteries. The lower left corner of the front side of the remote control is occupied by the power button for the console, and a circular joystick divided into 4 buttons is installed almost in the center. In the center is the “OK” key.

Under the joystick there is a row consisting of three buttons - “Back”, “Home” and “Voice input”. Just below we see a swing designed to adjust the volume. The Xiaomi Mi Box 3 TV set-top box review showed that the microphone is built into the upper edge of the remote control, and only a hole was left at the bottom for attaching the strap.

Technical specifications of Xiaomi Mi Box 3

The model runs on an AMlogic S905 chip with 4 cores up to 2 GHz, built using a 28 Nm process technology. In addition to it comes graphics accelerator Mali 450. The set-top box is designed for use exclusively with TV, so there is plenty of performance reserve. All functions and interface work quickly and without a hint of brakes. In Antutu we managed to score 61,000 points, which is not much by modern standards, but quite enough for a TV.

There is not much RAM - only 2 GB. Built-in - 8 GB, but you need to remember that part of the volume is eaten up by the system, so no more than 5 GB remains for installing applications.

Xiaomi Mi TV Box 3 pro review showed that when connecting for the first time, you need to check for new firmware updates. After this, you can begin to study the basic functions of the console. If you want to play games, you shouldn’t expect much. The console can only handle not too demanding games, and even then not with above-average graphics.

Functionality of Xiaomi Mi Box 3

Review international version Xiaomi Mi Box 3 introduces you to the fact that when you connect for the first time, synchronization with the remote control is performed. Then you can perform the initial setup manually or using your smartphone.

Mi Box 3 enhanced edition review showed that main screen interface is a window in which there is a Google search, quick start applications specified by the user and recommended by the client based on previous requests. To move elements, you need to select them, and then press “Ok” on the remote control. At the bottom of the home screen, you can access your system settings and Wi-Fi connection.

Our Xiaomi Mi Box 3 enhanced edition review showed that all settings are conveniently divided into sections: device, settings, remote control, owner information. You can install Google Play and compatible content on the console, so the choice is not so great. The rest can be stored on a flash drive and run directly from it.

When working with the set-top box, remember that it does not support minimizing applications. When to exit to the main screen and return to earlier open application, it is loaded first. Xiaomi Mi Box 3 s review showed that the set-top box supports almost all codecs and formats, but it is recommended to install an additional player. The system does not have a pre-installed player. You can even run videos in 4K and 60 frames per second.

Conclusion

Xiaomi Mi Box 3 is a universal TV set-top box that is ideal for playing multimedia content. It can completely replace a computer or laptop when watching your favorite films, while it has a compact body. Among the disadvantages, it should be noted that Root access is required to disable forced recommendations. The set-top box is an ideal solution if the TV does not have smart functions, but you want to get them.

Where can I buy?

You can buy a TV set-top box at the best possible prices using the following links:

Your rating for the smartphone:

✔ PACKAGING AND EQUIPMENT

Additionally, a bag of healing Chinese air, an adapter for a European plug and a TV set-top box wrapped in several layers of bubble wrap.

There is nothing remarkable in the external video of the box, standard minimalism in the style.

Inside, there is an attachment in additional cardboard protection.

Inside of the box.

General equipment of the TV set-top box.

There is little useful information in the instructions, like all Xiaomi products for Chinese market, all information is in Chinese.

The manufacturer included two alkaline batteries in the package, also under its own brand.

The power supply is made in a similar form factor as the set-top box.

The power supply is branded and produces 12V and 1.2A.

Plug.

HDMI cable, they also didn’t forget to brand it.

The remote control is very similar to the remote control from the previous version of the set-top box, but a second function has been built into the “Home” button, namely voice search.

The remote control is paired with the console via Bluetooth; in addition, the remote control contains a gyroscope and an accelerometer, which can be used as a game controller. The coating is pleasant soft touch.

Dimensions, like most remote controls for TV set-top boxes.

To prevent the remote control from flying out of your hand and into the TV during the game, the manufacturer included a lanyard in the kit.

The lanyard is made quite well, there is even a plastic ring for tightening on the wrist.

WITH appearance We also decided not to bother too much, we took and slightly flattened the router that was released a little earlier.

Well, actually, the edges were rounded a little more. The plastic coating does not collect fingers, but dust will be clearly visible.

The left and right sides of the console are “empty”, but with holes for air circulation.

The holes occupy almost the entire area of ​​the side face.

At the back of the set-top box there are two USB ports, an HDMI port and a power connector for the set-top box. External antennas The manufacturer did not install them, although looking ahead, the board contains interfaces for connecting them.

Just like on the charger, the logo is practically invisible, especially since it is also sealed with shipping film.

The logo is present everywhere, even on the back of the console, I think it’s unnecessary, but that’s how it is. At the bottom, along the edges of the console, four rubber feet are glued.

The attachment dimensions are 100mm x 100mm x 25mm. The weight of the console is 190 grams.

A fairly large number of Chinese set-top boxes require improvement in terms of cooling. Xiaomi decided to save customers from this and inserted a massive radiator inside the console, and also equipped it with a fan. But I can reassure those who like silence, since the fan turns on after 65 degrees Celsius, quickly lowers the temperature and stops.

The radiator is attached to the body of the console using four screws.

The board is separately secured with 4 screws.

Everything is covered with metal plates.

As far as I understood the circuit design, the manufacturer placed WiFi antennas in the left and right corners.

At the same time, on one of the corners there are connectors for connecting an external WiFi antenna.

The Mediatek MT8693AAOV chip, which, according to Xiaomi, should be 80% more productive than the previous set-top box.

In light of global warming and other savings, many questions arise regarding the electricity consumption of various devices. This TV set-top box consumes up to 10W at peak load, around 4.5W in operating mode, and up to 2.9W in sleep mode.

✔ RUSSIFICATION, GAPPS AND MENU

But this is not a problem, doing English takes about 5 minutes. To do this, you need to download the startSettings application and install it using the built-in video player, having previously allowed the installation of applications from dubious sources.

We go into settings and select the third item.

Next is the second one from the top and in the window that opens, select the first button.

Now open the standard media player.

On the remote control, press the left arrow and get to the menu for viewing and selecting files. First we connect the flash drive with the application recorded on it.

Select startSettings.apk and in the window that opens, click on the second button.

After a second of installing the application, an additional Settings icon will appear on the desktop. Having opened it, we find ourselves in the settings menu familiar to Android 5.

Go to languages ​​and select English.

And now even the native settings menu has become almost entirely English language. Why almost all of them, since some of the settings remain in Chinese.

Some settings are duplicated, but some settings, such as a remote control or gamepad, can only be opened from the “proprietary” settings menu.

For those who find 5 gigabytes of internal memory not enough, in this menu you can change the storage location of data from internal memory to a flash drive or hard drive.

Setting sound and resolution.

Setting up the control panel and gamepad from Xiaomi.

You can check system information for updates.

Which appear quite often, for example, there is already 1.4.15, and installed version 1.4.0.

A more familiar settings interface.

Information about the console.

We get root by installing kingroot, and Russification using morelokale2 or when connecting using ADB without the need to get root.

Select Russian language.

At the end of the review I am posting a video with instructions for Russification, root and installation of gapps.
All necessary software -

As a result, you should get a picture like this.

A big plus for Xiaomi for introducing the interface

PlayMarket works flawlessly and without crashes.

Using the remote control, you can search for videos or applications, but you won’t be able to do anything if you are not Chinese and don’t understand Russian.

There is no curtain; instead there is an interactive button, clicking on which opens a notification window.

Of the two gigabytes of RAM, on average more than 700 remain available, but it all depends on the current work and the tasks performed by the set-top box.

It's very quick and easy to set up a wireless display and transfer images from the screen to your TV.

If there is more desire, the set-top box can be controlled using a smartphone by installing the MiTVAssistant application -

There were no problems with IPTV playback, playlist from edem.

Online playback using ex.ua, also without problems.

Indian cinema, only for connoisseurs.

But the NOW online cinema launched without problems, but viewing is prohibited according to the license.

With Tunein you can listen to a huge number of radio stations from all over the world.

Youtube will really have to be adjusted a little, since I don’t really like the mobile view on the TV screen.

But there were no problems with playing content with resolutions up to 4K.

Since we are already talking about playback capabilities, then by downloading the tester from the Antutu playmarket, you can see that the set-top box coped with 99% of the video. Only one video had problems in the form of picture twitching.

2K and 4K videos are played back without problems.

In the video test, the console scored 1027 parrots.

To watch videos, I recommend installing MX player. When viewing the test video, no distortion is observed in the image output.

When watching 4K video with external drive There are no brakes or artifacts.

System information from CPU-Z.

System information from AIDA64.

And from SpecDevice.

As far as I understand, the sensors are recognized not in the set-top box itself, but in the connected control panel.

The gyroscope, accelerometer and microphone built into the remote control work flawlessly.

WiFi signal 2.4 and 5.0 GHz in the same room with the router.

Speed ​​measurements at 2.4 GHz.

Tests of RAM and internal memory.

Sign up for internal memory set-top box connected via USB 2.0, external 2.5" hard drive is 24-25 MB/s.

In Antutu tests, the set-top box scores 61456 parrots, this is a very good indicator even for smartphones, not to mention a TV set-top box.

But Antutu ranks only 25th.

IceStorm tests refused to run, with an incomprehensible error.

In Geekbench, the console scores 1515 and 3190 for the parrot.

In the Vellamo test, the set-top box shows fairly good results.

And it occupies, if not the TOP place in the ranking, then it remains confidently in the top five.

In Citadel at ultra-high quality - 46.8 frames per second.

In the Bonsai benchmark, the console scores 3,323 parrots at 47.4 frames per second.

Even after lengthy tests, the temperature did not rise above 72 degrees, while in a very short time it dropped to an operating temperature of 55-62 degrees.

With such hardware there are no problems with games. This arcade game, for example, is convenient to play using the remote control, jumping from track to track using the arrows on the remote control.

But playing Asphalt with a remote control is much more interesting, since any tilt of the remote control causes the car to turn in the direction of the tilt. At first it’s a little unusual, but then, when you get into a rage, you really understand why you need a lanyard.

A single press on the power button sends the set-top box to “sleep”; a long press causes the reboot and shutdown menu.

Review of unboxing and internals.

Installation instructions in English.

ROOT/Gapps and Russification.

Tests and opportunities.