The M8S Android TV Box is a powerful device that features the AM Logic S812 Octa-core ARM Mali-450GB. a popular CPU, as well as 2GB of RAM and 8GB of Flash storage. When you purchase the device, you also get an HDMI cable, a power adaptor, as well as an infra-red remote control, although you will need to get separated batteries. While the box is very easy to use, it also comes with a user guide, in case you need help to go through some set up steps. The front of the box has a dim blue light so you can use the device in the dark without worrying a bright light hurting your eyes. If you select sleep mode, the light goes off.
The front of the device doesn’t have any ports, but on the right side you will find a slot for a full size SD card. The remaining ports are located on the back of the device. These include 2 ISB 2.0 ports, 1 HDMI out, Ethernet connection, Optical output, power supply and AV output. The M8S logo is located on the top of the device and on the bottom there are four rubber feet, as well as some air vents that help to keep the box cool.
Remote
The remote has to be pointed directly at the device to make sure that it works since it is infra-red. If you point it somewhere else, it won’t work. Although this is not a big issues, it is advisable to get a wireless remote control separately for more convenience. It is possible to find a selection of high quality remote controls that work with android boxes and that will allow you to enjoy a better experience.
Launcher
Like other devices of its kind, the M8S offers a launcher that is very convenient, particularly for those who don’t have previous experience with Android boxes. The launcher is user-friendly and intuitive so even if you are a beginner, you will be able to get everything up and working in only a few minutes. However, you can also opt for an alternative solution and get a different launcher. There are many options available in the Google Play Store so you are guaranteed to find one that suits your style.
Performance
Performance is crucial when it comes to any device and in the case of Android boxes, it is one of the main aspects that play a part in your viewing experience. While testing the M8S, we found that when it comes to the WiFi speeds (from a distance of 10 mts), you can get a download speed of 2GB/s and upload speed of 8MB/s. Once it is plugged into the Enthernet, you get a download speed of 41MB/s and an upload speed of 19MB/s.
The single Geekbench core score is 547 and the multi core score is 1620. Overall, the device offers impressive performance, specially considering its low price. It is an investment worth making and it will allow you to enjoy not only seamless streaming, but also excellent speeds for gaming. You can play games without experiencing significant lags or other issues. The CPU works amazingly when you are playing games and you won’t experience any hassle, lags or frame dropping.
Video and Media content
The M8S comes with Kodi (previously known as XBMC) already installed, which enables the box to offer amazing playback capacity. You can also download the latest version of Kodi to ensure that you get the best results. It can support 1080p effortlessly and while other android boxes within the same price range can get stuck when you try to fast forward or rewind, you won’t have issues with the M8S. It also works well with 4K video so you can get amazing image without any problems. Another feature that allows you to get a great experience with the M8S is its connectivity. You can connect your mobile device to the box and mirror the screen to the device so that you can play videos or see images from your smartphone or tablet on the TV screen.
Advantages and downsides
The M8S works well and its blue, dim light is very subtle and it is not unbearably bright in the darkness. Since the device has been already rooted, you will be able to install apps that you wouldn’t be able to install otherwise. This saves you the hassle of having to root the device on your own, which is a process that may end up damaging your device if you don’t know how to do it.
The M8S works really well considering that it is a low cost device. It offers great features and amazing value. Still, there are some areas in which it needs improvement. For instance, the upload and download speeds don’t work as well as we would like at a long distance. You would need to keep the router closer to the device if you want to use it wireless, or you can use an Ethernet connection.
Using a VPN with the M8S Android box
In order to get the most out of your streaming, downloading and gaming experience, it is important that you get a VPN service. Using a VPN with the M8S will allow you to access content that may be blocked in your location. For instance, there are some YouTube videos that are not available in certain countries. With a VPN, you can bypass the blocks and enjoy a more versatile experience. In addition, it is important to keep in mind that there are some Kodi add-ons that offer pirated content, which could land you in trouble. While we recommend you to stream only from legitimate sources, if you choose to stream content from unofficial websites, a VPN will at least help to keep your identity and privacy protected. Other parties such as your ISP or copyright enforcement agencies won’t see what you are doing online and won’t be able to trace you because your real IP address will be hidden.
Conclusion
The M8S is a convenient solution for streaming and gaming, and in spite of its low price, it offers fantastic performance. If you are just discovering Android TV boxes, this is a good device to get started. It is simple and it works well.