Introducing the MECOOL KM2 PLUS Deluxe, now available for an in-depth look at this streaming box. It has been a while since we’ve seen a new device from this company in the Android TV/Google TV category, and its timely release corresponds perfectly with the holiday season.
Get a sneak peek with the First Impressions Video typically exclusive to TROYPOINT Patrons and Founding Members, now open for everyone to enjoy.
MECOOL KM2 PLUS Deluxe First Impressions Video & Setup
Order the New MECOOL KM2 PLUS Deluxe
Use the “troypoint” discount code during checkout to save 10%.
This new product arrives at an opportune moment, especially as Amazon teases the potential replacement of Android with its proprietary operating system for Fire TV systems. Should this transition occur, many may turn to Android TV/Google TV alternatives like this one. The shift has already started due to Amazon tightening restrictions on various alterations, including third-party launchers.
Highlighted Features
- 4GB DDR4 RAM
- 32GB EMMC internal storage capacity
- WiFi 6 technology
- Gigabit LAN Port for high-speed connectivity
- 2 USB 2.0 Ports for versatile peripheral connections
- Micro SD Slot for expandable storage options
- IR Port included
- SPDIF Port for audio output
- AV Port for additional connectivity
- Supports 4K HDR for stunning visual experience
- Compatible with 4K streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video
- Runs on Google Certified Android TV 11 platform
- Offers Google Assistant integration
- Chromecast Built-In for effortless streaming from compatible devices
- Equipped with WiFi6 2.4G&5G, 2T2R, 1000M-LAN, BT 5.0 for enhanced connectivity
- Powered by Amlogic S905X4 Quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 processor, delivering 24000 DMIPS
- Features ARM G31 MP2 GPU for smooth graphics rendering
- Supports Dolby Atmos & Dolby Vision for immersive audio-visual experience
- Offers AV1 HDR support for enhanced picture quality
- Optimizes HDR formats like HDR10+, HDR10, HLG for dynamic visual content processing
Product Showcase
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Initial Thoughts
I’m really impressed by this new Android TV Box. The price of $139.99 may seem high at first, but when compared to devices like the Amazon Fire TV Cube or NVIDIA Shield, it seems reasonable. Remember, you can get a 10% discount by using the discount code “troypoint” at checkout. Initially, I don’t see anything that needs changing.
One common complaint about current Fire TV and Android TV/Google TV boxes is their limited internal storage. While some may argue that the 32GB internal storage isn’t sufficient, I believe it’s adequate for apps and data. Additionally, external storage can always be added through USB ports or a Micro SD slot.
Details
This image provides details about the new MECOOL KM2 PLUS Deluxe.
Simple Setup
Setup with MECOOL systems is always straightforward. My First Impressions Video above demonstrates this. Initially, I encountered an issue where the remote didn’t pair properly with my television, hindering the control of TV functions with the MECOOL remote.
After contacting MECOOL about this, they mentioned that Google needed to authorize a key to resolve this problem. They are currently working with Google to address this issue. Meanwhile, MECOOL has released an APK that can be sideloaded to fix the remote control problem. Details on how to install and configure the application are shown in my video below.
Fix MECOOL KM2 PLUS Deluxe Remote Video
Android TV 11
The MECOOL KM2 PLUS Deluxe runs on Android TV 11 but utilizes the Google TV interface.
4K HDR Ultra HD
Similar to most streaming boxes, this Google TV box supports 4K HDR. In my testing, popular streaming apps, Netflix, and Prime Video played smoothly without buffering.
Dolby Vision & Dolby Atmos
The PLUS Deluxe model supports both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, a feature not present in the previous KM2 version.
WiFi 6 & Gigabit LAN Support
The device includes WiFi 6 & a Gigabit LAN port for rapid download speeds. Below, you will find my speed test results, showcasing their impressive speed!
Google Assistant is a feature on this certified Android TV that provides convenience. The remote control included has numbers that might not be useful to everyone.
A separate application by MECOOL lets users remap the buttons on the remote for YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, and Google Play, allowing for customization.
Chromecast functionality is available on this device for easy casting of videos and photos from phones, tablets, and PCs. I tested this feature with a Google Pixel 7 Pro and it worked perfectly.
You can connect a Bluetooth controller to turn this Android TV Box into a gaming device. I tried it with some games from Google Play and they all ran smoothly. For serious gamers, I still recommend the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro.
The MECOOL KM2 PLUS Deluxe offers various ports including USB 2.0, Micro SD Card, Gigabit, IR, HDMI, Power, and more. It would have been great if it had USB 3.0 ports instead of 2.0.
Sideloading apps that are not on Google Play is possible on this device. I installed Surfshark VPN, Kodi, TiviMate, SmartTubeNext, and Launcher Manager through the TROYPOINT Toolbox, and they all worked well.
You can also install 3rd party launchers like ATV Launcher Pro for a customized interface. This is a great way to get rid of ads for services you don’t use.
I conducted speed tests using the Analiti Speed test app on this device. It delivered impressive download and upload speeds, especially when connected to a Gigabit network.
Surfshark VPN Off: 480 Mbps download & 110 Mbps upload
Surfshark VPN On: 146 Mbps download & 96 Mbps upload
WiFi 6 Speed Tests
Surfshark VPN Off: 570 Mbps download & 243 Mbps upload
Surfshark VPN On: 166 Mbps download & 111 Mbps upload
I’ve never seen wireless download speeds this good on any streaming device I’ve reviewed before! It’s quite surprising that the WiFi speeds outperform those of Gigabit connections.
Both of the tests mentioned above receive a top grade from me.
Expanding Internal Storage
The KM2 PLUS Deluxe model is equipped with 32GB of internal storage, so expanding might not be necessary for most users, but I decided to conduct a test nonetheless.
Typically, I would connect a USB flash drive for testing purposes, but this time I opted for a different approach.
I connected a Samsung 860 EVO 500GB SSD using an SSD to USB adapter. I chose an SSD for its reliability, especially considering my planned use in the upcoming review with the IPTV Player TiviMate to evaluate recording performance on the KM2 PLUS Deluxe.
Upon plugging the drive into the Android TV Box, you’ll observe that it’s recognized without any issues.
Subsequently, I formatted it for use as device storage.
Upon formatting, I noticed that the actual name of the hard drive is indicated as JMicron, which is likely the manufacturer Samsung employs for these SSD drives.
Following this, moving apps to the external SSD drive proved to be a simple process.
Regrettably, I’ve observed occasional automatic ejections from the drive. One of the known downsides of expanding internal storage is encountering such issues. This occurrence is likely related to the Android TV operating system.
Recording in TiviMate
TiviMate stands out as one of the most popular IPTV Players, and it’s expected that there will be inquiries regarding its recording capabilities.
Ever since Android 10, challenges with writing to external drives have emerged, presenting obstacles for recording on TiviMate.
While expanding internal storage usually resolves such issues, the intermittent drive ejections create recording errors. Though the drive reconnects post-reboot, interruptions during recordings can occur if an ejection happens mid-process.
The screenshot below illustrates errors encountered while recording a TV show on the same channel due to these ejections.
Personally, I choose to record on my Windows PC using SMB within TiviMate, as it has proven to be more reliable than external storage for me. Additionally, with the abundance of video-on-demand streaming services, the necessity for recording has diminished significantly.
How to Record IPTV with SMB on TiviMate
As mentioned earlier, the encountered hardships trace back to newer Android security settings that limit our ability to utilize external storage as freely as before.
The recording depicted earlier consumed around 4GB of space for a 3-hour duration, showcasing that while internal storage is an option, its capacity is more limited than an external drive. With the device’s 32GB internal storage capacity, sufficient space for multiple recordings is still feasible.
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I am not a big fan of dealing with USB drives on Android TV systems version 10 and higher due to the challenging folder permissions.
The colored buttons on the remote can be personalized within TiviMate, making it appear that the top section of the KM2 PLUS Deluxe remote was designed with TiviMate in mind.
Many individuals rely on mouse toggle for Android TV to navigate applications intended for phones and tablets. Fortunately, Mouse Toggle for Android TV from the TROYPOINT Toolbox works excellently on the new MECOOL KM2 PLUS Deluxe.