Modern smart TVs Xiaomi (series Mi) TV 4A/4S/5/5X/Q1/Q2 and others) support digital adoption (DVB-T2) And analog television, but many people have difficulty setting up the first setup, unlike the old TVs, where you just plug in an antenna and start auto-search, in Smart. TV This process requires consideration of regional features, signal type, and even firmware version, and this article will help you understand everything from the choice of antenna to solving problems with no channels or poor image quality.
We will look at three main ways of setting up:
1. Automatic search (recommended for most users).
2. manual search (if the search engine does not find channels).
3. Configure through applications (for IPTV and satellite TV).
You will also learn how to save the channels you find, sort them according to your preferences, and eliminate common errors, such as when the TV "does not see" the broadcast or shows artifacts. MIUI TV 3.0 and newer (2022-2026), but suitable for older models with interface adaptation.
If you’ve just bought a Xiaomi TV or moved to another region where broadcast frequencies have changed, this article will save you hours experimenting with settings. TV They won't show any channels.
1. Preparation for setting up: antenna, cables and connection
Before you start searching for channels, make sure your Xiaomi TV is properly connected to the signal source, and errors at this stage are the most common cause of setup problems.
The type of antenna depends on the broadcast format:
- For digital TV (DVB-T2) Any decimeter (DMV) antenna with support for the range of 470-862 MHz is suitable. The optimal option is a room antenna with an amplifier (for example, Xiaomi Mi). TV Antenna or Rolsen RLA-3>).
For analog TV may require a meter (MB) antenna, but in most regions of Russia analog broadcasting is already disabled.
- If you live far from the TV tower (over 30 km), choose an outdoor antenna with an amplifier (e.g. Locus L 00115).>).
The cable should be coaxial with a wave resistance of 75 ohms. Avoid cheap Chinese cables without shielding - they create interference. The optimal cable length from the antenna to the TV is no more than 10 meters. If you need more, use a signal amplifier.
Connecting the antenna to the Xiaomi TV:
1. Insert the cable plug into the connector ANT IN (or RF IN) back-screen.
2.Make sure the connector is tightly twisted – even a small backlash can cause signal loss.
3. If you use an amplifier, connect it to the network before you start searching for channels.
⚠️ Note: If you have Xiaomi Mi TV Stick or Mi Box, these devices do not support on-air TV reception – they are only for streaming video (IPTV, YouTube, etc. You need a TV with a tuner built in to set up the channels (Mi models). TV 4A/4S/5/5X/Q1/Q2 etc.).
2. Automatic channel search on Xiaomi Smart TV
This is the easiest way, and it's the way that 90 percent of users can use it, and it can determine the frequencies available and save the channels that it finds.
Step-by-step:
1. Turn on the TV and press the Menu (or Settings) button on the remote.
2. Go to the Settings section → Channels → Auto-tuning.
3. Select the signal type:
- Digital (DVB-T2) — TV for air TV (20 free channels in Russia).
Analog TV – if you still have analog TV in your region (rarely).
- Digital + Analog – for complex search (will take more time).
4.Indicate the country (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc.) - this is important for the correct determination of frequencies.
5.Push Scan and wait until the process is complete (usually 3-10 minutes).
After searching, the TV will show you a list of channels found, and if there are less than 20 channels (for Russia), then the signal is weak or the antenna is not configured correctly.
Make sure the antenna is connected to the connector ANT IN
Check the density of the cable connection
Reboot the TV (turn off the socket for 30 seconds)
Try to change the position of the antenna (especially if the room one)
Disable the signal amplifier (if any) – sometimes it causes interference-->
Manual Channel Search: When Auto Search Fails to Work
If the automatic search didn't work, try manually adjusting, which is true for regions with non-standard broadcast frequencies or weak signal.
How to start a manual search:
1. Go to Settings. → Channels → Manual setting.
2. Select the signal type (DVB-T2 or analog).
3 Enter the multiplex frequency for your region, which can be found on the RTRS website (enter your city or district).
An example for Moscow:
- First multiplex (RTMS)-1): 546 MHz (channel) 30).
- Second multiplex (RTRS)-2): 498 MHz (channel) 24).
4. Click Search and wait for the results. If the channels are found, save them.
If the manual search didn’t work either:
- Try another type of modulation (in manual search settings). 256-QAM.
Check if other devices interfere with the signal (Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, wireless headphones).
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) TV 4A 32) Manual search is hidden. To activate it, first run autosearch and then after it is completed, press Back. → Additionally. → Manual setting.
What to do if the TV finds channels but they don’t show
4.Tune in. IPTV and satellite TV on Xiaomi
If you don’t like TV, you can connect it. IPTV (Internet TV) or satellite TV, which will require additional devices or applications.
IPTV Xiaomi Smart TV:
1. Install an application for IPTV (for example, SS IPTV, Lazy IPTV or OTT Player through Google Play Market.
2. Get a playlist from your provider (file with extension.m3u).
3. Download the playlist to the app via Settings → Import of playlist.
4. Update the channel list.
Satellite TV:
- Xiaomi TVs don’t have a built-in satellite tuner, so you’ll need an external receiver (e.g., a satellite tuner, GS U510 or General Satellite>).
- Connect the receiver to the TV through HDMI, a satellite antenna to the receiver.
Configure channels through the receiver menu (instructions depend on the model).
| Type TV | Equipment required | Cost (from) | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etheric (DVB-T2) | DMV antenna, cable | 500 ₽ | 20 free channels, no subscription fee | Depending on the signal, limited channel selection |
| IPTV | Internet from 50 Mbit / s, application | 200 ₽/moss | Large selection of channels, HD- Quality | Requires a stable Internet, possible lags |
| Satellite. | Antenna, receiver, converter | 5 000 ₽ | More than 100 channels, stable signal | Complicated setup, subscription fee |
5. Sorting and management of channels
Once you've done a successful search, the channels are usually randomly arranged, so you can sort them according to your preferences, remove unnecessary channels, or block children's channels.
How to change the order of channels:
1. Go to Settings. → Channels → Channel management.
2. Select a channel and press OK on the remote.
3. Use the buttons ↑/↓ for moving the channel in the list.
4. Click Save to apply the changes.
Additional functions:
- Favorites: Add frequently viewed channels to a separate list (Settings) → Channels → Chosen).
- Parental Controls: Block channels for children (Settings) → Security → Parental control).
- Rename: if the channel name is displayed incorrectly (e.g, "1+1" Instead of Channel One, it can be changed manually.
How to remove unnecessary channels:
1. In the channel management menu, select an unnecessary channel.
2. Press the red button on the remote (or Delete in the menu).
3. Confirm removal.
💡
If after sorting channels are lost, try resetting them to factory settings (Settings) → Channels → Reset) and start the search again. This often helps if the TV "forgets" user settings after updating the firmware.
6 Problem Solving: No signal, no channels saved, artifacts
Even after you've set it up properly, you can have problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.
Problem 1: TV can't find channels (0 channels found)
Reason: Weak signal, wrong antenna, or wrong search settings.
- Decision:
- Check the antenna and cable connection.
Try another antenna (for example, an external one instead of a room one).
- Run a manual search by specifying the multiplex frequency for your region.
- Update the TV firmware (Settings) → On TV. → Updating the system).
Problem 2: Channels found but not shown (black screen or no signal)
Reason: The signal is too weak or encrypted (e.g., paid channels).
- Decision:
Check if the Free Access mode is enabled in the channel settings.
Restart the TV (turn it off for 1 minute).
- Try another signal source (for example, IPTV).
Problem 3: Channels show artifacts (squares, sound stuttering)
Cause: Unstable signal or interference.
- Decision:
Move the antenna away from sources of interference (Wi-Fi routers, microwaves).
Use a signal amplifier (if the antenna is not equipped with one).
Check the cable for damage (curves, cracks).
Problem 4: Channels get lost after an update or reboot
Reason: Firmware error or settings failure.
- Decision:
- Reset channel settings to factory (Settings) → Channels → Reset).
- Turn off automatic channel updates (Settings) → Channels → Auto-update → Off.).
- If the problem repeats, roll back the firmware to the previous version (instructions on the forum) 4PDA).
⚠️ Note: If after resetting the Xiaomi TV stopped finding channels that used to work, check if the broadcast frequencies in your region have changed. For example, in 2023 in some regions of Russia reconfigured multiplexes - you can find this on the RTRS website.
💡
If none of these methods worked, the problem may be a hardware malfunction of the tuner, in which case, contact the Xiaomi service center - it will cost less to repair the tuner than buying a new TV.
7. Additional features: Ether recording and Smart-functions
Xiaomi TVs support not only TV viewing, but also broadcast recording if you connect an external hard drive.
How to record the show:
1. Connect. USB-storage device HDD) television-to-TV.
2. while viewing the channel, press the button REC on the remote (or select the entry in the menu).
3. Select the recording time (current transmission or timer).
4. Recording will be saved to the drive in.ts format (can be played on a PC or TV).
Smart-functions for TV:
Voice search: say to the remote "OK, Google, turn on Channel One" (works on models with Google Assistant).
- Tip: The TV analyzes your preferences and offers similar transmissions (Settings) → Personalization).
Multiscreen: You can watch TV in a small window while running another app (e.g. YouTube).
How to include subtitles for TV channels:
1.During viewing, press the Subtitle button on the remote.
2. Select the subtitling language (if available).
3. Adjust the font size and color in Settings → Special facilities → Subtitles.