TL;DR: The Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd Gen (R1,874) has three ports: one HDMI 2.1, one USB 2.0 and a power input. It has no Ethernet (LAN) port, so it connects over Wi-Fi 6.
It turns any TV with an HDMI port into a 4K Google TV, with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It runs DStv Stream, Showmax, Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video and Disney+.
What ports does the Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd Gen have?
| Port | What it’s for |
|---|---|
| HDMI 2.1 (×1) | Connects to your TV, projector or soundbar. Carries 4K at up to 60 fps with HDR and Dolby Atmos audio. |
| USB 2.0 (×1) | Play movies and music from a flash drive or hard drive, or plug in a keyboard, game controller or USB Ethernet adapter. |
| Power input (×1) | For the included power adapter. Use the adapter rather than a TV’s USB port, which usually can’t supply enough power. |
| Ethernet / LAN | Not included. The box uses dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 and 5 GHz). |
| Optical / 3.5 mm audio | Not included. Audio goes through HDMI, or to Bluetooth speakers and headphones (Bluetooth 5.2). |
Can I use Ethernet with the Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd Gen?
Not directly, because there’s no LAN port. You have two options:
- Use Wi-Fi 6 on the 5 GHz band. This is the best option for most homes. Netflix recommends about 15 Mbps for 4K streaming, which a decent fibre line and router manage easily over 5 GHz. If the router is far from the TV, a mesh point or access point near the TV helps more than anything else.
- Use a USB-to-Ethernet adapter in the USB port, such as the Volkano USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet adapter (R361). Google TV supports many USB network adapters. Xiaomi doesn’t publish a compatibility list, though, so treat this as a workaround. Because the box’s port is USB 2.0, speeds are lower than gigabit, but still more than enough for 4K streaming. It also uses up your only USB port.
Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd Gen specs
| Video | 4K UHD (3840 × 2160) up to 60 fps; Dolby Vision and HDR10+ |
|---|---|
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby Audio |
| Processor | Quad-core Arm Cortex-A55 up to 2.5 GHz (6 nm); Arm G310 V2 graphics |
| Memory and storage | 2 GB RAM, 32 GB storage |
| Software | Google TV with Google Assistant; casting from phones |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6 (2.4/5 GHz), Bluetooth 5.2 |
| In the box | TV box, Bluetooth voice remote, power adapter, HDMI cable, manual |
| Size and weight | 9.7 × 9.7 × 1.7 cm, 91.2 g |
What’s new compared with the 2nd Gen?
The 3rd Gen (PFJ4191EU) replaces the 2nd Gen (PFJ4151EU). It has a faster 6 nm processor (2.5 GHz vs 2.0 GHz), double the storage (32 GB vs 16 GB), a newer GPU, DTS:X support and Wi-Fi 6 instead of Wi-Fi 5. The extra storage matters, because the 2nd Gen fills up quickly once DStv Stream, Showmax, Netflix and a few games are installed.
TV Box S 3rd Gen vs Xiaomi TV Stick
| TV Box S 3rd Gen | Xiaomi TV Stick | |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10+ | 1080p Full HD |
| Software | Google TV | Android TV 9 |
| RAM and storage | 2 GB / 32 GB | 1 GB / 8 GB |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 (dual-band) |
| USB port | USB 2.0 (for drives and adapters) | Micro-USB (power only) |
| Price | R1,874 | R794 |
Choose the TV Box S for a 4K TV, or if you want to play files from a flash drive. The TV Stick suits an older Full HD TV in a bedroom, or travelling.
How to set up the Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd Gen
- Plug the HDMI cable into the box and a free HDMI port on the TV. Connect the power adapter.
- Switch the TV to that HDMI input. Pair the remote by holding the buttons shown on screen.
- Choose your language and Wi-Fi network. Use the 5 GHz network if you have one.
- Sign in with a Google account. The quickest way is to scan the on-screen QR code with your Android phone or the Google Home app.
- Install your apps (DStv Stream, Showmax, Netflix, YouTube and so on) and let the box finish its updates before you start streaming.
Tip: for 4K HDR, plug the box into one of the TV’s HDMI ports labelled “4K”, “HDR” or “eARC”, and use the included HDMI cable or a certified HDMI 2.1 cable (R245).
Is it worth it?
Yes, if your TV isn’t smart, or if its built-in apps are slow or no longer updated. At under R2,000, it’s one of the cheapest ways to get 4K Dolby Vision streaming and current apps on an older TV.
If your TV already runs Google TV, like the TCL 55″ P8L or TCL 65″ C655, you don’t need one.
Browse all TV and streaming devices. Delivery is free in Pretoria and on orders over R5,000 nationwide.
FAQs about the Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd Gen
Does the Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd Gen have DStv Stream?
Yes. DStv Stream and Showmax are available in the Google Play Store on the box, along with Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video and Disney+.
Does it have an Ethernet port?
No. It connects over Wi-Fi 6. A USB-to-Ethernet adapter in its USB 2.0 port can work as a wired workaround.
Can I connect a hard drive or flash drive?
Yes, through the USB 2.0 port. Use a media player app such as VLC to play the files. Large portable hard drives may need their own power supply.
Will it work on a non-smart TV?
Yes. Any TV, monitor or projector with an HDMI port works. On a Full HD TV, the box outputs 1080p.
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