This MECOOL KD2 Android TV Dongle Review is authored by Troy from TROYPOINT. It follows a week of regular use with the Android TV system.
MECOOL generously provided this streaming device to TROYPOINT free of charge. However, rest assured, this review maintains its objectivity.
I’ll be highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of this Android TV Box. Notably, MECOOL had no input or preview of this review before it was published.
Below, you’ll discover an extensive review. It aims to equip you with all the essential information before making a purchase.
MECOOL KD2 Android TV Dongle
The MECOOL KD2 Android TV Dongle is equipped with 4GB RAM and a 32GB ROM for storage.
It’s worth noting that this device runs on Android TV 11. This is in contrast to many generic boxes that use stock Android.
Learn about the differences between Android TV and Stock Android here
MECOOL classifies the KD2 as a Google-certified Android TV box. This certification stems from its seamless integration with Google features. Examples include voice control and Google Cast.
MECOOL has a history of developing Android TV Boxes. A few key features differentiate the KD2 from its predecessors.
The MECOOL KD2 boasts Android TV 11. It also includes a new energy-efficient CPU and an Android TV remote control.
The standout feature of this model is its fresh, lightweight, and portable design. This sets it apart from their previous offerings.
Unfortunately, the MECOOL KD2 doesn’t offer out-of-the-box Netflix HD support. However, it does surprisingly support Amazon Prime Video in HD!
MECOOL KD2 Features at a Glance
The MECOOL KD2 is powered by the Amlogic S905Y4 chipset. This chipset features a quad-core ARM® Cortex™ A35 CPU and an ARM G31™ MP2 GPU processor. It supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, along with AV1 decoding. It operates on the latest Android 11 operating system. This ensures an enhanced streaming experience with faster speeds and improved performance.
- Runs Android 11 on Amlogic S905Y4, delivering high speed and smooth performance. This makes it ideal for home entertainment, home theaters, business use, and more.
- Includes the new AV1 video decoder
- The voice remote control enables quick access to entertainment. You can also get answers and control other home devices through Google Assistant.
- With Chromecast built-in, you can easily cast content. Share photos, videos, and music from your phone, tablet, or laptop to your TV. Enjoy big-screen entertainment.
- Supports HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG HDR processing. Experience scenes and characters that come to life with vivid contrast, color, and clarity.
- Features a Google-certified ATV Player with built-in access to streaming media content. This includes YouTube, Prime Video, and Google Play.
- Sports a light and portable design.
- Supports regular automatic upgrades for optimal performance.
Don’t forget to use the coupon code TROYPOINT at checkout to receive a 10% discount.
Check out the MECOOL KD2 Official Website for purchasing options and more details
New Low-Power Amlogic S905Y4 Processor
A major distinction between the MECOOL KD2 and other MECOOL Android TV Boxes is the new Amlogic S905Y4 Processor.
While it’s considered a budget CPU, its advanced power-saving capabilities are noteworthy. This new processor delivers strong performance while minimizing energy consumption, which can lead to savings on electricity costs.
AV1 Supported
The MECOOL KD2 supports AV1 Video (AOMedia Video 1), a feature also present in their other products listed below.
AV1 is an open, royalty-free video coding format. It’s specifically designed for video streaming over the internet.
Several online streaming services have adopted this format, and this Android TV Box is equipped to handle it.
Looking ahead, we can expect more streaming platforms to transition to AV1. It will likely replace H.265 and other formats, potentially becoming the industry standard.
MECOOL KD2 Is Powered By Android TV 11
The Android TV operating system was designed specifically for television use. And it’s truly awesome that MECOOL has embraced it.
Android TV can be notably found on devices like the NVIDIA Shield, Chromecast with Google TV, and Dynalink Android TV Box. It’s also available on the TiVo Stream 4K.
The majority of generic Android TV Boxes operate on Stock Android. The problem is that the apps on these boxes aren’t optimized for TV screens. While side-loading some apps is possible, the Android TV Google Play Store offers a better solution. It provides access to applications specifically designed for television.
In my view, it’s the integration of Android TV that truly makes this device stand out. You essentially get several advantages of the NVIDIA Shield, but at a significantly lower cost. That’s a win-win in my book
Google Assistant is seamlessly integrated into Android TV, This means you can enjoy hands-free control over many features on this Android TV Box. It’s like having a personal assistant right on your TV.
With Google Cast support, sharing content becomes a breeze. You can effortlessly send content from your phone, tablet, or computer directly to your TV. It’s like magic, but better.
Boost Your Storage
The MECOOL KD2 already boasts a generous 32GB of internal storage. So, the need to expand it might not be pressing. But I was curious to see how it worked, so I gave it a shot.
First, I activated Developer Options. I did this by navigating to Settings / Device Preferences / About. Then, I clicked the Build menu item seven times. Next, I went back one screen and entered Developer options. There, I enabled “Force allow apps on external.”
Then, I plugged a 256GB SandDisk 3.0 USB Drive into the unit. I formatted it as internal storage, and guess what? It worked seamlessly, just like it would on the NVIDIA Shield. I was pleasantly surprised.
From that point on, every application I installed was automatically added to the USB drive. You can also manually manage app locations.
You can go into each application’s settings and move it between the USB drive and internal storage. It gives you granular control over how your storage is utilized.
When you access Apps under the Settings panel, you have the option to specify where each app should run from. You can choose either internal or external storage, depending on your preferences. I usually prefer to run resource-intensive apps, like my VPN and Kodi, on the internal storage. That way, I ensure smoother performance
Netflix & Amazon Prime Video – Your Entertainment Hub
Many generic Android TV Boxes fall short when it comes to supporting HD video for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. It can be frustrating when you want the best viewing experience.
Fortunately, Amazon Prime Video on the MECOOL KD2 delivers in full HD. Plus, it comes pre-installed, so you can dive right into your favorite shows and movies.
However, you won’t be able to enjoy Netflix in HD on this device. Although, there are some modified Netflix apps floating around that you can side-load. But, it’s not the most convenient solution.However, they won’t have the capability for playing content in HD quality. You might want to consider other options if HD quality is important for your viewing experience.
If you’re a frequent Netflix user, it’s recommended to avoid purchasing this Android TV Box.
To get a 10% discount, make sure to use the coupon code TROYPOINT when you check out.
MECOOL KD2 Official Website & Purchasing Options
Side-loading Applications on the MECOOL KD2
I installed several side-loaded apps, and they all performed flawlessly without any issues. The experience was smooth and trouble-free.
The Amlogic S905Y4 processor excels at playing videos in HD quality, including 4K content. You can expect a great viewing experience with this processor.
MECOOL KD2 Remote Control
When it comes to these streaming devices, the remote control’s quality has become a crucial factor to consider, impacting the overall user experience.
The MECOOL KD2 comes with a remote control designed for the Android TV operating system. This ensures seamless navigation and control.
There are also four handy shortcut buttons for popular streaming services. These include YouTube, Prime Video, Spotify, and the Google Play Store.
In the past, I’ve mentioned that this remote could be a bit slow to respond on some devices. But I’m happy to report that I didn’t encounter this issue with the KD2.
However, I didn’t find any instructions on how to pair the KD2 remote with a TV. This would allow you to control the power and input on your television. Some other MECOOL devices, like the KM7, have an app that enables this feature, but it’s not available on the KD2.
Gaming
To test out gaming capabilities, I connected my NVIDIA Shield controller to the MECOOL KD2 and tried out some well-known games.
I didn’t notice any lag, and the gaming performance was top-notch on this Android TV Box.
The option to expand the internal storage is a big plus for gamers who might need more space. This is especially useful if you have a large library of games. Keep in mind that a single game can easily take up 1 GB or more of storage.
MECOOL KD2 Download Speeds
To measure download speeds, I used the Analiti Speed test app. These tests were conducted under specific conditions.
My internet plan offers a download speed of 1 GB Fiber, providing a fast baseline for comparison.
For the WiFi tests, I connected to the 5Ghz band on my Asus AC3100 Router, ensuring a strong and stable connection.
The router is in the same room as the MECOOL KD2, roughly 20 feet away, minimizing any potential signal interference.
I’m also using IPVanish VPN on the Chicago Server 04 (chi-a04) to assess its impact on speeds.
WiFi Download Speeds
With the VPN turned on, the download speed was 86 Mbps and the upload speed was 65 Mbps. When I switched the VPN off, the download speed jumped to 389 Mbps and the upload speed reached 126 Mbps.
MECOOL KD2 Specs
- OS: Android TV 11
- CPU: Amlogic S905Y4 64-bit quad core ARM® Cortex™ A35 CPU
- GPU: ARM G31™ MP2 GPU processor
- RAM: 4GB
- ROM (Internal Storage): 32GB
- WiFi: Built in 2T2R 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4+5G Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth: 5.0
- HDMI 2.1 Dynamic HDR 4Kx2K@60 max resolution output
- 1 x USB2.0
- 1 X Micro USB 5V/1A for power cord
- 1 DC 5V/1A Power input
- Hardware Decoders: – AV1 [email protected] up to 4Kx2K@60fps
– VP9 Profile-2 up to 4Kx2K@60fps
– H.265 HEVC [email protected] up to 4Kx2K@60fps
– AVS2-P2 Profile up to 4Kx2K@60fps
– H.264 AVC [email protected] up to 4Kx2K@30fps
– MPEG-4 ASP@L5 up to 1080P@60fps (ISO-14496)
– WMV/VC-1 SP/MP/AP up to 1080P@60fps
– AVS-P16(AVS+) /AVS-P2 JiZhun Profile up to 1080P@60fps
– MPEG-2 MP/HL up to 1080P@60fps (ISO-13818)
– MPEG-1 MP/HL up to 1080P@60fps (ISO-11172)
– RealVideo 8/9/10 up to 1080P@60fps
– Multiple language and multiple format sub-title video support
– MJPEG and JPEG unlimited pixel resolution decoding (ISO/IEC-10918)
– Supports JPEG thumbnail, scaling, rotation and transition effects - Video/Picture Encoding – Amlogic Video Engine (AVE) with dedicated hardware decoders and SW H.264/
VP8 encoders
– Support multi-video decoder up to 4x1080P@60fps
– Supports multiple “secured” video decoding sessions and simultaneous
decoding and encoding - HDR: Supports HDR10+, HDR10, HLG HDR processing
- 3D Graphics: ARM G31 MP2 GPU
– 4-wide warps, dual texture pipe, 2x 4-wide execution engines (EE)
– Concurrent multi-core processing
-forOpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.1 and OpenCL 2.0 support are available. - Decoder Format: This includes HD MPEG1/2/4, H.265/H.264/HEVC, and VC-1/WMV. It also has AVS, AVS +, AVS2 RealVideo as well as AV1, MP-10, and VP9 Profile. RM and RealVideo8/9/10 are included too.
- Media Format: The device supports various file formats including *.mkv,*.wmv,*.mpg, *.mpeg, *.dat, *.avi, *.mov, *.iso, *.mp4, *.rm and *.jpg.
- Audio Format: You can enjoy audio with support for MP3, AAC, WMA, and RM. FLAC is also programmable with 7.1/5.1 down-mixing.
- Photo Format: Supported formats are MJPEG/JPEG.
- Language: The device caters to a global audience with 24 languages. These include Chinese, English, German, Japanese, and Korean, among others.
- OTA Update: Conveniently, OTA updates are supported.
What’s In The Box
- Included is 1 x KD2 TV Dongle.
- You’ll also receive a power adapter with a micro USB cable.
- An IR+BT Voice Remote Control is provided for ease of use.
- A user manual is also part of the package.
What I Like
- The device runs on the Android TV 11 Operating System.
- It offers a generous 32GB of internal storage, quite large for its size.
- 4K videos play smoothly, providing an enjoyable viewing experience.
- A USB 2.0 port is available for connectivity.
- It features a new power-saving CPU, contributing to energy efficiency.
- Expanding the internal storage works seamlessly.
- Download speeds are fast, both with and without a VPN.
- Amazon Prime Video is supported in HD, a significant plus for subscribers.
What I Dislike
- Netflix HD is not supported as it’s not certified.
- There’s no support for advanced audio formats such as Dolby Atmos/DTS-X/DTS-MA/THX/Dolby TrueHD.
- An Ethernet port is missing, limiting wired connectivity options.
- WiFi 6 is not supported, which might be a drawback for users with compatible routers.
- The device lacks a USB 3.0 Port for faster data transfer speeds.
- The remote can’t be programmed to control basic TV functions. This includes power on/off and input control.
- Shipping from MECOOL to the United States typically takes around 2 weeks.
- Support is limited, which could be an issue if you encounter problems.
- The price is considered high compared to competitors.
Final Thoughts on the MECOOL KD2 Android TV Box
When reviewing devices, I always consider the selling price.
The MECOOL KD2 is priced at $76.99 on their official website. In my view, this is a little high. Especially when other dongles and streaming sticks offer comparable or better performance at lower prices.
Companies like MECOOL struggle to compete with the likes of the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Amazon can afford to sell devices at a loss, recouping costs through other services. MECOOL does not have that luxury.
I recently reviewed the MECOOL KM7, which has similar specs to this one. I wish MECOOL would focus on releasing a few excellent, future-proof devices. Rather than constantly churning out new products with only minor differences.
If a small, portable streaming device is what you’re after, the KD2 might be suitable. However, I highly recommend checking out alternatives like the Fire TV Stick 4K Max or Chromecast with Google TV before making a purchase.
The KD2’s main advantage is its extra onboard storage. This feature is not commonly found on other small streaming dongles or sticks.
It’s crucial to remember that you’re buying a product from China. This can make returns more challenging if the device malfunctions. Additionally, the level of technical support may not be ideal for troubleshooting issues.
Use coupon code TROYPOINT at checkout to get a 10% discount.
MECOOL KD2 Official Website & Purchasing Options
I give the MECOOL KD2 Android TV Box a 3.6-star rating out of 5.