Many owners of one of the most popular Smart TV set-top boxes, Xiaomi Mi Box S (aka Mi Box 4k), very often encounter a slow or unstable Internet connection via Wi-Fi network. The Wi-Fi connection on this set-top box may turn off on its own, there are problems connecting to the router, or the connection speed is very low. Because of this, when watching a video, it loads in poor quality, periodically stops, freezes, or Internet connection errors appear.
This happens especially often when the set-top box is connected to a Wi-Fi network in the 2.4 GHz range. Not only is the connection in this range slower compared to Wi-Fi in the 5 GHz band (802.11ac), but the Mi Box 4 also has certain problems with connection stability in the 2.4 GHz band. I have already talked about solving these problems in a separate article: Xiaomi Mi Box S or Mi TV Stick does not see Wi-Fi, does not connect, the Internet does not work, loses the network, Wi-Fi falls off. From my own experience, I can say that the set-top box works quite stably and quickly with a 5 GHz network (especially after the latest updates). But there are a lot of nuances here. You need a powerful router, there must be a good signal level, etc.
In this article I will talk about how to connect Xiaomi Mi Box S to the Internet using a cable. Via a regular USB LAN adapter. Since this set-top box has a USB port, you can connect an Ethernet adapter (external network card) to it. In which you connect the network cable from the router and Mi Box will use a fast and stable wired Internet connection.
And if you choose an adapter with additional USB ports (USB splitter, also known as a hub), then you can simultaneously connect a flash drive, mouse, keyboard, etc. You cannot connect such an adapter to the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick. Even through an OTG adapter. This model does not support connecting USB devices.
Digital television broadcast standards
Those who have encountered digital television have noticed the presence of the DVB-T standard. It doesn’t matter what you’re looking at, a set-top box or a TV. Each device must meet the requirements to ensure full operation with DVB.
What digital television standards exist:
- DVB-S, another name for DVB-S2. In this case, you will need a satellite dish or a special decoder;
- DVB-T – digital terrestrial technology. Operation is based on an external or internal tuner;
- DVB-C - A person can watch television channels through his provider, through a specially dedicated line;
- Internet television IPTV and OTT - for viewing Smart TV, can also be used on other gadgets such as a phone or tablet.
The DVB-T2 standard is a signal modification created on the basis of DVB-T. Its main purpose is to broadcast a digital signal. Such broadcasting is carried out through television towers.
A built-in or separate TV tuner for your TV helps receive the signal. Also, these devices have additional functions that will be useful to the user. A TV tuner can make even an old TV show high quality images.
Note! When using a tuner, a connection to an over-the-air antenna is required. This type of antenna is capable of picking up a digital signal.
The main advantage of the device is that you can receive a signal anywhere in Russia, even in the country. In this case, the consumer will not be required to pay additionally for viewing channels provided in this way.
What to look for when choosing a TV tuner
There are two types of TV tuner: built-in and external. The device is quite sensitive and works well in conditions with low signal air levels. External devices are connected via a USB port or HDMI.
Watching digital television on TV: settings and programs
Built-in tuners are designed for computers. They come in the form of a card, which is placed in a free slot.
The device also differs in its ability to receive signals:
- Analog only – for receiving legacy signals;
- Only for digital – process digital signals of DVB-C and DVB-T types;
- The so-called “flexible” ones, capable of picking up any types of signals. Their cost is significantly more expensive.
Note! When choosing a device, you should pay attention to the ability to pick up FM radio. This function is necessary for those who like to listen to music.
Tuners that have a remote control are considered useful. This device greatly simplifies the work. It allows you to change channels and adjust settings, just like on a regular TV.
There are also devices that can capture video footage and save it in a compressed format. This function can be used by first installing a special program.
How to connect?
You need to connect the USB LAN adapter to the USB port on the Smart TV set-top box. Connect the Ethernet cable from the router to the adapter itself. You can buy a cable of the required length, use the cable that comes with the router, or make it yourself according to these instructions.
In the settings of the set-top box, near the “Network and Internet” section, the status “Device connected to Ethernet” will appear.
If we open the “Network and Internet” section, we will see that the “Ethernet” section has appeared there, where information about the current connection (MAC address and IP address) is displayed. There you can also change the proxy server settings, change the IP, and manually register DNS.
When connecting to the Internet via cable, Xiaomi Mi Box S automatically starts using the wired connection, even if the set-top box is connected to Wi-Fi. But I recommend turning off Wi-Fi manually just in case.
How does a USB hub work?
If you have an adapter with a USB hub, you can connect several USB devices. I connected a keyboard (via a wireless adapter) and a regular flash drive.
The keyboard immediately started working, and the flash drive was detected in the system. I didn't notice any problems. But in order to create an even greater load, I decided to connect an external HDD drive (hard drive).
Using the file manager, I opened the flash drive and external HDD without any problems. I looked at the photo from the disk. Started the movie. At the beginning, everything showed fine, but after 5 minutes, video playback began to slow down. I immediately thought that this was due to the simultaneous connection via a USB hub. But when connecting the drive directly to the set-top box (without an adapter), the problem remained. This means that the problem is not in the power supply or load, but most likely in the player. Nothing fell off. The hard drive, flash drive, keyboard and Ethernet connection continued to work. The Internet connection speed has not dropped.
Official map of digital TV coverage in Russia from RTRS
How to choose and connect a Wi-Fi adapter to a TV set-top box on Android
The official map will help a person determine the location of digital TV towers within the Russian Federation. It also helps you find out:
- At what distance is the nearest repeater?
- Is this object working?
- Channel and frequency;
- Frequency zones;
- Where can you purchase the necessary equipment.
Important! The map is automatic and the data is updated regularly. Therefore, you can enter your address at any time and get all the necessary information.
Rating of the best smart TV set-top boxes
The rating is in descending order. First, the most functional, reliable and productive models. Cheaper TV boxes sometimes lag, but their capabilities are enough to make an old TV “smarter.”
1
Beelink GT-King
Rating:5.0
- TV set-top box on Android 9.0
- 4K UHD support
- Built-in memory 64 GB, RAM 4 GB
- built-in Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth
- Miracast support
Average price: RUB 10,490
In 2021, this console won the title of “most powerful”, however, even today not every model can compete with it. As for the hardware, inside there is a 6-core Amlogic S922X-H processor and a 6-core Mali-G52 video chip. Another special feature is the body, which is made not of plastic, but of metal. The device is multifunctional, but the emphasis is on games - the TV box is equipped with a cooling system, so it does not heat up under load.
The characteristics of the GT-King are sufficient to seamlessly output video content in 4K format (with 75 FPS); in addition, the set-top box supports 3D video formats. For game fans, this is a godsend - PUBG Mobile or World of Tanks run at maximum graphics settings.
The manufacturer has not ignored sound connoisseurs either. This Android box has Dolby DTS, DTS Listen Surround, 7.1 channel audio. A DAC-ES 9018 audio chip and an RT6862 amplifier are installed, which significantly improves the audio path.
The kit includes a multifunctional remote control that supports voice search and air mouse functions.
2
Apple TV 4K 32Gb
Rating:4.9
- TV set-top box on tvOS
- 4K UHD support
- Built-in memory 32 GB, RAM 3 GB
- built-in Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth
- AirPlay support
Average price: RUB 16,490
This TV box, as the name suggests, is designed to play content in 4K format. The console looks traditionally stylish for Apple: a rectangular matte-glossy body, a rubberized bottom that ensures stability, and holes for cooling.
To unlock its full potential, it is recommended to connect the box to a 4K TV. The set-top box is also compatible with iOS-based smartphones and Mac computers. There are no questions about performance: there are 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal memory, and an A10X Fusion processor (the same was installed in the 2021 iPad Pro).
Works using the AirPlay wireless protocol. When you first launch, the user will see many pre-installed Internet services: Apple Music, HBO, Netflix, Showtime, iTunes and others. Judging by this alone, we can say that the box is “tailored” for streaming (there is no USB port). But there is support for Dolby Vision and HDR10. This is not an Android box, since the gadget runs on tvOS, where most services are available only with a paid subscription.
The bonus is the Siri voice assistant (English) and a stylish control panel (with built-in accelerometer and gyroscope), used as a joystick for most Apple TV games.
3
Ugoos X3 CUBE
Rating:4.8
- TV set-top box on Android 9.0
- 4K UHD support
- Built-in memory 16 GB, RAM 2 GB
- built-in Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth
- Miracast support
Average price: RUB 5,990
High-quality Smart TV set-top box running on a 4-core AMlogic S905X3 processor (Cortex-A55 cores) with a Mali G31 video chip. There is 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of built-in memory. The memory can be expanded with a microSD card if desired. These characteristics allow the device to easily play 4K 60 FPS video streaming and new high-detail games downloaded from the Play Market.
X3 CUBE runs on Android 9 OS, on top of which there is a proprietary Ugoos shell, which will delight you with a pleasant and convenient interface. Connects to the Internet directly or via Wi-Fi. There is a Bluetooth module necessary for connecting wireless peripheral devices. HDMI video input, so the TV box supports multi-channel audio. Additional connectors on the case: AV, USB 2.0 and 3.0.
The advantage of Ugoos TV set-top boxes is that they do not cause problems at all in terms of firmware. new updates, and the update occurs “over the air”. What other advantages does the firmware have:
- switching the screen refresh rate;
- interlaced media content processing;
- unlocked Root;
- gamepad settings;
- embedded server
But it is recommended to connect the box to the Internet directly with a cable, since the manufacturer does not use the best Wi-Fi modules.
4
Xiaomi Mi Box S
Rating:4.7
- TV set-top box on Android 8.0
- 4K UHD support
- Built-in memory 8 GB, RAM 2 GB
- built-in Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth
- support AirPlay, Miracast
Average price: 5,750 rub.
This smart TV set-top box is the best-selling on Aliexpress. The AMlogic S905X chipset with 4 Cortex-A53 cores and the Mali-450 video accelerator are responsible for the performance. There is 2 GB of RAM, which is enough for watching streaming, 8 GB of built-in memory, but you can always connect an external hard drive or USB drive.
OS – Android TV 8.1, adapted specifically for TVs. There is support for the Google Assistant voice assistant (button on the remote), the GoogleCast function (broadcasting content from a smartphone to the TV screen), support for playing video in 4K HDR, Dolby Digital, DTS 5.1 format. But the performance is not enough for these purposes, there may be slowdowns. Things are much better with less voluminous videos.
Operating the set-top box is no more difficult than a regular smart TV. At the same time, Mi Box S is a certified device for watching Netflix, so its remote control has a special button for quickly launching the application. Another advantage is that the set-top box is integrated into the Xiaomi smart home.
The only downside is the lack of an Ethernet port, which means that the TV box connects to the Internet via Wi-Fi.
5
TV adapter Xiaomi Mi TV Stick 2K HDR
Rating:4.6
- 1080p support
- Built-in memory 8 GB, RAM 1 GB
- built-in Wi-Fi module (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz), Bluetooth
- HDMI 2.0a output
- services support: Google Play, Netflix, YouTube, Prime video
Average price: RUB 3,299
A compact media player from a well-known brand, with Android TV on board, capable of playing content in FullHD resolution. The device connects to an HDMI port and turns a regular TV into a “smart” one. Briefly about the features: a variety of streaming services, watching videos from your home network, support for the ChromeCast function.
The media set-top box is based on the AMlogic S805Y chip. Video chip – Mali 450, RAM – 1 GB, internal memory – 8 GB. These parameters are enough to play FullHD content.
After the initial setup, the interface opens - the desktop, where you can set the display of applications and collections. There are many pre-installed programs (video services). If something is missing, you can download it from Google Play. At first it seems that 1 GB of RAM is not enough for normal operation, but in fact it is enough. There are no lags or slowdowns, videos and music from the Internet are played quickly. The response to commands from the included remote control is responsive. In a word, Mi TV Stick is a well-optimized device, one of the best smart adapters in its form factor.
6
TV adapter Google Chromecast 2018
Rating:4.5
- 1080p support
- built-in Wi-Fi module
- control from smartphone
- HDMI output
Average price: RUB 3,598
It is an inexpensive, simple and accessible streaming media player used to watch or listen to content. The device looks like a keychain connected to a TV. It comes with an adapter and a micro-USB cable.
Unlike other media players, there is no Bluetooth support. But it supports dual-band Wi-Fi, has micro-USB and a built-in HDMI port. Google Chromecast easily connects to your audio system.
Using the media player is easy, especially since many streaming media applications support Chromecast technology. That is, those who have an Android smartphone can transfer any content from the phone to the screen. There is no such option on iOS. Google says the adapter is capable of streaming video in 1080p resolution at 60 FPS.
What is a digital TV receiver and why is it needed?
Set-top boxes for TVs with Wifi for watching online TV and accessing the Internet
A digital receiver (DVB-T2) is a small device whose main purpose is to record and further transmit a digital channel. In other words, it can broadcast analog channels coming from regular TV antennas and convert them to digital quality.
The device also has additional functions. They can be installed in any area where analogue television can be received. At the same time, a large number of channels are available to a person to watch.
