So, Xiaomi has revamped its media center to become one of the leading references in this new generation. It has updated Google TV, improved its performance, and processor, updated the remote and connectivity, Google TV UI, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, HDR10 Plus, and more. but practically everything else remained the same. In other words, we’re talking about a box with an updated Amlogic processor, 2GB of RAM, and 8GB of internal storage, and priced it to be very affordable. it is the only option on the market that you can buy for less than 45 and has all these features. With it, you get Google certification and the power to perform at its best. I will tell you about my experience, all the new features, and what it can offer us. and the importer thing is it worth the upgrade or a new purchase for accessing your favorite streaming content? Keep reading to find out.

Xiaomi Mi TV Box S 2nd Gen Features

Unboxing and Design

Let’s start with the unboxing experience. Inside the box, you’ll find the second-generation Xiaomi TV Box S, proudly displaying the Xiaomi logo The first generation had a small “Mi” logo. At first glance, you might notice that the design looks quite similar to its predecessor. The device’s physical appearance, size, and form factor remain largely unchanged. Even the location of the input and output ports closely resembles the first-generation model.

The design It maintains a sleek and minimalist aesthetic, which many users appreciate. The device features a compact square form factor, measuring approximately 9.5*9.5*1.6cm and and weighing a mere 140g, making it unobtrusive and easy to place near your TV. One distinct feature of the design is the Xiaomi logo, now elegantly embossed on the top cover, adding a touch of sophistication to the device. This subtle branding choice aligns with Xiaomi’s design philosophy and sets it apart from other TV boxes on the market.

To ensure stability and prevent slipping, the device is equipped with four rubberized pads on the base. These pads provide a secure grip, preventing any unintended movement, which is especially important when considering the various cables that may be connected to them.

For user convenience, there’s a small LED indicator on the front panel. This indicator serves as a helpful visual cue, displaying the device’s operational status. When it comes to the placement of input and output ports, Xiaomi has chosen to maintain consistency with the previous model. The layout of the ports on the back of the device is virtually identical, The HDMI 2.1 port takes center stage, while the USB 2.0 port offers expandable functionality such as hard drive or an Ethernet adapter. The 3.5mm audio jack caters to personal listening preferences. And, perhaps surprisingly, the USB port retains its USB 2.0 status. While the physical design remains largely unchanged, it’s essential to note that the real magic of the Xiaomi TV Box S 2nd Gen lies within its internals and capabilities.

The remote control included with the Xiaomi TV Box S 2nd Gen is almost identical to the previous version. It retains the same compact size and button layout. However, there are a couple of notable differences. Firstly, you’ll spot the Xiaomi logo at the bottom of the remote, emphasizing the brand’s presence. Secondly, there’s a special button dedicated to accessing the Xiaomi TV application. This addition makes navigating your content even more convenient. Also, the D-pad button features an anti-slip texture, improve your control experience. Furthermore, you’ll find four shortcut keys that provide quick access to Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube, as well as a button to configure it with another application, volume up and down buttons, and more. Also, note that the remote control does not come with AAA batteries. What’s noteworthy is that this remote supports both Bluetooth and infrared, allowing you to control other compatible devices.

In terms of included accessories, The TV Box S 2nd Gen comes in orange box with the device’s design, and inside, you’ll find the TV box, the remote control, an HDMI cable, the power adapter, and will find warranty card and a user manual. The presence of these accessories means that you can set up your new Xiaomi TV Box S 2nd Gen without needing any additional components.

Hardware Specs and Performance Benchmark

The Xiaomi TV Box S 2nd Generation is more than just a sleek, compact device for transforming your television into a smart entertainment hub. It’s a powerhouse in terms of hardware specifications and performance, making it a top contender in the market. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this device tick and how it fares in real usage. Under the hood, the TV Box S 2nd Gen boasts an impressive hardware setup. It features the Amlogic S905X4 processor paired with the Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, It is a mid-range TV box chip that is perfectly suited for this use and at this price level. which is a notable upgrade from its predecessor, offering improved processing power and efficiency.

So that brings us to our benchmarks. Starting off with Geekbench, a single-core score of 153 and a multi-core score of 457. And in the Antutu benchmark test, we achieved 84K. This SoC designed to handle the demands of modern streaming and gaming with ease. These components work in harmony to deliver snappy performance and stunning visuals and offer a very smooth experience throughout the system, and the interface functions effortlessly, with applications opening rapidly. With this hardware, you also have enough power to install emulators and enjoy gaming on platforms like PlayStation or Dreamcast.

While the Xiaomi TV Box S 2nd Gen excels in CPU and GPU performance, it’s worth noting that it comes with 2GB of DDR3 RAM and 8GB of eMMC internal storage. While this might seem modest, it’s sufficient for most streaming and multimedia needs. However, power users who plan to install numerous apps or store large media libraries might find the storage space somewhat limiting. To overcome this limitation of storege, you can expand your it with external devices like USB flash drives or external hard drives via the USB 2.0 port. I also tested out the internal disk speeds and got a Read speed of 62Mb/s and a write speed of 30Mb/s.

Gaming Capabilities and Emulation

Gamers will be pleased to know that the Xiaomi TV Box S 2nd Gen is more than just a media player. It can handle a variety of games from the Google Play Store with ease. The powerful hardware ensures smooth gameplay, and the Mali-G31 MP2 GPU provides excellent graphics rendering. Additionally, the device’s capabilities extend beyond Android gaming. Users can explore emulators to enjoy classic console games on their TVs.

Speaking of games, obviously, with the hardware it has, this TV Box won’t offer advanced graphics for gaming or anything like that. However, the Play Store’s game library is available for use on the TV. So, many of the games available there will work just fine. I tested a few, and I was quite satisfied. The only game I tried to install that didn’t work due to hardware limitations, which could have been solved with better configurations, was Asphalt 8. It simply wouldn’t run, and there was no way around it. However, the other games I installed worked really well. On the other hand, the most powerful and greedy games, such as Genshin Impact or PUBG, will not be playable. That’s not powerful enough at all.

Downsides

Now, to avoid just praising the TV Box and not mentioning any downsides, there were a few things that bothered me, but they were few. First, even though it works perfectly when watching videos or playing games, occasionally, during navigation, it freezes, making the interface not as smooth as it should be. That feeling of fluidity was sometimes interrupted by these freezes. This could be improved if Xiaomi were to provide slightly better hardware, and maybe a bit more memory and processing power. It would probably solve this issue. However, this is one of the downsides, but it doesn’t really bother me that much. The second point is related to its storage capacity. With only 8GB of space, you can’t install that many apps. In the case of Asphalt 8 not working, it was because of the lack of storage space. It’s impossible to install any large games, and if you want to make recordings, you need an external hard drive because it won’t be possible to do it directly on the TV Box.

How To Setup

Setting up the Xiaomi TV Box S 2nd Gen is a breeze. The initial setup process is user-friendly, reminiscent of Android TV. It all begins with selecting your preferred language, ensuring accessibility for users worldwide. The intuitive interface guides you through connecting to your home Wi-Fi network seamlessly. The box will offer several setup options, either directly through the remote control or, for a simpler and faster setup, through the Google Home app on your smartphone. You’ll just need to scan a QR code and follow a few steps for Wi-Fi connection and Google account setup. That’s where things get interesting, as you’ll start exploring the Google TV interface.

Software & User Experience

One of the standout features of the Xiaomi TV Box S 2nd Generation is its integration with the Google TV platform marking its foray into Google’s television ecosystem. The device now comes Certified, running on the latest Google TV 11.0 OS, which you can bid farewell to the hassle of switching between different streaming apps. The Xiaomi TV Box seamlessly integrates all your favorite streaming services under one roof, accessible with just a few clicks. Whether it’s Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, or YouTube, all your go-to apps are readily available.

In fact, this interface is currently based on Android TV. You’ll find a large advertising banner that highlights certain content from various platforms. Just above that, there are different sections tailored to your content recommendations based on your preferences and what you’re currently watching, including movies, series, documentaries, YouTube videos, and more.

Additionally, this system is available for installing new apps. This version is adaptable and comes with the most common applications. Importantly, it is compatible with all of Google’s official certifications, so there are no limitations in using applications, which is an issue with many devices on the market. All of Google’s functions are available, including Chromecast, and Miracast you can effortlessly cast content from your mobile devices or PCs to your TV. I’m not going to say it’s super fast in operation. There is a slight delay.

I’m sure many of you are thinking about sideloading apps to watch a wide range of content. Well, you can sideload apps if you want to. You can download apps from outside the Google Play Store and install them via APK files, giving you more versatility, but be aware that doing so may void your warranty.

For Xiaomi fans, the Xiaomi TV Box S 2nd Generation brings exclusive access to Xiaomi TV Plus and the innovative Xiaomi Patchwall (exclusive to Xiaomi devices) among your choices. This new television interface is loaded with a plethora of free channels, providing you with access to an extensive array of content in multiple languages, including English. While these features are currently inaccessible in certain regions, they hold the promise of an enriched future viewing experience. Google TV’s user interface is designed with simplicity and convenience in mind. Navigate through your favorite content effortlessly, and discover new shows and movies.

Regarding Google TV, it’s important to adapt to the fact that many TV boxes now use Google TV as their operating system instead of Android TV. There are some differences between Google TV and Android TV. In Google TV, you can’t move the recommendation rows on the main screen, and voice search is limited to the YouTube app. But, here came Patchwall to aggregate content from various legal online sources based on your interests. You can use voice search within Patchwall by pressing the search button in the app.

Beyond streaming, the Google TV ecosystem extends to a plethora of Google apps and tools. Google Assistant takes center stage, offering convenient, hands-free control over your TV. A simple voice command like “OK Google, open Netflix” instantly transports you to your favorite content. Also, This operating system ensures seamless access to a wide range of Google services and features, eliminating compatibility issues often encountered with uncertified devices.

Streaming Performance

In this day, it’s all about content, and to be more specific, it’s all about entertainment content. We all crave more episodes of our favorite series, more movies, and more streaming services to provide it all to us in the comfort of our own homes. With Xiaomi TV Box S 2nd Gen, this little bundle of entertainment is the ultimate device for those wanting to turn their TVs into the smart entertainment home center of their dreams.

Video Playback

I tested local 4K sources with Kodi, and it worked fine. The test used a 4K movie with Dolby Vision from “The Wandering Earth 2,” which is 20GB in size. Fast forwarding was smooth, so for the S905X4 processor, decoding local 4K sources (in this case, files from NAS) is not a problem. Playing 4K HDR videos on YouTube also works flawlessly.

Was that all? Well, that was quick! This device supports the latest viewing technologies that will take your favorite movies and series to the next level. Two standard features are 4K streaming and HDR 10 Plus, which combine to give you the best visuals in every situation. Now, further enhancing your viewing experience are my two favorite Dolbys – Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Dolby Vision is a technology designed to unlock the full potential of your HDR technology by taking each individual image and optimizing it based on the device you are using as well as the platform. Dolby Atmos is an audio technology focused on building a spatial sound experience that immerses you in the content you are watching.

And because it’s the latest processor, it allows it to decode a wide range of audio and video formats, ensuring compatibility with various media sources. Whether you’re playing local media from a USB drive or streaming content online, you can expect a seamless playback experience. It also supports AV1 decoding, which can save up to 50% of streaming bandwidth compared to VP9. So, this box is fully prepared for future streaming services. If you’re looking for a box that will receive updates and stay relevant for many years to come, this is a solid choice.

Streaming Service

Also, this TV box has a Widevine L1 certified, allowing you to watch online services that require this certification in 4K quality. It’s also Netflix-licensed, and YouTube is pre-installed. The TV box plays 4K 60fps videos with 10-bit color. So, you won’t face any issues with 4K content playback.

There is a “Xiaomi TV+” app on the front side of the box, which is among the pre-installed software, but it offers only a limited number of channels. Xiaomi TV+ supports many channels, and the availability depends on your location. There aren’t many settings for this TV+ app, but you can request to join the beta testing to access more features.

IPTV playlist apps work great and seamlessly and the TV channel zapping speed is fast. If you want to be able to watch movies, series, and TV channels for free, there are interesting videos that are going to appear at the top of your screen.

Connectivity

Users often find themselves at a crossroads when choosing between wired and wireless connections. With the Xiaomi TV Box S 2nd Generation, you don’t have to make that tough decision. Its comprehensive connectivity options provide the best of both. You can opt for a wireless setup when convenience is key or go with wired connections for minimal latency and maximum stability. With Bluetooth 5.2 to pair wireless headphones for private listening or connect external input devices, and has dual-band Wi-Fi, HDMI 2.1, and versatile ports, it caters to the diverse connectivity needs of users.

With dual-band Wi-Fi support operating on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands, this media player ensures that you can access high-quality content without the frustration of buffering or lag. On the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, I achieved speeds of 86 Mbps, and on the 5 GHz, it reached 250 Mbps, which are excellent results. The result on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi is better than the average among all tested TV boxes, making it easy to connect this TV box to Wi-Fi without any problems, compensating for the lack of an Ethernet port.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the Xiaomi TV Box S 2nd Generation is a substantial upgrade from its predecessor. While its design remains familiar, it’s the internal improvements that truly shine. With top-of-the-line visual and audio technologies, Google TV integration, and Google Assistant at your disposal, it transforms your TV into a smart media center that caters to your every whim. It offers 4K resolution support, a user-friendly interface, and a range of apps for streaming and gaming, supports various video and audio technologies, and offers a smooth user experience. While it may not be a gaming powerful, it excels at streaming content and provides great value. making it a cost-effective solution compared to buying a new smart TV. Existing Xiaomi TV Box users may find the upgrade worthwhile due to the improved interface and features. While there are limitations when it comes to accessing certain features in specific regions, the device offers a solid Google TV experience.

Overall, my experience with the new TV Box S 2nd generation has been great. Xiaomi has completely refreshed its media center, making it a standout in its price range. As I mentioned in the intro, it’s a unique device in its price segment, offering all of this for less than $62.49 during AliExpress.

With all this you might say, do we really need a box like this in 2023 when TV interfaces are becoming increasingly sophisticated? Some TVs already come with Android TV. It depends on your needs. If you feel limited by your current TV and want more features, a product like this could be a satisfying upgrade, especially given its affordability. However, it remains an entry-level device and will serve the most basic streaming needs. The main limitation is the lack of storage for installing additional apps. There are pricier and more feature-rich products, such as the Nvidia Shield, but they come at a higher cost.

The post Xiaomi Mi TV Box S 2nd Gen Review: A Powerful Streaming Device For $43 appeared first on Techxreviews.

H96 Max RK3528 Features

Unboxing Experience

The unboxing experience is often the first impression a product leaves on its users, and the H96 Max rk3528 doesn’t disappoint in this regard. The packaging is sleek and inviting. Upon opening the box, you are greeted with several components. The contents of the box include an Instruction Manual, HDMI Cable, Power Adapter, Remote Control, and the star of the show itself H96 Max.

Design And Build Quality

The h96 Max RK3528 design is both aesthetically pleasing and practical. It is made entirely of plastic with a round and sleek form factor that sets it apart from the usual rectangular boxes. Also, It’s quite attractive, and it comes in the same colors as the other versions. I weighed this device, and it weighs 118g, slightly heavier than other versions. The front panel proudly displays the h96 Max logo and features an LED display that adds a touch of sophistication.

One of the standout features of the h96 Max rk3528 is its versatile connectivity options. The device is equipped with a wide array of ports, ensuring compatibility with various TV types and peripheral devices. The connectivity options include a Micro SD card slot, power socket, SPDIF audio port, AV port, HDMI output, a 100-megabit LAN port, and two USB ports (one USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0). Right away, we can see that this device has some differences: the digital clock and an optical audio output, which the other versions, at least h96 Max v11 and v12, don’t have these elements.

The presence of ventilation at the bottom ensures optimal heat dissipation, preventing overheating during extended use. While it doesn’t feature non-slip rubber feet, the device manages to stay stable on various surfaces.

Software & User Experience

Setting up the h96 Max rk3528 TV Box is straightforward, even for those with minimal technical expertise. We’ll be testing this TV Box on the TV to see how it performs, the interface, and other technical details. I’ll be powering it on for you to see the boot time. Remember that the main purpose of this TV Box is to turn a regular TV into a smart TV. As mentioned earlier, it works on both CRT and LCD TVs with HDMI input, as well as monitors with HDMI input. The boot process is quite similar to that of the h96 Max v11 and v12—quite a nice startup animation. It was quite quick in just 34 seconds from a cold start; the boot-up was done.

The h96 Max TV Box stands out with its robust Android 13 operating system, delivering a more efficient and secure user experience. This updated OS enhances compatibility with the latest applications, ensuring users have access to a wide array of functionalities. It doesn’t have root access; it’s identifying that the device is not rooted.

The launcher itself boasts a clean and intuitive flat design, thoughtfully adapted to the TV screen environment, mirroring the layout of Android TV. Also, allows for extensive customization, you can replace app icons on the home screen with your favorites by long pressing on them. Additionally, the bottom row of icons can be populated with your preferred apps, with no limit to the number you can add. Also, you can change the background; there are several options available. This level of customization empowers users to tailor their interface to their preferences, creating a more comfortable and user-friendly experience.

Out of the box, the device comes pre-installed with popular apps such as Netflix, TikTok, and Prime Video, the APK Pure app store, Aptoide, Play Store, making it a convenient choice for streaming enthusiasts. Its user-friendly interface makes navigation a breeze, even for those who may not be tech-savvy. However, one notable absence is the navigation bar and status bar, which could enhance multitasking and navigation. Nevertheless, users can explore alternative applications to address this omission.

Performance & Streaming

The h96 Max rk3528 TV Box boasts an impressive set of specifications designed to deliver a seamless home entertainment experience. Let’s dive into the key specifications. Featuring a Rockchip RK3528 quad-core Cortex-A53 processor clocked at 2016 MHz, this TV Box offers improved processing power compared to its predecessors. Equipped with an ARM Mali-450 GPU, the TV Box excels in rendering graphics, making it suitable for gaming and high-definition video playback. Supporting a Full HD resolution of 1920×1080 pixels with 52/53 DPI, the h96 Max ensures crisp and detailed visuals with a 60Hz screen refresh rate, landscape mode, and OpenGL 2.0 support, all of which guarantee smooth playback of videos and games. This SoC clearly is for entry-level devices and is dedicated to the TV box sector. This powerful combination ensures seamless multitasking, smooth navigation, and flawless playback of media, even in the most demanding scenarios.

To cater to diverse user needs, the TV BOX offers a choice between 2GB and 4GB of memory, enabling users to optimize their entertainment experience based on their requirements. Additionally, the device is available in three storage options: 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of ROM. Whether you’re a casual user or a power consumer, this TV BOX is capable of delivering smooth experiences, whether it’s streaming videos, playing games, or multitasking between various applications.

So, The H96 Max RK3528 is more than capable of handling casual gaming. It ran Real Racing 3 smoothly, demonstrating its ability to manage moderately demanding games with ease. All this is evidenced by its 62,000 score on the Antutu benchmark, 118 Single-core, and 351 Multi-core on Geekbench.

Streaming Performance

Video Playback

H96 Max RK3528 supports 4K 60fps video output via HDMI 2.1 port which brings you high-definition viewing and fluent video playback, making it the highest resolution signal available for home movies to let you watch 4K movies smoothly, every detail of the screen is clear and with high color saturation and quality excellent picture, no lag or stuttering, that’s the strength of this device. When playing some 4k video samples from a USB Drive on a USB 3.0 port via the included Media player, it’s shown on 4k at 30-60 FPS with ultra-smooth, and High quality.

H96 Max Streaming Service

As it’s known, it’s not possible to watch paid services like Netflix and Amazon Prime in 4K because these applications require specific licensing, This means they don’t have the DRM support required to stream HD or 4K from Netflix or other streaming services. And this is where the strength of the Android TV OS is, which you cannot find in the Chinese TV box. Nevertheless, you can still enjoy Netflix and all other streaming services at a smooth 540p (Basic Quality). However, IPTV services remain one of the solutions that you will find on this TV box and support high resolutions, and there are also other programs similar to Netflix for free.

YouTube Quality

When you go to YouTube, you can play videos on 4K 30FPS, and this is the maximum limit to enjoy high quality but with freezing and smooth performance, although playing videos on 1080p will be more than enough. However, this box has a maximum refresh rate ranging from 40 to 60 fps on average in HD / FULL HD. Unfortunately, AV1 codec files did not play on this device.

Play Games

The graphics processing in the H96 Max RK3528 is based on the Mali-450, which offers good performance on medium games like Asphalt 9, and this is at a resolution of 1080p because at 4K the situation will be disastrous, as for powerful games like PUBG or Call of Duty you will be able to play with low settings, that is why I think that the rest of the games will not face any problems and the gameplay will be smooth for the best gaming experience. When you put this tv box under pressure its temperature can reach 75ºC or more, causing a performance little drop. But in normal use like watching movies, the temperature is acceptable between 55ºC – 65ºC I find that the cooling system is fine on this box because the body has a big number of ventilation holes, which provide the necessary cooling for the TV box. and you can make it even lower by using a cooling fan for this purpose.

Connectivity

The H96 Max RK3528 TV Box Equipped with dual-band Wi-Fi support, it offers both 2.4GHz and 5GHz IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac frequencies. This dual-band capability not only improves the versatility of wireless connectivity but also promises faster data transmission speeds, enabling smoother streaming and online gaming experiences. What sets the H96 Max apart is its integration of Wi-Fi 6, a cutting-edge wireless technology that takes performance to the next level, making it ideal for bandwidth-intensive tasks and delivering a better streaming experience. Additionally, the device features a 100Mb LAN port, ensuring a reliable wired connection for users who prioritize stability. Complementing its advanced networking capabilities is Bluetooth 5.0, providing seamless connectivity with a wide range of compatible devices.

Summary and Verdict: Is It Worth It?

The H96 Max RK3528 TV Box is a budget-friendly Android TV box that offers decent performance for its price and represents an enticing proposition for anyone looking to elevate their home entertainment setup. Its sleek design, versatile connectivity options, and robust specifications make it a valuable addition to your living room. While it may not offer some of the premium features found in higher-end models, its affordability, and overall performance make it an excellent choice for those seeking an upgraded TV experience without breaking the bank.

It’s suitable for streaming 1080p content, browsing the internet, and playing back 1080p videos from USB drives. It may not be the ultimate choice for power users, but it offers good value for its price. So, If you’re looking for an affordable solution to elevate your home entertainment experience, this budget-friendly TV box could be the ideal choice for you. It’s available for purchase on the AliExpress store, making it accessible to a wide range of consumers seeking an outstanding entertainment solution without breaking the bank.

The post In-Depth Review: H96 Max RK3528 – A Budget 4K Streaming TV Box appeared first on Techxreviews.

VONTAR R3 Features

Design And Build Quality

The VONTAR R3 TV Box showcases an elegant and modern design that seamlessly blends form and function. Crafted in a sleek square form factor, it is constructed from durable black plastic, giving it a stylish yet robust appearance. The top of the device features subtle curves that not only enhance its aesthetics but also contribute to its contemporary look. The centerpiece of the design is the eye-catching RGB lighting in the middle, configured in the shape of a square, which adds a touch of sophistication to the overall presentation. Emblazoned with the VONTAR logo, this lighting element draws attention and exudes a futuristic vibe.

On the front, a vibrant blue LED screen takes center stage, providing valuable information such as the time and Wi-Fi network status, ensuring that the user remains informed at all times.

Along the sides, the VONTAR R3 offers a comprehensive array of connectors commonly found in TV boxes, including a DC port output, a 100M Ethernet port, one USB 3.0 port, one USB 2.0 port, a Micro SD slot, and an AV jack. Notably, the HDMI 2.0 port.

Software & User Experience

The VONTAR R3 TV Box stands out with its robust Android 13 operating system, delivering a more efficient and secure user experience. This updated OS enhances compatibility with the latest applications, ensuring users have access to a wide array of functionalities. Notably, the Android 13 OS comes pre-configured, providing access to permissions and allowing the installation of applications that require root activation, offering users greater control over their devices.

Upon booting up, the VONTAR R3 impresses with its speed, taking users directly to the launcher without the need for a protracted setup wizard. The launcher itself boasts a clean and intuitive flat design, thoughtfully adapted to the TV screen environment, mirroring the layout of Android TV. The home screen features convenient shortcuts to popular apps, including Google Play, YouTube, Google Chrome, Firefox browser, and more. Below the interface menu, users can access a shortcut menu housing essential applications like Settings, a wallpaper changer app, and a button for the apps list. This level of customization empowers users to tailor their interface to their preferences, creating a more comfortable and user-friendly experience. The option to change the background adds a further layer of personalization.

However, one notable absence is the navigation bar and status bar, which could enhance multitasking and navigation. Nevertheless, users can explore alternative applications to address this omission. Overall, the VONTAR R3’s performance is commendable, offering smooth and rapid navigation throughout the menus.

In terms of apps, the VONTAR R3 supports the installation of apps from the Google Play Store, with several pre-installed apps such as Chrome and Firefox browsers, a file manager, Google Play Store, YouTube, and more. The device seamlessly integrates with Google services, enabling users to access a variety of apps available on the Play Store. While it may not be a certified Android TV box, limiting access to the full Google Play Store, users have the flexibility to use third-party stores or employ the Google browser to search for and download APK apps, expanding their application choices.

Performance & Hardware Specifications

The SoC used in the VONTAR R3 is Rockchip RK3528 Quad-core ARM Cortex A53, it has 4 cores, 4 threads, a maximum frequency of 1.5GHz accompanied by the high-performance Mali-450 GPU and has a 34,632 score in the latest Antutu benchmark. This SoC clearly its for entry-level devices and dedicated to the tv box sector. This powerful combination ensures seamless multitasking, smooth navigation, and flawless playback of media, even in the most demanding scenarios.

To cater to diverse user needs, the TV BOX offers a choice between 2GB and 4GB of memory, enabling users to optimize their entertainment experience based on their requirements. Additionally, the device is available in three storage options: 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of ROM. Whether you’re a casual user or a power consumer, this TV BOX is capable of delivering smooth experiences, whether it’s streaming videos, playing games, or multitasking between various applications.

VONTAR R3 Performance

The VONTAR R3 TV Box offers you a good solution if you are a fan of series and movies and like to enjoy the highest possible resolution, then this device will give you a resolution of 4K and compatibility with most programs that display video content with the ability to play games for a great experience.

Video Playback

VONTAR R3 supports 4K 60fps video output via HDMI 2.1 port which brings you high definition viewing and fluent video playback, making it the highest resolution signal available for home movies to let you watch 4K movies smoothly, every detail of the screen is clear and with high color saturation and quality excellent picture, no lag or stuttering, that’s the strength of this device. When playing some 4k video samples from a USB Drive on a USB 3.0 port via the included Media player, it’s shown on 4k at 30-60 FPS with ultra-smooth, and High quality.

VONTAR R3 Streaming Service

As it’s known, it’s not possible to watch paid services like Netflix and amazon prime in 4k because these applications require specific licensing, This means they don’t have the DRM support required to stream HD or 4K from Netflix or other streaming services. And this is where the strength of the Android TV OS, which you cannot find in the Chinese TV box. Nevertheless, you can still enjoy Netflix and all other streaming services at a smooth 480p (Basic Quality). However, IPTV services remain one of the solutions that you will find on this tv box and support high resolutions, and there are also other programs similar to Netflix for free.

YouTube Quality

When you go to YouTube, you can play videos on 2160P 60FPS, and this is the maximum limit to enjoy high quality but with freezing and with smooth performance, although playing videos on 1080p will be more than enough. However, this box has a maximum refresh rate ranging from 40 to 60 fps on average in HD / FULL HD.

Play Games

The graphics processing in the VONTAR R3 is based on the Mali-G410 MP2, which offers good performance on medium games like Asphalt 9, and this is at a resolution of 1080p because at 4K the situation will be disastrous, as for powerful games like PUBG or Call of Duty you will be able to play with low settings, that is why I think that the rest of the games will not face any problems and the gameplay will be smooth for the best gaming experience. When you put this tv box under pressure its temperature can be reached 75ºC or more, causing a performance little drop. But on normal use like watching movies, the temperature is acceptable between 55ºC – 65ºC And I find that the cooling system is fine on this box because the body has a big number of ventilation holes, which provide the necessary cooling of the tv box. and you can make it even lower by using a cooling fan for this purpose.

Connectivity

The VONTAR R3 TV Box Equipped with dual-band Wi-Fi support, it offers both 2.4GHz and 5GHz IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac frequencies. This dual-band capability not only improve the versatility of wireless connectivity but also promises faster data transmission speeds, enabling smoother streaming and online gaming experiences. What sets the VONTAR R3 apart is its integration of Wi-Fi 6, a cutting-edge wireless technology that takes performance to the next level, making it ideal for bandwidth-intensive tasks and delivering a better streaming experience. Additionally, the device features a 100Mb LAN port, ensuring a reliable wired connection for users who prioritize stability. Complementing its advanced networking capabilities is Bluetooth 5.0, providing seamless connectivity with a wide range of compatible devices.

Final Verdict

All in all, the VONTAR R3 stands out as one of the most compelling TV Boxes powered by the Rockchip RK3528 chipset, and it offers remarkable performance, especially when it comes to flawlessly playing 4K content, all within an affordable price range. When it comes to streaming via platforms like YouTube, it may experience minor delays in achieving 4K resolutions. While the absence of DRM support for Netflix in 4K is a common limitation, gaming performance remains decent. The device boasts a fast launcher, although it lacks a status bar and navigation bar. However, when evaluating its specifications and features in comparison to other TV boxes, the VONTAR R3 stands out. Considering the exceptional value for its price, it’s a noteworthy choice for anyone seeking a quality TV Box in 2023. For those pondering the best TV Box to purchase, the VONTAR R3 proves to be a worthy contender. It’s available for purchase on the AliExpress store, making it accessible to a wide range of consumers seeking an outstanding entertainment solution without breaking the bank.

The post VONTAR R3 TV Box: Affordable Excellence in 4K Streaming and More appeared first on Techxreviews.

The Redmi Note 10 Pro was announced in March 2021 but manages to stand out in a crowded budget smartphone field thanks to a stunning 120Hz AMOLED display which is the same refresh rate seen in top-of-the-line models such as the Galaxy S21 Ultra, and a capable 108MP camera. This phone is still one of the best Android bargains going, assuming you can live without 5G. You get a great AMOLED screen, fast performance, long battery life with 33W Fast Charging, and also a solid camera, all for under $220. This is one of the biggest smartphone bargains around. It gets so close to the day-to-day experience of a $500 phone you’d never guess it costs $220.

The Redmi Note 10 Pro can capture 4K video and has a large 6.7-inch 120Hz OLED screen. It’s Snapdragon 732G brings the goods for gaming, and the phone has some of the best speakers we’ve heard at the price. You get a solid 108MP camera. And while you shouldn’t put too much faith in that ultra-high megapixel count, it produces nice photos and has access to a good night mode. There’s also a highly unusual, and unusually good, macro camera. Most budget phone macro cameras are barely worth using. This one is great for nature photography.
The battery also lasts a long time, even if you use the 120Hz screen mode for smoother scrolling, and even the build quality gets more attention than we’d expect. The Redmi Note 10 Pro has a Gorilla Glass back, not the plastic we now see even in alarmingly expensive Android phones. so this ranks among the best Xiaomi phones, and arguably also the best cheap phones from any brand.

Overall, the Redmi Note 10 Pro is quite an impressive smartphone with its AMOLED panel and 120Hz refresh rate, and 108MP lens getting great performance and specifications that normally cost well over $500, the device can be a good candidate as a solid daily driver. It starts at $192, for the Redmi Note 10 Pro with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, there’s also a version that ups the storage and ram to 256GB and RAM to 8 GB. Even there aren’t many phones on the market today that give you more for your money. So much so that we rank it among one of the best affordable Xiaomi phones of 2021 if not the best. However, if you’re on the hunt for an affordable powerhouse handset, the Note 10 Pro should be high on your list at the end of the year of 2022.

If you thought we were done, you are wrong, I have prepared a simple table for you to take advantage of the Xiaomi Aliexpress Brand event discounts by using these codes:

Xiaomi Mi 4K TV Stick

The first-generation Xiaomi Mi TV Stick was already enjoying immense popularity. This time, the Chinese giant introduced an improved version of the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K, which brings higher resolution and boasts many new features such as an Android TV 11 Certified system with necessary certificates for Netflix 4K HDR and similar services, it also supports Dolby Vision and Atmos, and is powered by the well-known Amlogic S905Y4 SoC with 2GB RAM memory. Which is a good media player and a great alternative to the Chromecast with Google TV. So, If you are looking for a handy media player for your television that does not exceed $40.

The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K is an interesting alternative, Xiaomi puts down a good media player that makes every ‘dumb’ television smart and provides it with the latest Android TV 11 operating system and all popular apps like Netflix, Youtube, and Prime Video, The interface is nice to use, has good (and many) apps, and presents your favorite content in a beautiful way.

In two simple steps, you give your TV, laptop, projector, monitor, or another device with an HDMI port a huge update at lightning speed. Plug the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K into the HDMI input of the television, connect the stick to the wifi and get access to Google Play, thousands of series, movies, games, and programs. That’s going to be enjoyable!

The S905Y4 chipset is currently the most popular and can be found in recently launched streaming players. This Cortex-A35 quad-core processor delivers powerful performance and allows us to move any app, powerful games, and emulators up to 16/32bit. Whether you’re watching a high-resolution movie, listening to music, or playing games, this stick delivers speed and stability! Combined with the enlarged 2GB RAM memory, using the TV Stick is lightning fast and you switch smoothly between different apps. Another improvement is the support for the latest AV1 video codec. Netflix already encodes its latest videos with AV1.

Want to spend an evening gaming or binge-watching with friends? Or enjoying the quality of home while on vacation? Undoubtedly the new Xiaomi TV Stick 4K is a TV Stick with Android TV 11 very efficient and compact design. A small player that allows us to play all paid streaming services and move through the system smoothly, And most importantly, it’s for $39.99, what are you waiting for? This price is not for every day.

The post Redmi Note 10 Pro & Xiaomi Mi 4K TV Stick – The Best Devices I Recommend For The End of The Year appeared first on Techxreviews.

That comes with a Google Certification DRM level L1 to stream HD or 4K and is equipped with an Amlogic S905X4 SoC which offers superior performance in all tasks and is supported by AV1 decoder and powered by Android 11, in addition to 2GB RAM and storage capacity of up to 16GB, all this allows you to watch and enjoy thousands of movies and series in 4K resolution and HDR10 support. so it’s time to talk about this TV Box and see if it is worth investing in and what its pros and cons are, And What are the new updates from the previous version.

• Amlogic S905X4 Quad-Core SoC
• ARM Mali-G31 MP2
• Android 11
• Google Certified Widevine L1
• LPDDR4 2GB, eMMC 16GB
• 2.4 & 5G Dual Wifi
• Support 4K Youtube, 4K Primevideo, Netflix
• Supports HDR10+, AV1
• Support OTA update, Google Assistant

Mecool Android Tv Box Km2 Plus 4k Amlogic S905x4 2g Ddr4 Ethernet Wifi Multi-streamer Hdr 0 Tvbox Home Media Player...

Mecool Android Tv Box Km2 Plus 4k Amlogic S905x4 2g Ddr4 Ethernet Wifi Multi-streamer Hdr 0 Tvbox Home Media Player...

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Design And Build Quality

The design implemented in the Mecool KM2 Plus is beautiful and simple with professional touches, to suit any of the smart TV setups you have in your room, it’s just a square black plastic box with flat edges and the Mecool logo on the top inside a gray circle, in the front, we find a 3 lamps green LED for power, network, and IR. From the bottom, there are ventilation holes and four rubber legs for added stability.

Moving on to the ports, what we often find in TV BOX devices includes Ethernet 10/100 connector, AV jack, HDMI 2.1, SPDIF, and power connector, on one side we have a USB 3.0, another USB 2.0, and a MicroSD reader with a maximum capacity up to 32 GB.

Under The Hood

The SoC used in the Mecool KM2 Plus is Amlogic S905X4 64-bit Quad-core ARM Cortex A55 2.0GHz, This processor is known for its good manufacturing quality at 12nm and gives you 30 percent more performance than the previous generation compared to the S905X3 found in most TV box devices. Also, It’s designed for high-performance devices and supports AV1 decoding which is now mandatory for popular streaming services.

The Mali-G31 MP2 graphics chip with a maximum frequency of 800MHz and a power of 2.6 Gpix/s. It has OpenGL ES 3.2 support and can handle games like PUBG. Without forgetting the 2GB RAM for multitasking it is not running very fast and has a storage capacity of 16GB eMMC without supporting a TF card slot to expand. Unfortunately, one of the weaknesses of this TV box is a small memory ( RAM & ROM), which is the minimum, and in 2022 I think it is not acceptable, and more memory capacities must be provided to choose.

Connectivity Of Mecool KM2 Plus

For connectivity, the Mecool KM2 Plus box contains 2.4GHz / 5GHz WIFI IEEE 802.11 b / g / n / ac dual-band, the network is acceptable but not the most stable, and has a 100MB LAN port, not the best thing but its more reliable than WI-FI and provides even better data transmission. And has Bluetooth 5.0 is not the latest generation but It works well, however, is acceptable at this price point.

Software

One of the strengths of the Mecool KM2 Plus TV Stick is that its equipped with an Android 11 operating system to provide you with a more efficient and secure operation, better compatibility with the latest applications, and thus better user experience (not rooted).

launcher

In the beginning, it’s fast to boot up, it will not take 30 seconds to take you directly to the launcher with some configuration wizard, where we can connect to the Wi-Fi network and define which apps will be installed by default.

The launcher is clean with a flat design and has a complete desktop layout for Android 11, what I find missing is the lack of a navigation bar and status bar for easy navigation and multitasking. but, you’ve got shortcut Apps that you can customize yourself. The overall performance is very good, we can move smoothly and quickly between menus.

Not only will it show you recommendations, but the app will also keep track of your watch history across different services. They all live on the same carousel, so you’ll see your Tubi history right next to the movie you didn’t finish on Disney+. If you’re looking to have a fully-featured TV operating system, you will be able to have everything you need with Android TV 11.

However, Google Assistant is integrated into the remote control, and thus users simply press the Google Assistant button to activate voice control and ask an unlimited number of questions such as checking weather information, finding the latest blockbuster, playing popular music, etc.

Applications

Android 11 allows the installation of apps from Google Play Store (Google Play Store version for Android TV OS) and contains pre-installed apps such as YouTube, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, Hulu, Spotify, Tubi TV, and many more.

As an added bonus, this device has Chromecast built-in. This means that it’s quick and easy to stream content directly from your phone to your TV.

Mecool KM2 Plus supports Google services and allows you to install the full app that is available in the play store because is a certified Android TV. you can use a third-party store or use the Google browser to search the apk app, then download and install the app you want.

This is the official Android TV OS, so you don’t get features from the mobile version such as root access, navigation bar or status bar, screen rotation, etc. But, KM2 Plus Supports OTA updates, so it is necessary to solve some possible problems or upgrade the system.

Mecool KM2 Plus Performance

The KM2 Plus TV Stick offers you a good solution if you are a fan of series and movies and like to enjoy the highest possible resolution, then this device will give you a resolution of 4K with HDR and compatibility with most programs that display video content with the ability to play some games with a great experience.

Video playback

Mecool KM2 Plus supports 4K 30fps video output via HDMI 2.1 port which brings you high definition viewing and fluent video playback, making it the highest resolution signal available for home movies to let you watch 4K movies smoothly, every detail of the screen is clear and with high color saturation and quality excellent picture, no lag or stuttering, that’s the strength of this device.

Mecool KM2 Plus Streaming Service

As it’s known, it’s not possible to watch paid services like Amazon Prime and Disney Plus in 4k because these applications require specific licensing, But KM2 Plus has the DRM support level L1 to stream HD or 4K, And this is where the strength of the Android TV OS, which you cannot find in the other TV Stick.

However, IPTV services remain one of the solutions that you will find on this device and support any high resolutions you want, and there are also other programs similar to Netflix for free.

AV1 is a high-performance, royalty-free video codec that provides 20% improved compression efficiency over HEVC/VP9 and manages to save up to 30% in bandwidth for the same image quality.

YouTube Quality

When you go to YouTube, you can play videos on 4k 30FPS HDR, and this is the maximum limit to enjoy high quality without freezing and with smooth performance, although playing videos on 2k will be more than enough. However, this box has a maximum refresh rate ranging from 40 to 60 fps on average in FULL HD / 2k.

Play Games

The graphics processing in the Mecool KM2 Plus is based on the Mali-G31 MP2, which offers good performance on medium games like Asphalt 8, and this is at a resolution of 1080p because at 4K the situation will be disastrous, as for powerful games like PUBG or Call of Duty you will be able to play with low settings, that is why I think that the rest of the games will not face any problems and the gameplay will be smooth for the best gaming experience.

When you put this KM2 Plus under pressure its temperature can be reached 70ºC or more, causing a performance little drop. But on normal use like watching movies, the temperature is acceptable between 40ºC – 60ºC And I find that the cooling system is fine on this box.

Final verdict

Finally, for watching movies and TV shows, the Mecool KM2 Plus will not disappoint you, its provided good performance, especially in playing 4K videos without any problems, as for YouTube, 4K resolution may have some delay, All the popular TV streaming apps are available HD even Netflix, playing games was ok, the launcher remains fast and the system we have is Android TV 11, which is very stable, moves very smoothly, is one of the most powerful TV platforms out there. You have access to all of the most prominent streaming services on the market like Nexflix, Disney+, Hulu, Tubi, Prime Video, YouTube TV, and thousands more. We can run any game or app compatible with Android TV, What bothers me is a little memory. Currently, on the market, you can find not many devices that can compete with Mecool KM2 Plus for under $70.

Mecool KM2 Plus Price And Where To Buy

The Mecool KM2 Plus TV Box is available on AliExpress Store for an excellent price So, don’t miss out on this great deal. And to view its price or buy it, you can access the offer by clicking on the store icon.

Mecool Android Tv Box Km2 Plus 4k Amlogic S905x4 2g Ddr4 Ethernet Wifi Multi-streamer Hdr 0 Tvbox Home Media Player...

Mecool Android Tv Box Km2 Plus 4k Amlogic S905x4 2g Ddr4 Ethernet Wifi Multi-streamer Hdr 0 Tvbox Home Media Player...

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• Mecool KM2 Plus TV Box
• Remote control
• Power Supply(12V/1A)
• HD Cable
• User Manual

The post Mecool KM2 Plus Review – New Upgrade For TV Box With Google Certificate appeared first on Techxreviews.

This Tv Box comes with an improved look, better hardware, and features. It’s equipped with a new generation of Amlogic S905X4 quad-core SoC and Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, in addition to 4GB RAM and up to 64GB storage, and powered by Android 11, all of this allows you to watch and enjoy thousands of 8K movies and series and even games, so it’s time to talk about this TV Box and see if it is worth investing in it and what are its advantages and disadvantages.

• Amlogic S905x4 Quad-Core
• ARM Mali G31 MP2 GPU
• OS Android 11
• 4GB SDRAM & 64GB eMMC
• Video Output 8K With AV1
• 100Mb Ethernet Port
• WIFI Dual-band 2.4GHz/5.0GHz

2022 X96max Plus Ultra Tv Box Android 11 Amlogic S905x4 4gb 64gb Tvbox Av1 8k Wifi Bt X96 Max Media Player 4gb 32gb...

2022 X96max Plus Ultra Tv Box Android 11 Amlogic S905x4 4gb 64gb Tvbox Av1 8k Wifi Bt X96 Max Media Player 4gb 32gb...

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Design And Build Quality

The design of the X96 Max Plus Ultra is simple and elegant, just a square black plastic box with a curvature at the corners is very compact with dimensions of 7.70*7.70*1.70 cm for 150 g, and although its plastic, it has a good manufacturing quality and looks solid, and it has a logo of the X96 MAX+ Ultra in white on the top, As for on the front, there is a blue LED display that displays the time and status of the Wi-Fi, HD resolution, etc.

For connectors on the side, Typical types included in most boxes, are the DC port output, 100M Ethernet, 1x USB3.0 port, 1x USB2.0, 1x Micro SD slot, 1x Optical, 1x AV jack & IR, and finally, an HDMI 2.0 that allows you to output video with a resolution of up to 8K at 60 fps.

Under The Hood

The SoC used in the X96 Max Plus Ultra is Amlogic S905X4 64-bit Quad-core ARM Cortex A55 2.0GHz, This processor is known for its good manufacturing quality at 12nm and gives you 30 percent more performance than the previous generation compared to the S905X3 found in most TV box devices. Also, It’s designed for high-performance devices and supports AV1 decoding which is now mandatory for popular streaming services.

The Mali-G31 MP2 graphics chip with a maximum frequency of 800MHz and a power of 2.6 Gpix/s. It has OpenGL ES 3.2 support and can handle games like PUBG. without forgetting the 4GB RAM for greater multitasking capabilities and provides excellent results in navigating and running applications. And storage capacity, it has 2 options of 32GB, or 64GB eMMC and there is a TF card slot to support expansion up to 64GB.

Connectivity

For connectivity, the X96 Max Plus Ultra box contains a 2.4GHz / 5GHz WIFI IEEE 802.11 b / g / n / ac dual-band for faster data transmission, and a better streaming experience also comes with 100Mb LAN, So the network is acceptable but not the most stable. So I recommend 5GHz which is more reliable and provides even better data transmission. And has Bluetooth 4.1 is not the latest generation but works well. However, a TV box at this price would have been better if it had version 5.0.

Remote can’t navigate on some Apps, It is a common issue for almost all android tv boxes that are hard to navigate on some Apps with the remote, as these Apps are mainly provided for tablets and phones that have a touch screen. I suggest purchasing the iPazzPort mini Wireless Keyboard/Remote, It will make it much easier to navigate the screen in apps that aren’t remote-control friendly.

Software

One of the strengths of X96 Max Plus Ultra TV Box is that it is equipped with a new Android 11 operating system to provide you with a more efficient and secure operation, better compatibility with the latest applications, and thus a better user experience, the operating system is pre-configured to access more permissions and install applications that require root activation with the ability to enable/disable.

In the beginning, it’s fast to boot up, it will not take more than a few seconds to take you directly to the launcher with no setup wizard.

The launcher is clean with a flat design that is familiar to many devices such as A95x F3 Air II, in which the environment is adapted to the TV screen, offering a similar arrangement of elements as Android TV. On the home screen, you look at many shortcuts that are: Google Play, Netflix, Youtube, Google Chrome, AirScreen, and more. which that you can remove or replace, and this is the positive side of android for the possibility of customization according to what the user likes and what makes him comfortable. However, has the option to change the background, and there also is a clear widget for the date and time. And 3 buttons on the bottom, for Settings, Apps, and WIFI.

Unfortunately, What I find missing is the lack of a navigation bar and status bar for easy navigation and multitasking but, you can try an alternative application for this matter. The overall performance is very good, we can move smoothly and quickly between menus.

Applications

Android 11 allows the installation of apps from Google Play Store and contains pre-installed apps like Chrome and Firefox browser, file manager, Tubi, Miracast, Netflix, Prime Video, Google Play Store, YouTube, and more.

X96 Max Plus Ultra supports Google services and allows you to install some app that is available in the play store because is not a certified Android TV box don’t get access to the full Google Play Store, or you can use a third-party store or use Google browser to search the apk app, then download and install the app you want.

X96 Max Plus Ultra Performance

The X96 Max Plus Ultra TV Box offers you a good solution if you are a fan of series and movies and like to enjoy the highest possible resolution, then this device will give you a resolution of 4K and compatibility with most programs that display video content with the ability to play games for a great experience.

Video Playback

X96 Max Plus Ultra supports 8K 60fps video output via HDMI 2.1 port which brings you high definition viewing and fluent video playback, making it the highest resolution signal available for home movies to let you watch 4K movies smoothly, every detail of the screen is clear and with high color saturation and quality excellent picture, no lag or stuttering, that’s the strength of this device.

When playing some 4k video samples from a USB Drive on a USB 3.0 port via the included Media player, it’s shown on 4k at 30-60 FPS with ultra-smooth, and High quality.

X96 Max Plus Ultra Streaming Service

As it’s known, it’s not possible to watch paid services like Netflix and amazon prime in 4k because these applications require specific licensing, This means they don’t have the DRM support required to stream HD or 4K from Netflix or other streaming services. And this is where the strength of the Android TV OS, which you cannot find in the Chinese TV box.

Nevertheless, you can still enjoy Netflix and all other streaming services at a smooth 480p (Basic Quality). However, IPTV services remain one of the solutions that you will find on this tv box and support high resolutions, and there are also other programs similar to Netflix for free.

YouTube Quality

When you go to YouTube, you can play videos on 2160P 60FPS, and this is the maximum limit to enjoy high quality but with freezing and with smooth performance, although playing videos on 1080p will be more than enough. However, this box has a maximum refresh rate ranging from 40 to 60 fps on average in HD / FULL HD.

Play Games

The graphics processing in the X96 Max Plus Ultra is based on the Mali-G31 MP2, which offers good performance on medium games like Asphalt 9, and this is at a resolution of 1080p because at 4K the situation will be disastrous, as for powerful games like PUBG or Call of Duty you will be able to play with Medium settings, that is why I think that the rest of the games will not face any problems and the gameplay will be smooth for the best gaming experience.

When you put this tv box under pressure its temperature can be reached 75ºC or more, causing a performance little drop. But on normal use like watching movies, the temperature is acceptable between 55ºC – 65ºC And I find that the cooling system is fine on this box because the body has a big number of ventilation holes, which provide the necessary cooling of the tv box. and you can make it even lower by using a cooling fan for this purpose.

Final Verdict

In general, the X96 Max Plus Ultra is one of the best TV Box with Amlogic S905X4 release to date under 60 dollars with a great performance, especially in playing 4K videos without any problems, as for YouTube, 4K resolution may have some delay, perhaps its downsides are the lack of DRM for Netflix in 4K and this is normal, playing games was ok, The launcher remains fast and it’s good but without a status bar and the navigation bar, However, the specifications and features were at the required level compared to another TV box. So, For those confused about which TV Box to buy, or as many would ask which is the best TV Box to buy, The X96 Max Plus Ultra is deserved to be a good TV box in 2022.

X96 Max Plus Ultra Price And Where To Buy

The X96 Max Plus Ultra TV BOX is currently available on AliExpress Store for a very good price So, don’t miss out on this great deal. And to view its price or buy it, you can access the offer by clicking on the store icon.

2022 X96max Plus Ultra Tv Box Android 11 Amlogic S905x4 4gb 64gb Tvbox Av1 8k Wifi Bt X96 Max Media Player 4gb 32gb...

2022 X96max Plus Ultra Tv Box Android 11 Amlogic S905x4 4gb 64gb Tvbox Av1 8k Wifi Bt X96 Max Media Player 4gb 32gb...

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• X96 Max Plus Ultra TV Box
• HDMI Cable 
• IR Remote Control
• Power Adapter
• User Manual

The post X96 Max Plus Ultra TV Box Review – What Does This Upgrade Hold For us appeared first on Techxreviews.

That comes with a Google Certification DRM level L1 to stream HD or 4K and is equipped with an Amlogic S805X2 SoC which offers superior performance in all tasks and is supported by AV1 decoder and powered by Android 11, in addition to 1GB RAM and storage capacity of up to 8GB, all this allows you to watch and enjoy thousands of movies and series in 4K resolution and HDR10 support. Regardless of how cheap it is, let’s dive in and see if it’s worth the money.

• Amlogic S805X2 Quad-Core SoC
• ARM Mali-G31 MP2
• Android 11
• Google Certified Widevine L1
• LPDDR4 1GB, eMMC 8GB
• 2.4 & 5G Dual Wifi
• Support 4K Youtube, 4K Primevideo, Netfli
• Supports HDR10+, AV1
• Support OTA update, Google Assistant

Mecool Android 11 Tv Stick Kd5 With Amlogic S805x2 Bt 5.0 Wifi 2.4g/5g 1+8g Netflix Certified Very Fast Mini Media...

Mecool Android 11 Tv Stick Kd5 With Amlogic S805x2 Bt 5.0 Wifi 2.4g/5g 1+8g Netflix Certified Very Fast Mini Media...

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Design And Build Quality

The design implemented in the MECOOL KD5 is beautiful and with professional touches, however, you will not need to design anything because the TV Stick will be behind the TV, the device is a durable rectangular plastic case that has been compressed to be closer to the lighter, with the MECOOL logo on the top. On the front, there is a LED that lights up when the device is turned on. Moving on to the ports, there are not many just HDMI 2.1, and Micro USB for the power supply, It obviously lacks many important ports like a microSD reader or ethernet port, this is a big drawback compared to other competitors.

Last, but not least, the Mecool KD5 comes with a dedicated Android TV remote. With this remote, you’ll be able to control all of the content and navigate the interface. There’s a Google Assistant button-up top with four buttons to take you right to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and the Google Play Store. Along with that, there’s a built-in microphone you can use to speak to the Google Assistant.

Under The Hood

When it comes to performance, The SoC used in the MECOOL KD5 is Amlogic S805X2, the new chipset from the Amlogic S8 series is dedicated to Full HD Android streaming devices. However, compared to its predecessors, it introduces significant changes. Amlogic S805X2 is a Quad-Core Cortex-A35 CPU manufactured in 12nm and provides 32% lower power per core and increasing 25% efficiency, But less powerful than the Cortex-A55 that we have in the S905X3 and S905X4 of the higher range.

So, KD5 offers good performance without forgetting the 1GB RAM for multitasking it is not running very fast and has a storage capacity of 8GB eMMC without supporting TF card slot to expand, But, can be expanded using an OTG cable. Unfortunately, one of the weaknesses of this TV box is a small memory ( RAM & ROM), which is the minimum, and in 2022 I think it is not acceptable, and more memory capacities must be provided to choose.

Connectivity Of MECOOL KD5

For connectivity, the MECOOL KD5 box contains 2.4GHz / 5GHz WIFI IEEE 802.11 b / g / n / ac dual-band, the network is acceptable but not the most stable, with the absence of the LAN port, that’s why I recommend 5GHz because it provides better quality and Faster data transfer. And has Bluetooth 5.0 which is fast and works well.

Software

One of the strengths of the MECOOL KD5 TV Stick is that its equipped with an Android 11 operating system to provide you with a more efficient and secure operation, better compatibility with the latest applications, and thus better user experience (not rooted).

launcher

In the beginning, it’s fast to boot up, it will not take 30 seconds to take you directly to the launcher with some configuration wizard, where we can connect to the Wi-Fi network and define which apps will be installed by default.

The launcher is clean with a flat design and has a complete desktop layout for Android 11, what I find missing is the lack of a navigation bar and status bar for easy navigation and multitasking. but, you’ve got shortcut Apps that you can customize yourself. The overall performance is very good, we can move smoothly and quickly between menus.

Not only will it show you recommendations, but the app will also keep track of your watch history across different services. They all live on the same carousel, so you’ll see your Tubi history right next to the movie you didn’t finish on Disney+. If you’re looking to have a fully-featured TV operating system, you will be able to have everything you need with Android TV 11.

However, Google Assistant is integrated into the remote control, and thus users simply press the Google Assistant button to activate voice control and ask an unlimited number of questions such as checking weather information, finding the latest blockbuster, playing popular music, etc.

Applications

Android 11 allows the installation of apps from Google Play Store (Google Play Store version for Android TV OS) and contains pre-installed apps such as YouTube, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, Hulu, Spotify, Tubi TV, and many more.

As an added bonus, this device has Chromecast built-in. This means that it’s quick and easy to stream content directly from your phone to your TV.

Mecool KD5 supports Google services and allows you to install the full app that is available in the play store because is a certified Android TV. you can use a third-party store or use the Google browser to search the apk app, then download and install the app you want.

This is the official Android TV OS, so you don’t get features from the mobile version such as root access, navigation bar or status bar, screen rotation, etc. But, KD5 Supports OTA updates, so it is necessary to solve some possible problems or upgrade the system.

Mecool KD5 Performance

The KD5 TV Stick offers you a good solution if you are a fan of series and movies and like to enjoy the highest possible resolution, then this device will give you a resolution of 4K with HDR and compatibility with most programs that display video content with the ability to play some games with a great experience.

Video playback

Mecool KD5 supports 4K 30fps video output via HDMI 2.1 port which brings you high definition viewing and fluent video playback, making it the highest resolution signal available for home movies to let you watch 4K movies smoothly, every detail of the screen is clear and with high color saturation and quality excellent picture, no lag or stuttering, that’s the strength of this device.

Mecool KD5 Streaming Service

As it’s known, it’s not possible to watch paid services like Amazon Prime and Disney Plus in 4k because these applications require specific licensing, But KD5 has the DRM support level L1 to stream HD or 4K, And this is where the strength of the Android TV OS, which you cannot find in the other TV Stick.

However, IPTV services remain one of the solutions that you will find on this device and support any high resolutions you want, and there are also other programs similar to Netflix for free.

AV1 is a high-performance, royalty-free video codec that provides 20% improved compression efficiency over HEVC/VP9 and manages to save up to 30% in bandwidth for the same image quality.

YouTube Quality

When you go to YouTube, you can play videos on 4k 30FPS HDR, and this is the maximum limit to enjoy high quality without freezing and with smooth performance, although playing videos on 2k will be more than enough. However, this box has a maximum refresh rate ranging from 40 to 60 fps on average in FULL HD / 2k.

Play Games

The graphics processing in the Mecool KD5 is based on the Mali-G31 MP2, which offers good performance on medium games like Asphalt 8, and this is at a resolution of 1080p because at 4K the situation will be disastrous, as for powerful games like PUBG or Call of Duty you will be able to play with low settings, that is why I think that the rest of the games will not face any problems and the gameplay will be smooth for the best gaming experience.

When you put this KD5 under pressure its temperature can be reached 75ºC or more, causing a performance little drop. But on normal use like watching movies, the temperature is acceptable between 50ºC – 60ºC And I find that the cooling system is fine on this box.

Final verdict

Finally, for watching movies and TV shows, the Mecool KD5 TV Stick will not disappoint you, its provided good performance, especially in playing 4K videos without any problems, as for YouTube, 4K resolution may have some delay, All the popular TV streaming apps are available HD even Netflix, playing games was ok, the launcher remains fast and the system we have is Android TV 11, which is very stable, moves very smoothly, is one of the most powerful TV platforms out there. You have access to all of the most prominent streaming services on the market like Nexflix, Disney+, Hulu, Tubi, Prime Video, YouTube TV, and thousands more. We can run any game or app compatible with Android TV, What bothers me is a little memory. Currently, on the market, you can find not many devices that can compete with MECOOL KD5 for under $60.

MECOOL KD5 Price And Where To Buy

The MECOOL KD5 TV Stick is available on AliExpress Store for an excellent price So, don’t miss out on this great deal. And to view its price or buy it, you can access the offer by clicking on the store icon.

Mecool Android 11 Tv Stick Kd5 With Amlogic S805x2 Bt 5.0 Wifi 2.4g/5g 1+8g Netflix Certified Very Fast Mini Media...

Mecool Android 11 Tv Stick Kd5 With Amlogic S805x2 Bt 5.0 Wifi 2.4g/5g 1+8g Netflix Certified Very Fast Mini Media...

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• MECOOL KD5 TV Stick
• 5V/1A Power adapter
• Micro USB Power Cable 1m
• HDMI Extended lead 0.3m
• BT remote control
• Quick Start Manual

The post MECOOL KD5 Review – New TV Stick Under $60 With Google Certificate appeared first on Techxreviews.

• Amlogic S905Y4 Quad-Core SoC
• ARM Mali-G31 MP2
• Android 11
• Google Certified Widevine L1
• DDR3 4GB, eMMC 32GB
• 2.4 & 5G Dual Wifi
• Support 4K Youtube, 4K primevideo, SD Netfli
• Supports HDR10+, AV1
• Support OTA update, Google Assistant

banggood.com

★★★★★

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aliexpress.com

★★★★★

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Design And Build Quality

The design implemented in the Mecool KD2 is beautiful and with professional touches, however, you will not need to see the design because the TV Stick will be behind the TV, the device is a rhombus plastic case with the good build quality and has the Mecool logo on the top with LED light.

Moving on to the ports, there are not many just HDMI 2.1, Micro USB  5V/1A, and USB 2.0, It obviously lacks many important ports like a microSD reader or ethernet port, this is a big drawback compared to other competitors.

Under The Hood

The SoC used in the Mecool KD2 is Amlogic S905Y4 64-bit Quad-core ARM Cortex A35 1.8GHz but they are slower than the Cortex-A55 that we can find in the Amlogic S905X4. This processor is known for its good manufacturing quality at 12nm and gives you more performance than the previous generation compared to the S905X3 found in most TV box devices. Also, It’s designed for high-performance devices and supports AV1 decoding which is now mandatory for popular streaming services and compatibility with HDR10+, HDR10, HLG HDR processing.

The Mali-G31 MP2 GPU offers good performance without forgetting the 4GB RAM for greater multitasking capabilities and provides excellent results in navigating and running applications. And storage capacity, it has 32GB eMMC without support TF card slot to expand. Unfortunately, one of the weaknesses of this TV box is a small memory, which is the minimum, and in 2022 I think it is not acceptable, and more memory capacities must be provided to choose.

Connectivity Of Mecool KD2

For connectivity, the Mecool KD2 box contains 2.4GHz / 5GHz WIFI IEEE 802.11 b / g / n / ac dual-band, the network is acceptable but not the most stable, with the absence of the LAN port, that’s why I recommend 5GHz because it provides better quality and Faster data transfer. And has Bluetooth 5.0 which is fast and works well.

Software

One of the strengths of the Mecool KD2 TV Stick is that its equipped with an Android 11 operating system to provide you with a more efficient and secure operation, better compatibility with the latest applications, and thus better user experience (not rooted).

launcher

In the beginning, it’s fast to boot up, it will not take 30 seconds to take you directly to the launcher with some configuration wizard, where we can connect to the Wi-Fi network and define which apps will be installed by default.

The launcher is clean with a flat design and has a complete desktop layout for Android 11, what I find missing is the lack of a navigation bar and status bar for easy navigation and multitasking. but, you’ve got shortcut Apps that you can customize yourself. The overall performance is very good, we can move smoothly and quickly between menus.

However, Google Assistant is integrated into the remote control, and thus users simply press the Google Assistant button to activate voice control and ask an unlimited number of questions such as checking weather information, finding the latest blockbuster, playing popular music, etc.

Applications

Android 11 allows the installation of apps from Google Play Store (Google Play Store version for Android TV OS) and contains pre-installed apps such as YouTube, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, Hulu, Spotify, Tubi TV, and many more.

Mecool KD2 supports Google services and allows you to install the full app that is available in the play store because is a certified Android TV. and you can use a third-party store or use Google browser to search the apk app, then download and install the app you want.

This is the official Android TV OS, so you don’t get features from the mobile version such as root access, navigation bar or status bar, screen rotation, etc. But, KD2 Supports OTA updates, it is necessary to solve some possible problems or upgrade the system.

Mecool KD2 Performance

The KD2 TV Stick offers you a good solution if you are a fan of series and movies and like to enjoy the highest possible resolution, then this device will give you a resolution of 4K with HDR and compatibility with most programs that display video content with the ability to play some games with a great experience.

Video playback

Mecool KD2 supports 4K 30fps video output via HDMI 2.1 port which brings you high definition viewing and fluent video playback, making it the highest resolution signal available for home movies to let you watch 4K movies smoothly, every detail of the screen is clear and with high color saturation and quality excellent picture, no lag or stuttering, that’s the strength of this device.

Mecool KD2 Streaming Service

The current Netflix version on the Play Store is not available to install with an incompatibility message, you can download it APK by a third party. As it’s known, it’s not possible to watch paid services like Amazon Prime and Disney Plus in 4k because these applications require specific licensing, But KD2 has the DRM support level L1 to stream HD or 4K, And this is where the strength of the Android TV OS, which you cannot find in the other TV Stick. Unfortunately, this does not apply to Netflix which you can be watching only at 480p.

However, IPTV services remain one of the solutions that you will find on this device and support any high resolutions you want, and there are also other programs similar to Netflix for free.

YouTube Quality

When you go to YouTube, you can play videos on 4k 30FPS HDR, and this is the maximum limit to enjoy high quality without freezing and with smooth performance, although playing videos on 2k will be more than enough. However, this box has a maximum refresh rate ranging from 40 to 60 fps on average in FULL HD / 2k.

Play Games

The graphics processing in the Mecool KD2 is based on the Mali-G31 MP2, which offers good performance on medium games like Asphalt 8, and this is at a resolution of 1080p because at 4K the situation will be disastrous, as for powerful games like PUBG or Call of Duty you will be able to play with low settings, that is why I think that the rest of the games will not face any problems and the gameplay will be smooth for the best gaming experience.

When you put this KD2 under pressure its temperature can be reached 75ºC or more, causing a performance little drop. But on normal use like watch movies, the temperature is acceptable between 50ºC – 60ºC And I find that the cooling system is fine on this box because the body has a big number of ventilation holes, which provide the necessary cooling of the tv box. and you can make it even lower by using a cooling fan for this purpose.

Conclusion

Finally, for watching movies and TV shows, the Mecool KD2 TV Stick will not disappoint you, its provided good performance, especially in playing 4K videos without any problems, as for YouTube, 4K resolution may have some delay, All the popular TV streaming apps are available HD except for Netflix lack of DRM so play SD, playing games was ok, The launcher remains fast and the system we have is Android TV 11, which is very stable, moves very smoothly and we can run any game or app compatible with Android TV. In short, the new Mecool KD2 is a good TV Stick under $65.

Mecool KD2 Price And Where To Buy

The Mecool KD2 TV Stick is currently available on Banggood and AliExpress Store and Amazon for a very good price So, don’t miss out on this great deal. And to view its price or buy it, you can access the offer by clicking on the store icon.

banggood.com

★★★★★

Mecool KD2 Amlogic S905Y4 4GB RAM 32GB ROM bluetooth 5.0 5G Wifi Android 11...

$78.99

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aliexpress.com

★★★★★

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• Mecool KD2 TV Stick
• IR+BT Voice remote
• Power Supply(12V/1A)
• USB-MICRO cable
• User Manual

CPU	Amlogic S905Y4 64-bit quad-core ARM® Cortex A35 CPU
GPU	ARM G31 MP2 GPU processor
SDRAM	4GB
FLASH	32GB
WiFi	Built-in 2T2R 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4+5G Wi-Fi
Bluetooth	BT5.0
LED Indicator	the standby mode is red, the working mode is white
OS	Android 11 ATV
Video decoder	– AV1 MP-10@L5.1 up to 4Kx2K@60fps – VP9 Profile-2 up to 4Kx2K@60fps – H.265 HEVC MP-10@L5.1 up to 4Kx2K@60fps – AVS2-P2 Profile up to 4Kx2K@60fps – H.264 AVC HP@L5.1 up to 4Kx2K@30fps – MPEG-4 ASP@L5 up to 1080P@60fps (ISO-14496) – WMV/VC-1 SP/MP/AP up to 1080P@60fps – AVS-P16(AVS+) /AVS-P2 JiZhun Profile up to 1080P@60fps – MPEG-2 MP/HL up to 1080P@60fps (ISO-13818) – MPEG-1 MP/HL up to 1080P@60fps (ISO-11172) – RealVideo 8/9/10 up to 1080P@60fps – Multiple languages and multiple format sub-title video support – MJPEG and JPEG unlimited pixel resolution decoding (ISO/IEC-10918) – Supports JPEG thumbnail, scaling, rotation, and transition effects
Video encoder	Video/Picture Encoding Amlogic Video Engine (AVE) with dedicated hardware decoders and SW H.264/ VP8 encoders – Support multi-video decoder up to 4x1080P@60fps – Supports multiple “secured” video decoding sessions and simultaneous decoding and encoding
HDR	Supports HDR10+, HDR10, HLG HDR processing
3D Graphics	ARM G31 MP2 GPU – 4-wide warps, dual texture pipe, 2x 4-wide execution engines (EE) – Concurrent multi-core processing – for OpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.1, and for OpenCL 2.0 support
Decoder format	HD MPEG1/2/4, H.265/H.264/HEVC, VC-1/WMV, AVS, AVS +, AVS2 RealVideo, AV1, MP-10, VP9 Profile, RM, RealVideo8/9/10
Media format	Supports *.mkv,*.wmv,*.mpg, *.mpeg, *.dat, *.avi, *.mov, *.iso, *.mp4, *.rm and *.jpg file formats
Music format	Supports MP3, AAC, WMA, RM, FLAC, programmable with 7.1/5.1 down-mixing
Photo format	MJPEG/JPEG
Network Function	Chromecast, for Airplay, Skype chatting, Picasa, Youtube, Flicker, Facebook, Online movies, etc.
Language	Chinese, English, Germany, Japanese, Korea, etc.  24 languages
OTA	Support OTA update
Port	1 x HDTV 2.1  Dynamic HDR 4Kx2K@60 max resolution output 1 x USB 2.0 1 x Micro USB  5V/1A

The post Mecool KD2 Review – Best TV Stick Under $65 With Google Certificate appeared first on Techxreviews.

• Amlogic S905x4 Quad-Core
• Android 11
• DDR3 4GB, eMMC 32GB
• Google Certified Widevine L1
• Smart Home Control By Google Assistant
• Far-Field voice with Google ART certification
• Chromecast Built-in

banggood.com

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aliexpress.com

Mecool Homeplus KA1 Google Voice Android TV Box Android 11 4G 32G Smart...

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Design And Build Quality

The design applied in the Mecool Homeplus KA1 is a smart speaker and android tv box in one, very elegant with touches similar to Amazon Echo (4th Gen) suit any of the setup you have in your room, it is made entirely of plastic covered with mesh fabric that runs all the way around giving you a smart speaker design and finished in a matte white finish on the top on which you will see two microphone holes and a mute switch And you have some touch controls and you have 4 LEDs on top.

And now in the back, you can see the ports we have which include a 100MB RJ45, HDMI 2.1, Power Socket, and a USB 3 port and you can also see a reset gap and DVB-T.

With touch controls, you can mute the microphone on the unit, if you tap the left side of the fabric you can see that the volume is going down if you tap the right side the volume goes up, or pause the music.

Under The Hood

The SoC used in the Mecool Homeplus KA1 is Amlogic S905X4 64-bit Quad-core ARM Cortex A55 2.0GHz, This processor is known for its good manufacturing quality at 12nm and gives you 30 percent more performance than the previous generation compared to the S905X3 found in most TV box devices. Also, It’s designed for high-performance devices and supports AV1 decoding which is now mandatory for popular streaming services.

The Mali-G31 MP2 GPU offers good performance without forgetting the 4GB RAM for greater multitasking capabilities and provides excellent results in navigating and running applications and for storage capacity has 32GB eMMC.

Connectivity Of Homeplus KA1

For connectivity, the Mecool Homeplus KA1 box contains 2.4GHz / 5GHz WIFI IEEE 802.11 b / g / n / ac dual-band, the network is acceptable but not the most stable, and has a 100MB LAN port, not the best thing but its more reliable than WI-FI and provides even better data transmission. And has Bluetooth 5 works well.

Software

Mecool Homeplus KA1 is equipped with official Android 11 not rooted provide you with more efficient and safe operation and better compatibility with the latest apps, so better user experience with google assistant, Chromecast, support for 4k hdr at 60fps, 5.1 surround sound, and all the other google android tv features you would expect to find.

In the beginning, it’s fast to boot up, it will not take 30 seconds to take you directly to the configuration wizard, where we can connect to the Wi-Fi network and define which apps will be installed by default.

The launcher is clean with a flat design and has a complete desktop layout for Android 11, What I find missing is the lack of a navigation bar and status bar for easy navigation and multitasking. However, it does contain Google Assistant for voice control, once a controller with a voice function is connected and you’ve got shortcut Apps that you can customize yourself. The overall performance is very good, we can move smoothly and quickly between menus.

The top left has search options, then three different pages home page and the discover page, and the apps page showing you all your apps.

On the home page, you can see the first row of icons for your favorites app, and you can hit the plus sign and customize it to show your favorites in the order of your choice so you can move things around and adjust it according to your own personal taste. There are also many rows for youtube recommended, youtube music, live tv, Spotify, prime video, and featured apps you can download from google play. and this whole page can be customized and you can switch on and off the channels that you want to appear on the home screen.

Applications

Android 11 allows the installation of apps from Google Play Store (Google Play Store version for Android TV OS) and contains pre-installed apps such as YouTube, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, Hulu, Spotify, Tubi TV, and many more. Homeplus KA1 supports Google services and allows you to install some app that is available in the play store because is not a certified Android TV box don’t get access to the full Google Play Store, So, unfortunately, Netflix is not available to download from the play store but you can use a third-party store or use Google browser to search the apk app, then download and install the app you want.

Mecool Homeplus KA1 Performance

Video playback

Homeplus KA1 supports 4K at 60fps with HDR video output via HDMI 2.1 port which brings you high definition viewing and fluent video playback, making it the highest resolution signal available for home movies to let you watch 4K movies smoothly, every detail of the screen is clear and with high color saturation and quality excellent picture, no lag or stuttering, that’s the strength of this device. also, this unit supports the AV1 codec video.

When playing some 4k video samples from a USB Drive on a USB 3.0 port via the included Kodi Media Player, it’s shown on 4k 60 FPS, it little struggled to play smoothly, however, on 4k at 30 FPS played ultra-smooth and very nice.

Mecool Homeplus KA1 Streaming Service

This device has the DRM level L1 to stream HD or 4K, and this is where the strength of Android TV OS, which you cannot find in other budget TV boxes. Finally, you can now watch your movies in HD and 4K on Streaming Service, Netflix is supported at a maximum resolution of 540p and amazon prime video supports 4k streaming and for Disney plus you can see 4k ultra HD with HDR 10 and 5.1 surround sound. However, IPTV services remain one of the solutions that you will find on this AI Smart Speaker and support any high resolutions you want.

Chromecast

Homeplus KA1 has google Chromecast built-in so that means you can open up youtube start playing a video on your phone and then immediately have the ability to cast that video straight to the ka, so google Chromecast is working absolutely fine.

Google Assistant

And also have the official google assistant built-in as well so you can hit the button on the remote control a built-in microphone and you have two built-in microphones on the unit itself so you can be anywhere in the room and control the unit with your voice

Note:
KA1 Google Assistant Commands list
Google Assistant Commands List Not Supported by KA1

YouTube Quality

When you go to YouTube, you can play videos on 4k 60FPS, and this is the maximum limit to enjoy high quality without freezing and with smooth performance, although playing videos on 2k will be more than enough. However, this box has a maximum refresh rate ranging from 40 to 60 fps on average in 4K HDR.

Play Games

The graphics processing in the Mecool Homeplus KA1 is based on the Mali-G31 MP2, which offers good performance on medium games like Asphalt 8, and this is at a resolution of 1080p because at 4K the situation will be disastrous, as for powerful games like PUBG or Call of Duty you will be able to play with low settings, that is why I think that the rest of the games will not face any problems and the gameplay will be smooth for the best gaming experience.

When you put this Homeplus KA1 under pressure its temperature can be reached 80ºC or more, causing a performance little drop. But on normal use like watching movies, the temperature is acceptable between 65ºC – 765ºC And I find that the cooling system is fine.

Mecool Homeplus KA1 Price And Where To Buy

The Mecool Homeplus KA1 AI Smart Speaker is currently available on Banggood and AliExpress Store for a very good price So, don’t miss out on this great deal. And to view its price or buy it, you can access the offer by clicking on the store icon.

banggood.com

Mecool KA1 DVB-T T2 DVB-C S905X4 DDR4 4GB RAM eMMC 32GB ROM Android 11 4K TV...

$199.99

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aliexpress.com

Mecool Homeplus KA1 Google Voice Android TV Box Android 11 4G 32G Smart...

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• Mecool Homeplus KA1 AI Smart Speaker
• BT Voice Remote Control
• Power Supply(12V/2A)
• HDMI Cable
• User Manual

The post Mecool Homeplus KA1 Review – TV Box Speaker with Google Assistant appeared first on Techxreviews.

This Tv Box comes with an improved look, better hardware, and features. It’s equipped with a new generation of Amlogic S905X4 quad-core SoC and Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, in addition to 4GB RAM and up to 64GB storage, and powered by Android 11, all of this allows you to watch and enjoy thousands of 4K movies and series and even games, so it’s time to talk about this TV Box and see if it is worth investing in it and what are its advantages and disadvantages.

• Amlogic S905x4 Quad-Core
• ARM Mali G31 MP2 GPU
• OS Android 11
• 4GB SDRAM & 64GB eMMC
• Video Output 4K With AV1
• Gigabit Ethernet Port
• WIFI Dual-band 2.4GHz/5.0GHz
• UI Customize, Wallpaper Changeable, Root On/Off

Tanix X4 Android 11.0 Amlogic S905X4 Smart TV BOX 4GB RAM 32GB/64GB ROM 2.4G&5G Wifi 100M LAN Youtube 4K Set Top Box...

Tanix X4 Android 11.0 Amlogic S905X4 Smart TV BOX 4GB RAM 32GB/64GB ROM 2.4G&5G Wifi 100M LAN Youtube 4K Set Top Box...

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Design And Build Quality

The design implemented in the Tanix X4 is classic, ultra-compact, and minimalist with some elegant touches, The body is made of black plastic on a square shape, On the top is clean with a logo of the Tanix in the corner. On the front of the box, you have an LCD panel for power light and a small LED clock displaying the current time and network connection status, and on the sides, there are some ventilation holes for providing better air circulation. from the bottom, has four rubber feet for more stability. Although it’s plastic, it has a good manufacturing quality and looks solid.

For connectors on the side, Typical types included in most boxes, are the DC port, Ethernet 10/1000 (RJ45), a micro SD card slot, a SPDIF audio output, 1 x USB 3.0 port, and 1 x USB 2.0. and finally, an HDMI 2.1 that allows you to output video with a resolution of up to 4K at 60 fps.

Under The Hood

The SoC used in the Tanix X4 is Amlogic S905X4 64-bit Quad-core ARM Cortex A55 2.0GHz, This processor is known for its good manufacturing quality at 12nm and gives you 30 percent more performance than the previous generation compared to the S905X3 found in most TV box devices. Also, It’s designed for high-performance devices and supports AV1 decoding which is now mandatory for popular streaming services.

The Mali-G31 MP2 GPU offers good performance without forgetting the 4GB RAM for greater multitasking capabilities and provides excellent results in navigating and running applications. And storage capacity, it has 3 options 32/64GB eMMC and there is a TF card slot to support expansion up to 64GB.

Connectivity

For connectivity, the Tanix X4 box contains 2.4GHz / 5GHz WIFI IEEE 802.11 b / g / n / ac dual-band for faster data transmission and better streaming experience, the network is acceptable but not the most stable. Also comes with a feature that is missing in a lot of other TV Boxes which is a 1000Mb LAN, that is more reliable than WI-FI and provides even better data transmission. And has Bluetooth 4.1 is not the latest generation but works well. However, a TV box at this price would have been better if it had version 5.0.

Remote can’t navigate on some Apps, It is a common issue for almost all android tv boxes that are hard to navigate on some Apps with the remote, as these Apps are mainly provided for tablets and phones that have a touch screen. I suggest purchasing the iPazzPort mini Wireless Keyboard/Remote, It will make it much easier navigating the screen in apps that aren’t remote-control friendly.

Software

One of the strengths of Tanix X4 TV Box is that it is equipped with a new Android 11 operating system to provide you with a more efficient and secure operation, better compatibility with the latest applications, and thus better user experience, the operating system is pre-configured to access more permissions and install applications that require root activation with the ability to enable/disable.

In the beginning, it’s fast to boot up, it will not take more than a few seconds to take you directly to the launcher with no setup wizard.

The launcher is clean with a flat design that is not familiar, On the home screen, you look at 5 shortcuts that are: Youtube app, Play Store, Netflix, Google Chrome, and Alice UX, which you cannot remove them, its a downside since android is all about being customizable according to what the user likes and what makes him comfortable. However, has the option to change the background and you still get an area for customizable shortcuts bottom of the previous one, where you can add as many shortcuts as you please. there also is a big bar on the side for Home, Apps, and Settings.

Unfortunately, What I find missing is the lack of a navigation bar and status bar for easy navigation and multitasking but, you can try an alternative application for this matter. The overall performance is very good, we can move smoothly and quickly between menus.

Applications

Tanix X4 supports Google services and Android 11 it allows to you install some app that is available in the play store because is not a certified Android TV box don’t get access to the full Google Play Store, has pre-installed Apps like Chrome and Firefox browser, file manager, Tubi, Miracast, Netflix, Prime Video, Google Play Store, YouTube and more.

Even if you do not find some of the applications that you need on Google Play, you can use a third-party store like Aptoide app store, all you have to do is search for them on Google from any browser and download them in APK format, and the matter is done. And some applications are pre-installed once updated it might not work, so we do not recommend updating it.

Tanix X4 Performance

The Tanix X4 TV Box offers you a good solution if you are a fan of series and movies and like to enjoy the highest possible resolution, then this device will give you a resolution of 4K and compatibility with most programs that display video content with the ability to play games for a great experience.

Video Playback

Tanix X4 supports 4K 30fps video output via HDMI 2.1 port which brings you high definition viewing and fluent video playback, making it the highest resolution signal available for home movies to let you watch 4K movies smoothly, every detail of the screen is clear and with high color saturation and quality excellent picture, no lag or stuttering, that’s the strength of this device.

When playing some 4k video samples from a USB Drive on a USB 3.0 port via the included Media player, it’s shown on 4k at 30-60 FPS with ultra-smooth, and High quality.

Tanix X4 Streaming Service

As it’s known, it’s not possible to watch paid services like Netflix and amazon prime in 4k because these applications require specific licensing, This means it don’t have the DRM support required to stream HD or 4K from Netflix or other streaming services. And this is where the strength of Android TV OS, which you cannot find in the Chinese TV box.

Nevertheless, you can still enjoy Netflix and all other streaming services at a smooth 480p. However, IPTV services remain one of the solutions that you will find on this tv box and support high resolutions, and there are also other programs similar to Netflix for free.

YouTube Quality

When you go to YouTube, you can play videos on 2160P 60FPS, and this is the maximum limit to enjoy high quality but with freezing and with smooth performance, although playing videos on 1080p will be more than enough. However, this box has a maximum refresh rate ranging from 40 to 60 fps on average in HD / FULL HD.

Play Games

The graphics processing in the Tanix X4 is based on the Mali-G31 MP2, which offers good performance on medium games like Asphalt 9, and this is at a resolution of 1080p because at 4K the situation will be disastrous, as for powerful games like PUBG or Call of Duty you will be able to play with Medium settings, that is why I think that the rest of the games will not face any problems and the gameplay will be smooth for the best gaming experience.

When you put this tv box under pressure its temperature can be reached 75ºC or more, causing a performance little drop. But on normal use like watch movies, the temperature is acceptable between 55ºC – 65ºC And I find that the cooling system is fine on this box because the body has a big number of ventilation holes, which provide the necessary cooling of the tv box. and you can make it even lower by using a cooling fan for this purpose.

Conclusion

In general, the Tanix X4 is one of the best TV Box with Amlogic S905X4 release to date under 60 dollars with a great performance, especially in playing 4K videos without any problems, as for YouTube, 4K resolution may have some delay, perhaps its downsides are the lack of DRM for Netflix in 4K and this is normal, playing games was ok, The launcher remains fast and it’s good but without a status bar and the navigation bar, However, the specifications and features were at the required level compared to another TV box. So, For those confused between which TV Box to buy, or as many would ask which is the best TV Box to buy, The X4 is deserved to be a good TV box in 2022.

Tanix X4 Price And Where To Buy

The Tanix X4 TV BOX is currently available on Banggood and AliExpress Store for a very good price So, don’t miss out on this great deal. And to view its price or buy it, you can access the offer by clicking on the store icon.

Tanix X4 Android 11.0 Amlogic S905X4 Smart TV BOX 4GB RAM 32GB/64GB ROM 2.4G&5G Wifi 100M LAN Youtube 4K Set Top Box...

Tanix X4 Android 11.0 Amlogic S905X4 Smart TV BOX 4GB RAM 32GB/64GB ROM 2.4G&5G Wifi 100M LAN Youtube 4K Set Top Box...

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• HK1 RBOX X4 TV Box
• HDMI Cable 
• IR Remote Control
• Power Adapter
• User Manual

CPU	Amlogic S905X4 64-bit  Quad-Core ARM Cortex A55
GPU	G31 MP2 GPU processor
Memory	DDR 4GB
Flash	eMMC 32GB
WiFi	IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac;  2.4G / 5G
Bluetooth	Support BT4.X
Module	Plastic: Black Color
OS	Android 11
Video	Amlogic Video Engine (AVE) with dedicated hardware decoders and encoders Supports multiple “secured” video decoding sessions and simultaneous decoding and encoding Video/Picture Decoding –  VP9 Profile-2 up to 8Kx4K@24 fps –  H.265 HEVC MP-10@L5.1 up to 8Kx4K@24 fps –  AVS2-P2 Profile up to 8Kx4K@24 fps –  H.264 AVC HP@L5.1 up to 4Kx2K@30fps –  MPEG-4 ASP@L5 up to 1080P@60fps (ISO-14496) –  WMV/VC-1 SP/MP/AP up to 1080P@60fps –  AVS-P16(AVS+) /AVS-P2 JiZhun Profile up to 1080P@60fps –  MPEG-2 MP/HL up to 1080P@60fps (ISO-13818) –  MPEG-1 MP/HL up to 1080P@60fps (ISO-11172) –  RealVideo 8/9/10 up to 1080P@60fps –  Multiple languages and multiple format sub-title video support –  MJPEG and JPEG unlimited pixel resolution decoding (ISO/IEC-10918) –  Supports JPEG thumbnail, scaling, rotation, and transition effects –  Supports *.mkv,*.wmv,*.mpg, *.mpeg, *.dat, *.avi, *.mov, *.iso, *.mp4, *.rm and *.jpg file formats
Audio	Supports MP3, AAC, WMA, RM, FLAC, Ogg and programmable with 7.1/5.1 down-mixing Low-power VAD Built-in serial digital audio SPDIF/IEC958 input/output and PCM input/output 3 built-in TDM/PCM/I2S ports with TDM/PCM mode up to 384kHz x 32bits x 16ch or 96kHz x 32bits x 32ch and I2S mode up to 384kHz x 32bits x 16ch Digital microphone PDM input with programmable CIC, LPF & HPF, support up to 8 DMICs Built-in stereo audio DAC Supports concurrent dual audio stereo channel output with a combination of analog+PCM or I2S+PCM
Image	HD JPEG, BMP, GIF, PNG, TIF
Language	multilateral languages
Online	Browse all video websites, support Netflix, Hulu, Flixster, Youtube, etc.
Medium	Local Media playback, Support HDD, U Disk, TF Card

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