How to set up digital channels on your Xiaomi TV: the complete guide

Xiaomi’s current Android TVs are powerful multimedia centers. However, for many users, the ability to watch traditional high-resolution terrestrial TV remains a top priority. The setup of digital channels on these devices is often questionable, especially for those who are switching from classic models to smart platforms. The correct configuration of the receiver will allow you to enjoy HD and Full HD quality images without interruption and delay.

The process of finding and sorting channels on Mi TV or Mi Stick (with DVB-T2 support) requires a number of sequential steps. Unlike older TVs, the control interface is more complex, but also more functional. The digital tuner built into most modern Xiaomi models supports DVB-T2 and DVB-C standards, which allows you to catch both air and cable signals without connecting additional consoles. It is important to make sure that your model has a built-in decoder, since some budget versions may require an external module.

Before starting the procedure, you need to physically connect the antenna cable to the corresponding connector on the back of the device. It is usually marked as Antenna In or RF In. If you use an indoor antenna with an amplifier, make sure that it is also connected to the power source if it is required by the design. Without a quality input signal, the software setting will not give the desired result, and the list of channels will remain empty or intermittent.

Preparation of equipment and signal verification

The first step in the configuration process is to ensure that the signal is stable from the transmitting tower or cable provider. The image quality depends on the state of the antenna cable and the antenna itself. For DVB-T2 digital broadcasting, it is critical that there is no strong interference and sufficient signal level. If you are in the area of uncertain reception, you may need to replace the room antenna with an external directional model.

You can check the signal level directly in the TV menu before you start automatically searching, which will help you to understand whether you should count on a successful scan or antenna. In Xiaomi Mi TV 4A, 4S and newer series, this feature is built into the system settings. Pay attention to the level and quality indicators: they must be at least half full for stable operation.

  • 📡 Make sure the antenna cable is tightly inserted into the connector ANT IN point-and-click.
  • 🔌 Check the integrity of the cable: it should not be severe inflections or damage to the insulation.
  • 📶 If an active antenna is used, check for power on or through the unit. USB-television-port.

It's worth noting that cable length also plays a role. A wire that's too long without an amplifier can significantly weaken the signal, especially at high frequencies. In these cases, using an active amplifier becomes not just a recommendation, but a necessity. Ignoring this point often leads to the TV finding channels, but they periodically crumble into cubes or disappear completely.

⚠️ Note: Do not use old antennas designed only for analog signal, without checking their frequency range. Digital broadcasting is in the decimeter range (DMW), and meter antennas may not receive the signal at all.

💡

Use a double shielded cable (SAT) to minimize interference, especially if the antenna wire is laid next to the power lines of the wiring.

Xiaomi TVs are based on Android TV (or PatchWall variants in some regions), which requires a certain control logic. All broadcast settings are concentrated in the main app menu. To start setting up, you will need a remote control. Navigation is done using arrow buttons and a central confirmation button.

You need to find an app that can set up channels, and depending on the firmware version and the regional location of the device, it can be called differently, most often Live TV, TV or Channel Settings, and in some cases, you can access the broadcast settings through the general Settings menu in the Channels or Logins section.

If you can't find the right item on the main menu, try pressing the gear button or the Menu button on the remote. Often manufacturers hide the deep tuner setting there. Also, it's worth considering that the interface may differ on global firmware versions and versions for the Chinese market, where the menu can be entirely in English or Chinese.

  • 🖥️ Press the Home button on the remote to access the main screen.
  • 🔍 Find and launch the Live app TV or go to Settings.
  • ⚙️ In the settings menu, select the section associated with Channel Setup or Broadcast.
📊 What is your Xiaomi TV model?
Mi TV 4A
Mi TV 4S
Mi TV P1
Another model
I'm using the Mi Box.

Understanding the menu structure greatly speeds up the process. Android TV settings are often divided into general system settings and application settings. Channel settings are system-specific, but are run often through an terrestrial TV conductor app. If you reset your TV settings to factory settings, the first time you turn on, the system will suggest you go through the initial channel settings.

Automatic setup of digital channels

The easiest and most common way to get a list of available programs is through automatic search, where the TV algorithm will scan the entire frequency range, save the streams found, and sort them, a method that is suitable for most users who live in a zone where they can receive signals from the nearest tower.

To start the procedure, select AutoSearch or Auto Tuning from the menu, the system will warn you that the current list of channels will be replaced by new data. Confirm the action and be patient: the process can take from 3 to 10 minutes depending on the number of frequencies and signal quality, during which time the TV will consistently check each frequency.

☑️ Autosetting checklist

Done: 0 / 4

During the scan, the screen can display progress bar and current state: "Search", "Save Signal", "Save". Interrupting the process in the middle will cause some of the channels to not be saved, and the procedure will have to be repeated again. Make sure that at the time of search, no one switches channels or turns off the device.

ParameterDescriptionRecommended value
SourceSignal input typeAntenna (DVB-T2)
Search modeMethod of scanningFull / All channels
Type of channelFilters by typeDigital
Frequency planBroadcasting standardRussia (or your country)

⚠️ Warning: If the automatic search does not find any channel, check if the region is correctly selected in the settings of the TV. Wrong country selection can block the tuner due to licensing restrictions.

Once the scan is complete, the TV will suggest that you go to the first channel you find, and the system will automatically assign numbers to the channels in order to detect them, but the first channel is often not the most popular. That's OK, you can change the numbering manually later.

Manual settings and frequency plans

In situations where automatic search is not working properly or you want to add channels from a particular multiplex, manual adjustment is used. This method requires knowledge of the broadcast frequency or channel number (TVC) of the nearest tower. Frequency information can be found on the official website of your country's digital television.

To go manual, select Manual Tuning or Manual Tuning from the search menu, where you need to enter specific parameters. The main parameters are frequency (in MHz) and bandwidth (usually 8 MHz for DVB-T2). You may also need to choose the type of modulation, but often the TV determines it automatically when there is a signal.

Example of frequencies for Moscow (MHz):


Multiplex 1: 546.00, 626.00, 746.00




Multiplex 2: 498.00, 578.00, 666.00

Enter the frequencies sequentially. If you have a signal at a given frequency, the TV will show you the quality and quantity of programs you find. Click Save or Add to list them in a general list. This method is especially useful in boundary areas where automation can miss weak but operational signals.

  • 🔢 Enter the exact frequency of broadcasting in megahertz (e.g. 538 MHz).
  • 📡 Select the scan type: “All”, “Digital” or “Miss verified».
  • 💾 After finding the package, press the save button to avoid losing progress.
What to do if the signal is weak?
In manual setting mode, you can try changing the modulation settings or antenna type (for example, from 75 Ohms to 300 Ohms if there is such a switch in the menu), but most often this does not help without a physical amplifier.> Using manual mode allows you to "pull out" channels that the automation ignores. However, this takes time and accurate data. If you are not sure about the frequencies, it is better to first try a full reset and re-search, pre-improved antenna reception conditions. Sorting, deleting and updating the list After channels are found, it often becomes necessary to bring the list into a convenient view. Standard numbering can be chaotic, and the information editor can be used to control the radio channels. To enter editing mode, you usually need to press OK or Menu while viewing the channel list and select Edit or Edit Channels. Here you can move channels up or down, change their sequence numbers, hide or delete. This is especially true if you want the first channel to be, for example, Channel One, rather than Russia 1 or World Map. Periodically, you need to rescan. Broadcasters can change frequencies, add new channels or change signal encoding settings. Regularly updating the list (onceres every six months or if channels go missing), the system also helps to reset the list faster when the list in the memory. It also eliminates the chance of hitting technical or paid channels you don’t watch. ⚠️ Warning: When deleting channels, be careful not to erase the entire list. There is usually a Reset List feature that deletes all broadcast settings, returning the TV to the "out of the box" state. Despite the simplicity of the process, users often encounter common errors, the most common being “No signal” or “Weak signal” which indicates physical problems with the antenna, cable or location relative to the tower. Software is almost impossible to solve this problem. Another common problem is that the TV finds channels but writes "Not supported" or shows a black screen with sound. This may mean that your TV does not support the compression codec used by the broadcaster (e.g., the broadcaster, HEVC/H.265 instead H.264), In Russia and many CIS countries, the main channels are broadcast in the open, but in some regions there may be nuances. If the channels are lost after updating the firmware, try resetting the channel settings or completely resetting the TV. TV contain errors in the tuner drivers that are fixed in subsequent patches or require the reinstallation of the factory image. 🔄 Reset your image and sound settings, sometimes it affects the tuner. 🔌 Turn off the TV from the network 5-10 minutes to restart the reception module. 📡 Try connecting the antenna directly, bypassing amplifiers or splitters, to check. In difficult cases, when nothing works, you should contact Xiaomi support or check the broadcast status in your area on the website of the digital TV provider. Perhaps there is a preventive work on the tower. Why can't the TV see the antenna? Most often, the problem is the physical cable break, the oxidation of contacts in the connector or the failure of the antenna itself. Also check if the menu has the right signal source (Antenna, not Cable or Satellite). Can you set up channels without a remote? Directly through the TV menu, no, because navigation requires precise input. However, you can try installing the Android app. TV Remote Control on your smartphone and control your TV over Wi-Fi if it's already connected. Do you need the Internet to set up your air channels? No, the Internet is not required to receive signals? DVB-T2. The device works independently of the network modules. However, the Internet may be needed to update the channel database or the TV firmware if there are software failures. How to add channels manually by frequency? In the channel settings menu, select Manual Search, enter a frequency (for example, 538 MHz) and start a scan. If there is a signal, the TV will save the found package of programs.