On March 31^st, Xiaomi released the MiTV 2 along with other 4 products to celebrate its 5^th birthday. This home screen device is 55 inches in size embedded with subwoofer, metal frame and metal soundbar. This is considred the most high-end device that Xiaomi ever produced with an astonishing price: CNY 4999 (RM 2924).

It’s been 2 years since Xiaomi entered the TV market (Sep 2013), the company is still cautious in producing 50” TV. But now, people can’t believe that there are two new sizes for MiTV: 49” and 55”. It is understandable because in premium TV segmentation, 40” and 49” are for younger generation while 55” size is popular to the older. In this battle Xiaomi has more chance to compete with its rivals.

What’s the difference between 49” and 55” version? Is it worth spending CNY 1000 (RM 585) more?

The design of both is similar with all-metal frame in gold color. It is described as the two ends of a tripod.

However, the specs on the MiTV 2 55” is totally more powerful. It is equipped with Samsung LCD display with resolution of 4K, radiant backlight module, MStar 6A928 1.4GHz processor (capable of 4K video decoding up to 60frame per second), Mali-760 MP4 GPU, 2GB DDR3 RAM and 8GB built-in storage.

MiTV 2 55” model coded L55M2-AA may not be familiar as the 49” version coded L49M2-AA and the 40” version coded L40M2-AA.

Despite being 13cm longer in size, the MiTV 2 55” version still have its 2 stands located quite far from the edges. Producer says it is to fit with not long enough tables. To handle with unstable conditions, each stand has 2 rod spreading to make a wide angle, so that the TV can stand still.

Although the size 55” is theoretically not too big compared to size 49”, but putting it together on a table, the difference is huge. Larger size is obviously better for the whole family.

The metal frame width of the 55” TV and of the 49” TV are identical. It is just half of the diameter of the 5 cent coin.

Body thickness is 1.52 cm which is thinner than the diameter of 5 cent coin.

This 55” TV together with the 49” version has a touch sensor below the screen in order to catch hand movement. They also have intergrated light, Wifi antenna and other functions. Because of this high technique, the Xiaomi MiTV 2 has literally no physical button.

Sadly, the 40” and 55” versions of the Xiaomi MiTV 2 are not equipped with Bluetooth, which means the 49” version is the only one equipped the Xiaomi Bluetooth Remote Control.

Soundbars here and on the 49” version are the same with all-metal design. 6 full-range speakers and 2 tweeters. Together, these 8 speakers perform high-level and realistic sound.

The compact subwoofer now has a shell design which comes in the same color metal frame like the TV. Because of volume limit, the TV uses a 6-inch subwoofer instead of the previous 8-inch. Though this smaller subwoofer gives small volume but the sound generates suitably good.

There is a connection via Bluetooth between the subwoofer and the soundbar constituting the TV sound system. Xiaomi emphasizes the the subwoofer should be put on the ground where resonance can happen and make sound better.

Overall, the 55” version of Xiaomi MiTV 2 is better than the 49” version. Bad news is that is lacks of memory card slot. The big attractiveness is that the TV offers three HDMI 2.0 interface (previously the three HDMI 1.4 interface), support 60Hz 4K video input.

Samsung LCD Display? Xiaomi MiTV 2 55” screen shots

MiTV 2 55” uses Samasung 4K LCD with a resolution of 3840×2160 that supports up to 178° viewing angle, 8ms response time and 1:4000 high contrast ratio.

In China, Samsung is no longer on the top. Xiaomi is now the leading company, followed by Huawei. Somebody have wondered why Samsung gave its screen to Xiaomi?

It it, in fact, easy to understand cause every company wants to make money. Xiaomi takes Samsung’s first place in the smartphone industry, so Samsung must take other market (such as display panel) to ensure its share in China. Whoever buy your company products, they bring you money.

Back to the TV, the Radiant Backlight, which is also used in the 40” version, iMac, MacBook, and most of the iPad, supports dynamic partitioning adjustment technology. The brightness of the screen is divided into eight regions, real-time sensing screen shading to achieve fine adjustment light and dark.

In terms of finess, 4K screen is the best choice for all TV type. It is far better than a 1080p 40” TV.

Here. Have a look at the viewing angle.

Front

Left

Right

Above

From the test result, the color gamut on MiTV 2 55” is 75% more beautiful than on MiTV 2 49” and in display parameter, it sRGB (standard red, green, blue) s in full coverage which is also very good.

Picture clarity is what people concern in a 4K TV. Through a camera’sensor, the picture quality is inevitably distorted but the color performances are distinguishing.

Xiaomi MiTV 2 functions: No 3D support?

The Xiaomi MiTV 2 55” still runs on Android-based MIUI.

We have been familiar with the usual interfere. On the left is still the different input source selection, where you have HDMI, AV, and VGA video interface. Connecting to other sources, MiTV 2 is a displaying screen.

All video on the right are provided by Xiaomi. Movies, TV shows, games and app are arranged in a wise order so that users can choose easily.

After installing the app but not open yet, you don’t have to open the store to find it. It appear directly on the very far right of the screen. One key point is you can press OK button to enter edit mode to adjust your setting.

The machine boasts 140,000 hours of video content, including 3,000 movies, 44,000 television sets and 91,000 television shows.

For SmartTV, the updating speed is more important than how big the storage is. At this point, Xiaomi GITV is more superior to the previous iCNTV but they can improve more. For instance, the movie “Wolf Totem” can only be played after purchasing.

Customers in China are just willing to pay for hardware only while they still hesitate to open their pocket and pay for any software. Like the movie “Wolf Totem”, it costs only $5 (RM 18), much cheaper than going to the cinema, but it’s hard to dig into customers’ pocket.

Paying for Xiaomi is really a convenience. You can pay through PayPal or using your virtual coin (1 coin = CNY 1) just by scanning the 2D code over it.

Users should be careful as the 55” version doesn’t like the 49” version. It doesn’t offer 3D glasses because 3D function has been cancelled due to some recent update that runs 3D videos slowly.

 

Nevertheless, there is still a function that turn 3D video to 2D video. This is easy to implement but the company should have retain the 3D function.

 

Certainly, Xiaomi MiTV 2 55” can connect with a third-partty app. A U-disk is available for users to install and this is not difficult.

In addition, the Xiaomi MiTV 2 55” also supports H.265 video decoding, decoding capacity of 4K @ 60fps H.265. Previous reports said the 40” version supported H.265 video decoding as well but just 1080P @ 60fps.  The TV performs well with 720p video but with 1080p video, it will show “This format is not supported.” On the 40” version, there comes the same situation. Apart from hardware issue, problem most likely comes from the software compatability. Obviously, H.265 decoding APP is not ideal for the current statement on this TV.

Power consumption, heat and switching time: GOOD!

In spite of having a larger screen, the MiTV 2 55” and the 49” version have the same energy consumption: 180V and 0.5W or less in standby mode. In China, these products are labeled Class 3 in energy efficiency,

We did a test on how much energy consumed by MiTV 2 55” after 30 mins playing 4K video, and we noticed that power consumption stabilized at around 100W, which is acceptable for a 55” TV.

In contrast, the 40” version, it just used 55W after the same test. Furthermore, the 55” version supports 110-240V voltage while the voltage of National electric supply is 220V, so there must be no tangle in the energy supply.

Using the bottom side LED backlighting in both version 49” and 55”, the hottest place is at the bottom near the logo section. But this temperature is just 36° and above this section, the temperature is less than 28°.

About switching timing, it takes about 27 seconds from the moment you press the Power button till it operates normally. On the other hand, 5 seconds is what you need to shut your TV down.

Comclusion

From the testing result above, the Xiaomi MiTV 55” and 49” are not much different except for the bigger one has a smaller subwoofer and vice versa. Consumers might consider whether to buy a 55” TV or a 49” TV for their home entertainment.

Compared to the 49” version, the MiTV 2 55” does have advantages, such as: 4K @ 60fps H.265 video decoding, low power consumption, not getting so hot. From a premium sense, the price CNY 4999 (RM 2950) is good enough.

If you just want a TV with good design, 4K or 3D video playing, the the 49” version is perfect for you. Or else, the MiTV 2 40” is good enough for 1080p displaying.

Finally, retail price for the Xiaomi MiTV 2 49” home theater set is CNY 3999 (RM 2360) while the 55” version will be launched without a specific message.