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.

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.

After using Chromecast units for several years and having issues with smooth playback from TV ON Demand I decided to try one of these. They are great, very easy to set up and simple to use. Downloaded apps for TVNZ On Demand and TV3 - both work great. Netflix also works great with this device. It can be a little slow to initially load the system but once it is up and running I have had no issues playing videos. In fact it works well even with an old school USB modem stick as the internet connection. So impressed I am going to buy a second unit to put permanently in my motor home which will save me taking the one from my house TV. Now just...view more After using Chromecast units for several years and having issues with smooth playback from TV ON Demand I decided to try one of these. They are great, very easy to set up and simple to use. Downloaded apps for TVNZ On Demand and TV3 - both work great. Netflix also works great with this device. It can be a little slow to initially load the system but once it is up and running I have had no issues playing videos. In fact it works well even with an old school USB modem stick as the internet connection. So impressed I am going to buy a second unit to put permanently in my motor home which will save me taking the one from my house TV. Now just need PBTech to put them on special again

I was lucky to grab this on their special offer of $69. Great product. Excellent value for money. I was lucky to grab this on their special offer of $69. Great product. Excellent value for money.

Download TVNZ Threenow Shudder Disney + you name it you can watch it. I absolutely love this product. Easy to set up and easy to use. All controll from the remote. I found using a chromecast annoying. This sells for a great price. Highly reccomend. Thanks Pbtech Download TVNZ Threenow Shudder Disney + you name it you can watch it. I absolutely love this product. Easy to set up and easy to use. All controll from the remote. I found using a chromecast annoying. This sells for a great price. Highly reccomend. Thanks Pbtech

Great product, easy to set-up and install apps on - fast interface and very configurable. Purchased primarily to use with VLC and Kodi. It smashes Kodi, super fast and handles x265 and x265 1080p decoding without an issue.

Got it on sale - super happy, recommend especially if you can get it on sale. Great product, easy to set-up and install apps on - fast interface and very configurable. Purchased primarily to use with VLC and Kodi. It smashes Kodi, super fast and handles x265 and x265 1080p decoding without an issue.

Got it on sale - super happy, recommend especially if you can get it on sale.

By: GmanNZ 08/03/21

Verified Owner

Very easy to get started and use,remove control is good too

Some things that I didnt like were that it gets really hot after a while so better configure it to go to sleep after 30 minutes, when the memory usage gets too high, it really slows down and some times just hangs and a restart is required. A workaround is enabling the Development Mode and restrict to a mac of 2 or 3 apps open at the same time.

Another issur, but this is not related to the android tv itself is that if you want to use it as a chromecast and want to stream from your phone netflix, netflix does not work with it

Wifi is good, havent hade any buffering issues Very easy to get started and use,remove control is good too

Some things that I didnt like were that it gets really hot after a while so better configure it to go to sleep after 30 minutes, when the memory usage gets too high, it really slows down and some times just hangs and a restart is required. A workaround is enabling the Development Mode and restrict to a mac of 2 or 3 apps open at the same time.

Another issur, but this is not related to the android tv itself is that if you want to use it as a chromecast and want to stream from your phone netflix, netflix does not work with it

Wifi is good, havent hade any buffering issues

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.

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.