Xiaomi Releases Internet TV STB
iFeng, 11/14/12
Beijing-based Android handset developer Xiaomi announced its "Xiaomi Box" (Xiaomi Hezi) set-top box (STB) today in Beijing. The STB will retail at a price of RMB 399, with a special discount available for Xiaomi mobile handset users that will price the Xiaomi Box at RMB 299. Xiaomi will release an initial batch of 600,000 STBs on November 16.
The Xiaomi Box comes equipped with an 800Mhz processor, 1GB of RAM, supports 720p and 1080p HD streaming, and features both HDMI and AV output. The Xiaomi Box runs on a customized Android OS.
Xiaomi founder Lei Jun announced at the launch event for the product that Xiaomi handset users and iPad users will be able to stream 1080p HD video from the STB over a Wi-Fi connection. The Xiaomi Box supports Airplay, DLNA, and Android 4.2 Miracast steaming.
The STB will serve two primary features: broadcasting video content from tablets, smartphones, and PCs onto television screens, and streaming online video content from the Internet onto a television set. Xiaomi can currently stream content from Chinese Internet firm Sohu (Nasdaq: SOHU), Tencent's (0700.HK) v.qq.com video platform, Shanghai-based P2P video service provider PPS (PPStream), P2P video service provider Xunlei, and DTV and IPTV operator Wasu Digital Television Media Group, among others. The company has partnered with more than 10 internet companies to provide streaming video content. Available movie and TV show titles for the Xiaomi Box number more than 100,000. Xiaomi's video platform supports content search and rating features. Xiaomi will provide an open platform software development kit (SDK) to developers for open source video and app development for the STB.
Lei Jun promised that Xiaomi Box content would be updated daily and that the STB's software would be given weekly software updates.
Editor's Note: For more background on this topic, please see "Xiaomi to Launch TV STB on November 14" MD 11/09/12 issue.
Keywords: Xiaomi Box Lei Jun Internet television online video set-top box Xiaomi open platform pricing Internet TV