How to set up channels on Xiaomi TV via antenna

Xiaomi’s modern Android TVs are powerful multimedia hubs. However, despite the abundance of streaming services and apps, traditional terrestrial TV remains a sought-after source of news and entertainment for millions of users. The process of initial setup of signal reception can seem confusing due to the specifics of the PatchWall interface or pure Android TV.

Unlike the old button models, control is mainly through a remote with voice input and screen menus. The digital antenna must be properly connected, and the TV itself is configured to work with the DVB-T2 standard, which is the main one in Russia and many CIS countries. If you miss an important step in the menu or choose the wrong region, the search for channels can end in zero result.

In this guide, we will take a detailed look at all the steps of connection, from the physical connection of a coaxial cable to finely manual frequency adjustment. You will learn how to eliminate interference, what to do if the TV does not see the antenna, and how to sort the list of channels for maximum convenience. Follow the instructions to enjoy a quality image without delay.

Preparation of equipment and connection check

Before you go into the operating system software settings, you need to make sure that all components of the signal chain are physically intact. Often the problem is not a Mi TV firmware failure, but a banal lack of contact or cable damage. Make sure your antenna (room or external) supports the decimeter wavelength (DMW) range, as it is in this that the digital signal is transmitted.

Carefully inspect the connectors. The plug that is inserted into the TV must be F-connector or I-connector type (depending on the TV model and delivery region), and it should sit tight, without backlashes. If you use an active antenna with an amplifier, make sure it is connected to a power source if it is designed.

⚠️ Note: Do not use damaged cables with broken insulation or oxidized contacts, as this leads to loss of signal strength and the appearance of image artifacts that cannot be eliminated by software.

To connect, perform the following actions:

• 🔌 Insert the antenna cable plug into the socket with the inscription ANT IN Digital In on the back of a Xiaomi TV.
• 📡 If an antenna amplifier is used, plug it into the socket and check the lighted power indicator.
• 🔘 Make sure the remote is functional and has charged batteries, as navigation on the menu is impossible without it.

Once you're physically connected, you can go to the software part, and the TV needs to be on and in the main interface mode.

Selecting a signal source and launching a search

The interface of Xiaomi TVs may vary depending on the installed version of the shell – global PatchWall or international version of Android TV. In both cases, the algorithm of actions is similar, but the names of items may vary.

Press the menu button on the remote (a gear icon or three dots) and find the channel section, which is called Channels or Live TV in most models. If you see a start screen with recommendations, try pressing the button with the TV or satellite dish on the remote to immediately go to the broadcast list.

In the menu that opens, select Channel Search or Auto Scan, and the system will suggest that you select the source of the signal, and it is critical that you do not confuse the inputs:

• 📡 Select an antenna or Ether TV to receive a signal via cable.
• 📺 Do not choose Cable TV unless the provider has provided special frequencies other than the air frequencies.
• 🛰️ Ignore Satellite if the TV is not connected to the external receiver via HDMI.

Once the source is selected, the system will request confirmation of the scanning start, and starting the process will initiate a check of the entire available frequency range, at which time the progress scale and the current signal level can be displayed on the screen.

Automatic and manual frequency setting

Automatic search is the easiest way, but it's not always effective in areas of insecure reception. The standard algorithm runs quickly through frequencies and can miss a weak signal. If the automation can't find the channels or finds them with errors, you need to switch to manual setting.

To do this, select Manual Scan or Manual Scan from the channel search menu. You will need to enter the frequency of a particular multiplex. In Russia and many countries, digital TV is transmitted in packets (multiplexes) at strictly defined frequencies, for example, the first packet of channels can broadcast at 546 MHz, and the second one at 594 MHz.

Example of frequencies for Moscow (Powerful transmitter Ostankino):


Multiplex 1: 546 MHz (Channel 30)




Multiplex 2: 594 MHz (Channel 36)




Multi-Tibeess 3: 650 MHz (Channel 43)

Once you enter the frequency, run the search. The TV will only check that range. If there's a signal, you'll see the quality and level scales. If the scales are blank, try repositioning the antenna or checking the amplifier. Manual mode allows you to find channels even where automatic search is passing.

⚠️ Note: When manually configured, make sure you enter a frequency in Megahertz (MHz) rather than a channel number if the interface requires a frequency.

Use the exact frequency of the nearest repeater you can find on the digital TV coverage map site for your region, which will greatly speed up the process and improve the quality of reception.

Table of the main parameters of digital broadcasting

Understanding the technical parameters helps diagnose problems. Below is a table with the main characteristics of the DVB-T2 standard that Xiaomi TV uses when decoding the signal.

If your TV is older, it may not support the HEVC codec (H.265) that is used to broadcast some channels in high resolution, in which case the channels will be found, but when switched on they will be a format error message or black screen.

To check codec support, you can install the AIDA64 app or look at the model specification on the official website. Modern Xiaomi Mi TV models are usually equipped with decoders that can handle all current broadcast formats.

Solving problems with weak signal and interference

When a TV has found channels, but the image is squashed or disappears altogether, it indicates a low signal level. A digital signal has a tendency to break: it is either perfect or it is not at all. There is no intermediate state with snow, like in analog TV.

First, check the signal level through the engineering menu or dashboard. Press Info or Option on the remote while browsing the channel. If the scale is less than 60-70% full, you need to improve the reception conditions.

Ways to improve signal quality:

• 📶 Turn the antenna in the direction of the nearest TV tower (use the coverage card).
• 🏠 Raise the antenna higher if it is room-based. 1-2 A meter can change the situation dramatically.
• 🔌 Replace the cable with a better quality one with copper and double shielding, especially if it is longer than 10 meters.

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Use the compass apps on your smartphone to pinpoint the direction to the TV tower.The magnetic compass can lie because of the rebar in the walls, so it's best to use GPS-map.

If you live in a digital shadow zone (far from the tower or behind the hill), the room antenna may not be able to cope, in which case only installing an external directional antenna on the roof or using a signal amplifier powered by a 220V network will help.

Channel sorting and additional functions

After successfully searching for dozens of channels, the user-friendliness question arises: the standard list is often chaotic: channels can be mixed, federal channels are mixed with regional ones, and Xiaomi’s interface allows you to edit this list.

Go to Channel List or Channel List, where you can drag and drop channels, assign them favorite categories, or hide unnecessary ones, especially if you want to only flip through the main federal channels when you switch the Up/Down button.

Also worth paying attention to is the EPG function, if it doesn't work automatically, check the time and date settings on the system, they must be synchronized with the network. Without the exact time, the transmission program won't show.

⚠️ Note: When sorting channels, do not delete system or service channels unless you are sure of their purpose, although on-air digital broadcasts usually do not.

Some users prefer third-party TV viewing apps like Google’s Live Channels or TiviMate, which can provide a more user-friendly interface than the standard one, especially if you’re using not only an on-air antenna, but also IPTV.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Proper antenna orientation and choice of Etheric TV (DVB-T2) are key factors in successful channel setup on Xiaomi TVs.