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Android media Player (or TV Box, you can also call it a set-top box) is the easiest solution today to turn any TV with an HDMI input into a smart TV. There are many models on the market, but few brands. Therefore, the buyer focuses on a familiar brand and most often chooses Xiaomi. But if you are wondering which media player is more technologically advanced and provides more opportunities for the buyer, then it is more logical to pay attention to the latest Blaupunkt TV Box B-stream model, which is already on sale. And that is why it is better, more technologically advanced and more in line with the interests of the buyer.
In principle, the media player is not the most complex of modern devices, they are distinguished by a chipset that fundamentally determines its functionality, software that maximizes the technological potential, the number of connectors and wireless connections (they also differ between versions), as well as a remote control.
1. More modern chipset: Amlogic S905X2
Both media players run on chipsets specially designed for use in similar devices. But inside Blaupunkt TV Box B-stream is Amlogic S905X2. This is an updated version of Amlogic S905X installed in Xiaomi. It differs in that it is made using 12nm technology, and not 28nm (the smaller, the better: less power consumption, less overheating at the same frequencies). But this is not the only difference. It has more advanced graphics core Mali-G31 MP2 vs Mali-450 MP3, supports H.265 and VP9 video codecs up to 10-bit color at 4K 75fps and more advanced AVS2 video coding standard. And there is also support for the cross-platform Vulkan API version 1.1 for 3D graphics, which the Amlogic S905X chipset does not have. And hardware support for HDR10+, not just regular HDR. All of these give different results when displaying both movies and games.
2. Stream video without gaps: LAN/Ethernet connection
Fast and stable Internet, allowing you to watch videos in 4K resolution comfortably and without delay. And do not depend on other Wi-Fi devices that have been divorced in the post-recent times, as well as interference from neighboring Wi-Fi networks. Despite the declared speeds of modern routers, they do not always allow you to watch even FullHD video without annoying pauses and delays, because wireless communication, by definition, is not as stable as a cable connection. While on the same Netflix, all new films and series are already in 4K. This solution will also be appreciated by users of high bitrate torrents. With Blaupunkt TV Box B-stream you can choose how to connect your TV to the Internet: with or without wires. Xiaomi users have no such choice.
3. Faster USB 3.0
It’s 2021 and the USB 2.0 ports on the Xiaomi Mi Box S look like an obvious anachronism. The current USB 3.0 standard supports ten times faster data transfer rates (up to 4.8 Gbps). This is important when working with external storage devices that store high-definition video content. Therefore, pay attention to the characteristic blue USB port in Blaupunkt TV Box B — stream is a hallmark of the new, third version.
4. HDMI 2.1 interface
If you need a modern TV in 2021, check it out for HDMI 2.1 support. The same rule applies to televisions. The latest version of HDMI has a fantastic 48Gbps bandwidth and supports a number of new technologies to improve picture quality. These include Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Fast Media Switching (QMS), and other image optimization tools that are relevant to today’s online video games and streaming video viewing. You can read more about them in a separate article. In short, they all come down to a smoother picture, no stuttering, and faster reaction times for games. Blaupunkt Android TV Box B-stream supports HDMI 2.1, which cannot be said about the Xiaomi media player that uses HDMI 2.0 version.
5. Support for microSD memory cards
A smart TV, like a smartphone or a computer, will find how to use the free space on the built-in storage. And the faster, the more actively you use it. Installing programs, storing videos, music, and photos all require space. Therefore, support for memory cards is an important feature of the TV box. It’s even strange why there is no microSD slot in each of them. Blaupunkt Android TV Box B-stream has it, of course. And in the Xiaomi player, respectively, no. Therefore, you cannot take out a memory card from a smartphone and show photos and videos on a TV. Or download content for viewing or listening offline (for example, such functions are provided by Megogo in its subscription — there are films, series, vlogs and podcasts). And also on the memory card, you can install and store additional games from the Google Play store there.
What else do you need to know about Blaupunkt TV Box B-stream?
The Blaupunkt Android TV Box B-stream runs Android TV version 9 and will be upgraded to version 10. This means you not only get the same programming environment on your TV that you are used to on your smartphone or tablet. But you will also be able to use the new Android TV features added by the developers. The main differences of the new version are software support for HDMI 2.1 and the latest updates to improve performance and security (for example, encryption of user data according to the TLS 1.3 standard). The Xiaomi media player supports Android 8.1 out of the box, devoid of such features.
The Blaupunkt TV Box B-stream has a compact body that is easy to place next to or behind your TV. It connects to any TV via HDMI, turning it into a true multimedia center for your home. And then other components will easily join this center: a speaker system with a digital optical interface, an external USB drive and Bluetooth accessories. Of course, it supports 4K UHD video at resolutions up to 3840×2160 and will help you get the most out of your TV with the highest definition and detail you need for today’s home theater.
The Blaupunkt TV Box B-stream software platform is based on the Android operating system, which unlocks the full potential of Google’s smart services. ChromeCast technology makes accessing media content easier than ever before: stream video, audio, or photos from your phone, laptop, or NAS directly to your TV. And the smart Google Assistant will help you organize voice control when searching for information, entering text and controlling your smart home. Blaupunkt TV Box B-stream has YouTube and Netflix applications certified by the services themselves, which guarantees their stability.
The most important attribute of modern multimedia devices is wireless communication. Blaupunkt TV Box B-stream is fully equipped here, equipped with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz) and Bluetooth. You can easily connect your device to your home wireless network and expand its functionality with wireless accessories, from headphones to joysticks. By the way, the main accessory is already included: it is a Bluetooth remote control. It not only works even from the next room (no need to aim at the receiver, as with old IR remotes), but also has a built-in microphone for voice commands. It has a laconic design, not overloaded with buttons, providing easy and quick access to the keys even in the dark. And batteries included.
Sales of Blaupunkt TV Box B-stream in Ukraine began simultaneously with European countries (the media player will be sold in more than 50 countries). In Ukraine, it can be bought at Eldorado, Epicenter, Comfy, Rozetka and Foxtrot stores.
Three key advantages that make Blaupunkt TV Box B-stream leave Xiaomi 4K Mi Box S in the past
- More advanced chipset and more powerful graphics
- More recent versions of Android, USB and HDMI 3 specifications. Availability of important and necessary connectors: Ethernet and microSD