Modern TV without access to the Internet today is perceived as a relic of the past, but not everyone has the opportunity or desire to buy a new expensive panel with built-in Smart. TV. This is where the stage comes in. TV-Xiaomi, which is able to radically change the user experience, turning any screen with a new HDMI-It's a compact device the size of a remote or even smaller, but its computing power often exceeds that of many embedded systems in mid-range TVs.
The main goal of this gadget is to provide users with access to a huge number of applications, video streaming services, games and web content without being tied to the internal hardware of the TV. You are no longer dependent on the slow-working menu of the screen manufacturer or a limited list of pre-installed programs. Xiaomi Mi Box and Xiaomi TV Stick run Android TV (or Google TV), which opens the doors to the Google Play ecosystem and allows you to install almost any software available for TVs.
Using an external console has another important practical meaning: it extends the life of your current appliances. If your TV stops receiving security updates or new versions of apps, replacing the internal board can cost more than the device itself, and buying a new panel is a serious financial investment. At the same time, purchasing a media player is much cheaper and solves the problem of “brakes” and lack of functions instantly, it is a cost-effective solution for a bedroom, kitchen or cottage where it is not advisable to install top-of-the-the-line equipment.
Turning a TV into a Smart Device
The main reason why users are looking at the TV Box from a Chinese manufacturer is to get the functionality of the Smart TV on a regular screen. Just plug the device into an HDMI port, and you have an interface rich in widgets, recommendations and access to YouTube in 4K, Netflix, Kinopoisk and other streaming services. Unlike embedded systems, which often have stripped down functionality, the console offers a full operating system.
Importantly, the performance of embedded Smart systems in TVs often suffers from a lack of RAM and a weak processor, especially a couple of years after buying.The Xiaomi console comes with its own processor and RAM, which provides smooth menu navigation and fast loading of heavy content. You will no longer wait half a minute for the app to open, or put up with jerks when rewinding high-resolution video.
⚠️ Make sure your TV has at least one free port. HDMI. For models produced more than 10-15 Years ago (with tulips only) RCA), You will need an additional HDMI-to-AV converter, since the console itself transmits the signal only in digital format.
And then you can also use an external module to separate things, so that the TV is only responsible for the quality of the matrix and the sound, and the entire computing load is on the shoulders of the compact box. This is especially true for owners of budget TVs, where the built-in Smart is extremely slow. In fact, you get the experience of a flagship TV at fraction of the cost.
Access to the Android TV and Google Play ecosystem
One of the key features of Xiaomi Mi Box S and TV Stick devices is the availability of a certified Android TV operating system. This means that the user gets direct access to the Google Play store, where thousands of large-screen-optimized applications are available, you can install social network clients, browsers, music services like Yandex.Music or Spotify, and even programs for training or fitness.
Unlike mobile Android, the interface here is remote-controlled, not touchscreen-based. All elements are large, comfortable and easy to read from the couch. Voice search through the built-in microphone in the remote allows you to find content without typing in text manually, which greatly speeds up navigation. Just press a button and say the name of the movie or genre you want to watch.
- 🎮 The ability to install emulators and games from Google Play for retro consoles or cloud gaming.
- 📺 Support for all popular streaming platforms in native resolution 4K HDR.
- 🌐 Having a browser to view web pages that don’t have their own TV-applications.
- 📡 Installation IPTV-Players for viewing TV channels through Internet Protocol.
The Chromecast built-in is another big deal up your sleeve, and it allows you to stream content from your smartphone or tablet directly to your TV screen in one click, and you can watch YouTube videos on your phone and flip them to the big screen while you continue to use them for other tasks, making it incredibly convenient to watch content from non-programmable sources.
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Use the Google Home app on your smartphone to control the console if you have lost the remote or want to use your phone as a keyboard to type text.
Gaming opportunities and multimedia center
Many people underestimate the gaming opportunities. TV-They're video players, but they're Android-based. TV They allow you to turn the living room into a play area. AAA-projects they will not be able to because of the limitations of mobile graphics, but for casual games, quizzes, puzzles and emulators of old consoles (Dendy, Sega, PlayStation 1) their power is quite enough.
For more serious gaming, there are cloud gaming services like GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming (subscription and fast internet required), in which case all graphics processing takes place on remote servers, and the console only broadcasts a video stream, which allows you to run heavy games on the TV without buying a game console or a powerful PC. By connecting a gamepad over Bluetooth, you get a full gaming experience.
Besides games, the console is a great media center. H.265 (HEVC), VP9 and formats like MKV, AVI, MP4 It allows you to play local files with USB-storage (NAS) Integrated players, such as VLC or MX Player, easily cope with subtitles and multichannel sound.
Support for audio formats
It’s also worth mentioning the possibility of installing third-party launchers that completely change the look of the interface, making it easier or, conversely, more informative. You can adjust the start screen so that it shows only the weather widgets, calendar or playlists you need, removing unnecessary advertising and recommendations.
Comparison of models: Mi Box S, TV Stick and new versions
Xiaomi’s line of TVs is quite diverse, and it’s easy for a beginner to get confused about the names, with both classic boxes with a full-body body and compact flash drive-like whistles on the market, and understanding the difference between them will help you choose the device that is perfect for your tasks and workplace configuration.
The Xiaomi Mi Box S (including the 2nd Gen version) is a classic console with its own body, vents and peripheral ports. It is usually more powerful, has more memory and copes better with heating under prolonged load, a choice for those who plan to use the device as the main media center in the living room.
Xiaomi TV Stick (in 1080p and 4K versions) is an ultra-compact solution that hides behind a TV. It is ideal for trips or for TVs hanging close to the wall where there is no room for a box. However, due to its miniature size, they can warm up more and have fewer ports (usually only USB through an adapter).
| Characteristics | Xiaomi Mi Box S (2nd Gen) | Xiaomi TV Stick 4K | Regular Smart TV (budget) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permission | 4K Ultra HD | 4K Ultra HD | Depends on the model. |
| RAM | 2GB | 2GB | 1-1.5 GB |
| Built-in memory | 8GB | 8GB | 4-8 GB |
| Ports | HDMI, USB, Audio, LAN (via USB) | HDMI, USB (via cable) | Depends on TV. |
| Voice control | Got it (in the remote) | Got it (in the remote) | Often not or paid. |
When choosing, you should focus on the presence of a port. USB, if you plan to connect flash drives, and support Wi-Fi 5 GHz, which is critical to viewing 4K-More expensive models often have a dual-band module, which provides a stable connection even in noisy ether.
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For stationary use in the living room, the Mi Box S is better suited because of the better cooling system, and for travel or hidden installation - TV Stick.
Smart home management and additional functions
Xiaomi devices are famous for their integration into the smart home ecosystem. The console can act as a hub or remote control for compatible devices. Through the Android TV interface, you can quickly switch lighting scenarios, check the status of sensors or display images from CCTV cameras directly to the big screen, which is impossible to do on embedded smart systems of other brands.
Support for Zigbee or Bluetooth Mesh (depending on the model and the gateways connected) expands your horizons. You can set the TV to turn on automatically when you enter a room or turn off the lights when you launch a movie. Google Assistant, built into the system, allows you to control not only the console, but the entire smart apartment with your voice.
It also allows you to use digital frames, and in standby mode (screensaver), you can display photos from your Google Photo Gallery, and this turns the black rectangle of the TV into a decor element when it's not used to watch movies, and it takes a couple of minutes to set up the slideshow and doesn't require any additional devices.
⚠️ Note: To fully work the functions of the smart home, all devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network and registered in the same Google Home or Mi Home account for maximum compatibility.
Another interesting feature is that you can use the console as a video calling device, and you can connect the webcam through a video call. USB-port (adaptive required) OTG For some models, you can use apps like Zoom or Skype right on your TV, which is convenient for family calls, where you want the whole family to be in the picture, not just the face of one person.