Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks and Roku’s popular streaming devices are maintaining their dominance in the market, enabling numerous households to stream movies, live sports, and TV series. However, a new contender has emerged in the UK to provide a valuable alternative. Xiaomi, a Chinese tech brand, has introduced its latest offering, the TV Stick HD (2nd Gen), providing an affordable solution for enhancing any TV setup.
The Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) bears a striking resemblance to its competitors at first glance, featuring a sleek design akin to Amazon’s Fire TV and Roku Sticks. It comes equipped with a built-in HDMI connector for easy TV connection without the hassle of additional cables or complex setup processes.
Similar to its major rivals, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) comes with a dedicated remote control featuring shortcut buttons for popular streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube. This feature allows users to quickly access their preferred content without navigating through extensive menus.
Priced at £39.99, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) is on par with its competitors in terms of cost. However, the key differentiator lies in its operating system.
Instead of utilizing Amazon’s Fire OS or Roku’s software, Xiaomi’s latest streaming device runs on Google TV. This grants users access to Google’s intelligent interface, integrated Google Assistant, and a plethora of apps available through the Google Play Store.
The remote control includes a dedicated voice button, enabling viewers to search for movies, shows, and apps using voice commands. Users have access to over 10,000 apps for download, including games, while numerous free channels offer ample entertainment without the need for multiple paid subscriptions.
For Android users, the built-in Google Cast feature allows seamless wireless streaming of videos, photos, and other content directly from their smartphones or tablets to the TV.
Internally, Xiaomi has outfitted the streaming stick with a rapid processor, dual-band Wi-Fi for smoother playback, and support for HDR10+, Dolby Audio, and DTS to deliver enhanced visual and audio quality.
The main drawback of the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) is its limited resolution capability. Unlike many competing streaming devices, this model supports only HD playback and does not offer 4K Ultra HD streaming.
Available in the UK for £39.99, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) presents an affordable option for users seeking a Google TV-powered streaming device.