Today Formuler launches the new Z mini Box. Small, powerful, hidden behind TV and controlled over BT1 RCU.

It's never been easier to take your box with you. No matter whether camping, hotel or watching a game at friends men cave.

Top specs in small format:

Output Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160)

CPU : RealTek RTD1325

GPU : Mali-G57 MC1

RAM: 2GB LPDDR4 @2400MHz

Storage: 8GB eMMC

Operating System : Android 12

Wireless : AC 2x2

BT : 5.0

First test, and i must say, i love it

Tomorrow follows few Screenshots and new feature in MOL3

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New with this chipset and MOL3 version:

1. QMS = Quick Media Switching

Experience seamless media transitions with Quick Media Switching (QMS), ensuring uninterrupted enjoyment of your favorite content without blackout periods

when switching between different frame-rates (FPS).

Source: https://www.hdmi.org/spec21sub/quickmediaswitching

2. AISR = Improves video quality through AI-powered resolution upscaling (SD).

Video upscaling, also known as video enlargement or resolution enhancement, is the process of increasing the resolution and quality of a video. The AI enhances its quality through upscaling, motion interpolation, denoising, deinterlacing, and shake stabilization.

Basically, you can fix elements like blurry scenes or camera shake.

How is this different from traditional upscaling? Manual upscaling techniques fix or build pixels but can’t take the video to a significantly higher quality output.

AI video upscaling uses advanced deep learning algorithms to analyze and understand the content of low-resolution videos. By using this context-aware analysis, AI models can accurately predict missing pixels, resulting in high-quality upscaled videos with enhanced details and clarity.

AI video upscaling can also take old videos and make them look like new. While there’s an ongoing debate about AI versus humans for creativity, video upscaling is a great example of turning a tedious task into a fast and inexpensive one. Small businesses can leverage AI for other labor intensive and time-consuming tasks too, such as data analytics, coding, and administrative work.

3. MOL3 new feature

Portal sorting and selection. Now each portal can be selected individually in the List category.

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Using the Z mini with a USB C-type hub with PD.

First test was great, all connected devices recognised correctly and Ethernet connection (1000Mbit) worked from the beginning. After all settings was done, rebooted the device once.

Test was done with connected Samsung 256GB micro sd card and 64GB USB Stick. USB Stick was set as recording device (formatted with NTFS) and micro sd card for timeshift (formatted with exFAT). Both formats working fine.

Recording was done without any issue and timeshift worked also very well.

See pictures.

Compatible USB C-type hub with PD for Z mini (Database)

First post updated, please read again. Thx.

And of course power supply and USB-C Cable

Quote from henkie

Hi,i just Googled the QMS enabled feature of the Z mini,whereby the blackscreens in AFR enabled should be something of the past.

Unfortunately,there are only a limited brands of tvs,that support this feature.

I recently bought a Sony Bravia XK and to my dissapointment i read that Sony is not yet supporting the QMS feature,do you know more about this,and can you show a video with this QMS feature in action?

Please read, first post again.. updated now.

Quote from skicard

Is this the new box, or will there be a Z12 in the future.

Of course it is new box. It is not calling Z 12 even if this Box have already Android OS 12. It is something new, easy for use in House and out of the house!

Quote from henkie

Is it also possible to record with the Z mini,as it is not yet clear to me how many USB ports are available?

It is only USB C Connector and button for BT Connect on the box. To use some USB Stick or Micro Sd card to record, you need optional USB HUB. The USB Hub must be with USB C power out to box.

I ordered some tonight from Amazone for tests, will review the test when finished.

Quote from LaPraline

usb-c port is for charging or data?

Both.

Quote from pizzaman

when will this be available

In next few days. Sellers, Shops etc. are ordering and can order instantly.

Quote from AlfLaSalle

What about Audio Codecs? Theres nothing written about?!

Same like in MOL3 on other Z11 Boxes.

Quote from sherlock07

does it have lan connection, as wifi here is very patchy.

This can work only with optional USB Hub with Ethernet port. The one i have ordered for test have Ethernet port, will report.

Hi Henkie, it depends from TV Manufacturer if they want to support such function and implement it into his firmware update, depends also from chipset from them.

The new z mini chipset support this function and it works very nice, of course on TV's that support QMS.

First Post updated.

Review USB C-type hub with PD and created new thread with database for compatible hub`s.

Quote from Stefansteif

the portal switch comes to MOL3 to Z11 Series too?

Yes, will come

Quote from LDeacon

Is this hdmi 2.1 then?

I asked Formuler and will come back to you with Info soon.

Click on the link at end of the post/first thread.

Quote from LDeacon

Is this hdmi 2.1 then?

Got answer, yes it is 2.1 with QMS support.

AISR is chipset dependend and on z11 chipset nonexistent. Z mini have new chipset.

Quote from zool99

Is it possible to power this device via the tv usb port rather than the supplied power lead/plug?

Yes.

Quote from r3dn0ze

As a reseller of these boxes, I have some concerns re any damage that can occur to the HDMI cable since it's built-in to the device. I assume with the weight and heat that will be present behind TV's will cause damage over time. Can we ship boxes back to Formuler for a replacement?

Also, since we dealing with hundreds of elder customers, can the new MOL3 portal selection tab on the left of the groups list be hidden for those with 1 portal only? It might cause confusion from a customer support perspective. It's a well-needed feature but not worth the borrowed screen real-estate for those who don't intend on getting 2+ portals (which is the majority of users). An option to hide it will also be good. I hope this update doesn't get pushed to Z11's the way it is as it's already hard enough to sell the device to the elderly.

1. The built in HDMI Cable is very flexible and strong enough to hold the light box weight (70 gram with hdmi cable) forever without any damages!

Secondly, you have the option to attach it to the TV with double-sided adhesive pads when the box is not used elsewhere, such as hotel, camping, etc.

2. Entire Community wanted this feature badly. It is only one icon on left side and even if clicked on it you get back to the category`s from your single sub.

Quote from allen

Will it be fully licensed for all the apps - Netflix, ITVX (UK), Channel 4 (UK) etc?

The biggest drawback of the Z10 was the issues using those apps

If it were fully licensed then the box would be so much more expensive that you probably wouldn't buy it.

The licenses and certifications are extremely expensive. And even if paid, some of them have demands that cannot be met.

Didn`t seen any yet.

For me it is some change and better quality in SD but not so significant to say WOW. How ever, it depends always from user and what he see, someone will see it instantly and someone not.

Zmini comes with BT1 remote and silicon case, Z11 with IR1 and Z11 BT Edition with BT1 remote.

My personal opinion is that I am happy to have a new box that I can put in my pocket at any time and take with me and connect anywhere. But this one can completely keep up with the others in terms of performance.

It all depends on usage. If you want something more stationary, the Z11 is always the first choice. If you want something new that you can take with you quickly, then the Z mini is ideal.

It's all a question of use.