In this review, I look at the MMB AI Box Wireless TV 2.0. You can buy this budget AI Box for $111.75 directly from the MMB store – https://bit.ly/mmbtv2.
TLDR: The MMB TV 2.0 Wireless AI Box is an affordable AI adapter with an open Android platform, allowing app downloads and customization. It performs well for video streaming (e.g., YouTube, Netflix) and includes features like split-screen multitasking, IPTV streaming, and AirPlay support. However, its low-end hardware results in slow boot times and limited multitasking capabilities. While it’s a decent option for budget-conscious users, its current price is close to more powerful alternatives, making it less competitive. Sub-$100 pricing would have made it a more compelling choice.
AI boxes are generally expensive adapters for car infotainment systems. This is primarily due to the advanced hardware they contain, enabling them to run Android operating systems. This, in turn, offers far greater flexibility compared to cheaper wireless CarPlay adapters. However, now and then, we see AI boxes released at prices closer to those of wireless adapters. Most of these are closed systems, meaning they cannot access Google’s Play Store to download additional apps.
The MMB TV 2.0 Wireless AI Box breaks this trend by offering a low-spec AI box with an open Android platform, allowing you to download and install any app to personalize and enhance your entertainment experience. But is a cheaper and more accessible AI box the best course of action? Let’s find out.
Inside the box, you’ll find a paper instruction manual, the MMB TV 2.0 AI box itself, and two power cables: one USB-A to USB-C and another USB-C to USB-C for modern CarPlay USB ports. There is also an HDMI cable included, which allows you to display content from the AI box on an external monitor, a TV, or even a home display.
The MMB TV 2.0 has the typical features you would expect from a CarPlay adapter. There’s a USB-C port for power, along with a status indicator light to show that the box is operating. On the opposite side, there’s an HDMI-out port and a full-sized USB-A port. The USB-A port allows playback of media from an inserted USB drive or the connection of peripherals such as a mouse or keyboard.
Installation is very straightforward. You simply connect the MMB TV 2.0 to your CarPlay USB port, and within seconds, you’ll see the boot-up animation, followed by the main menu interface. Unfortunately, this is the longest boot sequence I’ve experienced on an AI box—a reflection of its rather underpowered hardware, which will be a recurring theme throughout this review.
The main menu, like other MMB adapters, is aesthetically pleasing and functional. Quick access to Wi-Fi, CarPlay, Android Auto, settings, Bluetooth, and a file explorer is available directly from the home screen. The layout features six customizable icons, allowing you to launch your favorite installed apps quickly. While the adapter comes pre-installed with a few key apps, some regulars like Google Maps are missing. This omission is likely due to the lack of GPS hardware in the device.
You can still download apps from the Google Play Store, but some apps are incompatible with the older Android platform running on this adapter. Thankfully, the USB port allows sideloading apps via APK files from third-party sources like APKMirror. This provides a workaround for installing additional apps not available directly from the Play Store.
When it comes to video streaming, the MMB TV 2.0 performs surprisingly well given its low-end hardware. YouTube and Netflix ran smoothly on my Cupra Born car system, with minimal audio delay even at 1080p60 resolutions. Navigating app menus and browsing content was acceptable, though multitasking could be a challenge. The device supports split-screen functionality, allowing two apps to run simultaneously. This feature is particularly useful for pairing a video streaming app with a navigation app.
Gaming on this adapter is virtually non-existent due to its limited processing power. However, as a video streaming device, it is surprisingly capable. One standout feature is the pre-installed IPTV app. Typically, apps like these suffer from poor performance, buffering, and subpar streaming quality. However, on this adapter, I found a wide range of options offering decent-quality streams with good audio. I was pleasantly surprised and half-expected a premium upsell to follow, though none appeared during my testing.
A recent update introduced AirPlay support, allowing you to stream content from your iPhone or Android device to the adapter. The experience was smooth, with minimal lag or audio delay. However, AirPlay is limited to copyright-free apps like YouTube and TikTok, while services such as Netflix and Disney+ are blocked. For Android users, screen mirroring offers a viable alternative, working well for streaming video to the CarPlay display without logging into the apps installed on the adapter itself.
Overall, my impressions of the MMB TV 2.0 were mixed. On the positive side, it performed well for video streaming, whether using pre-installed apps, downloading from the Google Play Store, or casting from a smartphone. The IPTV app was a surprising value addition, offering lots of content to explore. On the negative side, the adapter’s low-end hardware is a limitation, and its pricing could be a deterrent.
While the current end-of-year sale makes it more competitive, the adapter is still only $40 cheaper than more powerful alternatives. Pricing this device below $100 would have made it a more attractive option for budget-conscious buyers. At its current price, you’ll need to accept slower boot-up times and more limited multitasking capabilities. For those seeking an affordable video streaming AI box, the MMB TV 2.0 could still be worth considering.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 – Brief overview
0:27 – Unboxing
0:56 – Features & design
1:35 – Boot-up & Main Menu
2:51- Apps
3:16 – Hardware specs
4:39 – Settings
6:19 – YouTube
7:10 – Netflix
8:02 – Google Play Store
8:58 – Spotify
9:44 – Maps without GPS
10:06 – IPTV app & HDMI to TV
12:23 – USB media playback
13:31 – Wireless Apple CarPlay
15:56 – Wireless Android Auto
17:44 – Update new features
21:37 – My Impressions
