Frequently Asked Questions

MAG 254 vs MAG 256 – Which one should you buy?

What is a MAG set-top box?

A MAG box is an IPTV set top box produced by Infomir used to stream channels to your TV. They also allow you to use it as a media viewer through the USB port. The USB port allows you to view pictures, movies and update the firmware on the box.
The box allows you to stream media via the internet using remote servers which you can connect to using the MAC address found on the box.
Both boxes perform really well as a streaming set top box and either will leave you a happy streamer.

MAG 254 vs MAG 256 – Design

The design of MAG boxes is very similar. Both are very minimalistic sleek black boxes, with a front LCD panel and a selection of rear I/O.
Both boxes weigh 190 grams, however the mag 256 comes in slightly larger at 132 x 87 x 26 mm compared to the smaller MAG 254 at 127 x 87 x 30 mm.
Both boxes have almost identical I/O. There’s a single USB 2.0 port on the right side of the box. On the back of both boxes, you’ll find an audio output, A/V output, ethernet 100MB/s. On the MAG254, you'll find an additional USB 2.0 while on the MAG256, you'll find a USB 3.0 port which transfers files significanty faster.l
There’s also a small heat vent at the back of the box, to ventilate and keep it cool.

MAG 254 vs MAG 256 – Price

The price of the MAG256 is slightly more expensive due to it having higher specs. However, don’t let this discourage you from thinking that the MAG254 is not powerful enough. The higher price on the MAG256 is compensated by having more RAM and a faster CPU.

MAG 254 vs MAG 256 – Specs

The MAG256 has more powerful specs compared to the MAG254 but both are still very strong boxes.
The MAG254 has a STiH 207 compared to the MAG256 which is using the ARM Cortex 1.5 GHz.
The MAG254 is also running 512MB of RAM and 256MB of flash memory which is half the amount of the MAG 256 which as 1GB of RAM and 512MB of flash memory.
While the MAG254 is running a smooth copy of Linux 2.6.23, the MAG256 is running a new version of Linux, 3.3.

Which One Should You Buy?

No matter what you buy, you will feel satisfied. Light casual user? The MAG254 is for you. Heavy user who needs an extra bit of power? The MAG256 is what you need.
Overall both boxes will live up to your standards and will perform how you expect. You just need to decide how much extra power you need.

Update:5th June 2017

Now both the MAG254 and MAG256 come in w1 and w2 variants.
Both w variants allow the MAG boxes to have inbuilt WiFi capability.
Differences: w1: Allows 802.11 b/g/n, up to 150Mbps w2: Allows 802.11 b/g/n/ac, up to 600Mbps