MECOOL KD3 Review: An alternative to the Xiaomi 4K TV Stick?

We’re already after testing the MECOOL KD3 4K GoogleTV Streaming Stick, so today, we would like to show you the MECOOL KD3 review. So we encourage you to read our experiences of testing and use a KD3 Google TV Stick streamer.

The long-awaited and new certified MECOOL’s streaming stick is available for some time. Like the previously launched Realme 4K TV Stick, the KD3 Streaming Stick runs on Google TV software. Just like the streaming stick from Xiaomi and Realme, the KD3 streaming stick is also certified and supports 4K content from popular streaming services such as Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max, etc. Besides, the mentioned 4K streaming devices are powered by the same Amlogic S905Y4 chipset with AV1 decoding support.

However, many users ask themselves whether MECOOL KD3 is an alternative to Xiaomi TV Stick 4K? In addition, which 4K streaming stick to choose from among the available on the market, is it the 4K Android TV Stick from Xiaomi, MECOOL KD3, or Realme 4K TV Stick also with Google TV? In our review MECOOL KD3 we will try to answer the above questions and, as always, whether it is worth buying the device.

Availability and price

I want to say thanks to the MECOOL brand for sending us a MECOOL KD3 4K TV Stick to review. Now MECOOL KD3 4K Streaming Stick is available via the MECOOL website for $56.70 after coupon code: ANDROIDTVBOX. Also via AliExpress for $69.45.

You can also find the KD3 4K TV Stick on the Amazon US store.

Besides, now you can get 15% off for all products after coupon code: EASTER (via MECOOL website).

You may also need OTG Cable Compatible with MECOOL KD3 / KD2 / KD1.

MECOOL KD3 Review: Product details

MECOOL KD3 4K TV Stick Specification

• CPU – Amlogic S905Y4  quad-core Arm Cortex-A35 processor
• GPU – Arm G31-MP2 GPU
• Memory – 2GB LPDDR4
• Storage – 8GB eMMC flash
• Video Output – HDMI 2.1 port up to 4Kp60
• Video decoder
  • AV1 MP-10 @ L5.1 up to 4Kx2K @ 60fps
  • VP9 Profile-2 up to 4Kx2K @ 60fps
  • H.265 HEVC MP-10 @ L5.1 up to 4Kx2K @ 60fps
  • AVS2-P2 Profile up to 4Kx2K @ 60fps
  • H.264 AVC HP @ L5.1 up to 4Kx2K @ 30fps
  • HDR – Supports HDR10, HLG HDR processing
• Networking – Dual-band (2.4GHz/5GHz) 2T2R 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0
• USB – 1x Micro USB OTG port (also used for power)
• Misc – LED indicator
• Power Supply – 5V via Micro USB port
• Dimensions – 92.5 x 29.5 x 14.5mm

The box included:

• KD3 TV Stick 4K
• Bluetooth Voice Remote Control
• Micro USB cable
• USB Power plug (UK)
• User Manual
• HDMI extended lead 

Unboxing MECOOL KD3 4K TV Stick on Youtube

On our YouTube channel, you can take a look at more MECOOL KD3 details and bundled accessories.

KD3 4K TV Stick First impressions, settings, overview of features

As already mentioned, this is not the first MECOOL’s 4K TV Stick / TV Dongle. Before that, you could meet the MECOOL KD1 and MECOOL KD2 also with the S905Y4 SoC. On the other hand, MECOOL KD3 is the first certified streaming stick by Netflix in the MECOOL portfolio. Another Netflix 4K certified streaming player is MECOOL KM2.

When it comes to design, the reviewed MECOOL KD3 resembles most TV Stick streamers available. 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. You can power the device directly from the USB TV. The device only has a micro USB (OTG) for power supply. Besides, if you can’t plug the stick into the HDMI port, you can use the included HDMI extended lead.

The KD3 streaming player comes with the well-known G10 bluetooth voice remote control. G10 Android TV / Google TV reference design remote control has 4 dedicated buttons (Youtube, Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+) and the distinctive Google Assistant button. Pictures below.

Impressions from the use

First of all, the new MECOOL’s 4K streamer runs on Google TV software. You will find many comparisons like Android TV vs Google TV on the internet, so we won’t write about it. Nevertheless, Google TV has an interesting interface, presentation, and access to streaming content, and supports additional features.

When it comes to using and operation, Google TV (based on Android TV 11) is as easy to use as Android TV OS. WiFi connection works well, is stable, and fast. Wifi: Download – 255.9Mbps Upload – 238.6Mbps. Chromecast built-in works fine. 

In addition to the Bluetooth remote control with a voice feature (which works with no problem), you can also use a gamepad (iPega PG-9076, Xbox Controller). KD3 Google TV Stick 4K also can be used to play games from the Google Play store as well as in the cloud (Stadia, GeForce NOW). Inside, we also find only 8GB eMMC storage. However, 8GB storage can be expanded using an OTG cable. Besides, KD3 4K TV Stick also works well with Kodi and Plex. Managing KD3 via smartphone just install the Google TV app from the Google Play store. A few screenshots are below.

Streaming Services via MECOOL KD3 4K Google TV Stick

KD3 streaming stick supports video content in 4K resolution. It supports all popular streaming up to 4K @ 60fps with HDR10, HDR10+, HLG. However, it does not support Dolby Vision like the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K. Popular Streaming services in 4K UHD (2160p) resolution:

• Youtube 4K
• Google Play Movies 4K
• Netflix 4K
• HBO Max 4K
• Disney+ 4K
• Apple TV+ 4K
• Prime Video 4K

When it comes to streaming audio, the device supports DTS HD, DTS 5.1 / 7.1, and Dolby Atmos.

Operating system and components

MECOOL KD3 has the same chipset as MECOOL KD2 or MECOOL KM7. KD3 4K streaming stick runs on Android TV 11.0 with Google TV software, Kernel version 5.4.86, and supports OTA updates. As we mentioned, the KD3 TV Stick 4K is equipped with a new Amlogic S905Y4 Quad-core ARM Cortex-A35 CPU processor up to 2.0GHz and GPU Mali-G31MP2, CPU speed between 100MHz and 2.0GHz. As you know this chipset supports 4K AV1 decoding (AV1 [email protected] up to [email protected]).

Why is it worth getting a streaming player that uses AV1 decoding?

Most of the currently popular streaming services use the latest AV1 decoding. AV1 is a high-performance, royalty-free video codec that provides 20% improved compression efficiency over HEVC/VP9 and manages to save up to 30% in bandwidth for the same image quality.

Besides device supports Google Widevine L1/Playready and CENC ClearKey. The device does not have root access. Some screenshots.

Performance tests and benchmarks

Video test

In addition to online streaming, the KD3 streamer can also be used as a media player for local playback or via NAS via Kodi 19.4 / Plex. Playback by Kodi 19.4 runs almost smoothly and is stable. AV1 samples work better with MX Player. Below is also a screen with an AV1 sample from Youtube. A device without problem seems to play movies with the resolution of 480p,720p, and 1080p (24fps, 30fps, 60fps) and also 4K (60fps) with various formats and codecs videos such as AV1 codec, H.265/ HEVC, VP9, H.264, MPEG2, MPEG4, RMVB, and audio – DTS and AC3. DTS HD / DTS/ Dolby 5.1 passthrough worked fine via HDMI.

Video Playback via Kodi 19.4

Typical 1080p	Result
MPEG2 / MP2 2.0 – 6.6Mbps	OK
MPEG4 / MP3 2.0 – 7.6Mbps	OK
H264 / AAC 2.0 – 7.2Mbps	Not smooth
VC1 / WMA3 2.0 – 25Mbps	OK
VP8 / VORBIS 2.0 – 7.8Mbs	OK
Jellyfish 1080p HEVC 10bit – 90Mbps	OK
4K Video
Sintel – H264 / AAC 2.0 – 24fps	OK
BBB Sunflower -H264 – 30fps	OK
BBB Sunflower -H264 – 60fps	OK
Honey Bees – 96fps	OK
Skyfall – H264 / AAC 2.0 – 10Mbps	OK
Puppies Bath – h264/AAC 2.0	OK
Cinemartin H265/HEVC	OK
Tears of steel – 60fps	OK
HD Club Chimei – H264 / AAC 2.0 – 60Mbps	OK
Jellyfish 4k uhd HEVC 10bit – 140Mbps	OK
Jellyfish 4k uhd HEVC 10bit – 200/250/300/400Mbps	Not smooth
LG Demo – Istanbul 3840×2160 MP4/H264 8bit – 116Mbps	OK
Sony 4K – Camp HDR MP4/HEVC 10bit – 75.8Mbps	OK
Demo Samsung 2014 – USA Road Trip TS/HEVC 10bit – 51.4Mbps	OK
Samsung UHD DUBAI TS/HEVC 10bit – 51Mbps	OK
H.265/VP9 Video
Tears of steel – H265-HVEC / AAC 2.0 – 15Mbps	OK
Youtube – VP9 / 1080p	No
VP9 / 4k – Eye of the Storm 4K Ultra HD.webmv	OK
VP9 / 4k – 10 Incredible 4K (Ultra HD) Videos.webmv	OK
VP9 / 4k – Australia – Land Down Under in 4K.webmv	OK
AV1/ 4k – Summer Nature.webm	Not smooth
AV1 / 4k – Holi Festival.webm	Not smooth

Benchmarks

For testing, we use Benchmark v9.3.0, GeekBench 4, 3D Mark. Internal memory benchmarks (via A1SD Bench app): Read 21.36MB/s – Write 32.22MB/s. RAM copy speed was 3010.24MB/s. Below are benchmarks screenshots.

MECOOL KD3 4K Google TV Stick VS Xiaomi TV Stick 4K

Both devices are 4K Android 11 TV media streamers, but the KD3 streaming stick also has Google TV software. Both devices have 2GB RAM and 8GB of eMMC storage. The MECOOL KD3 and Xiaomi 4K streaming stick feature the same S905Y4 chipset with support for 4K AV1 decoding. However, the main difference between the devices is that MECOOL KD3 does not support Dolby Vision like Xiaomi’s 4K streamer (which can be seen in Netflix screenshots). Nevertheless, it supports Dolby Atmos like the Xiaomi 4K TV Stick. In addition, in our opinion, the G10 voice remote looks cooler than Xiaomi’s remote.

We hope that our review of MECOOL KD3 will help you make your decision.

Review MECOOL KD3 4K TV Stick Conclusions

MECOOL KD3 4K streaming stick is a media streamer powered by the same Google TV software as Google’s latest Chromecast. Plug the stick directly into the HDMI port of a TV and you can use it to steam 4K HDR content from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube, and other sources. 

Although the KD3 does not support Dolby Vision (but supports Dolby Atmos) like the Xiaomi 4K TV Stick, it is still worth buying a 4K streamer for home entertainment. For most users, 4K HDR10 / HDR10+ for Netflix and other streams is good enough. In our opinion, the presence of Google TV software and the G10 voice remote is an advantage of the KD3 streaming stick. The KD3 4K Google TV Stick is an alternative to the Realme 4k Google TV Stick as well as the Xiaomi streaming Stick 4K (despite the presence of only Android TV 11). If you are looking for a 4K streaming stick from Google TV, we recommend the MECOOL KD3 4K TV Stick.