Mecool is a manufacturer of high-quality and reliable set-top boxes for
Android TV . It is important to note that Mecool KM1 is certified by Google. It allows you to watch videos from Youtube in high quality. Content from Prime Video in 4K is also available to users. Here you can use voice control, as well as a convenient launcher.
Mecool KM1 supports Prime Video in 4K [/ caption] Certification carried out by Google guarantees that the set-top box implements the following features:
- Google Widevine CDM , which provides L1 security, opens up the possibility of using paid keys and licenses. At the same time, high quality streaming video is available.
- Currently, there is a tendency of disabling the ability to watch videos from Youtube and access to Google services by owners of gray Smart TV consoles. This cannot happen with the certification in question.
Chromecast built-in is present here
. The console is used by Google Assistent.
What is included in the line of Mikul KM1 consoles
There are three options for prefixes on sale. They have the following features:
- Mecool km1 classic – 16 GB disk with 2 GB of RAM.
- Mecool km1 deluxe – there is only twice as much: a 32 GB hard drive and 4 GB of RAM.
- Mecool km1 collective – also available on sale with 64 GB disk and 4 GB RAM.
Mecool km1 deluxe – price for 2021 more than 80 USD [/ caption] Review on TV box MECOOL KM1 CLASSIC 2/16: https: // youtu.be/nJtkS40sFk0 The latter option has significantly more resources, but it costs more. The most common is the first option.
Technical characteristics, appearance of the set-top box
This equipment, in the most common configuration, has the following characteristics:
- The set-top box is based on the Amlogic S905X3 processor . It is 4-core. The operating frequency reaches 1.9 GHz, which is enough to provide high quality video. The cores are based on Arm Cortex-A55 technology.
- Working with graphics is based on the use of Arm Mali-G31MP . This GPU is capable of delivering high quality performance. For example, on the device, you can play resource-intensive games with virtually no brakes.
- The speed and quality of work largely depend on the amount of RAM . This device provides 2 GB of it.
- The device has a 16 GB drive , which is sufficient in most cases.
- The set-top box has all the main types of Wi-Fi interfaces . The standards 802.11 versions a, b, g, n and are implemented here. The frequency bands of 2.4 and 5.0 GHz can be used for wireless communication.
- There is an HDMI 2.1 connector and is designed for viewing 4K @ 60 video. The set-top box works with Bluetooth 4.2. There is a 100M Ethernet port.
- The operating system is Android TV 9 . She has successfully passed the certification.
Mecool km1 classic [/ caption] A power supply unit is used that provides 5 V with a current of 2 A. The operating system is fully loaded in about a minute. The size of the device is 12x12x2 cm.
Ports
The device has two USB ports – versions 2.0 and 3.0. There is also one for TF cards. They are located on the right side of the attachment. On the back there are cable connectors: HDMI, network connection and AV connector. On the same side is the input for the power supply. The AV connector makes it possible to carry out analog transmission of image and sound.
Equipment
The device comes in a compact box. It contains a short description of the set-top box with an indication of its main features. The kit includes the following:
- Black prefix.
- Instructions for the user, which answers the basic questions related to the use of the set-top box.
- Remote Control.
- Connecting wire for connecting to a TV receiver.
- Device for connecting to the network.
Mecool km1 complete set [/ caption] The instruction is written in several languages, including Russian.
User manual for mecool km1 [/ caption] The charger is designed for 2 A. The remote control is made so that the user is comfortable and convenient to use it. It works using a Bluetooth connection instead of the traditional infrared. This provides more reliable communications, lower latency, and the ability to control without line-of-sight.
However, there is a backup channel of communication via IR. It can be used when the main one does not work. The number and location of the buttons are made in such a way that the viewer can easily control the TV blindly. In particular, there are three buttons to which a call to certain applications is bound. This way you can access Youtube, Google Play and Prime Video.
The device has a modest and solid appearance. The upper part is designed in such a way that it appears as if it is covered with leather.
On one of the front sides there is a LED backlight, which is designed to indicate the status of the work at the moment. For example, during loading, the indicator shimmers beautifully with all available colors. The strip is easily distinguishable, but does not distract from watching TV. The connection ports are located on the sides of the set-top box. There are ventilation holes at the bottom. The device stands on four anti-slip feet.
Connecting and configuring Mecool km1
In order to make the connection, you need to install the HDMI connecting cable in the connectors of the set-top box and the TV. After turning on the TV, the user will see the interface of the Android TV operating system. It differs significantly from the usual one, which you can get acquainted with on a smartphone or tablet.
In the course of work, voice control is additionally used here, which is more convenient than the usual one for the TV, using the remote control. It can also be used for searching. On the left side at the top there is an “Applications” icon. By clicking on it, the user will see a convenient launcher.
In order to tune the TV, you need to open the menu. Here you have access not only to set the desired parameters, but also to use the built-in Chromecast.
Almost everything works out of the box. The user can only select the interface language and the background image of the screen. It can be helpful to configure how the shutdown button works. Usually, when you press it, the system only falls asleep, and does not turn off completely. Some users prefer that in this way it is possible to turn off the Smart TV completely. This change can be made by changing the settings. The user may not have enough available system applications. Perhaps he wants to increase the functionality of Smart TV. To do this, you will need to download and install the required applications from Google Play. MECOOL KM1 Classic Android TV set-top box review – TV boxing features and specifications: https://youtu.be/lOJck8m9hpY
Device firmware
In order for the device to fully realize its capabilities, it is necessary that the latest firmware version is always installed on it. Here you can set up automatic updates over Wi-Fi. If necessary, the firmware can be installed manually. To do this, you need to visit the manufacturer’s website, specify the name of the model in the search box and do a site search. After downloading, you can use a USB flash drive or a network cable to get the file to the hard drive of the set-top box. Further, the update is carried out through the settings menu. You can download the latest firmware for the Mecool KM1 set-top box by following the link: https://www.mecoolonline.com/pages/android-tv-box-download Firmware features of the Mecool KM1 android box – software update on the set-top box: https://youtu.be / bIjJsssg-bg
Cooling
The attachment may become hot during prolonged use. In order to prevent this, ventilation is used, holes for which are made in the bottom of the device.
Cooling system of Mecool km1 attachment [/ caption]
You can unscrew the cover to see how the cooling works. It rests on four cogs that are hidden in the legs.
You can see that all the heating elements are located on the side where the ventilation holes are located. Another important cooling element is the large metal plate located next to the vents.
The contact of the plate with the processor is carried out through a special thick thermal interface. If desired, the user can make changes to improve cooling. For example, instead of an aluminum plate, you can put a copper one.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the set-top box are:
- Certification
- The presence of voice control in addition to the usual, using the remote control.
- The use of a powerful 4-core processor.
- The ability to use almost all Wi-Fi standards – both traditional and the newest and most productive.
- Convenient shortcut buttons for the most frequently used services.
- Ability to work with high quality video.
- The ability to work with high-speed wired and wireless connections, which is enough for watching videos in 4K quality.
- User has to use built-in
- Heating during operation is negligible. The cooling system does a good job with it.
Mecool km1 collective is the most powerful in terms of resources set-top box in the series of Android box Mikul KM1 [/ caption] There are three types of devices in the line. The Basic option fully provides work when watching high-quality video. More expensive options are suitable for those who are going to actively use a set-top box for resource-intensive applications. As a disadvantage, we can consider the relatively low, by modern standards, speed of reading and writing to a hard disk. Root access is not available for the user here. On the one hand, this limits its capabilities, on the other, it guarantees the quality and reliability of work. A wired connection of 100 Mbps is enough to keep the box running, but some users think it should be even faster.
