I have been using Chromecasts for more than 5 years (purchased in US before released in NZ) and love using them. When I read that this Media Stick also had a built-in Chromecast and I had a TV that needed a new Chromecast, I thought I'd give this a shot.
What an excellent decision!! This is a Chromecast with a Remote Control.

It is very simple to get started and the Android TV OS is ready to play Netflix and other streaming services. Even though I don't have an Android phone, setting up my Google account and linking everything was very easy. Sideloading a custom apk for a foreign TV streaming service took a little longer but once I fou...view more I have been using Chromecasts for more than 5 years (purchased in US before released in NZ) and love using them. When I read that this Media Stick also had a built-in Chromecast and I had a TV that needed a new Chromecast, I thought I'd give this a shot.
What an excellent decision!! This is a Chromecast with a Remote Control.

It is very simple to get started and the Android TV OS is ready to play Netflix and other streaming services. Even though I don't have an Android phone, setting up my Google account and linking everything was very easy. Sideloading a custom apk for a foreign TV streaming service took a little longer but once I found a web browser in the Google Store, I was up and running.
The Remote Control is easy to use, but be warned, it does not come with batteries so make sure you have 2 AAA batteries ready to use!
All in all, an excellent enhancement on the old Chromecast.
I'm very pleased with this.

I bought two of these units because they were on special at a ridiculous price. Would've probably paid a bit more for the smart vu if it wasn't on special because of the freeview button on the remote and the mi-box because of the usb port. Other than that pretty much the same as same as those two units but a lot cheaper. Very happy with my purchase. I bought two of these units because they were on special at a ridiculous price. Would've probably paid a bit more for the smart vu if it wasn't on special because of the freeview button on the remote and the mi-box because of the usb port. Other than that pretty much the same as same as those two units but a lot cheaper. Very happy with my purchase.

Worked straight out of the box. TV Stick had features I was not expecting so lovely surprise to see them. Easy set-up to WIFI. I already have the MI Box S connected to main TV and this complements it very well when connected to TV in spare room. Price was also a good deal - thank you PB Tech. Worked straight out of the box. TV Stick had features I was not expecting so lovely surprise to see them. Easy set-up to WIFI. I already have the MI Box S connected to main TV and this complements it very well when connected to TV in spare room. Price was also a good deal - thank you PB Tech.

It feels like Xiaomi has decided that because this is "only" a 1080p stick, they can skimp on the processor choice. As a result, despite offering a good feature set on paper (and when it occasionally works), most of the time the experience is a laggy, stuttery mess.

Video playback is usually smooth if you can get that far, but the user interface is borderline unusable, taking multiple full seconds (sometimes more than 10s) to respond to button inputs. Apps routinely crash. The TV is borderline unusable.

I might just have a defective device, but I suspect not. I recommend going with the Chromecast with Google TV (if PB Tech ever gets it...view more It feels like Xiaomi has decided that because this is "only" a 1080p stick, they can skimp on the processor choice. As a result, despite offering a good feature set on paper (and when it occasionally works), most of the time the experience is a laggy, stuttery mess.

Video playback is usually smooth if you can get that far, but the user interface is borderline unusable, taking multiple full seconds (sometimes more than 10s) to respond to button inputs. Apps routinely crash. The TV is borderline unusable.

I might just have a defective device, but I suspect not. I recommend going with the Chromecast with Google TV (if PB Tech ever gets it in stock) which is VASTLY better at a fairly low price.

Failing that, go with the Mibox S, which is much faster.

Awesome stick, great alternative to fire tv stick which we have had before. Awesome stick, great alternative to fire tv stick which we have had before.

I have a household of non-smart TVs and had previously bought a Mi Box S. Based on the success of the Mi Box I subsequently bought this stick device for another TV. It's excellent value for money but with that you can't expect ultra high performance. It's perfect for the average person's requirements with an easy and consistent interface and well supported with all the major (and many minor) apps for your entertainment pleasure. I have a household of non-smart TVs and had previously bought a Mi Box S. Based on the success of the Mi Box I subsequently bought this stick device for another TV. It's excellent value for money but with that you can't expect ultra high performance. It's perfect for the average person's requirements with an easy and consistent interface and well supported with all the major (and many minor) apps for your entertainment pleasure.

Great little device. Easy to set up and works without any problems for few weeks already. User interface is much snappier that my 6 years old smart TV. Definitely worth the money. Great little device. Easy to set up and works without any problems for few weeks already. User interface is much snappier that my 6 years old smart TV. Definitely worth the money.

If you don't want to spend a grand on a new smart TV then this TV stick is definitely the way to go. It makes watching content on demand so much easier. Definitely recommend this product. If you don't want to spend a grand on a new smart TV then this TV stick is definitely the way to go. It makes watching content on demand so much easier. Definitely recommend this product.

Brought an original Xiaomi mi box a few years ago for my daughter so i already knew they were good.
Easiest setup through google link
After updates was able to install all my favorite apps including Neon straight from the store
Got it cheap with the Labour weekend sale
The remote is way simpler than the smart vu
10/10 Brought an original Xiaomi mi box a few years ago for my daughter so i already knew they were good.
Easiest setup through google link
After updates was able to install all my favorite apps including Neon straight from the store
Got it cheap with the Labour weekend sale
The remote is way simpler than the smart vu
10/10

Was very easy to set up and seemed to work well for the first few days, but now has become slow and unresponsive, apps are freezing and crashing. Was very easy to set up and seemed to work well for the first few days, but now has become slow and unresponsive, apps are freezing and crashing.