Xiaomi Mini TVBox 小米小盒子 with Mibox MIUI 1.3.83 or 1.3.98 - How to Install Shafa Market 沙发管家

Date:  Sep 24, 2015

This blog post is for advanced users.

If you bought an original Xiaomi Mini TVBox that is factory dated 2015.06 (June 2015).  It will comes with MIUI 1.3.83.  This is a new version of the operating system that prevent you from installing third party APK/APP files such as Shafa Market (沙发管家) Apk.

You should already know the following before you start this.

1. What is Xiaomi TV Box.

2.  What is Xiaomi TV Mini Box.

3.  The reason why Xiaomi Mini Box does not come with USB port.  Yeap, there is no USB for you to plug your thumb drive.  So, you cannot install 3rd party APK files.

4.  What is Shafa Market.  Because you can install lots of fantastic apps from here.  And you can do remote installation from a PC too.

5.  You should know how to run a NAS or sharing a directory from your Windows or Mac.  Just copies the APK files onto this shared directory.

You cannot blame Xiaomi removing this and that.  That is because the Chinese  government really wanted to control what apps you can install on to the Big Screen TV.  So, that is why they come up with so much restrictions to prevent all these TV content providers to make sure they comply to the government rules.

But luckily, there is always a “backdoor” or way that we still can do this.

First thing, make sure that you allow to install 3rd party apps.  But going to the security settings.  The ADB does not work anymore.  

You might see this.  Try not to upgrade.  If possible.

I have tested both version 1.3.83 and version 1.3.98.  Both works.

As you notice, starting 1.3.83, there is no 快捷安装 (Remote installation) any more.  So, don’t waste 

Luckily, we still have the 高清播放器 (Media Player).  This is the stock media player that comes with Xiaomi.  It is a very power media player.  And they have done the network file sharing properly and can search all the network drives available on your network.

So, when you run it, go to 设备 (facilities).  You will see all your network drive.  I saw both my Synology NAS.  I saw my son’s Windows PC.  I saw my iMac shared drive too.

For those who does not know what to do.  Go learn how to enable “File Sharing” on your iMac.  Or google it.

Double click on the network drive.

Usually you will need to key in the user name and password to access the network drive.

And you are in.  For the example, I went into my Synology drive as I already have a folder that has all the APK in it.

And there you go.  You know what to do next.  Click and install.

As simple as that.

Xiaomi TVBox Mini in Chicago

Date:  May 23, 2015

This is my Xiaomi TVbox Mini.  It is a small box.  Easy to packed in luggage.  Have HDMI cable, Xiaomi TVBox Mini adapter, and remote control.  I just bring the whole box.

When I reached IVY boutiqu Hotel in Chicago.  I unpacked the box, and plug it into the electrical outlet.  PRETTY NEAT!

Now, in order to get it to work with the Hotel Internet.  You need to enable this option which is under the WiFi Network option in Settings.

This options allow the box to display POP UP web authentication page.  This is a new feature from Xiaomi.

And as soon as I enable the above feature, the IVY hotel WiFi login page is displayed.  Key in the hotel WiFi login password.

Let’s check the network.  And it works!  See that white HDMI cable line?  That connects to my Xiaomi TVbox Mini.

Depends on where you are, some of the TV Movies App may not work.  For me in Chicago, most of the Geo Locked App does not work.

One of the App that I am sure it will work is “Cartoon HD” app.  Although it carries a “Cartoon” word in its name, but it has all the latest TV and Movies show.

And playing the show has no lag or buffering too.  It is fantastic!

I watch “The Flash” and the “Arrows” in Chicago.  (latest episode of course).

How to Install Apps on MiBox Mini 小米小盒子 from Xiaomi

Date:  May 4, 2015

Updates:  You cannot use this method to install App anymore.  Please see here.  http://miniliew.blogspot.ch/2015/09/xiaomi-mini-tvbox-with-mibox-miui-1383.html

“May the 4th be with you!"

Today, let’s learn how to install 3rd parties apps onto the Mibox Mini.

First, what is Mibox Mini?

This is Mibox Mini.

It is that small.  Sometimes, it is better than the FireTV Mini.  Simply plug the Mi Box mini into the electrical outlet and plug in the HDMI cable.

The packaging is very compact.  Nice.

The foot print is very small.  It is like a adapter.

But it stream shows and movies onto your TV.  It is good and light to carry around when you travel.

Check this out.  The new WHITE COLOR remote control.

And it is a bluetooth remote control.

Just in case that you lost the bluetooth signal.  You can pair the bluetooth remote control by pressing the Home button and the Menu button and hold it for few seconds until you hear the beep sound.  You have to hold the remote very near to the Mi Box mini.

Ok.  There is only one interface on the Mi Box mini.  That is the HDMI port.  There is NO USB port.

So, with NO USB port, how do you install the third party applications?

Very easy.

1.  First, launch your Mi Box mini as per normal.  Setup the WiFi.

2.  Next, you go into the Mi Box setting.

3.  Then, you select the Account & Security Safety option.

4.  You have to select YES/ALLOW to install applications from unknown source.  (The First line option)

5.  Select Allow.

6.  Next, You need to allow ADB to be turned on.

7.  Select ADB developers option by allowing it.

8.  Press the HOME BUTTON.  Go back to the Xiao Mi Box UI page.

9.  Go and select the Applications Store.

10.  Under the Account menu.

11.  Select Fast Installation.

12.  Then, this page will be displayed.

13.  You need this URL address for next step.

14.  Go to a web browser, and type the URL given from last page.

15.  This is the remote installation page.  Simply drag the Apps into that box below, and the application will be installed on the Mi Box mini.

16.  Goto www.shafa.com to download the Shafa Application Store.

17.  Drag the APK file.

18.  Drop the Shafa app inside the box.

19.  Few seconds later, the application is successfully installed.  Click “Install other APK” to continue upload APK files.

20.  I just installed two APKs.  The Cartoon HD and the Shafa Butler/Apps Store.

21.  Then, you have choices, if you already have tons of APK on your computer, simply use the same method to install the APK.  The benefit of doing so is you not need to say “YES” to the annoying installation dialog.

22.  Or, if you want, just install the rest of the APK from the Shafa Apps Store.

 

I told you is easy.

This Mi Box mini is selling for RMB 199 in China.  It is about $50-$60 in China.

I think it is a very light and good carry companion to overseas.

Good APK - Cartoon HD - Replace Your Netflix and Hulu

Date:  Feb 3, 2015

If you are looking for an App to replace your Netflix & Hulu, this is the app.

Download Links:  http://cartoonhdapk.com

or

CartoonHD 2.0.2 APK

 

Why do you need this App?  Because Netflix & Hulu are chargeable.  Approx $10/month for each services.  If you don’t need it, you can cancel both chargeable service and use this App.

I am running the following on ViewQwest 100Mbps + FreedomVPN.  I am not sure if it will run on other ISP or not.  I am also not sure if it will run without VPN or not.  But this is what I got.

I tested it on my Xiaomi Mibox 3 (2GB), 10moons T6, and Amazon Fire TV box.  All works the same.

The interface is very simple.

It works with the remote!  Yeah!

Selecting the “Top Cartoons”, it list out all the cartoons, new and old.

Here, I selected the Lego Movie (2014) (highlighted in yellow), it gives me options to play in different format.  For this show, they have 3 diff qualities.  Of course I choose 720p.

Clicking on “Custom” it allows you to choose different media player.  You can Download the show, but later, I am not sure how you going to retrieve it.  Will update when I got time to test out.  Because my home network is good enough, no lag, no buffering, so, I am just going to press the Play button.  Later you can see the demo in the video.  

I used my iPhone to take the following video...

As you can see, the remote control controlling the shows is quite smooth.  Later you can choose the show and play it in 720p.  It takes about 6-8 seconds to load a 720p buffer, and then, it runs very well.  

Then, I fast forward the show and see how fast it get buffer and play the show.  It played almost immediately.

Then, I check out the TV cartoon - Simpsons.  Select one of the episode to play.

Then, I check out “Sup” Japanese cartoon.  

Then, my cat meow.

Then, I choose to play the Movie “Guardians of the Galaxy”.

Show you my remote.

And all works perfectly on my ViewQwest link.

For the Japanese Anime.  There are Dup (in English) version, and Sup (in English) version.  So, it is good for those that don’t like to watch or listen in Madarin and Chinese.

Let’s check out the "Movies".

Here are the Top Movies.

I would say huge collection of Movies and TV Shows.

This is the Top 250 IMDb movies.

The TV Shows are all very new episodes.  I.e The Flash (ep 11 as of this writing), The Marvel’s Agent Carter (ep 4 as of this writing).

They even Group the movies into Collection.  Like X-men, Harry Potter Collection, etc.

Clicking Harry Potter Collection, you get all the 8 movies.

OK.  I don’t know how long this app will last.  The CDN seems pretty good with my home ViewQwest 100Mbps + FreedomVPN network.

With this, I can terminate my Netflix and Hulu subscriptions. 

It is English based.  Not Chinese based.

Enjoy ya!