MECOOL KD1 TV Stick Review: Is an alternative to Mi TV Stick?

We’re already after testing the TV Dongle from MECOOL brand called KD1 TV Stick, so today, we would like to show you the MECOOL KD1 TV Stick review.

The KD1 streaming device is the first MECOOL device in the HDMI Stick format. The device is powered by the Amlogic S905Y2 SoC and comes with 2GB RAM and 16GB eMMC. Besides, KD1 runs on Android TV 10 OS. Is the KD1 TV Stick is an alternative to the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick? Is it worth buying MECOOL KD1?

You will surely find the answer to these questions in our MECOOL KD1 review.

Availability and price

I want to say thanks to the MECOOL brand (www.mecoolonline.com) for sending us a MECOOL KD1 TV Stick to review.

Now KD1 TV Stick you can buy directly from MECOOL brand store for $45 after coupon: ANDROIDTVBOX (10%OFF)

Alternatively, KM6 Classic Edition TV Box for $63, the more expensive KM6 DELUXE edition for $99 also after coupon: ANDROIDTVBOX (10%OFF).

MECOOL KD1 TV Stick Review: Product details

MECOOL KD1 TV Stick specifications:

• CPU – Amlogic S905Y2 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 @ up to 1.8 GHz
• GPU – Mali-G31 MP2 “Dvalin” GPU
• OS – Android TV 10
• Memory – 2GB RAM
• Storage – 16GB eMMC
• Video & Audio
• Output – HMI 2.1 Dynamic HDR [email protected] max resolution output
• Video Codecs – VP9 Profile-2 up to 4K 60fps, 10-bit H.265 up to 4K 60fps, AVS2-P2 up to 4K 60fps, H.264/AVC up to 4K 30fps, H.264 MVC up to 1080p60, MPEG-4 ASP up to 1080p60 (ISO-14496), etc..
• Connectivity – 1T1R 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.2
• USB – 1x micro USB 2.0 port
• Power Supply – 5V via micro USB port
• Dimensions – 93.2*33*13mm
• Weight – 25.5g

The box included everything that you need to get started:

• KD1 TV Stick
• Bluetooth Voice Remote Control
• micro USB cable with IR receiver 
• USB Power plug
• User Manual

The following video from our YouTube channel where you can take a look at more details MECOOL KD1 TV Stick and bundled accessories.

MECOOL KD1 TV Stick Review: First impressions, settings, an overview of features

TV Dongle from MECOOL is also a small device that you can easily hide in your shirt or pants pocket and take it everywhere with you. The KD1 housing has vertical grooves, which makes it different from MI TV Stick. The build quality of TV Dongle is unqualified. Of course, we lack an additional USB port. The device only has a micro USB for the power supply. On the front, there is a LED that lights up when the device is turned on. To connect the device, all you need is an HDMI port on the TV.

The device comes with a Bluetooth remote controller with voice features (via Google Assistant). The same as you could see in the MECOOL KM6 Classic review. Three dedicated buttons, for Netflix, Prime Video streaming service, and Google Play. Pictures below.

Impressions from the use

Connecting the KD1 TV Stick is very easy. Just stick it into the HDMI slot. Besides, TV Stick runs on Android TV (Android TV 10), which is also easy and intuitive to use. 

Throughout testing, there were no problems with the device. MECOOL KD1 works quickly and stably. WiFi connection works well, stable, and fast. Wifi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band Wi-Fi 2.4GHz/5GHz) Download – 166Mbps Upload – 194Mbp. Chromecast built-in works fine.

In addition to the Bluetooth remote control with voice features (which works great), we used a gamepad from an iPega called iPega PG-9076.  That’s right, through the KD1 TV Stick you can also play simple games (Beach Buggy Racing, Asphalt 8, etc) available on Google Play Store for Android TV (but the number of applications for Android TV OS is limited). If you want to control KD1 TV Stick via smartphone, just install it Android TV Remote Control app or CetusPlay app.

We also installed the latest Kodi 18.9, but due to the lack of additional USB ports to use Kodi via SAMBA sharing on Windows 10. 

MECOOL KD1 TV Stick vs. Xiaomi Mi TV Stick

Especially for you, we have made a quick comparison of the KD1 TV Stick to the Mi TV Stick. The advantages of MECOOL KD1 are, above all, a more powerful chipset that supports 4K video Playback via Amlogic S905Y2 SoC. More memory RAM and storage (2GB and 16GB eMMC). The connection via Wifi was faster compared to the Mi TV Stick.

Streaming services

As for video streaming, KD1 plays Youtube, Google Play Movies up to 4K 2160p without a problem (Mi TV Stick only up to 1080p). HBOGo, Prime Video also up to 4K 2160p. Unfortunately, the device is not certified by Netflix, but you can look for a modified app and get Full HD. By contrast, not everyone uses Netflix. 

Unfortunately, in KD1 TV Stick, streaming applications and others (except Youtube) have to be installed via Microsoft SMB (Prime Video, Netflix, etc.) and using X-plore File Manager via LAN feature (no USB port on the device). Certainly, for some users, this can be a problem. Compared to the certified Mi TV Stick, this problem is not. You get full support for Full HD (1080p) content with no problem. The device has pre-installed applications with streaming services or you can easily install them from Google Play.

Pre-installed IPTV application

Additionally, KD1 TV Stick (just like KM6 Classic TV Box) comes with an IPTV application pre-installed. For testing, we used the free of 5000+ publicly available IPTV channels from all over the world .m3u (Github source here).

Below you will find a lot of screenshots.

MECOOL KD1 TV Stick Review: Operating system and components

As we mentioned, MECOOL KD1 runs on Android TV 10, Kernel version 4.9.180, and supports OTA updates. The TV Stick uses OTA firmware version 9071022006001. As we mentioned, the TV Dongle is equipped with an Amlogic S90Y2 Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU @ processor up to 1.8GHz and GPU Mali-G31MP2, CPU speed between 100MHz and 1.8GHz. On the following screens, you can see exactly the components used and their specification (Information taken from the CPU-Z app). Below is also a screenshot of DRM info (Supports Google Widevine L1/Playready). The device does not have root access. Below screenshots.

KD1 TV Stick Review: Performance tests and benchmarks

For testing, we use the AnTuTu Video Tester 3.0 app and AnTuTu Benchmark 8.3.4, and 3D Mark. Failed to run Geekbench 4.2 and GPUBench.

KD1 TV Stick: Video Tests

Video result 1022 and two unsupported codecs via Antutu Video Tester 3.0 app. Video playback by Kodi 18.9 Leia runs almost smoothly because we played samples via SMB (no USB slot in the device), buffering was disturbed by playback. So this time we won’t publish the Kodi video playback table. However, the device can play movies with the resolution of 480p,720p, and 1080p (24fps, 30fps, 60fps) and also 4K (60fps) with various codecs videos such as H.264, H.265, MPEG2, MPEG4, RMVB. Dolby Digital 5.1 passthrough worked fine via HDMI. Most of you surely will be interested in using KD1 TV Stick for video streaming from popular streaming services.

MECOOL KD1: Benchmarks

KD1 TV Stick a score of 80826 points in AnTuTuBenchmark v8.3.4. Below Benchmark screenshots, we were able to do only AnTuTu Benchmark and 3D Mark. Internal memory benchmarks (via A1SD Bench app): Read 80.63MB/s – Write 42.24MB/s. RAM copy speed was 3128.09MB/s

MECOOL KD1 TV Stick Review: Conclusions

MECOOL KD1 TV Stick is a very good alternative to the Mi TV Stick, which exceeds the specification of the TV Stick from Xiaomi. Unfortunately, the devices only have Google certification (of course this is not a minus) and to enjoy streaming from other popular services, you need to install applications from external sources or use modified applications. Unlike Xiaomi Mi TV Stick (where most of the available applications are pre-installed or available on Google Play). Nevertheless, the MECOOL KD1 TV Stick is worth recommending and should satisfy the majority of users (strong specification, HD / 4K streaming) and OTA updates in the future. The price of the device is not excessive taking into account the specification and features of the device.