Transforming your television into a smart entertainment hub has never been easier with the advent of compact streaming devices.
If you're wondering "how does the Xiaomi TV Stick work," you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll take an in-depth look at Xiaomi's portable streaming device, which promises to revolutionize your viewing experience.
We'll guide you through the setup process, explore its user-friendly interface, and examine the features that allow you to access a world of content with just a few clicks.
So, how does the Xiaomi TV stick work? By simply plugging the Xiaomi TV Stick into your TV's USB port, you can transform it into a smart TV.
The setup process is intuitive, guided by prompts that quickly get you up and running. You can control the TV using either the Xiaomi TV remote or your smartphone.
Moreover, it supports integration with popular voice assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa, allowing you to control your TV effortlessly.
Read on to upgrade your television experience with the Xiaomi TV Stick.
How does the Xiaomi TV Stick Work
So, let me tell you about the amazing Xiaomi TV Stick! It's a fantastic streaming device specifically designed for TVs. Just imagine, with this tiny dongle, you can transform any ordinary television into a super-smart TV! It's truly remarkable.
One of the standout features of the Xiaomi TV Stick is that it runs on the Android TV operating system. This means you can access a wide range of streaming apps like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and many more.
The possibilities are endless! In fact, the Android TV OS now supports over 5000+ apps and games, so you can enjoy a vast array of entertainment options right on your TV screen. It's like having a whole world of content at your fingertips.
When you purchase the Xiaomi TV Stick, you get not only the device itself but also a sleek and intelligent remote control. This remote is not your average remote! It's equipped with a microphone, allowing you to utilize the power of Google Assistant and control the device with voice commands.
Just imagine the convenience! Even if you have an older TV without any smart capabilities, the Xiaomi TV Stick, along with its smart remote, can bring a whole new level of joy and functionality to your television viewing experience.
Specifications
The specs of the Xiaomi TV Stick won't blow your mind but is decently specced for its price. These are the official specs of the Xiaomi TV Stick:
- Operating System (OS) - Android 9.0 Pie
- CPU - Quad-core Cortex-A53
- GPU - ARM Mali-450
- RAM - 1 GB
- Storage - 8 GB
- Max Resolution - 1080P (1920x1080@60fps)
- Wi-Fi - 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2.4GHz/5GHz
- Bluetooth - 4.2
- Ports - HDMI x 1, Micro USB x 1
- Video decoder - VP9-10, H.265, H.264, VC-1, MPEG1/2/4, Real8/9/10
- Video Format - RM, MOV, VOB, AVI, MKV, TS, MP4
- Audio decoder - DOLBY, DTS
- Audio Format - MP3, AAC, FLAC, OGG
- Image decoder - JPG, BMP, GIF, PNG
Xiaomi TV 4K Specifications
Under the hood, the TV Stick 4K is equipped with the Amlogic S905Y4 chip, along with 2GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. It comes pre-loaded with Android TV OS 11, offering a familiar and user-friendly interface.
The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K supports Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos, ensuring an immersive audiovisual experience and it incorporates Xiaomi's "Patchwall" interface, which presents personalized content recommendations and a specialized search feature.
Notably, Patchwall is not a skin on top of Android but rather a standalone app.
How to set up and Use the Xiaomi TV Stick
Alright, let me walk you through the process of setting up and using the Xiaomi TV Stick. It's a breeze, and you'll be up and running in no time! Here's what you need to do:
First things first, take the Xiaomi TV Stick and insert it into one of the HDMI ports on your TV. Keep in mind that HDMI doesn't provide power, so you'll need to supply power to the Xiaomi Mi Stick separately.
- To do this, you can use the USB cable and power adapter that come with the device. Simply connect the USB cable to the Xiaomi Mi Stick and plug the power adapter into a wall outlet.
- Alternatively, if your TV has a USB port, you can connect the USB cable directly to it.
- Once you have the Xiaomi TV Stick connected, switch your TV's input to the HDMI port that the Xiaomi TV Stick is plugged into.
- Next, grab the remote control that comes with the Xiaomi TV Stick. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect the device to your Wi-Fi network.
- After connecting to Wi-Fi, you'll be prompted to sign in to a Google account. Simply enter your account details to proceed.
Once you've completed the setup process, you're good to go! Now you can start enjoying all the features and content available on the Xiaomi TV Stick.
You'll find popular streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube pre-installed, giving you a head start.
If you happen to have an old CRT TV, don't worry! You can still use the Xiaomi Mi Stick with it. However, you'll need to find the appropriate adapter that can convert the analog signal from the TV to the HDMI format supported by the Xiaomi TV Stick.
Once you have the adapter, the remaining setup process remains the same.
Understanding the Xiaomi TV Stick Remote
The Xiaomi TV Stick Remote is a well-designed feature-packed remote. It is small, lightweight, and ergonomic, making it comfortable to hold on to.
The minimalistic approach provides users with only what they need. The remote has a few buttons that let you control Android TV 11, with ease. These are the buttons your get,
- Power button - To turn on/off the Xiaomi TV stick.
- Google Assistant button - To summon Google Assistant.
- Circular direction and OK button - These buttons are used to navigate the UI and select/confirm.
- Menu button - To access the menu.
- Back button - To go back.
- Netflix button - To open Netflix instantly from anywhere.
- Prime Video button - To open Amazon Prime Video instantly from anywhere.
- Volume buttons - To control volume.
This is all you need to control your Xiaomi TV stick with ease. You can easily access Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, two of the most popular streaming platforms. And you have a dedicated Google Assistant button to search for anything on your TV in an instant.
*Update : The updated remote now features four dedicated content buttons, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and a shortcut for other apps.
Features
The Xiaomi TV Stick is a budget streaming device, similar to the likes of the Amazon Fire Stick, Roku Stick, etc., but Xiaomi still undercuts them when it comes to price. This means that there might be compromises on the set of features the Xiaomi TV Stick offers. Nonetheless, I feel that the features offered by Xiaomi TV Stick go well with the price and these features are:
- Full HD streaming of content to any device that can support HDMI.
- Android TV OS with support for more than 5000+ apps and games.
- Google Assistant support with a microphone on the remote for voice search and commands.
- Dolby Audio and DTS 2.0 Audio support for enhanced sound quality.
- Built-in Chromecast for streaming straight from a smartphone.
- Data saver option to save data if using mobile hotspot.
- The Xiaomi TV Stick features both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi to prioritize over range and speed when needed for the smoothest connectivity at all times.
- Hotkeys on TV remote for Netflix and Amazon Prime allow for instant opening and switching between them.
Function and Use
The Xiaomi TV Stick performs as expected. To be one of the cheapest streaming devices on the market, Xiaomi had to cut corners somewhere and it is evident from the 1 GB RAM and 8 GB ROM. This makes the Xiaomi TV run sluggish at times, but not all the time.
- While navigating through the User Interface (UI) can be sluggish at times, the Xiaomi TV Stick always streamed videos/content without any delay.
- The 8 GB ROM or internal memory is a little low since you can't add in an extra pen drive or external hard disk. You will run out of space after installing a handful of apps and games.
- Another feature Xiaomi had to exclude from offering was the lack of 4K streaming, while it would have been a nice addition, I am not arguing since the Xiaomi TV Stick is priced so aggressively.
- This also means that the Xiaomi Mi TV stick only suitable for TVs with smaller screens.
- The Xiaomi TV Stick doesn’t support HDR either, so if you are planning on buying it, use it on TVs that 43 inches or smaller without HDR.
- If you do want support for 4K HDR streaming, invest a bit more in the Xiaomi Mi Box 4K.
- Features on the audio front like Dolby and DTS 2.0 audio worked like a charm when connected with supported Bluetooth speakers.
- Wireless earphones didn’t get connected over Bluetooth which was a bummer.
- The Xiaomi TV Stick doesn’t have an extra USB port, so you won't be able to run content off a USB device like a pen drive or external hard disk.
- The Xiaomi Mi Stick also features HDMI CEC, this also you to control both the TV and the Stick with included remote but in my use, it was finicky and didn’t work well all the time.
- Apart from these small issues, the Xiaomi TV Stick is a great streaming device if you just want to turn an old TV into a Smart Android TV. It streams content at Full HD resolution without any hiccups.
- Advertised features like Google Assistant works really well and the remote picked up everything I said correctly.
The built-in Chromecast feature worked well too, switching quickly and streaming directly from my phone without any delay. And the support for Dolby and DTS 2.0 makes it a great choice for watching movies and shows.
The support for over 5000+ apps and games give you variety and content for ages. Along with the clean and neat UI, it breathed a new life into the aging non-smart TV I tested it on.
How does the Xiaomi TV Stick Work - Final Thoughts
The Xiaomi TV Stick is a great entry-level streaming device for any TV, be it non-smart TVs or older, slower Smart TVs or TVs with limited smart capabilities. But should you a Xiaomi TV Stick?
The answer as always lies in what you want or need.
If your TV has limited or no smart capability at all, then the Xiaomi TV Stick can boost the experience by making it a smart TV and allowing you to run and stream from popular apps. Buy the Xiaomi TV Stick if you want an upgrade in the UI department for your old TV.
Are there any reasons to avoid the Xiaomi TV Stick? Yes, like with any other device the Xiaomi TV Stick also has its downsides. Don’t buy the Xiaomi TV Stick if you have a higher budget and a 4K HDR TV.
Go for better streaming devices that support 4K HDR and eliminate sometimes slow and sluggish performance from the Xiaomi TV Stick.
All things considered; the Xiaomi TV Stick is a great product for budget limited buyers who want to hold on to their old TVs but want a taste of the Smart TV experience too.
The Xiaomi TV Stick is a great entry point into the world of smart TVs and streaming apps as it offers good performance and features for its price. Check out our guide on How does the Xiaomi TV Stick Work for all the details
Advantages
- Turn any TV with an HDMI port into a smart TV.
- Built-in Chromecast for streaming from devices.
- Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support.
- Built-in Google Assistant for quick voice search.
- Easy to access content..
- Cheaper alternative to buying a new Smart TV.
Disadvantages
- Can be clunky at the back running an extra USB cable.
- Many alternatives are available from Amazon, Realme, etc, and no distinguishable feature.
Can I use my Xiaomi TV Stick with any TV?
The Xiaomi TV Stick is designed to be compatible with a wide range of TVs. As long as your TV has an HDMI port, you can connect the Xiaomi TV Stick to it. HDMI ports are commonly found on most modern TVs, including LCD, LED, and OLED models.
The Xiaomi TV Stick is particularly useful for TVs that are not "smart" or do not have built-in streaming capabilities. By connecting the Xiaomi TV Stick to your TV's HDMI port, you can transform it into a smart TV, allowing you to access various streaming apps, games, and other features.
It's important to note that the Xiaomi TV Stick requires a power source, as HDMI does not provide power delivery. To power the Xiaomi TV Stick, you can use the included USB cable and power adapter to connect it to a wall outlet. Alternatively, if your TV has a USB port, you can also power the device directly from the TV.
Is Mi TV stick worth buying?
Definitely yes if your TV is not a smart TV. The Mi TV is worth buying even if you have an older smart Tv that is not capable of powering today's content.
The Mi TV Stick can take a mediocre TV and transform it into something amazing. And for under 50 dollars, it offers excellent value for money as well.
The Mi TV stick is definitely worth investing in. It's much better than blowing a lot of money on expensive smart TVs. It's even cheaper than the other TV Sticks like Amazon's Fire Stick.
Although it does lag every now and then, it still has the same features as any other TV stick. Check out our guide on How does the Xiaomi TV Stick Work for all the details.
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