In the abundance of smart TVs in the market, some affordable options, priced at around 40 USD or more, might disappoint users with an insufficient usage experience due to custom firmware that lacks support for popular apps. The Xiaomi TV Stick emerges as the perfect solution for those still holding onto old flat-panel scruffy televisions, and are not ready to replace them yet but crave access to streaming services. The T9 TV Box is a small and all-in-one streaming device that can turn your regular TV into a smart TV.
Streaming devices such as the Xiaomi TV Stick might help if you find yourself in a situation like the above-mentioned problems. The Xiaomi TV Stick is a cost-effective solution that serves a distinct purpose: transforming your conventional TV into a modern, smart entertainment hub. Say hello to a smarter, more immersive spectating experience with the Mi TV Stick.
Why Should We Buy XIAOMI TV Stick
Here are some facts you may want to consider if you’re ambiguous regarding buying this item:
Compact and Portable
The Mi TV Stick is small and light, about the size of a thumb drive. This makes it very easy to take it with you when you are traveling. That means you can always watch your favorite streaming apps and TV shows wherever you want.
TV Experience
The Mi TV Stick turns your “not so smart” TV into a smart TV, which means you can watch all of your favorite streaming apps without having to buy a new TV. This little device really adds colors to your boring TV sessions.
Diverse App Selection
The Mi TV Stick comes with a wide range of applications, including popular streaming services, games, and tools for business use. This suggests there is something for every single person. You can use it anywhere you want, home or office alike.
User-Friendly Interface
The Mi TV Stick offers a highly user-friendly interface, making it suitable for people of all ages. The UI is neat and straightforward to navigate and use. And it’s simple to discover the apps and information you’re searching for.
Google Assistant Integration
It supports Google Assistant. This can only mean you can use voice commands to control your TV and look for the media you want. For example, you can say “Hey Google, play Stranger Things on Netflix” to start watching your favorite show.
Full HD Streaming
The Mi TV Stick supports Full HD (1080p) resolution. This means you can totally watch your favorite movies and TV shows in high definition. Pictures become more realistic with this capability.
Screen Mirroring
You can also mirror content from your smartphone, tablet, or computer to the Mi TV Stick. This means you can share your photos, videos, and presentations on a larger screen.
Regular Updates
It regularly issues software updates for the Mi TV Stick. This means new features and improvements are being added all the time. This increases your device’s life and makes it more secure.
Transform Your ‘Not-So-Smart’ TV: The Xiaomi TV Stick Solution
The Xiaomi TV Stick is ideal for those who own an old non-smart TV with an HDMI port and desire access to streaming media. This device offers an affordable solution, granting you a wide range of entertainment options without breaking the bank. Surprisingly, the HDMI port isn’t even a strict requirement; with the right adapter, you can even connect the Mi TV Stick to an old CRT television, making it a versatile and accessible streaming option for various setups.
Another considerable reason to buy the Xiaomi TV Stick is if your smart TV doesn’t feel too smart anymore. This could be due to software updates stopping, the encounter becoming sluggish, or the apps you want not being supported on the platform, as is often the case with custom firmware on older smart TVs. This is a problem faced by many TVs, such as the MarQ by Flipkart 43SAFHD. This TV’s smart user interface is now lacking, and it didn’t support key apps such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, to start with. However, you can continue to use the screen, which is still reliable, while delegating smart functionality to the Mi TV Stick.
Xiaomi TV Stick: Your Portable Android TV Streaming Solution
The Xiaomi TV streamer provides a smart TV interaction, similar to Android TV, but in a compact and portable form. Simply connect it to any display with an HDMI port, and you can stream videos from popular services like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney + Hotstar. Moreover, you can access a diverse range of games with a wireless game controller. Gaming becomes a delightful encounter too.
Full HD Streaming With Xiaomi TV Stick
The Xiaomi TV Stick supports a maximum streaming resolution of full HD, allowing you to access a vast array of media available on streaming services in their original resolution. While you can watch 4K media, streaming will be limited to full HD, even on a 4K TV. Therefore, the Mi TV Stick is ideally suited for use with 32-inch or 43-inch full-HD televisions. If you own a 4K HDR TV, you may want to consider the Mi Box 4K instead.
Features Google Assistant
The Xiaomi TV Stick, like the Mi Box 4K and other Android TV devices, features Google Assistant with a voice command-enabled remote. With Google Assistant, you can perform various tasks, such as searching for something to watch, setting alarms, controlling smart home devices, and more, delivering a seamless experience.
Smooth Streaming, RAM Variance
The TV streamer has 1GB of RAM compared to the 2GB on the Mi Box 4K, resulting in slightly slower app loading and interface navigation. Furthermore, once streaming media, the device performs well with smooth video playback. The overall sound and picture quality depend on your TV, additional equipment, and internet connection strength.
Stream with the Latest Android Versions
The Mi TV Stick runs on Android TV 9 Pie and supports the over 5,000 apps currently available for the platform through the Google Play Store for Android TV. Whereas Mi TV Stick 4K is built on Android version 11. All major streaming services available on Android TV are supported, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+Hotstar.
Patch-Wall Interface
The OS on which the device is built, the user interface, and the app ecosystem are all crucial details you need to consider while buying a streaming gadget. A media discovery engine further improvises the overall user encounter.
With the release of this smart device, the Mi Patch-Wall UI has seen remarkable growth. In terms of user encounters and an extensive media library. Offering an enchanting streaming experience like never before. The latest Patch-Wall 4.1 interface categorizes media from over 30 Over-The-Top apps and 190 live-streaming channels. All recommendations and categories are made from a diverse range of languages and desired genres. And are displayed in a user-handy interface with huge tiles and a scrollable user interface, to enhance user interaction with convenience.
Some Smart Features of the latest Xiaomi TV Stick Patch-Wall User Interface
With the Xiaomi UI, you’re not just watching your TV programs, you’re immersing yourself in a world of endless possibilities. Making your viewing sessions truly enriching and rewarding. Here are the key features of the all-new Xiaomi UI:
Universal Search
With its universal search feature, you can easily search for genres or titles across 30+ OTT apps for seamless media discovery and undisrupted streaming.
MiTV+ App
Explore the MiTV+ app, offered on select premium Xiaomi Smart TVs, for free access to live TV and a diverse range of media, including music, movies, news, art, sports, and more, transforming the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K into an ultimate entertainment hub.
Live Section
With Xiaomi’s latest customized interface, you can access 300+ live channels to stream TV shows and live sports events. It allows you to record live television programs you may want to watch later.
Curated Categories
Embrace a personalized experience with media tailored to your taste. Enjoy curated categories, such as Music, Sports, and Smart collections, showcasing formats like Dolby Vision, 4K HDR+, and 4K, all on your screen.
Dedicated IMDB Section
With the dedicated IMDB section integrated into the Xiaomi UI, you can elevate your streaming experience to a whole new level. IMDB, the Internet Movie Database, is a renowned platform that offers comprehensive information about movies, TV shows, actors, and more. With a dedicated IMDB section on the Mi Patch-Wall UI, you can easily explore and access the best available media online.
In addition to offering detailed information about the content, IMDB also provides user reviews, ratings, and trailers. That assists you in deciding which movies or shows to watch next. It enhances your spectating experience by giving you valuable insights and recommendations. Ensure every moment of your streaming journey is filled with excitement and enjoyment.
Xiaomi TV Stick Remote
Xiaomi streaming device comes with a remote that is quite primitive and easy to operate for those who still prefer simplicity over complexity and the hassle of learning how to use this thing. The ingeniously crafted button layout ensures effortless navigation, making it easy to control your device, the way you like it. With this intuitive interface, simplicity and convenience go hand in hand, making your overall streaming experience worthwhile.
Enhanced by Bluetooth connectivity and voice-control support. With 360° control at your fingertips, revel in the utmost convenience, unrivaled comfort, and the freedom to personalize your media streaming to perfection. The display of the remote is very basic, and not so flashy at all. The Remote has volume control buttons along with some dedicated buttons to select your desired media streaming services. Including Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+Hotstar.
How To Set up Xiaomi TV Stick
Setting up the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick is a smooth and effortless process, and you can get started in just a few easy steps:
Xiaomi TV Stick: Embracing Simplicity for Budget-Friendly Streaming
The Xiaomi TV Stick is designed with simplicity in mind, offering a no-frills, basic streaming experience. While the plastic hardware lacks flashiness, it prioritizes functionality, offering a slim form factor and a single port for power and HDMI connection to your TV. Although it uses micro-USB, which may seem outdated, it’s understandable given the device’s budget-friendly nature.
It’s crucial to highlight that the current version of the Mi TV dongle does not support 4K resolution, which might be surprising in today’s tech landscape. However, there are indications that a 4K-capable model could be in the pipeline. Despite the absence of 4K, the target audience for this product is not those with high-end 4K TVs. Rather, it caters to users with older FHD televisions or “dumb” TVs still prevalent in the market.
Xiaomi TV Stick: Unveiling the Surprisingly Smooth Android TV Experience
Simplified hardware specifications do not compromise the Android TV experience on the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick, operating on Google’s resource-intensive smart TV OS. Underneath the surface, the FHD Xiaomi TV Stick may not impress, with a typical 1GB of RAM, 8GB of storage, and a less pricey quad-core processor, resulting in satisfactory performance without any significant issues during media playback. While strolling through apps and the home screen you may encounter slight lag, overall, the device manages to surprise and please its users with its smooth functionality, matching Roku’s performance at a similar price point.
Other Android TV Sticks Options You May Wanna Consider
If you are looking for an affordable option that won’t leave you high and dry, then Mi is quite a good choice. But as I mentioned earlier, it may slack a little when it comes to the performance. Because its whole infrastructure is built on quite basic technology. It is easy to operate but if you are tech-savvy like me, you may find its technology a little outdated. So let’s explore some trendy alternatives considering the technology used and performance.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is simple and affordable streaming device that offers access to a wide range of streaming apps and services. These may include Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.
Supports 4K HDR video playback and Dolby Atmos audio for an amazing experience.
Comes with a voice remote control that allows you to search for content, control playback, and adjust settings using voice commands.
Google Chromecast with Google TV
The Google Chromecast with Google TV is powerful streaming device that allows you to cast content from your phone, tablet, or computer to your TV. And offers wide range of streaming channels and apps.
Supports 4K HDR video playback and Dolby Atmos audio.
Comes with a remote control that features a dedicated Google Assistant button for voice search and control.
Roku Streaming Stick 4K
A popular streaming device that offers a simple and user-friendly interface with lots of smart features.
Supports 4K HDR video playback and Dolby Atmos audio for best possible television experience.
Comes with a remote control that includes dedicated buttons for popular streaming apps and services.
| Specifications | Mi TV Stick | Fire TV Stick | Chromecast with Google | Roku |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Video resolution | 1080p | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| HDR support | Yes (HDR10) | Yes (HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision) | Yes (HDR10, Dolby Vision) | Yes (HDR10, Dolby Vision) |
| Audio support | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos |
| Voice assistant | Google Assistant | Alexa | Google Assistant | Roku Voice |
| Price | $30-40 | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Storage | 8GB | 8GB | 4GB | 8GB |
| RAM | 1GB | 2GB | 2GB | 1.5GB |
| Remote control | Bluetooth remote with Google Assistant button | Alexa Voice Remote | Bluetooth remote with Google Assistant button | Roku Voice Remote |
| Casting support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Google Play Store | Yes | Yes | No | No |
The Xiaomi TV Stick: Pros And Cons
Here are the pros and cos of the streamer. These advantages and drawbacks help to decide whether you want it or not. Let’s have a look at them:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable and budget-friendly streaming device. | Limited onboard storage for apps and games. |
| Easy setup and intuitive interface. | Lack of 4K resolution on the standard Mi TV Stick variant. |
| Access to a wide range of streaming apps and services. | Some users may encounter minor slacking during navigation. |
| Voice-controlled remote for hands-free navigation. | No Ethernet port, relying solely on Wi-Fi connectivity. |
| 4K resolution support for stunning visuals (Mi TV Stick 4K variant). | Limited availability of certain regional apps or services. |
| Compatibility with both smart and non-smart TVs. | |
| Screen mirroring and casting for versatile media sharing. |
Conclusion
The Mi TV Stick can show videos in Full HD (1080p), which is good enough for most content. The Mi TV Stick has a wild range of apps, including well-known streaming services, games, and useful tools. You can also mirror content from your smartphone, tablet, or computer to the TV.
However, the Mi TV Stick does have some drawbacks. The remote control can be laggy, and the internal storage is limited. Additionally, the Mi TV Stick does not support 4K streaming, and some apps may require a paid subscription. The device brings convenience and an affordable way to enjoy a smart TV. However, it is always preferred to be aware of the drawbacks before you even think of buying it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some most frequently asked questions for the Mi TV stick:
