When it comes to Media Players and TV boxes there’s a lot of jargon and terminology thrown around, so today let us clarify some of it and use a shining example to do it: the Xiaomi TV Box S (2nd Gen).
Firstly, what is a Media Player or TV box? These are names for a type of device that you plug into a TV (or any display, even a computer monitor). The Media Player then becomes the new brains for this display, giving it a new, updated and much more powerful platform to work off of.
The benefit of doing this is that older displays, especially older TVs, have software that is woefully outdated despite the fact that the screen quality is still great. Older TVs also, like all things, slow down with age, making any interaction with them a frustrating one.
A Media Player like the Xiaomi TV Box S (2nd Gen) is a simple plug and play device that uses an advanced quad-core processor to instantly modernise any TV. With an RRP of just R1 299, it’s a fraction of the cost of a new TV and a great return on investment.
That processor is running the Google TV Operating System (OS) which is Google’s platform for making TVs not only smarter, but also safer and more compatible. You never have to worry about your streaming service not being supported and the risk of missing out on big entertainment events, like the upcoming Olympics and their local streaming through Showmax.
The Xiaomi TV Box S (2nd Gen) is a 4K device that can provide a resolution of (3840 X 2160). Resolution is a measure of a picture’s quality, measured in pixels. Compare 4K’s 3840 X 2160 resolution to the more standard FullHD of 1920 X 1080, and you can see that 4K is a monumental leap in definition.
Don’t have a 4K TV just yet? That’s not a worry either as the Xiaomi TV Box S (2nd Gen) can be plugged into any TV with an HDMI port, regardless of the resolution. Picking up one of these devices today also means that you’re still supported when you do make that jump to 4K.
Raw resolution isn’t everything when it comes to creating the best possible environment for your movies, TV and more. That’s why Xiaomi has employed several pieces of technology from vendors with a strong legacy in the field. One of these is Dolby, a pioneer of audio and visual works. The Xiaomi TV Box S (2nd Gen) uses both Dolby Vision (colour and brightness visual enhancer) and Dolby Atmos (surround sound audio) to make the best use of your TVs screen and speakers.
The Xiaomi TV Box S even makes use of High Dynamic Range (HDR) visuals. HDR ensures brighter and more detailed colours as well as deeper and truer blacks. Dolby Vision, HDR and that 4K resolution all work in tandem to create scenes that are closer to what our eyes see naturally.
Despite all of this advanced technology working to make your entertainment as appealing as possible, Xiaomi and Google TV ensure that it’s still easy to use so you can put on your favourites without worry.
The Xiaomi TV Box S (2nd Gen) is available right now from Takealot, Game, Incredible and Makro.
On Takealot we can really see how Xiaomi has possibly created South Africa’s favourite 4K Media Player. Right now there are 2 177 reviews of the device from local customers resulting in an overall score of 4.8 stars out of 5.
These positive reviews are in stark contrast to some dire warnings from customers who have bought cheap Android TV boxes from no-name sellers on Takealot, and found themselves exposed to unscrupulous software, lies about what hardware is in the device and even outright illegal content in the form of pirated content.
With Xiaomi’s aggressive local pricing making the TV Box S (2nd Gen) so affordable, there’s really no need to gamble on these dodgy competitors, so make the decision to go with Xiaomi and join the thousands of other South Africans who love their choice.
