Modern Smart TV Xiaomi and Redmi are equipped with powerful multimedia players that are able to play most popular files without additional software. USB-drive or through a local network, and knowing the containers supported becomes critical to comfortable use.
The Android TV operating system or PatchWall’s own shell are based on standard decoding libraries that ensure compatibility with MP4, MKV and AVI formats. However, not all codecs inside these containers can be recognized by the built-in player by default, which sometimes leads to “Format not supported” errors in the absence of sound or video sequence.
In this article, we will discuss in detail what video codecs and audio formats your TV understands, how to properly prepare files for viewing and what to do if a standard player does not cope with the task, you will learn about the intricacies of working with 4K HDR content and how to expand the functionality of the device.
Supported video formats and codecs
Xiaomi Mi TVs and Mi Box consoles support modern video compression standards. The most common and preferred format is H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC), which provides high picture quality at a relatively small file size, which is readable by absolutely all models without exception.
High-resolution content, including 4K Ultra HD, is viewed using the more advanced HEVC codec (H.265). Xiaomi’s flagship HDR10+ and Dolby Vision TVs require this format to correctly display dynamic range. Older models may have difficulty with H.265 files with bitrates above 60-80 Mbps.
Also worth mentioning is support for the VP9 format, which is actively used by YouTube to stream video in 4K. If you plan to watch video through a browser or third-party applications, the presence of a VP9 hardware decoder guarantees smooth playback without jerks.
It is important to note that MKV container support does not guarantee any video playback inside it, as the internal video and audio track codec plays a key role.
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Use files with a bitrate of no more than 100 Mbps to ensure smooth playback over USB, as port bandwidth may be limited.
Audio formats and soundtracks
The sound quality in movies often depends on the audio codec used. The basic standard for all Xiaomi TVs is the MP3 format, which plays seamlessly in any music player and video file.
Support for Dolby Digital (AC3) and DTS codecs is critical for home theater systems and surround sound movies. Many modern Xiaomi models are licensed to decode these formats, allowing multi-channel audio to be output via optical output or HDMI ARC to external acoustics.
However, there are limitations: Some budget models or specific firmware versions may not be licensed to decode DTS, which will result in no sound when a movie is launched, and in such cases, the TV may suggest switching to an alternative audio track if it is present in the file.
- 🎧 MP3 — Standard compression format, read everywhere.
- 🔊 AC3 (Dolby Digital – the main format for surround sound in the cinema.
- 🎼 AAC — frequently used in containers MP4 streaming services.
- 📀 FLAC — lossless format supported by music players.
Image formats and subtitles
Beyond video, Xiaomi TVs are great at displaying photos. The built-in gallery supports major raster formats like JPEG and PNG. PNG is better for viewing professional shots or images with a transparent background, although JPEG remains the most popular due to its smaller file weight.
Special attention should be paid to the support of subtitles, as for many users it is the only way to watch foreign films. Xiaomi TVs natively support external subtitles in SRT, ASS and SSA formats. SRT format is the most stable and recommended for use in the first place.
Embedded (hard-stitched) subtitles play easily, as they are part of the video stream. However, if you use external files, it is important that the name of the subtitles file is the same as the video file and they are in the same folder, Movie_Name.mkv and Movie_Name.srt.
Problems with subtitling
Codec compatibility table
To quickly determine the compatibility of your file with a Xiaomi TV, use the table below to help you understand why a particular movie or music might not work.
| Type of media | Format/Code | File extension | Status of support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video | H.264 / AVC | .mp4, .mkv, .avi | Full (Native) |
| Video | HEVC / H.265 | .mkv, .mp4 | Full (up to 4K 60fps) |
| Audio. | Dolby Digital Plus | .eac3 | Depends on the model. |
| Subtitles | .srt | Complete. | |
| Photo Photo | JPEG / PNG | .jpg, .png | Complete. |
Problems with the reproduction of AVI and MKV
Despite the stated support for AVI and MKV containers, users often face a situation where video is on and no sound is available, or vice versa.This is because an old audio codec, such as the AC3, can be used inside the AVI container, which Xiaomi's built-in player sometimes ignores due to licensing restrictions.
In the case of MKV, the problem may lie in the file structure: If the file contains multiple audio paths of different formats (for example, DTS and AAC), the TV can automatically select the one that can not decode.
⚠️ Note: If you start a file with an error called “Unsupported format”, try changing the file extension or checking its bitrate.
Another cause of problems may be the file system. USB-Xiaomi TVs are easy to read. FAT32 and NTFS. However, the exFAT file system may not be defined on some versions of Android. TV, which will require formatting the flash drive.
☑️ Diagnostics of file problem
Use of third-party players
If the built-in media player can’t play your files, the most effective solution is to install a third-party application. TV allows you to set up any APK-files or download applications from the Google Play Store.
One of the best solutions is the VLC for Android player, which has its own codecs and is able to open almost any video and audio formats that do not go on a standard player, and the Nova Video Player and MX Player apps, which have user-friendly interfaces for remote control, are also popular.
To install third-party software, you must allow installation from unknown sources. Go to Settings → Security and Restrictions → Unknown sources and activate the desired item for your file manager or browser.
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Installing VLC Player solves 99% of the problems with audio and video formats incompatibility on Xiaomi TVs.
Network settings for broadcasting (DLNA and SMB)
Instead of using USB-You can stream content directly from your computer or smartphone. Xiaomi TVs support protocol DLNA, This allows you to see media on your PC in the Gallery or Video app on your TV if both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
A more advanced method is to connect via protocol. SMB. This allows you to open files directly from the Windows network folder or NAS-To do this, the file manager of the TV (for example, X-plore or File Commander) you need to add network storage, specifying the IP-Computer address and user credentials.
When using network protocols, it is important to consider the speed of Wi-Fi connection. To view heavy 4K content over the network, it is recommended to use Ethernet cable connection or 5 GHz Wi-Fi standard, since the frequency of 2.4 GHz may not provide sufficient bandwidth.