Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen), Review: now with more powerful processor

Today we present the Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) in our analysis or review, a new update that has been long awaited and will be with us for many years.

In the Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) we find the new SoC AMLogic S905X5M that replaces the S905X4 that we found in the popular Xiaomi Mi Box S (2nd Gen). This small TV-Box offers us as Google TV 14 system and includes a Bluetooth remote control, which integrates a microphone for Google Assistant and thus make all kinds of searches. This brand has DRM certificates that give us access to use integrated Chromecast to broadcast content from our mobile, we can also use streaming apps in 4K quality with Dolby Vision video and Dolby Atmos sound.

Let’s see in our review how this system behaves and what it offers compared to the rest.

Details of the Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen)

Unboxing

The new Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) comes in a plain cardboard box with the product box. Inside we find the small TV-Box, remote control, HDMI cable, USB cable and a first steps manual.

Description

This Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) has a very small and rounded size. In the rear area we find a USB-A 2.0 OTG, power port and a HDMI 2.1a connector. In the upper area we have a white status LED.

The remote control is Bluetooth and features a microphone for Google Assistant. It has dedicated keys for microphone, Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube and apps. We found a dedicated button for Xiaomi TV .

• Remote: Bluetooth control with mic / Compatible keyboard+mouse / Google TV Remote.
• USB Port: Allows you to use a USB HUB, for peripherals or add Ethernet.

System and Performance

Environment and user experience

We start the Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) and starts its configuration wizard where we can adjust the wifi, control our TV. It is also possible to define which apps will be installed and select the type of content we want to see on the main screen. We have the Google TV 14 launcher without customizations. As we can see the performance is very fluid, we move smoothly between the most common apps and the environment in 4K resolution.

• Launcher: Replaceable / Android UI renders at 4K.
• Multitasking and access: Multitasking NOT available / Notifications on top icon.
• Languages and app store: English and others / Google TV app store.
• See our Google TV User Manual to install classic Android Apps.

Among the apps we have Xiaomi TV that offers different live channels via streaming. The contents are free and are mostly the same as those offered by Pluto TV or similar in your region.

System

We look at the system data and see that it only has 32-bit instructions. This TV-Box will have continuous OTA updates to improve and optimize it in the long term.

• Version: Google TV 14 (32 bit) / Model: MiTV-AFMU0 / Code: twilight
• Support: OTA support from Xiaomi.

Network, storage, RAM and ports

The new Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) has 2 GB of RAM DDR4 and for storage we have 32 GB eMMC with a good speed. In the network section it has a Wifi 6 wireless adapter and Bluetooth 5.2 that give us positive results. We also have a USB-A 2.0 OTG port for connecting peripherals. Expandable storage via USB. It does not support NTFS but it does support exFAT.

• Network: Internal Wifi Antenna / Range -40 dBm / Wifi Links 5G 1600 Mbps.
• Storage: Total 32 GB – Free 24 GB eMMC.
• RAM: Total 2 GB – Free 1 GB / DDR4.
• Tutorial on SAMBA Networks on Android to play files on our local network.

Power and performance

In terms of performance, the Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) has the AMLogic S905X5M SoC , a Quad Core with ARM Cortex-A55 processors up to 2.5 GHz and a Mali-G310 V2 GPU. In the results, as we can see, the computational performance is similar to the AMLogic S905X4 processor, but its GPU is three times more powerful. It is possible to use streaming apps, KODI, PLEX, IPTV and games or emulators at medium level without complications.

• CPU performance: Min. 0.5 GHz / In use 1.2 GHz / Max. 2.5 GHz.
• You can read our AMLogic S905X5M Comparison for more details.

Games and emulators

In terms of games we can run somewhat demanding titles or cloud services like NVIDIA GForce Now or play streaming games with our PC using Moonlight and Sunshine. In the emulators section we can get at most run some Wii titles, but we will not have problems with 2D games from classic consoles with emulators like Retroarch or from KODI, the EmuELEC system can not be run, as it is not compatible.Wii.

• Games: Simple 3D games / No Vulkan / Emulators up to Wii.
• Controls: We can use USB or Bluetooth Gamepads.

Consumption and temperature

The AMLogic S905X5M SoC manufactured in 6 nm has a low power consumption, the cooling system works perfectly and temperatures are low at all times. The power consumption is only 5 W and it is possible to power it with a USB from our own TV if it has a power of 5V 2A.

• Thermal: Maintains performance up to 100% / Surface heating / 0 db noise.
• Consumption: Off 0.9W / Min. 1W / In use 2W / Max. 5W.

Video and Audio Test

Playback test

In terms of video playback, the Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) supports the AV1 codec and all the other classics. It also supports Dolby Vision/Atmos and HDR10+ formats with resolutions up to 4K@60fps. It allows HDMI 2.1a video output that has game mode options, also auto refresh switching and image enhancement option by AISR. In our test this SoC offers good image quality in video playback, although it does not reach the Realtek.

• Video: 4K@75fps / HDMI-CEC / Refresh Rate auto / Game mode / Dolby Vision / AISR.
• Audio: HDMI 7.1 / Dolby Atmos + DTS 7.1 with streaming apps / KODI + PLEX 5.1.
• Linux OS: This model is NOT compatible with LibreELEC or CoreELEC.
• Tutorials: Install add-on in KODI / Judder, how to fix it / Multi-channel audio / Dark video playback fix
• We recommend reading the Setup Guide of our TV to get the best picture quality.

KODI: Video and audio test results

• Maximum Bitrate: 350 Mbps.
• HW = Hardware Acceleration / SW = No Hardware Acceleration.

• Formats: Native = Full compatibility / Core = 5.1 only / PCM = Stereo / More info.

Streaming services

We tested the streaming services to see how the most popular services work. The Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) offers maximum compatibility with all the most popular streaming services. We can watch in 4K Dolby Vision Atmos quality the contents of Prime Video, Disney or Max. It is compatible with Netflix on Hailstorm compliant assemblers.

• DRM: Google Widevine L1 / Playready,
• Certificates: Dolby Vision / Dolby Atmos /

Streaming test results

• Multichannel audio only via HDMI connection in streaming services, SPDIF stereo only.

Conclusions and purchase link

Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) review

The Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) is undoubtedly a future platform with Google TV 14, with it we can play 4K streaming of all kinds, smoothly and in good quality. The new AMLogic S905X5M SoC has more than enough power to use the usual streaming apps, KODI, PLEX, IPTV and medium level games. It also offers Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and HDR10 support for high quality streaming content.

We have a Bluetooth remote control, which we can use without complications with Google Assistant thanks to its integrated microphone. In addition, we have a Wifi 6 adapter with good speed, although as connectors we only have a USB-A OTG for peripherals or Ethernet.

Undoubtedly the Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) is a powerful and future hardware. If we get it at a good price it is a very interesting alternative to Google TV 4K or similar.

Where to buy the Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen)

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