Unlike a few years ago when a television lasted many years until we changed it, now those customs have disappeared and their useful life has been drastically reduced, not so much because they are not useful to us, but because in a very short time the software they bring becomes obsolete, the apps from streaming platforms stop working and we have to look for an alternative to continue enjoying Netflix, Disney + , HBO Max, etc.
What is a set-top box of those?
It is within this panorama of Smart TVs that are outdated or without support, where the so-called set-top box come in, which take this name from the old pay television decoders that became fashionable in some countries a few decades ago. Devices that received a coded signal, converted it into something viewable and projected it on our (at that time) tube TV in the living room.
So although these devices were originally the ones that adopted the name set-top box (which comes to mean in Spanish something like fix the box above or rather, decoder), new smart devices that have their own operating system, remote control and a storage prepared to install applications and broadcast live have appropriated it. Something that does not stop happening with other terms that keep alive the old essence of the format that saw them born. Or doesn't that sound like the "celluloid star"? Who uses celluloid nowadays to shoot a movie?
In the case of current set-top boxes, we are talking about accessories that connect to our television through an HDMI cable and that offer wired Ethernet and Wi-Fi network connections, audio outputs in some cases and, of course, the power outlet to power the device.
In the case of Xiaomi, the entire system is driven by the presence of Android TV, in different versions, which we can update and which will ensure that, unlike the OS of our Smart TV, we will be able to continue enjoying all the services without major problems over the next few years. Even generations.
All Xiaomi set-top box models
It is curious that a segment of technology that in recent years has grown exponentially in the heat of streaming platforms, cloud games, etc., has not had Xiaomi as the main driver. Basically because in other areas it does not hesitate to release models non-stop, with different features that quickly become user favorites. Above all, for that price-quality ratio that makes Chinese models always have a competitive advantage.
Right now, Xiaomi only maintains a set-top box model on the market officially in Spain and the second, which we also show you, presumably will land in the coming months after a presentation that has recently taken place in China. As you already know from other products of the brand, it is normal for there to be a delay from its launch in Asia until an international version is made and confirmed that we can buy in Xiaomi's official online store.
Remember that these set-top boxes have fierce competition in another segment of Smart TV accessories, How are the so-called HDMI keys? They have their main enemies and competitors in Google's Chromecast, Amazon's Fire TV Stick or Xiaomi's own Mi TV Stick.
In any case, below we leave you all the set-top boxes that Xiaomi has launched (and will launch) on the market.
Xiaomi Mi Box S
This model andIt is the only one that we can buy right now in Spain since Xiaomi has removed the previous one that did not allow 4K resolutions. In this case, we will take home for a price of just 60 euros, a model capable of connecting to a UHD Smart TV thanks to its 3.840 x 2.160 pixel resolution output. It comes equipped with a 53-bit Quad-core Cortex-A64 processor, a more than efficient Mali-450 GPU for 4K streaming, 2 GB of DDR3 RAM and 8 gigs of eMMC internal storage.
As in all Xiaomi devices of this type, It comes with Android inside, specifically version 8.1, updatable, support for the Mountain View assistant, Wifi (2,4 and 5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.0 and 4K video decoder at 60 frames per second. It is capable of playing video formats (also through its USB connector) RM, MOV, VOB, AVI, MKV, TS, Mp4 and 3D.
As for the sound, offers Dolby and DTS support and can play MP3, APE files. and FlacIts HDMI connector is 2.0a and offers audio output in case we want to connect the Mi Box S to an amplifier or external audio equipment to improve the viewing experience.
View offer on AmazonXiaomi Mi Box 4S Max 8K
The new model, which was presented in China on June 7, 2022, will come with an improvement in hardware to Allow to achieve smooth and uncut broadcasts in resolutions up to 8K. To achieve this, Xiaomi has resorted to a new processor, an Amlogic S905X3 –4 x Cortex-A55 at 1,91 GHz–, a more advanced GPU, Mali-G31 MP2, more memory, doubling that of the Mi Box S and placing it in the 4GB and a very large internal storage thanks to the 64 gigabytes available.
Furthermore, this new model adds a more advanced HDMI 2.1 output than the previous one, ability to play content in 4K HDR with a cadence of 60 frames per second and, obviously, the possibility of increasing that performance up to 8K (if you have a television to enjoy it).
Also maintains the USB connector, dual-band Wi-Fi (2,4 and 5 GHz), Bluetooth, compatibility with Dolby Audio and DTS and a new remote control that pairs wirelessly with the set-top box via Bluetooth, and that allows us not to have to point it directly to move through its menus and choose its options.
As we tell you, At the moment it will only be for sale in the Chinese market so its landing in Spain will have to wait at least a few months, which could mean that until after the summer we will not have the option of getting it at a price that, at least in yuan (499) becomes just 70 euros To the change.
The links to Amazon in this article are part of our agreement with their Affiliate Program and may earn us a small commission on their sale (without affecting the price you pay). Even so, the decision to publish and add them has been taken, as always, freely and under editorial criteria, without attending to requests from the brands involved.15:23