Xiaomi would most likely need you purchase its televisions first, however when you assume your current TV nonetheless has some life left in it — the display, no less than — then the corporate has options on that entrance as properly. Xiaomi has a small however smart vary of streaming gadgets, which plug into the HDMI port of your tv and add enhanced sensible connectivity and capabilities. The newest on this vary is the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K, which is probably the most compact and succesful system of its sort from the corporate thus far.
Priced at Rs. 4,999 in India, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K comes with Ultra-HD streaming capabilities, together with help for top dynamic vary (HDR) content material as much as the Dolby Vision format, and Dolby Atmos audio. It’s additionally significantly smaller than the Mi Box 4K, permitting you to plug it instantly into your TV’s HDMI port the place it’s going to keep conveniently out of sight. Is this the most effective value-for-money streaming system you should buy proper now? Find out on this evaluation.
The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K runs on Android TV 11, with the brand new Google TV-like UI as seen right here
Xiaomi TV Stick 4K design and specs
Like the unique Mi TV Stick, and fortuitously in contrast to the Mi Box 4K, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K is small and light-weight sufficient to maintain itself anchored to the again of your tv when plugged into the HDMI port. You do, in fact, want to attach it to an influence supply, and normally connecting it to your tv’s USB-A port ought to be adequate.
If it is proving to be tough, an influence adapter is included within the field, and you’ll join it on to an influence socket for a extra dependable energy provide. Also included within the field is an HDMI extender accent and distant to manage the streaming system. The ‘stick’ itself is kind of nondescript with only a single brand on the outer aspect of its black floor, however that is completely tremendous given that you just doubtless will not ever see it in regular operation.
When it involves specs, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K largely matches as much as what most Android TV-powered streaming gadgets supply. As the identify suggests, the system helps streaming at as much as Ultra-HD (3840×2160-pixel) decision, with help for top dynamic vary content material at as much as the Dolby Vision format, in addition to Dolby Atmos and DTS HD audio help.
The streaming system has 2GB of RAM and 8GB of inside storage, and is powered by a quad-core processor, with Bluetooth 5 and dual-band Wi-Fi for connectivity. The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K runs on Android TV 11, with each the inventory Android TV consumer interface in addition to Xiaomi’s PatchWall UI on prime.
Xiaomi TV Stick 4K distant and options
Xiaomi’s traditional distant — in style on its vary of televisions — is bundled with the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K as properly. With the corporate including the PatchWall UI to the streaming system, the distant has a button to shortly leap to PatchWall, along with the opposite buttons for primary capabilities corresponding to energy, navigation, quantity adjustment, and invoking Google Assistant.
There are additionally hotkeys for Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and the app drawer. The distant makes use of Bluetooth for connectivity with the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K, which additionally allows the sending of voice knowledge for Google Assistant utilizing the built-in microphone. As at all times, the distant is powered by two AAA batteries.
The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K has 2GB RAM and 8GB storage
Apart from what’s already been talked about, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K helps Google Chromecast with as much as Ultra-HD casting, and Google Assistant can be utilized to seek for content material in addition to search solutions to easy queries and management IoT gadgets that could be linked to your account. The function set is not too detailed, however the standalone performance of the system is sufficient by itself.
Either Android TV or PatchWall can be utilized on the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K relying in your choice, and you’ll very simply change between them as properly. The former is a little more app-focused, whereas the latter works on content material curation and suggestions that spotlight content material and direct you to the suitable streaming platforms based mostly in your selections.
Xiaomi TV Stick 4K efficiency
The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K is, for all intents and functions, a Xiaomi tv minus the display. What makes it notably spectacular is the dimensions of your complete package deal; it is a good bit smaller than in style Ultra-HD streaming gadgets from the Fire TV vary, and its kind issue is arguably extra handy than that of the Chromecast with Google TV.
These similarities mirror within the working system and the way in which every little thing capabilities, with the {hardware} successfully in a position to deal with Android TV 11 and PatchWall with out a lot bother. I did not expertise any efficiency points with the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K throughout my time with it, and the system functioned reliably as a supply system by fetching content material in the very best decision and codecs in keeping with my TV arrange.
Xiaomi’s PatchWall UI could be accessed on the TV Stick 4K by urgent the PatchWall button on the distant
Unlike a number of the extra succesful (and because of this, extra difficult) streaming gadgets, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K is not a tough system to make use of. I did not need to tweak too many settings, and the system normally labored with the precise decision and codecs notably when linked to only a TV with out another gadgets corresponding to soundbars or audio system within the setup.
The distant sometimes took a fraction of a second too lengthy to reply, however this did not annoy me an excessive amount of. While you possibly can set up video games from the Google Play retailer and play on the TV, it isn’t the perfect system for this type of use case, and is basically geared round streaming audio and video from in style companies.
Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos help turns out to be useful when you have a suitable TV or audio system, and subscriptions to companies which work with the codecs corresponding to Netflix and Apple TV+. It’s price noting right here that there’s sadly no help for HDR10+ on the Xiaomi TV Stick, so this streaming system is greatest paired with a TV that helps Dolby Vision. On an HDR10+ tv, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K was solely in a position to stream on the HDR10 format with Ultra-HD content material.
While most streaming gadgets perform easily on steady Wi-Fi connections, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K labored fairly properly even when linked to a comparatively much less steady cell hotspot. That stated, 5G connectivity typically ensured speeds had been quick sufficient to deal with buffer-free Ultra-HD streaming. Nonetheless, it is a worthwhile choice for these counting on cell Internet connections at house.
Verdict
As with lots of Xiaomi’s merchandise, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K succeeds due to its pricing. At Rs. 4,999, it is significantly extra reasonably priced than competing merchandise such because the Chromecast with Google TV and Amazon Fire TV stick 4K Max, whereas providing a largely dependable and uncomplicated Ultra-HD and HDR streaming expertise.
Although the shortage of help for HDR10+ content material could be an issue for some relying on the TV you propose to make use of it with, there’s little or no else to complain about with the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K. The handy measurement and kind issue additionally helps make this a straightforward suggestion for anybody trying to purchase a practical and dependable Ultra-HD streaming system, assuming your use case is primarily watching content material.
Price: Rs. 4,999
Pros:
- Convenient measurement and kind issue
- Ultra-HD streaming, Dolby Vision and Atmos help
- Reliable and uncomplicated performance
- Very good worth for cash
Cons:
- HDR10+ format not supported
Ratings:
Design and specs: 8
Features: 8
Value for cash: 9
Overall: 8
