What is a MAG box?
A MAG box is a receiver made by Infomir. The most common models are the MAG 250, the MAG 322 and the MAG 420. These devices do not run Android: they use their own system and connect to an IPTV portal (the Stalker protocol). The provider identifies the device by its MAC address, a unique address such as 00:1A:79:XX:XX:XX printed on the box. A MAG is easy to use once configured, but not very flexible: you cannot install apps on it.
What is a Formuler box?
Formuler boxes (Z8, Z10, Z11) run Android TV. Their interface is close to a regular Android box, and they ship with the MYTVOnline app, a well-known IPTV player. Because they run Android, you can install other players, load an M3U playlist, or use Xtream Codes credentials. The Z11 is the most recent model in the range.
Two ways to connect
Portal (Stalker) with a MAC address — mostly on MAG: the box connects to a portal provided by the operator. You give the MAC address to support, who registers it on the server side. There are no credentials to enter: everything goes through the portal.
Android app with Xtream or M3U — on Formuler (and recent MAG boxes that support Android): you install a player and enter the server URL, the username and the password, or you load an M3U link.
Step-by-step setup
On a MAG
- Plug the box into HDMI and Ethernet, then power it on.
- Read the MAC address in Settings → System info (or on the back of the device).
- Send that MAC address to support so it can be registered.
- Open Settings → Portals, enter the portal name and the URL you were given, then save.
- Restart the box and let the portal load the channels and the EPG.
On a Formuler
- Plug the box into HDMI, connect it to the network and finish the Android setup wizard.
- Open MYTVOnline (or install another player).
- Choose Xtream Codes and enter the server URL, the username and the password.
- Or choose Playlist / M3U and paste the link you were given.
- Let the app load the channels and the guide, then test a channel.
Exchanging the MAC address with support
On a MAG, the MAC address is the key to your access: it must be sent exactly as it appears on screen. One wrong character and the portal will refuse the connection. Check it on screen rather than typing it from memory, and avoid sharing the box with another household. If you change devices, tell support so the access can be moved to the new MAC address.
Ethernet or Wi-Fi?
A MAG and a Formuler both perform better on an Ethernet cable: the connection is more stable and latency is lower, which matters for live TV. Wi-Fi works, but it depends on distance, walls and the number of connected devices. If the box is far from the router, a cable or a Powerline kit remains the best option.
EPG and parental controls
The programme guide (EPG) shows programme times. It loads automatically with the portal or the playlist, but it sometimes needs a few minutes on the first start. If the EPG stays empty, check that the box time is correct. Parental controls are set in the player settings: you can lock certain categories with a PIN code. On a MAG these options depend on the portal; on a Formuler they are found in MYTVOnline.
Common errors and fixes
- The portal will not load: check the URL you entered, the network connection and the MAC address registration, then restart the box.
- Wrong MAC address: compare it character by character with the system info screen. Watch out for 0 vs O, or 1 vs I.
- Wrong date and time: a wrong time zone breaks the secure connection to the portal and empties the EPG. Set the time to automatic.
- Buffering: test over Ethernet, close unnecessary apps and check your speed. On an older box, a newer box can help.
MAG or a modern Android box: which to choose?
A MAG suits you if you already own an Infomir box and want simple, portal-based use. It is also practical for family use, with no settings to change. A modern Android box (Android TV, Google TV) or a recent Formuler gives you more flexibility: varied apps, updates, Xtream or M3U, and a smoother interface. For a new purchase, an Android box is generally the more durable choice; keep the MAG if the device is already in place and working.
Whether you stay on a MAG or move to a Formuler, what matters is entering the MAC address or the credentials correctly, and preferring a wired connection. When something blocks you, a quick exchange with support is often enough to sort it out.