Mi Box not ready for prime time?

[btrcp2000]

I didn't expect the sage mini client to be perfect, but this device seems to have bigger issues. Hoping to use it on a treadmill to reduce clutter and wires, bought a usb ethernet adapter to hardwire it. It just downloaded a big update last night. Here is what I am seeing:

• Remote disconnects frequently, has to be re-paired regularly
  
• Mi Remote app can't find it, making the above problem worse
  
• Netflix complains of "having some trouble playing this file", has yet to work at all despite the update containing a Netflix patch
  
• Plex can play back movie mp4s but not OTA recorded tv shows from sage.
  
• The remote's volume control does nothing in Plex

Would like to tackle getting it to work with a harmony and round out the sage remote commands, but at the moment it doesn't seem to be worth the effort.

anybody having luck with any of these issues?

[Fuzzy]

I haven't had any of these issues (though I don't use Plex from home, so haven't encountered any issues there). The only time I've had the remote lose pairing was if it wasn't anywhere near the box when the box was powered on. Netflix has been rock solid.

[mikejaner]

Out of all those issues, I have only had the one where Netflix spits an error after about ten seconds of playback on any video. Since it works so well at running SageTV client over wireless, I have forgiven that issue, in hopes that it will eventually be fixed.

[stuckless]

Originally Posted by mikejaner

Out of all those issues, I have only had the one where Netflix spits an error after about ten seconds of playback on any video. Since it works so well at running SageTV client over wireless, I have forgiven that issue, in hopes that it will eventually be fixed.

I have the same issues with Netflix (from time to time) on the Shield as well. I think it has more to do with the netflix drm and stuff. I sometimes have to kill netflix app, and restart it, and then it's good again for a week or so. I've had similar issues on Roku as well

As for Plex, if these are mpeg2 recordings, then I think the mpeg2 decoders are not optimal (or there are issues in the mpeg2 streams)... Plex is likely recognizing that it doesn't need to transcode the mpeg2 recording, so it sends it, as is. I think you tell plex to transcode always, and that might fix those issues.

[btrcp2000]

Netflix is not a deal breaker, I was really just using it to test. If this thing could run sage, vudu, and plex, I would be ecstatic.

My mistake was putting it right into production without playing with it much first, so WAF immediately flatlined. Had to put the old HD100 box back into the treadmill area for now, so I'm back to wires everywhere (tv is on the wall).

I will start with a factory reset, then make the Plex adjustments as you suggest. If I can get my old Harmony remote to work with it, then we may never need the included one. I'm not wowed by voice control yet anyway, as it often looks like it's listening but doesn't respond. Haven't researched much, but it seems like Harmony is hit or miss and may be missing commands?

[wayner]

As long as it is IR then it shouldn't be an issue using it with Harmony. If there are missing commands then they can be added quite simply.

[SWKerr]

I have been using the MiBox for a few months now and have not had any issues like you described.

I have been using a the Logitech Remote for a few weeks and can validate it works pretty well but then I did not have any problems with the included remote. I do wish all these Android remotes had more buttons and functions. I have been using the Flirc on my FireTVs and have found that I can add some additional functions using keyboard commands although it is not well documented.

I have had periodic issues with files having complex 5.1\7.1 audio depending on what TV\Receiver I am using. Hardware decoding probably may explain mixed results for some people with playback issues.

[btrcp2000]

Couple quick updates:

Remote volume works in Plex, just not on the OTA files that have the playback issues.

Netflix still dead. Remote has been stable but it may not have left the room since the last reboot.

Where am I configuring Plex to transcode always? On the Mi Box app (and which setting is it), or on the server side?

As far as the Harmony, how do I add Play/Pause/FF/Rew? I have tried doing it through the sage interface, but it doesnt show any commands

[KryptoNyte]

The primary reason I was considering the Mi Box was for apps other Sage Miniclient - like Amazon Prime Video, but I see that is not an option for the Mi Box? There are a few articles out from last year where folks are downloading and sideloading the apk's, but all those apk links are dead.

That kind of takes the wind out of the Mi Box for me.

I have seen posts in this forum that suggest mpeg2 works fine on the Mi Box, and other posts that suggest otherwise. What is the consensus on Mi Box playback of mpeg2 with 5.1 channel audio?

[Taddeusz]

I bought a Mi Box a couple weeks ago and overall I like it. MPEG2 plays fine. In fact, HEVC/H.265 through the SageTV Client plays even though the format isn't recognized by SageTV.

My only issue is that I can't seem to get Dolby Digital passthrough to work from HDMI. I haven't had a chance to try the optical SPDIF. For that I need to get a 1/8in phono to TOSLINK optical cable.

I am disappointed in the apps that are available to Android but NOT to Android TV such as Lifetime and VH1. I got this expecting that we could eliminate much of the casting we have to do but we end up having to do more.

[KryptoNyte]

I just grabbed one this afternoon. It is working and quite responsive via the Nighthawk router's 5ghz band. I haven't played much with the audio yet, but the biggest challenge seems to be fast-forwarding and determining how to do it with such a minimal remote (and without bringing up the OSD remote). I'm still on Sage V7, so as I understand it there are a few remote limitations there - so any remote control tips would be much appreciated.

Additionally, I did get the unit connected with the SSID of the router broadcasting, then shut the SSID router broadcast off, and the Mi Box can't seem to find the router again. Still working on that one.

Apparently Amazon Video is a no-go on this device.

[Taddeusz]

How about this? https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.red...?client=safari

[stuckless]

Originally Posted by KryptoNyte

I just grabbed one this afternoon. It is working and quite responsive via the Nighthawk router's 5ghz band. I haven't played much with the audio yet, but the biggest challenge seems to be fast-forwarding and determining how to do it with such a minimal remote (and without bringing up the OSD remote). I'm still on Sage V7, so as I understand it there are a few remote limitations there - so any remote control tips would be much appreciated.

Additionally, I did get the unit connected with the SSID of the router broadcasting, then shut the SSID router broadcast off, and the Mi Box can't seem to find the router again. Still working on that one.

Apparently Amazon Video is a no-go on this device.

What issues do you have with FF/REW. The "smart remote" option (which is enabled by default in the config settings) will allow you to do ff/rew and commercial skip left/right without bringing up an OSD. In fact the only time I bring the OSD is to exist the app. Also, for now, the "mic" button (if the Mi Box has one) will bring up the Options menu.

I actually prefer the simpler remote over the full remote (although, it took some time and tweaking to get there)

[madMan]

I purchased one last week.
It works well with Netflix & kodi but sagetv is slightly out of sync.
I have messed with the settings but cannot solve this issue.
Any tips would be appreciated!

[KryptoNyte]

Originally Posted by stuckless

What issues do you have with FF/REW. The "smart remote" option (which is enabled by default in the config settings) will allow you to do ff/rew and commercial skip left/right without bringing up an OSD. In fact the only time I bring the OSD is to exist the app. Also, for now, the "mic" button (if the Mi Box has one) will bring up the Options menu.

I actually prefer the simpler remote over the full remote (although, it took some time and tweaking to get there)

Here is what I see so far during media playback;

Dial <left> <short press> = skip back to nearest commercial block in/out point
- does nothing on files with no comskip
Dial <left> <long press> = stop playback, return to previous menu (same action as back button)
Dial <right> <short press> = skip forward past next commercial block
- does nothing on files with no comskip
Dial <right> <long press> = nothing
Dial <up> <short press> = nothing
Dial <up> <long press> = skip back 2 mins 30 seconds
Dial <down> <short press> = nothing
Dial <down> <long press> = skip forward 2 mins 30 seconds
Select button <short press> = SageTV on screen display for channel/show
- Select button <second short press> = options
Select button <long press> = brings up mini client OSD
+/- rocker = SageTV volume up/down
Back button = stops playback, returns to previous menu, or exits options to playback
Microphone button = options

The primary way that I seek in a show using a Sage extender is to use the fast-forward (where it plays at 4x or 16x speed), or use the 10 second skip-forward. I've never been able to do the former in the mini client, and I can't figure out how to do the latter on the Mi Box (without bringing up the mini client OSD). You mention tweaking - is this done in the setup-details options for the mini client right on the Mi Box somehow?

I have extra extenders, I don't have Netflix, I don't use Hulu, and the Mi Box doesn't have Amazon Video, so not sure if this thing is worth keeping in this scenario. Research ahead of the purchase showed directions on how to side-load Amazon Video apps, but after purchasing I found all those apk links dead.

On the 5ghz wireless, I'm maybe seeing a very tiny audio delay when the show starts (less than 1 second), otherwise it's been solid, and it's played pretty much all my media files (mpeg2 tv shows, h.264 mp4 and mkv). At this point, the Mi Box is less than 5 feet from the router, so we'll see how it works moving it across the house.

This is on Sage Server V7.

[KryptoNyte]

Has anyone had any experience with some kind of universal remote control that has both IR learning capability, and could also connect to the home wifi and communicate with a specific Sage client (via the SageTV server, so it's not client dependent)? I know we can do it with our phones, but that novelty (and no tactile buttons) tends to wear off pretty quick for me. Even if there was an IR receiver device that could connect to wifi so a standard HD200/HD300 remote could be used at any location in the home.

[KryptoNyte]

Looks like this is the type of cable to feed toslink audio out for the 7.1 channel output, if the device can actually do it (I suppose it depends on the app).

https://www.amazon.com/KabelDirekt-T...dp/B00GZQWM54/

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by KryptoNyte

Looks like this is the type of cable to feed toslink audio out for the 7.1 channel output, if the device can actually do it (I suppose it depends on the app).

https://www.amazon.com/KabelDirekt-T...dp/B00GZQWM54/

My parents had a TOSLINK to phono adapter sitting around. I already have a TOSLINK cable so I'm going to try that out some time in the next week or so.

[KryptoNyte]

That port on the Mi Box is a mini toslink port and analog 3.5mm headphone jack in one. Are you anticipating 5.1+ channel audio with the Toslink to phono adapter?

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by KryptoNyte

That port on the Mi Box is a mini toslink port and analog 3.5mm headphone jack in one. Are you anticipating 5.1+ channel audio with the Toslink to phono adapter?

Yes, it's something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0164...RKL&ref=plSrch