The MAG500A is their fifth-generation Android TV set-top box (STB). It has great new features and has been given a facelift. This review will focus in detail on the STB’s capabilities and construction.
Kit contents:
- MAG500A TV set-top box
- Remote
- 2x AAA batteries (for remote)
- HDMI cable
- Power supply
- User manual
The MAG500A is supplied with an Omni Opal Bluetooth remote that’s easily paired with the STB. When you first use the STB, your TV will show a short pairing tutorial.
Software for both the remote control and the STB automatically updates.
The minimalist-design remote features 15 buttons, one being the Google Assistant button. Press it to ask a question or give a command, for example, “Find a movie”; “Find this YouTube video”; “Get the weather forecast”.
Omni Opal maintains a constant connection with the STB. You can check the remaining remote battery charge in the settings menu.
The MAG500A unit is powered by mains with a switched-mode power supply. It receives an input voltage of 90–264 V at 50–60 Hz. The output voltage is 5 V with 10 W power.
We love the PSU’s cable length. Most PSU cables are less than 80 cm but this one is 150 cm long! The HDMI cable is the same length and boasts thick insulation to prevent breaks and twists.
The user manual assists with connecting the STB and using the remote, plus it contains the warranty. Find it online at MAG500A User Manual.
The manual’s back page has a sticker with the model name, MAC address, serial number, and manufacture date. A similar one can be found at the base of your STB.
Appearance
The STB case has attractive, modern, matt black cubic styling that blends into any interior. Its compact size (120 × 78 × 21 mm) means you can put it anywhere.
The front panel houses the power indicator and IR sensor for an alternative remote control.
The left panel contains two USB ports: USB 2.0 (left) for peripheral devices like keyboard and mouse and USB 3.0 (right) for external data storage devices.
The back panel houses a 5V power inlet, HDMI port, Ethernet port, and Fn button to access system functions. The Fn button manually resets the STB to factory settings and activates other program options.
Infomir suggests its users register at https://my.infomir.eu/eng/ and verify that their device isn’t a cheap knock-off.
MAG500A specifications
| Specification | MAG500A |
| CPU | Quad-core ARM Cortex A-53, 1,900 MHz |
| Chipset | Amlogic S905X2 |
| Onboard memory | 16 GB |
| RAM | 2 GB |
| Operating system | Android 9.0 |
| High-res video support | Up to 4K @ 60 fps |
| HEVC support | + |
| 3D video support | + |
| HDMI 2.1 | + |
| Web browser | + |
| USB 2.0 | + |
| USB 3.0 | + |
| Bluetooth | Version 5.0 |
| IPTV | + |
| Remote control | + |
| Keyboard and mouse support | + |
| Wi-Fi | Built-in 2T2R ac Wi-Fi module |
| 100 Mbps Ethernet port | + |
Memory and CPU
The MAG500A is powered by an ARM Cortex-A53 CPU with a clock frequency of 1,900 MHz. It has 2 GB RAM and 16 GB of internal storage (double that of its predecessor).
The device loads and plays most popular video and audio formats: TS, AVI, MPEG, MP4, MOV, MKV, M2TS, VOB, as well as AC3, ACC, APE, FLAC, M4A, MP3, OGG, WAV.
Software
MAG500A is an Android TV device powered by Android 9.0. The STB comes with preinstalled Google apps: YouTube, Google Assistant, Chromecast built-in, and the official Google Play Store with access to 7,000 licensed games and apps.
It has passed all Google certifications and receives regular software and security patch updates.
The box plays 4K video at 60 fps, while the HEVC codec support ensures HD content playback with minimal load on your network. 3D graphics playback is effortless thanks to the Mali-G31 MP2 GPU with OpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.0, and OpenCL 2.0 support.
Apart from the modern 4K, MAG500A also supports older video modes like PAL, NTSC, 576p, 720p, 1080p, and 1080i.
The box can display subtitles in the following formats: DVB, PGS, SRT, SSA/ASS, SUB, WebVtt, teletext, and closed captions.
Sound
The STB supports 8-channel Dolby Digital Plus™ audio systems. For crisp surround sound, connect a DDP home theater or TV.
Connectivity
The Infomir MAG500A box connects to your TV via HDMI 2.1, enabling 4K video and 8-channel sound playback.
Connect either via the 2 USB ports or Bluetooth 5.0.
Connect to the internet via either Wi-Fi or 100 Mbps Ethernet. Its Wi-Fi module has 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz modes. The 2.4 GHz band gives a connection speed of >150 Mbps, while 5 GHz can raise it to 540 Mbps. Of course, connection speed also depends on your provider.
The MAG 500A Android TV device is a powerful STB that plays 4K HDR content and comes with built-in Google services. It’s sleek, attractive, and versatile. Available soon from the official distributor, Infomir!