Xiaomi Mini Mi Box Review
A couple of weeks ago I got my Xiaomi Mini Mi Box that I purchased from EverBuying actually the shipping was fast since it’s via DHL but since I was busy for the past weeks. it took a while for me to edit the video.
Actually I have reshoot the video multiple times since It’s quite disappointing that the Mini Mi box is Geolocation lock. Meaning you can only maximize the feature of the Mi box if you’re residing in China since the streaming service they are offering are only available in China. Will give further details in a bit.
but first here is the quick unboxing for you guys watch the video down below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4q-yfMuduw&authuser=0
Again I will make my review in real-time so it means this page will update without refreshing the page.
Here is the rundown of the specs in China they call it “Millet small box” international name is Mi Mini Box
- Output Resolution
- 1080p 60hz
- 1080p 50hz
- 720p 60hz
- 720p 50hz
- Processor: MTK MT8685 Cortex-A7, quad-core 1.3GHz
- GPU: Mali-450 MP4,4 + 2-core 416MHz
- Memory: 1GB DDR3
- Flash Memory: 4GB eMMC 4.5 High-Speed Flash
- Dual-band WiFi: 2.4GHz / 5GHz 802.11a / b / g / n
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 2/3 / 4.0
- By Google CTS certification system Android 4.4.2
- Encoding formats: H.263 / H.264 / H.265, MPEG1 / 2/4, VP8 maximum support to 1920 * 1080 @ 30 frames / sec; MPEG1 / 2/4
- video formats: FLV, MOV, AVI, MKV, TS, M2TS, MP4,3GP, MPEG, OGM
support 3D video output - Audio formats: MP3, APE, Flac, AAC, Ogg
decoding support DTS 2.0 + Digital Out, Dolby Digital Plus - Picture browsing support JP, BMP, GIF, PNG and other formats
Simplified Chinese - Wireless LAN: 2.4GHz / 5GHz 802.11a / b / g / n
- Bluetooth remote control, remote control through the millet phone
- Bluetooth remote control, HDMI high-definition data cable, manual and warranty card and other documents
100 ~ 240V 50 / 60Hz 0.3A input
Starting with the packaging, Xiaomi Mini Mi Box comes with a very small white box packaging. Inside includes a Bluetooth Remote Control powered by a 3V lithium battery, then the User manual that is in Chinese language but this will be handy in a bit just keep it 🙂
It also includes a premium gold plated HDMI cable with a Mi logo branding on both ends of the plug.
And last but not the least is the Xiaomi Mini Mi Box itself which is just the size of a square adapter. as you can see in the specs with that small hardware it has still a jam packed feature, although it just have a single HDMI port and the power plug. The rest are all in side like the Bluetooth Wi-Fi and other stuffs.
User Manual
Although the Quick user manual is in Chinese it still has the necessary QR Code that you need to scan in order for you to download the Remote Control app for Android which is actually similar with the physical remote but an app version. But I find the remote app for Android more convenient and easy to use. Like when typing it automatically opens the keyboard which is comparing to the physical remote control you need to navigate and click every step on every letter in the display keyboard.
But again the app is in Chinese hoping there will be a modded version of the app so that it will be in english language to make it easier to understand.
Here is the look of the Quick user manual and you will notice the two QR Code the larger in the center is the Code for the app while the one on the right most part of the manual is just a code going to WeChat so just ignore that in case you don’t want to use that app.
HDMI Cable
The HDMI cable is also color white, I can say it’s not an ordinary HDMI cable since it uses a Gold plated port plus it also have the Mi logo on both End of the cables. the length of the cable is around 1.5 meters.
HDMI Cable
The HDMI cable is also color white, I can say it’s not an ordinary HDMI cable since it uses a Gold plated port plus it also have the Mi logo on both End of the cables. the length of the cable is around 1.5 meters.
Mi Mini Box
It’s a square type plug adapter with some crazy feature inside. Xiaomi totally did a great job in terms of design with this device. I really can’t imagine how they manage to put a powerful specs inside this small hardware. with just the size of a tomato you won’t imagine this is a Android Box out of the box.
It only have one port which is the HDMI port for the display other than that is just the plug for the socket.
It’s still a poly-carbonate material but this time it’s a glossy type in the side while at the top is a matte finish with a Mi logo. While at the bottom is an orange color similar with the user manual.
Here is a the other angle of the Mini Mi box
Here is the actual size when compared to an actual extension cord.
This is one of the smaller Android Box you can have right now with it’s size you can bring it anywhere and anytime. if you’re going for an outing it’s very handy and no hassle to bring anywhere.
What’s weird is that the remote control is even larger than the actual Mi Box 🙂
Software and Performance
Ok let’s now talk about the actual functionality of this portable device. Upon connecting the device to a Wi-Fi connection it will actually prompt for a firmware update (depends if it’s not in the latest build) the latest build upon creating this post is V1.3.87, the UI changed a bit after the update but since the changelog is totally in Chinese I really can’t understand what’s written down there 😉
Primarily it’s a steaming device BUT! the downside of this device is the geolocation lock of the Streaming services they offer. The primary service provider they partnered is GITV which give full access to movies,anime,drama and many more. but since it’s a Chinese streaming service you won’t be able to play any of that videos which is a big bummer 🙁
but I do hope Xiaomi will expand their partners with other international streaming service provider to have a broader reach in terms of the streaming feature of the Mini Mi box.
Aside from the streaming feature you can actually play Android app with their dedicated Google Play like store which is also in Chinese language. Also upon booting this device, out of the box the language is in Chinese and there’s no way to change the language in the settings. the only way to change it is by sideloading a APK app that has a settings for language. from there you access the change of language from Chinese to English.
With that said, if you’re a user who is not familiar with doing this stuff I do not recommend purchasing the Mi Mini Box since you will just get frustrated it has a very limited feature if you will not install apps. again they have a dedicated Chinese market similar with Google Playstore but you need to have a Mi account to access that.
sideloading the Google Play Store is possible but you need to have the compatible version which I will be creating a separate tutorial for that 🙂
Since you won’t be able to use the streaming capability, the only features you can maximize is the video player for internal files, Miracast wireless mirror, Photo slideshow and FM Radio.
Other than that if you don’t have the knowledge to side load apps it’s totally useless for international users since you won’t understand what’s written in the UI and you won’t be able to maximize it’s features.
the only feature I am using it for now is the DVR Mode for the YI IP Camera. if you purchased the Yi IP camera (I will also have a separate review) it’s automatically syncs with your Mi account and installs the app. From that app you can view your IP camera rather than using your smartphone dedicated app. pretty much that will be the purpose of the Mini Mi box , other than that if Xiaomi will not support international services this is not recommendable for most users 🙁
But overall the performance is fast and easy to use. (if in english 🙂 )
I will still update this post since I will be testing it out with the Xiaomi bluetooth controller that will be coming very soon so be sure to stay tune on that also , will keep you posted once I got that and will update further regarding the gaming performance and the app usage.
Feel Free to share you experience I have a separate thread for the tutorials of the Mi Mini Box 🙂
