REVIEW: Mecool KM1 Smart Box with Android TV and Google Certification

Mecool KM1 is the new Android TV for which we present today his review, a product with a Google certification thanks to what have Google Cast has with which we can send content from our mobile to the TV-Box. Regarding hardware, this Box has the Amlogic S905X3 Quad core SoC that offers us a higher performance than the previous S905X2. We also have Wifi aC, Ethernet 10/100 and the Android TV 9 Pie  (update to version 10 available) operating system and by default has a remote control with microphone to use the assistant Google Assistant. Let’s see in our review how this device behaves and how it defends itself against direct competition.
  • Mecool KM1 is available in Geekbuying only for $54,9 (€48,6) with the shipping cost included.
mecool km1 review f08 min

PRODUCT DETAILS

Model Mecool KM1
Basic Specs SoC: Amlogic S905X3 Quad Core 4x ARM-A55 @ 1.9GHz (64bit) / GPU Mali-G31 MP2 / 12nm
System: Android 9 Pie (32bit) / Updatable to V10
Ram, storage and network:
– Classic: 2GB RAM DDR3 + 16GB eMMC / Wifi ac 2×2 MIMO + BT 4.2  (MTK7668RSN) / Ethernet 10/100
– Deluxe: 4GB RAM DDR3 + 32GB eMMC / Wifi ac 2×2 MIMO + BT 4.2  (MTK7668RSN) / Ethernet 10/100
– Collective: 4GB RAM DDR3 + 64GB eMMC / Wifi ac 2×2 MIMO + BT 4.2 (MTK7668RSN) / Ethernet 10/100
Ports: HDMI 2.1 4K@75fps / Jack AV / 1x USB 2.0 / 1x USB 3.0 / MicroSD / Reset
Extras:  BT remote with mic / HDMI cable / Manual / DC 5V 2A adapter
Materials and measures: Plastic / Frontal LED panel / 120 x 120 x 20 mm / 300 gr.

Unboxing

The Android TV-Box Mecool KM1 comes in a standard cardboard box with a generic the image of the device in the top, inside we found the TV-Box, BT remote, HDMI cable 4K@60fps compatible, Manual and a DC 5V 2A adapter.

mecool km1 review f07 min

Description

The case of the Mecool KM1 is made of plastic, it has the embossed Mecool logo on the top and it stands out on the top it has an imitation leather design, on the front it has a status led that changes color. This Box includes a Bluetooth remote control with basic microphone to carry out the most common operations on the Android TV system and it does not have the Flymouse option. In the lower area we have enough ventilation slots that help keep temperatures under control.

  • To synchronize the remote with the TV-Box on the first start, press OK and Volume- at the same time.

Inside the audio jack we have the update button in case it is necessary to update the firmware. On the motherboard we can see the Wifi ac 2×2 MIMO + BT 4.2  (MTK7668RSN) chip little known and has two internal Wi-Fi antennas. The cooling system is simple, a thermal pad in contact with a metal sheet on the upper face as we will see fulfills its function.

SYSTEM AND PERFORMANCE

Environment and Android system

We connect the Mecool KM1 to the DC adapter, it starts automatically and we arrive at the default Android TV 9 launcher based on windows where we can customize the top row. In this device if we can use the mouse pointer on the main screen something not very common in Android TV. In the installed apps, Google’s own stand out, such as YouTube, Prime Video and from Google Play we can install any other compatible one. The performance of Android TV 9 is good thanks to the S905X3 SoC, it works correctly without forced closings with the classic apps and the system moves quite fast.

If we are going to play and make intensive use of this model we recommend buying the variant with 4GB of RAM, if we want to adjust our budget and we are only going to use it as a media player we may have enough with the 2GB model.

  • Launcher: We can change launcher but we recommend the official / Android UI render at 1080p.
  • Multitasking and access: Multitasking only from the remote control icon / Android notifications in the upper icon.
  • Languages and Google Play: All the international Android classics / Google Play installed.
  • Check our Android TV User Manual to install classic Android Apps, prevent screen rotation and much more.
  • On/Off Controls: If we keep press the power button we have reset and power off option / Configurable in settings.
  • System version and root: Android TV 9 (32 bit) (v10 with OTA) / NO root by default / NO root menu / Build 2020-01-10 / Model VS KM1.
  • Support: Mecool have a site with firmware / Firmware not available / Custom firmware not available yet.

Network, storage, RAM and ports

The TV-Box Mecool KM1 has eMMC memory for internal storage + DDR3 RAM, it has one USB 3.0 port and SD card reader. In the network section it has a wireless adapter Wifi ac 2×2 MIMO + BT 4.2  (MTK7668RSN) and Ethernet 10/100 port. As we can see in the tests the results are good, the wifi does reach decent speed figures although the range is normal for a model with two internal antennas.

  • Storage: Total 32GB  – Free 29GB / NTFS + exFAT compatible / Expandable with a USB or SD external memory.
  • RAM: Total 4GB – Free 3GB / DDR3.
  • Network: Good speed with two internal wifi antennas / Range 42dBm, fine. / Bluetooth OK.
  • We recommend reading our Tutorial SAMBA on Android networks if we are going to use files from our network PC.
USB 2.0 USB 3.0 microSD SATA
Read / Write 23/18 MB/s 82/37 MB/s 21/19 MB/s

Power and performance

The Mecool KM1 has installed the Amlogic S905X3 a Quad Core SoC with ARM Cortex-A55 processors and in the graphic section a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU that is in the mid-range, the performance is good in this device. This SoC is manufactured in 12nm, has a fairly low consumption but as we have seen the cooling system is basic and the temperatures are low all the time, the processor correctly scales the speeds so as not to overheat.

  • Thermals: Min. 40ºC / Working  52ºC / Max. 65ºC / Maintains performance up to 100% / Heat zone on the top / Noise 0db
  • Consumption: Off 0.6W / Min 3W / Working 4.1W / Max. 6.9W
  • Games and emulators: IS possible to play titles such as PUBG with low settings / Emulators up to Wii / NO Vulkan support.
  • Controls: Compatible with Gamepads by cable or bluetooth.

VIDEO AND AUDIO TEST

Video playback test

The playback aspect in the Mecool KM1 is good thanks to the Amlogic S905X3 SoC and the VPU Advanced Video Engine Gen10 compatible with most modern video formats such as h.265 and VP9 with 4K HDR native resolution or even 8K@60fps support, don’t have video quality settings. We can use players like KODI or PLEX without the slightest problem, the system comes by default with a version of KODI full of addons that we recommend uninstalling. At the audio level we can play DD and DTS sound up to 5.1 through the HDMI port.

This model has Chromecast that allows us to send Youtube, Prime video and Disney+ but it will not work with Netflix since it requires special certificates. Check out our Amlogic S905X3 SoC Comparison against all SoCs to see more details about A/V aspects of this SoC.

Video results

Formats Result
h.264 / 1080i / 8bit Frameskip
h.264 / 1080p / 4K / 8bit OK
h.264 / 1080p / 10bit (anime) Frameskip (SW)
h.265 / 1080p / 8bit OK
h.265 / 1080p / 10bit (anime) OK
h.265 / 4K@24fps / 8bit OK
h.265 / 4K@60fps / 10bit HDR OK
VP9 P1 / 4K@24fps / 8bit OK
VP9 P2 / 4K@60fps / 10bit HDR OK
VP9 P2 / 8K@60fps / 10bit HDR OK (only in KODI)
AV1 / 4K@24fps / 10bit Frameskip (SW)
Max. Bitrate 100 Mbps = 12,5 MB/s.
  • The maximum bitrate depends on the port used to connect or the limitations of SAMBA Networks.
  • SW = does not have hardware acceleration and may have have some frameskip in very heavy files.

Audio test results

Formats DD / DTS 5.1 DD+ / DTS MA DD True / DTS HR DD Atmos / DTS X
HDMI OK / OK Core Core Core*
Optical
  • PCM – Stereo only doing downmix from DD or DTS
  • Core – Only the core of the format is played back with what we passed to the Dolby / DTS base system
    * Our AV receiver does not support these native formats but we verify that it is played back to 7.1

Streaming services

Passing our usual tests with streaming services we check how the most popular services work. The Mecool KM1 presents the classic configuration without certifications which limits us in quality in several streaming services, luckily if it is compatible with most services even if they are in its most basic quality of SD video

Streaming service Video / Audio Result Manual
Youtube 4K HDR (2160p) / Stereo OK
Google Play Movies FullHD (1080p) / Stereo OK
Netflix SD+ (540p) / Stereo OK, installing the mobile apk Netflix Guide
HBO FullHD (1080p) / Stereo OK HBO Guide
Amazon Prime Video HD (720p) / Stereo OK Amazon Prime Guide
Disney+ 4K HDR (2160p) / Stereo 4K mobile app, SD on Android TV app (see audio trick) Disney+ Guide
DAZN HD (720p) / Stereo OK
IPTV FullHD (1080p) / Stereo OK

CONCLUSIONS AND BUY LINKS

Score

Opinion

After analyzing the new Mecool KM1 we can describe it as an acceptable TV-Box with S905X3 SoC that has the Google certification as an extra. This allows us to use Chromecast with various applications such as YouTube, Prime Video or Disney+, too bad that it does not have Dolby audio support that forces us to lower the audio quality in some services in order to listen to something. A device that has efficient cooling and internal storage of acceptable speed.

As for connectivity, the Mecool KM1 has good performance thanks to its Dual Band Wifi aC adapter that achieves a good acceptable although the range could be better, it only has a 10/100 Ethernet port that slightly blurs the whole. At the software level we have a stable Android TV (v10 with OTA available), although we miss options such as the automatic refresh change or root selector. The included remote has a microphone that allows us to use Google Assistant directly, it hurts that it is not Flymouse although on Android TV it is not so necessary.

As we see the Mecool KM1 an interesting Certified model that stands out for having Chromecast and being compatible with quite a few streaming platforms, which is a pity about the absence of Dolby certification. If we are interested in a cheap TV-Box Android TV this Mecool may be valid.

Where to buy

  • Mecool KM1 is available in Geekbuying only for $54,9 (€48,6) with the shipping cost included.

Add-ons

mecool km1 review f09 min

Mecool KM1

0.00
6.3

DESIGN AND CONNECTIVITY

6.0/10

HARDWARE

7.0/10

SYSTEM

6.5/10

SUPPORT

5.5/10

PRICE/QUALITY

6.5/10

Pros

  • Cheap
  • Wifi ac
  • Certified Android TV 9
  • Chromecast
  • Fast and stable

Cons

  • Ethernet 10/100 / No SPDIF
  • No root / No refresh rate fix
  • No Dolby certification
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
3 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Josemar Leite Preté

Hello, I inform you that reading a topic on the CE forum I verified that CoreELEC works on the Mecool KM1, as you also inform in your review.

So I tested Batocera and EmuELEC and I proved that these frontends also work I published two amateur videos in Portuguese on You Tube.

I used Google Translate.

Last edited 1 year ago by Josemar Leite Preté
A. Keppler

Hello, where did you see this box Android 10 as an update.
Only 2 other boxes are listed on their website.
But not this box!

https://www.mecoolonline.com/pages/software-updates

Kim

The update is only available by OTA.
Contact with Mecool if you don’t have it.

3
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x