What is this Google TV box to cheap?

Here is the third generation of the Xiaomi TV box, operating under Google TV. The objective is clear: to offer a replacement for the 4K chromecast under Google TV sacrificed by Google a little less than a year ago.

Xiaomi has renewed its TV box operating under Google TV. This is the 3rd generation in force. We tested it for two weeks, here is our verdict.

Price and availability: this is what is called competitive

The 3rd generation Xiaomi Box TV S is marketed around 70 euros in the official Xiaomi store. A competitive price against Google Street TV from Google and its 119 euros.

Design: Petit and discret

The Xiaomi case is not there to get noticed. Small roller -shaped pebble with soft curves, its plastic adopts a black dress all that is most classic, with a slight slope towards the sofa to see the Xiaomi logo printed on it. A white rectangular diode at the front indicates both if the device is lit and if it receives the instructions from the remote control provided in the box.

The said remote control is also larger than the case. It adopts a length design with most of the buttons at the top. We find the classics: ignition, volume button to call Google Assistant (and soon gemini no doubt), the directional keys, the home button and return. There are four promotional buttons, which is relatively high, with Netflix, Video Prime, Xiaomi TV+ and YouTube. A fifth shortcut button can open the applications drawer.

Compared to Google Streamer TV, the remote control produces a little noise, especially on the volume buttons. This is especially noticeable in the evening when there is no longer a lot of noise outside that of the TV. The remote control works with two AA batteries which are unfortunately not provided.

Connectors: the base, nothing more, nothing less

On the back of the TV case, you will find an extremely basic connectivity. A hole to connect the power cable, an HDMI 2.1 port and a USB 2.0 port in USB A. A USB-C port, more modern and more future proof would not have been refusal. Likewise, an Ethernet port is always appreciable on this type of product for those who wish to create a robust setup. The HDMI cable is provided, which was not the case with the Google Streamer TV.

Google TV still as effective

The main attraction of this box lies here: transform any screen or video projector into connected TV with Google TV. The interface is still as effective, in that its home page brings together all the content of the services to which you subscribe. It is possible to add any movie to your list of movies to see on Google TV, then launch it from the interface, which will take care of going to open the film in the right application, as long as you have configured it before.

Google TV will also offer you content on the basis of what you have looked at recently. The bone will also allow you to take over your films, series and video YouTube from the home page, where you were. Recently, Google TV has also managed the home automation part of Google Home. It is possible to manage your various connected devices compatible with Home from the case. The Bluetooth connection of headphones or wireless helmets is also very easily done, mimicking the connection to a smartphone with one click.

Clearly, if you are allergic to SVOD served or Google products, this case is to be avoided. On the other hand, if you are tired of having all your content scattered in several places, the power of Google TV should satisfy you.

Only shade on the board: the installation really does not work as planned. The animations are very beautiful, but the protocol supposed to pass your Google Home account directly on the smartphone via a simple QR code is broken. It is not so much Xiaomi’s fault here, we had found the same problem on other Google TV products. We then resolve to install the bone “by hand” by typing your password with the remote control. Not super practical. We should also mention some small shortcomings of translation here or there in the interface, but it remains parcel.

Image and audio formats: the essential is there

The Xiaomi Box s manages the HDMI-CEC protocol. Most modern HDR formats are also part of it: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and HLG. On the audio side, the case supports Dolby Audio and DTS: x. This is a major difference with its competitor at Google, which will seek the Dolby Atmos, slightly higher.

Performances and network: it lagouille a little

The 3rd generation Xiaomi Box S box incorporates a chip with 4 cores supported by 2 GB of RAM. It may be one of the largest concessions in this product to bring its price back to a correct level. Indeed, the device can suffer from microral work here and there in its animations. In addition you will often see the round logo passing which indicates that a load is in progress.

And a priori, there is no need to accuse our connection since the case supports WiFi 6. This is above all a question of quantity of cache available according to us.

All this is of course consideration of esthete. On a daily basis, you will probably not feel these saccades, especially if it is something to which you are not sensitive. On the other hand, if you are looking for a high -end experience, similar to what an Apple TV 4K can offer, we are not there.

In terms of storage, the 32 GB is quite sufficient to install all the apps you would need. Last point: the box runs on Android 14, and its last security patch dates from November 1, 2024.

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