How to set up a Xiaomi TV through an antenna: a step-by-step guide

Modern Xiaomi TVs, which are powered by Android TV, offer users a wide range of multimedia capabilities. However, one of the basic features that remains relevant for many owners is watching terrestrial TV through an antenna. Whether you use a room receiver or an external antenna on the roof, the right setup will allow you to enjoy a quality image without the delays and compression artifacts characteristic of online streaming.

The process of receiving the signal on Mi TV and Mi Box devices has its own technical features that distinguish them from classic TVs with push-button remotes. The key here is to correctly switch the signal sources and understand the difference between analog and digital broadcasting. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to set up a xiomy TV through an antenna to access all available multiplexes.

It is worth noting that most modern Xiaomi models are already equipped with a built-in tuner standard. DVB-T2, So that's not the kind of thing that you need to buy extra consoles, but if you own a projector or a specific model without a built-in TV tuner, you'll need an external device. USB-We'll look at both scenarios, focusing on the software part of the setup.

Preparation of equipment and compatibility check

Before you start software settings in the TV menu, you need to make sure that the equipment is physically ready to receive the signal. The first step is to check the type of antenna and its connection. For stable reception of the digital signal in most regions, an active room antenna with an amplifier or a passive external antenna directed towards the nearest tower is enough.

It is important to choose the right cable. For digital television, it is recommended to use a coaxial cable with a resistance of 75 Ohms. Using old or damaged cables can cause the TV to not find channels even if there is a powerful signal at the antenna. Note the connector: it must fit tightly into the ANT IN socket on the back of the device.

• 📡 Make sure the antenna is connected to the connector. ANT IN or RF In, not in, ports for satellite television.
• 🔌 If you are using an active antenna, check if it is powered (via the antenna). USB oral).
• 🧭 For external antennas, it is critically important to correctly direct the petals towards the repeater.

There's a common misconception that any cable is good for digital TV, and in fact, the quality of the cable's screening has a direct impact on the noise level, and if you live in a low-receipt zone, replacing the old cable with a new one with a double-screened one can solve the problem of missing images.

Remote interface and signal source selection

Xiaomi TVs are controlled via a Bluetooth remote, which requires initial pairing. To set up the TV tuner, you will need to find a special button, often designated as TV or having an antenna icon. In some models of the Mi Remote remotes, this button may not be present, then you enter the TV menu through a button with the image of a gear or through voice search.

When you call the Source menu, you need to select the location that will be responsible for the terrestrial TV. On Android TV, this can be called "Television", "DTV" or "Digital TV". If you see a message "No signal", it means that the TV has switched to the antenna input, but the channels have not yet been scanned.

⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse the entrance AV or HDMI If you've connected an antenna to the nest. ANT IN, but chose the source HDMI 1, the TV will show the screen of the console or console, ignoring the antenna signal.

The source selection interface may vary depending on the version of the PatchWall shell or pure Android TV. In some cases, you need to press the Menu button on the remote to call the quick settings pop-up panel, where the input switch is also available. Be careful when navigating, since the interface is sharpened to control from one cursor.

Automatic and manual channel setting

Once the right signal source is selected, the system will suggest setting the channels, a key step in which the TV scans the full frequency range and stores the broadcasts found, and it is recommended to start with automatic search, as it is the easiest and most effective for most users.

To start the automatic search, go to the settings menu, select Channels and click Auto Search. The system will warn you that the current list of channels will be replaced. The process can take from 2 to 5 minutes depending on the number of multiplexes available in your area.

In some cases, automatic search may not find all channels or find them with errors, and then manual adjustment comes to the rescue, you need to know the broadcast frequencies in your area, and in manual search mode, you enter a specific channel number or frequency, and the TV checks for the signal on that particular wavelength.

• 🔍 Manual search is useful if the automatic mode freezes or skips channels.
• 📺 You can sort channels by type: digital only (DTV) or analogue only (ATV).
• 💾 After the search is complete, be sure to save the changes, otherwise the list will not be updated.

If more than one multiplex (channel packet) is broadcasting in your region, you may need to repeat the search procedure for different frequency bands. Modern Xiaomi TVs usually determine the need for re-scanning, but manual control will not hurt.

Configuring DVB-T2 Digital Television

DVB-T2 is the main broadcast format today, providing high-resolution HD and even 4K images, as well as digital audio, and to operate this format, the TV must support the appropriate standard, as confirmed by the DVB-T2 logo on the box or in the specifications.

When setting up a digital TV, it is important to understand the concept of multiplexes. One frequency channel carries a packet of 10 channels. So, if you find one frequency, you get access to a group of channels at once. In Russia and many CIS countries, broadcasting is conducted in the decimeter wavelength (DMW).

Settings DVB-T2:


Antenna mode: DTV




Type of scan: Complete




Frequency range: UHF (DMW)

The quality of a digital signal is binary: either the picture is perfect or it is not at all (the “square” effect or complete loss). Unlike analog signal, where it simply snows when interference occurs, a digital signal requires a certain power threshold to decode.

⚠️ Note: If you are setting up DVB-T2 You see a message that says "No Signal" on all frequencies, check if the menu is activated with "Cable Only" mode".

Working with analog signal and cable TV

Despite the ubiquity of digital technology, analog broadcasting (ATV) is still present in many regions, especially in remote areas or in cable TV systems of old houses.

If you connect a TV to a cable network in an apartment building without a digital set-top box, you may need to set up a frequency grid. Cable operators often use non-standard frequency steps or channel order, in which case automatic search can place channels in a chaotic order.

For users switching from old TVs to Xiaomi, it may come as a surprise that there is no usual "noise" between channels. Digitally, empty cells are simply skipped, and it is worth noting that the analog signal on large diagonals of Mi TV screens may look blurred due to the stretching of low resolution.

Problem Fixing: Weak Signal and No Channels

When a Xiaomi TV doesn’t find channels or writes “Weak Signal” is one of the most common reasons for calling for support. Before panicking, you need to diagnose the signal level. The channel settings menu usually has an indicator of signal level and quality displayed as a scale.

If the scale is less than 50% full, you can't have a stable picture, so you need to check the integrity of the cable, no bending or oxidation of the contacts, and you should try to redirect the antenna or raise it higher. For indoor antennas, sometimes the position of the window in line of sight from the repeater helps.

• 🔌 Check if the plug is sitting tightly in the TV socket; loose connector is a common cause of loss of contact.
• 📡 Remove sources of interference from the antenna: routers, microwave ovens, mobile phones.
• 🔄 Try resetting the tuner settings and repeat the search again.

In some cases, the problem lies in the software of the TV. The outdated version of the firmware may contain errors in the tuner drivers. Check for system updates in the Settings section → About TV → System Update.

💡

Use the Digital TV app or similar from the Google Play Store if the built-in search isn't working properly. Third-party apps sometimes do better at scanning frequencies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

💡

The quality of reception of terrestrial television 90% depends on the right antenna, not on the settings of the TV itself.