Real review of smart box Xiaomi Mi Box S, specifications and settings

The Xiaomi Mi Box S TV box is a modern smart assistant that expands the capabilities of the TV. In the process of developing the gadget, the manufacturer used advanced technologies, which made it possible to achieve high quality and make the use of the set-top box as comfortable as possible. Below you can get acquainted in more detail with the technical characteristics of Xiaomi mi box S and the features of connection, device settings.

Xiaomi mi box S: what kind of prefix, what is its feature

Xiaomi mi box S is considered the international version of the Mi Box 4 TV box, which expands the capabilities of the TV and allows you to enjoy improved digital sound processing. The gadget comes with a remote control with buttons that can be used to launch Netflix and Google Assistant.
Using the set-top box, you can access the best video streaming applications, search for information on the web, enjoy watching your favorite videos on the big screen.

Note! The 8GB eMMC memory is used to store information on the device.

The main features of Xiaomi mi box S include:

• high quality picture in 4K HDR resolution;
• the presence of a button to launch Google Assistant and Netflix
• USB port for connecting external drives;
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4GHz/5GHz connection.
• remote control with voice control.

Platform Xiaomi mi box S – Android 8.1.

Specifications, appearance, ports of the Xiaomi mi box TV set-top box

The prefix will fit perfectly into any interior due to the fact that its design is minimalistic. The plastic case with rounded corners is painted matt black. The surface is pleasant to the touch.

CPU	Amlogic S905X, 64-bit, 4 cores, Cortex-A53
Graphics core	Mali-450, 750 MHz
RAM	2 GB DDR3
Built-in memory	8 GB
Maximum Resolution	4K (3840×2160) HDR
Video formats	MOV, VOB, AVI, MKV, TS, MP4
Audio	MP3, FLAC, APE
Bluetooth	4.2
OS	Android 8.1 Oreo (Android TV)
Ports	Audio output (S/PDIF, headphones) HDMI 2.0a USB 2.0

The Xiaomi mi box S prefix resembles Apple TV in appearance.

Xiaomi 4k tv box set

Xiaomi mi box S is produced in the form of a black plastic box that has a matte finish. The mass of the device reaches 150 grams (dimensional characteristics 10x10x2 cm). There is a color indicator on the front of the device. When the device is working, the indicator lights up. With several small feet, the device can be securely fixed on any flat surface. There are no rubber inserts. There are several connectors on the back of the Xiaomi mi box S:

• HDMI;
• USB;
• connector for electrical adapter;
• optical-sound connector of combined type.

Xiaomi mi box S goes on sale in a small cardboard box, painted in orange. The set includes the following items:

• remote control (remote control);
• an adapter for powering the device, which can be connected directly to the Xiaomi box using the socket located on the back of the device;
• HDMI cable used to connect the set-top box to the TV (audio and video signals are transmitted through the cord).

The package also includes a technical description of Xiaomi mi box S and instructions for use (you can also read the information in Russian).

Connecting and configuring the Xiaomi Mi Box S media player

Below you can familiarize yourself with the features of connecting and configuring the Xiaomi mi box S. To connect the device to a TV, use an HDMI cable. You can find a suitable connector on the TV. In cases where an HDMI port is not available, you need to purchase an HDMI-AV converter, which is not included with the device.
Step-by-step process of connecting Xiaomi mi box S to TV

1. Starting to connect, the devices are disconnected from the network.
2. One end of the coaxial cable is inserted into a suitable port on the set-top box, the other end into the HDMI connector on the TV. If there is no such connector, you should use an HDMI-AV converter. In this case, the adapter is connected using tulips and the set-top box is connected using an HDMI cable.
3. Set-top box and TV included.

In order for the equipment to function normally, you need to take care of ensuring communication between the TV and the set-top box, and also provide the device with access to the network. To do this, you can use the wired / wireless connection method.
Xiaomi Mi Box S review – connecting and setting up a media player, how to watch TV channels on Xiaomi TV box: https://youtu.be/t2eoRw1DHcw

Mi Box S setup process

The set-up process is simple. If you follow the instructions, then even a schoolboy can handle setting up the device. First of all, users create a Google account and turn on Xiaomi mi box S. After that:

1. A welcome message appears on the screen. Users then select a language from a list of available ones. The global version supports Russian.
2. Next, choose the most appropriate setting option (regular control panel / mobile device based on Android). In the first case, the devices will be synchronized using a verification code. The set-top box will automatically copy accounts and connect to the network by opening the main menu of the Android launcher. In the second case, the setting is done manually.
3. To configure via the Internet, select a suitable Wi-fi connection and enter a password.
4. Next, sign in to your Google account. Using the remote control, enter data for authorization, allow / prohibit the determination of their location.
5. At the next stage, they give the name of the prefix and select those that need to be installed from the list of applications.

Finally, the main menu of the Android launcher opens. A selection of content will be available here.

Applications for Mi box S – how to find and install widgets on the Xiaomi set-top box to the TV

The Android TV operating system is installed on the device, which is sharpened for a TV. Supports control of the set-top box using voice search and remote control.

Note! The Play Market contains many programs that are optimized for Android TV.

The best apps for Smart TV Android – find, download and install

Application installation

The installation of programs is performed as standard – they go to the Play Market and enter the name of the desired software in the search bar. For input, you can use a virtual keyboard or a voice assistant, which is launched using a button on the remote control. In the list of applications that appears, select the desired one and click on the “Install” command.
Often, software is installed manually from APK files. However, in this case, you need to be prepared for such a serious obstacle as the lack of a browser not only in the set-top box, but also in the Play Market store. The user can only access the ES Explorer, or rather its shortened version. Experts advise downloading the APK file to your laptop and redirecting it to Google Drive. Then the file is copied to the memory of Xiaomi mi box S and the installation is performed. You can use a flash drive to transfer data.

Advice! Installing the browser will help to fully use the console.

Video review-review of the Xiaomi Mi Box S set-top box based on 2.5 years of practical experience – Android TV firmware update on Xiaomi set-top box: https://youtu.be/tQMzaUbkwk8

How to Install Aptoide TV Browser

Aptoide installation is required, because through this browser you can install programs that are not in the Play Market. To install the browser, you will need to download the software to a flash drive. With its help, the application is opened and launched on the TV box. The browser allows you to watch videos for free. Detailed process of installing Aptoide TV on Xiaomi Mi Box S media player

1. First of all, users install a program to read “.apk” files called X-plore File Manager.
2. Next, go to the Security section and click on the Restrictions folder.
3. The software that has been installed is searched in the Unknown sources subsection.
4. After it is found, a checkbox is placed in front of the name.
5. Aptoide is downloaded and dumped on a flash drive.
6. The USB drive is inserted into the box, the file manager is opened and the installation is started.

There are no problems during the installation of the browser. However, if there is not enough memory on the device, the system will not recognize the external drive. To deal with the problem, you will need to take care of freeing up space and deleting unnecessary data. How to install HDVideoBox app on Mi Box s: https://youtu.be/7XuRvNK9GiY

Xiaomi TV box firmware

Before proceeding with the firmware, users prepare a USB cable. Then proceed in stages. Step 1
Make the connection following a simple principle – red to red, black to black. Step 2 The prefix is ​​carefully disassembled. Remove the protective layer from the board. UBT is launched on the PC and the firmware downloaded the day before is selected.
Stage 3 Next, put a tick in the fields, as indicated in the photo.
Step 4 The cable is connected to the set-top box and to the PC port. The testpoint is clamped.
Step 5 Then turn on the power and wait for the system to finish flashing.
Stage 6
It remains to wait a couple of minutes until the system completes data processing. When the strip on the screen turns green, the set-top box is connected to the TV and tested.

Cooling

Due to the presence of ventilation holes, the prefix is ​​​​equipped with a passive cooling method. The manufacturer does not install a fan in Xiaomi Mi Box S, which allows the passive cooling system to work quietly. Ventilation grilles can be located not only on the sides, but also in the lower / upper part of the case.

Problems and solutions

During the process of connecting and setting up Xiaomi Mi Box S, various problems may occur. Don’t panic! Most of them can be solved on your own. Below are the most common problems and how to solve them.

Xiaomi Mi Box S does not see the Wi-Fi network

If this problem concerns only the set-top box, then the reason most likely lies in the choice of the wrong channel or encryption. In the first case, you will need to go to the Settings category and select another channel. If the router is dual-band, after going to the Settings folder, tap on the Wi-Fi Settings subsection. In the Radio channel list that opens, change channels for the frequency of 2 GHz / 5 GHz. In the second case, it will be necessary to enumerate the available types of encryption for each frequency until the Internet works on the device. Encryption type settings are changed in the Device settings category.

Voice search not working in Mi Box S

Trouble can occur for a variety of reasons. Most often, voice search stops working when the signal stops coming from the remote control or the Internet is gone. In this situation, it is advisable to pay attention to how the set-top box will respond to other buttons on the remote control. If necessary, the problem is solved independently or in a service center.

Remote control does not work in Mi Box S

The remote control may stop working due to:

• various damages;
• wear parts;
• batteries that have run out;
• loss of connection with the TV set-top box.

Often the cause of trouble can be a software conflict that occurs due to the installation of another control device on the TV box, for example, a wireless mouse. Experts recommend to reset the settings and take care of setting new parameters to solve the problem.

Pros and cons of Xiaomi Mi box S Android TV on board

Most people who want to buy a set-top box think about how successful the purchase of Xiaomi Mi Box S will be. To make the right choice, you need to familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of the set-top box before going to the store. The main advantages of Xiaomi Mi Box S include:

• low cost, easy setup;
• support for basic software;
• good image and sound quality;
• fast data transfer.

The disadvantages of the set-top box are the need to install the browser on your own, small disk space, and the lack of autoframe / deinterlacing.
Xiaomi Mi Box S is ideal for people who do not have strict requirements for image quality. It is this model that will be an excellent option for those whose budget is limited. Setting up the set-top box is so simple that even an inexperienced user can handle it. The most important thing in the course of work is to strictly follow the instructions.