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REVIEW: Mecool KM9 Pro with Google certification and Android TV 9

Kim by Kim
05/31/2019
6
Mecool KM9 Pro is an Android TV model that we present today in our review, a device almost identical to Mecool KM3 that we saw a few days ago and that also has Google Certification that allows you to have Google Cast to transmit content from your mobile. It is this model we have integrated 4GB of DDR4 RAM and 32GB of internal storage, has a dual band WiFi aC adapter, Bluetooth 4.1 and operating system has Android TV 9. Let’s see in our review how this device behaves at the hardware level and software.
  • Mecool KM9 Pro is available in Geekbuying only for $64.99 (€58) from China or Europe with the discount coupon PPSUMMER if we pay by PayPal.

Table of Contents

  • PRODUCT DETAILS
    • Description
  • SYSTEM AND PERFORMANCE
    • Environment and Android system
    • Power and performance
    • Network, storage, RAM and ports
  • VIDEO AND AUDIO TEST
    • Video playback test
    • Audio playback test
    • Streaming services
  • CONCLUSIONS
    • Score
    • Opinion
  • WHERE TO BUY AND ADD-ONS
    • Add-ons
mecool km9 pro review n09 min

PRODUCT DETAILS

Model Mecool KM9 Pro
Basic Specs SoC: Amlogic S905X2 Quad Core Cortex A-53 (64bit) / GPU Mali-G31 MP2 / 4x ARM-A53 @ 1.8GHz
System: Android TV 9 Oreo (32bit)
Ram and storage: 4 GB DDR4 / 32 GB eMMC
Network: Wifi ac + Bluetooth 4.1 (AP6255) – Ethernet 10/100
Ports: HDMI 2.1 4K @ 75fps / AV Jack 3.5mm / 1x USB 2.0 / 1x USB 3.0 / MicroSD
Extras: BT+IR remote with microphone / Cable HDMI / Manual / Adapter DC 5V 2A

Description

The model Mecool KM9 Pro TV-Box is presented in a cardboard box with magnetic lid, inside we have the TV-Box, remote control with microphone, HDMI 2.0 cable, small manual first steps and 5V 2A power adapter with its adapter if necessary. The IR + Bluetooth remote control with microphone can be connected automatically by pressing OK + Vol- on the remote control.

  • Remote Control: The default IR + Bluetooth remote with integrated microphone, basic but functional. We can choose other alternatives.
  • Voice control: By default we can use Google Assistant to perform searches by pressing the microphone button.
  • Alternate control: We can control remotely using the app  Cetusplay / Don’t have its own remote control app.

mecool km9 pro review n08 min

This TV-Box Mecool KM9 Pro has a classic design, is a black box only with logo of the brand in the top. On the front we only have a small discrete white LED and on the perimeter we have all the connectors, the USB 3.0 port that is new in this SoC, we also have HDMI 2.1 connector up to 4K@75fps, AV jack, another USB 2.0, microSD reader and indicated with a red circle the power connector. In audio jack we have a hole for the update button of your firmware if necessary.

  • Materials and measures: Plastic / 109 x 109 x 18 mm / 167 gr.
  • Package contents: Manual / Adapter DC 5V 2A / HDMI cable / BT+IR remote with microphone (2x AAA batteries not included).
  • Interfaces: HDMI 2.1 4K@75fps / AV Jack 3.5mm / Jack AV / 1x USB 2.0 / 1x USB 3.0 / MicroSD / Reset.
  • Leds and panel: Frontal RGB LED.
mecool km9 pro review n06 min
mecool km9 pro review n01 min
mecool km9 pro review n02 min
mecool km9 pro review n03 min

When opening the TV-Box we can see the Wifi ac + Bluetooth 4.1 (AP6255), It has one internal antenna fixed to the outer shell. The cooling system consists in a metallic piece stuck to the upper cover that comes in contact with a thermal paste that presses the SoC to transmit the heat.

mecool km9 pro review n04 min
mecool km9 pro review n05 min

SYSTEM AND PERFORMANCE

Environment and Android system

Connecting the Mecool KM9 Pro to the DC adapter the TV-Box starts automatically with an animation and the frontal LED lights up. The system installed by default is Android TV 9, an Android version focused on its use on television screen and use with remote control that has its advantages and disadvantages, we have a lot of installed streaming apps (too many, we recommend deleting them). The performance is very good and the system moves fast, it shows much more powerful hardware than a Xiaomi Mi Box S with the previous S905X.

  • Launcher: Android TV 9 Launcher / We can’t change the default launcher / Android UI rendering at 1080p.
  • Multitasking and access: Android TV notification system / Multitasking available directly with long press in Home.
  • Installed apps: Google play, Netflix, Sideload launcher, Youtube, FX Explorer. Settings and dozens of streaming apps.
  • Languages: All the international Android classics.
  • On/Off Controls: If we keep press the power button we have reset and power off option / Configurable in settings.
mecool km9 pro review a01 min
mecool km9 pro review a02 min
mecool km9 pro review a03 min
mecool km9 pro review a04 min

We check the system data within the Android settings and through analysis software, we can see the details of the system installed by default, in this case in Android TV 9 with support for 32bit apps only. The system has a Google Certification because Chromecast has an encrypted system that can only be obtained with that license, but that does not mean that we have Google system updates, we will only find a firmware file or online OTA released by Mecool if we are lucky.

  • System version: Android TV 9 (32 bit) / Kernel 4.9.113 / Build 2019-03-29 / Reference U211.
  • App store: Google Play with all the apps available for the Android system.
  • Settings and root: Android + Droid Settings / The system IS NOT root by default / NO menu to deactivate it in settings.
  • Support: Mecool DON’T has a website to contact / Firmware available / Custom firmware no yet
mecool km3 review n05 min
mecool km3 review n06 min

Power and performance

In the power aspect the Mecool KM9 Pro has very good results in the line of the new Amlogic S905X2 Quad Core SoC with ARM Cortex-A53 processors and Mali-G31 MP2 GPU in a very good position. The new SoC S905X2 made in 12nm offers us a good efficiency, the temperatures do not reach a worrying figures at any time and works fine with any level of work.

  • Consumption: Off 0W / Standby 2.6W / Basic use 3.8W / Maximum 7.1W
  • Thermals: Minimum 46ºC / Maximum 72ºC / Maintains performance up to 100% / Small heat zone on the top / Noise 0db
  • You can read our Comparison article for Amlogic S905X2 SoC with all its technical details
mecool km9 pro review a07 min
mecool km9 pro review a08 min
mecool km9 pro review a09 min
mecool km9 pro review a10 min
mecool km9 pro review a11 min
mecool km9 pro review a12 min

We pass our benchmarks and we can see how the Amlogic S905X2 SoC is almost on par with the most powerful Amlogic last generation SoC the S912. In general the results are below that a powerful SoC like the Rockchip RK3399 or the new S922X (see our Beelink GT-King review) that already has superior ARM Cortex cores, but the results are very good in general.

Mecool KM9 Pro test eng 04 3DMark min
Mecool KM9 Pro test eng 06 GeekBench min

In the following you can see a test of how PUBG moves in medium settings with the S905X2 SoC, the result is good and we can move without problems. We recommend reading our tutorial to play with keyboard and mouse to PUBG in a TV-Box.

  • Games and emulators: IS possible to play demanding titles such as PUBG / Emulators up to Wii / NO Vulkan support.
  • Controls: Compatible with Gamepads by cable or bluetooth.

Network, storage, RAM and ports

In the Mecool KM9 Pro model we have integrated eMMC memory as internal storage, USB 3.0 ports and SD card reader. In the network section we have a Wifi ac + Bluetooth 4.1 (AP6255) and Ethernet 10/100 port. The performance of the Wifi chip is good but it would be nice to have two antennas instead of one.

  • Storage: Total 32GB expandable with a USB memory stick / NTFS + exFAT compatible.
  • RAM: Total 4GB – Free 3GB / DDR4.
  • Network: Good speed in 5G with one internal wifi antenna / Range 38 dBm, correct. / Bluetooth works 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 20/17 MB/s 110/36 MB/s 17/19 MB/s –
Mecool KM9 Pro test eng 01 Disk min
Mecool KM9 Pro test eng 03 Streaming min

VIDEO AND AUDIO TEST

Video playback test

At video playback level the Mecool KM9 Pro has the S905X2 SoC and a Amlogic TruLife Gen8 VPU compatible with most modern video formats such as h.265 and VP9. In this TV-Box we can use players like MX Player or install KODI from Google Play without the slightest problem, the system comes by default with the option to install to install KODI that works without problems. Thanks to the Google Certification we can use Chromecast from applications such as Youtube, Google Play Movies, Music or similar, but due to security limitations and certifications we can not use it in apps like Netflix or similar.

  • Settings and HDMI-CEC: NO image quality settings / RGB and SDR modes available / HDMI-CEC works
  • Automatic refresh rate change: Not available.
  • Media sharing: Chromecast NO / Miracast NO / DLNA with BlubblePnP / Airplay NO.
  • LibreELEC: This model is NOT compatible with LibreELEC yet.
  • Tutorials: Judder effect and how to avoid it / Multi-channel audio guide / Correct dark screen when playing video on Android.
mecool km9 pro review a14 min
mecool km9 pro review a15 min

We pass several multimedia playback tests with the Mecool KM9 Pro and check that it works perfectly using the new Amlogic S922X SoC, which has video output support for HDMI 2.1 that theoretically allows maximum resolution up to 4K@75fps with HDR information with  support for Dolby Vision, check the video settings.

  • Performance: HEVC 10 bit HDR OK / VP9 P2 OK / 8K no compatible / 1080i with frameskips.
  • Ports: HDMI 2.1 4K@75fps / Jack audio stereo
  • Max. bitrate: 100 Mbps = 12,5 MB/s.
  • Tutorials: Install Addons in KODI in a simple way / LibreELEC installation guide for the TV-Boxes with Android

Video results

Formats Result
h.264 / 1080p / 4K / 8bit OK
h.264 / 4K / 10bit OK
h.265 / 4K / 8bit OK
h.265 / 4K / 10bit HDR OK
VP9 P1 / 4K / 8bit OK
VP9 P2 / 4K / 10bit HDR OK
VP9 P2 / 8K / 10bit HDR Frameskip
  • You can see more details in the article Video decoding tests with Amlogic S905X2 SoC.
  • The maximum bitrate depends on the port used to connect or the limitations of SAMBA Networks.

Audio playback test

For testing the audio in the Mecool KM9 Pro we use a Yamaha AV receiver, we check that they supports DD and DTS pass through sound. We can only listen to the multi-channel audio up to 5.1. If we do not have an AV receiver to listen the files with AC3 or multichannel sound we must configure the system to listen to configure the system to listen to multichannel AC3 videos in stereo on any TV.

  • Ports: HDMI up to 5.1 / Stereo Jack
  • Passthrough and certification: Available in settings / NO official certificates / NO Chromecast audio.
  • Tutorial:  Multi channel audio configuration in Android devices
mecool km9 pro review a16 min
mecool km9 pro review a15 min

Audio test results

Formats DD / DTS 5.1 DD+ / DTS MA DD True / DTS HR DD Atmos / DTS X
HDMI OK / OK OK / Core Core PCM / 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

In our classics tests with streaming services we see how the most popular services work. The Mecool KM9 Pro presents an unusual configuration since we are certified with both Google Widevine L1 and Microsoft Playready, in addition to support HDCP 2.2. On a practical level despite these certificates we can only see Netflix in SD+ quality, other services such as HBO or Amazon Prime Video are compatible in some ways.

  • DRM: Google Widevine L1 / Microsoft Playready / HDCP 2.2.
  • Certification: No
  • Tutorial: Change the size of the captions and the mouse pointer on Android / Install Addons in KODI in a simple way
Streaming service Video / Audio Result Manual
Youtube 4K (2160p) / Stereo OK –
Google Play Movies FullHD (1080p) / Stereo OK –
Netflix SD+ (540p) / Stereo OK,  installing the apk and needs a mouse Netflix on Android
HBO HD (720p) / Stereo OK, with Android TV apk –
Amazon Prime Video SD (480p) / Stereo OK with apk for Android Mobile + mouse
Playback control are not the best
Amazon Prime video on Android
Beelink GTmini A review a16 min
mecool km9 pro review a17 min

CONCLUSIONS

Score

Mecool KM9 Pro _

0.00
Mecool KM9 Pro _
7.1

DESIGN AND CONNECTIVITY

8.5/10

HARDWARE

6.5/10

SOFTWARE

7.5/10

SUPPORT

6.0/10

PRICE/QUALITY

7.0/10

Pros

  • Powerful
  • Compact
  • BT remote with voice
  • Android TV 9 fast
  • Chromecast (with limitations)

Cons

  • Wifi antenna can be better
  • Ethernet 10/100
  • No flymouse remote

Opinion

The model Mecool KM9 Pro continues the line of the latests Mecool that integrate the new S905X2 SoC, this model has a Google Certification, a certificate that allows to use the Chromecast system in Google applications although unfortunately outside of these app we can not use it, the certificate does not provide special support or something extra remarkable. At the network level, the Wifi ac Dual band works fine although the internal antenna is not the most powerful, it is a shame that a simple 10/100 Ethernet port is mounted instead of a Gigabit one that gives much more performance.

In the Mecool KM9 Pro we have on its motherboard 4GB of DDR4 RAM, something that allows us to load several apps from the internal memory and to switch between them from the included remote control. This TV-Box has the latest Android TV 9 system that allows us to handle it in a very comfortable way on our TV and we can give orders with the microphone through Google Assistant, it’s a shame that it is not Flymouse because it limits the use of certain apps. A model that behaves well as a video player, for example with KODI, all kinds of commonly used apps or for powerful games.

This new model has Chromecast (to some extent), is also perfectly valid for local content playback or streaming, has a remote with microphone that facilitates use at the user level and moves the system fast by its power. Consult our recommended models to see other alternatives.

WHERE TO BUY AND ADD-ONS

  • Mecool KM9 Pro is available in Geekbuying only for $64.99 (€58) from China or Europe with the discount coupon PPSUMMER if we pay by PayPal.

Add-ons

  • Logitech K400 keyboard with trackpad control zone.
  • Keyboard and mouse Logitech MK270 economic and quality.
  • Flymouse with integrated microphone and full keyboard with light.
  • USB 3.0 pendrive to expand internal storage.
  • External hard disk up to 3GB to save media.
  • Bluetooth Gamepad to play games
  • Logitech Basic Webcam to video chat.

mecool km3 review a01 min

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rudy
rudy

difficult to work whith this box

Reply
jay
jay

Does not make any sense that this box has hdcp 2.2 and GWine L1 and no 4k neflix. is it possible you used a current version instead of a modified or older version of netflix that does work?

Reply
Kim
Kim
Reply to  jay

HDCP 2.2 and WV L1 is useless if the device don’t have the Netflix approval, read this:
https://androidpctv.com/netflix-hd-4k-hdr-android-guide-tvbox/

Reply
Garbage dove
Garbage dove

How can we root this box, please?

Reply
muneer ahmed
muneer ahmed

Why this model is not in your recommended list

Reply
Kim
Kim
Reply to  muneer ahmed

Because GTmini s905x2 is better, ethernet gigabit + flymouse + better wifi + more support.

Reply
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