Xiaomi’s modern Smart TVs are complex multimedia centers that combine the functions of a classic receiver and a powerful computer. Users often face the need to quickly transition between digital TV, game consoles, satellite receivers or external drives. Understanding the logic of the Android TV or PatchWall operating system allows you to significantly reduce the time to find the right content and enjoy watching without delay.
The process of changing the login may seem trivial, but the variety of remote and firmware versions makes its own adjustments. Owners of devices with MIUI for TV or global versions of firmware sometimes have to look for hidden menus or use alternative management methods.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the available input switching methods, including using the physical TV case, voice control and mobile app. You will learn how to properly configure port names for automatic device recognition and what to do if the screen remains black when you connect an external gadget. Xiaomi Mi TV and Redmi Smart TV have their own features, which we will definitely take into account.
Use of buttons on remote control
The most obvious and frequently used tool is the remote control. Most Xiaomi remote models, especially those with Bluetooth support, have a dedicated button to change the source, which can be indicated by the square icon with the arrow, the symbol "INPUT" or the text "Source", clicking on this key causes a pop-up menu at the top or bottom of the screen, where all active ports are displayed.
If you don't have a separate button on your remote, try pressing the "OK" or "Menu" key. On some Mi Remote modifications, long-term retention of the center button opens up a context menu where one of the first items is "Inputs" or "Sources." Navigation through the list is done by arrows, and the choice is confirmed by a short press. This is the standard procedure for the PatchWall interface.
There is also a keyboard combination that works on specific versions of firmware, where pressing the Settings button (cog) and the Down arrow can instantly move the user to the login selection menu, a method that is useful if the main source button on the remote is damaged or falls into a fray.
⚠️ Attention: If the remote stops responding to switching commands, check the battery charge level. At low voltage, the Bluetooth connection may not work smoothly, although the IR signal (if any) will pass through.
For older models with IR panels, the algorithm is simple: press the Login button and use navigation. Newer versions of the Android TV interface may require additional proof of transition after selecting the source if the system detects activity on other ports.
Switching through buttons on the TV body
It is not uncommon for a remote to be lost, discharged or out of order. Xiaomi engineers have designed the ability to control basic functions directly through buttons on the device body. The location of the control elements depends on the specific model: they can be on the bottom, back, side or even on the bottom of the panel.
Most modern Redmi Smart TVs and Mi TV Sticks use a joystick or single button. A short tap calls the menu, and a series of taps allows you to navigate points. To switch the source, you usually need to press the button once to call the menu, then press it sequentially until the icon "Entries" or "HDMI" is illuminated, and press the button again to confirm or hold to go.
On larger models with a diagonal of 43 inches, there is often a separate button "Input" or "Source" on the bottom edge. Mechanical pressing of this button causes a list of available ports. If you have a model with a joystick under the logo, the algorithm of actions is the following: press the joystick right or left to select the "Inputs" menu item, then press the joystick down to open the list.
- 🔍 Find an infrared receiver or logo on the bottom frame – there is often a control button hidden there.
- 🖱️ Use the method of "blind" pressing the joystick: up and down for volume, left-right for sources.
- 📺 On older models, the button can be physically separate and located on the side of the back.
Control from the body is limited to basic functions, but it is enough to change the signal, it is a reliable way to turn on the TV and switch to the desired HDMI if the main remote suddenly fails.
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If the buttons on the case do not respond, try to disconnect the TV from the network for 1-2 minutes. Resetting static electricity often restores the touch buttons to work.
Voice control and Mi Remote app
Xiaomi’s smart home ecosystem offers advanced controls that don’t require physical contact with the device. If your remote is equipped with a microphone, just press the microphone button and say a command. The speech recognition system supports commands in both English and Russian (depending on regional settings).
To activate the source change, say, "Switch to HDMI 1," "Open USB," or "Change input to HDMI 2." Google Assistant or PatchWall's built-in voice search will instantly execute a command. This is especially convenient when the remote is far away and the hands are busy. The accuracy of recognition depends on the quality of the microphone and the absence of background noise.
An alternative and very powerful tool is the Mi Remote app on your smartphone. If your phone has an Infrared Blaster, it can completely replace the original remote. Even without an IR port, if the phone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, the app allows you to control the interface. There is a separate Login button in the app that duplicates the physical remote.
Path in the application: Add device → TV → Xiaomi → Connection → Sign-in buttonUsing a smartphone is especially relevant if the original remote is lost.The app not only switches sources, but also allows you to type text for YouTube or Netflix searches, which is significantly more convenient than using an on-screen keyboard.
The Secret of Voice Search
Setting up and renaming ports in the menu
For ease of use and proper operation of automatic scripting, Xiaomi TV allows you to customize each port individually. The correct login name helps the TV automatically switch to the desired source when you turn on the connected device. For example, if you sign the port as "PlayStation", the TV will know that it is a game console.
To get into the settings menu, go to Settings. → Entrances (or Settings) → Inputs. This will show you a list of all the physical connectors. You can choose any port, for example, HDMI 1, and change its name to "Cable TV," "Subset-top box," "Game console," "Computer" or "Other." It's not just a cosmetic change.
When choosing a Game Console device type, the TV can automatically activate the low-latency Gaming Mode. If you select a Computer type, you can change the zoom to eliminate edge trimming (Just Scan or Pixel Match mode), so renaming is an important part of the setup.
| Type of device | Recommended port | Optimization of the system | Auto-switching |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game console | HDMI 1 (ARC/eARC) | Enabling Game Mode, reducing delay | High. |
| Satellite receiver | HDMI 2 | Standard video mode, improved movement | Average. |
| PC/Laptop | HDMI 3 | Screen Only Mode, 1:1 pixels | Low. |
| USB drive | USB 2.0/3.0 | Launch of media player | Instantly. |
When you rename ports, navigation in the source menu becomes more intuitive, instead of the abstract HDMI 2, you'll see the Receiver, which eliminates any errors when switching, which is especially useful if you're using TVs for children or older people.
☑️ Port configuration
Work with USB-scissor
Special attention should be paid to the switch to USB-- The sources. HDMI, wherein the signal is constantly transmitted, USB-The drive requires a file system readout. When you connect a flash drive or an external hard drive Xiaomi TV It's usually automatically prompted to open the media player. If that doesn't happen, you have to manually select the source «USB» or Media Center».
It's important to consider the food requirements. USB TVs often have limited current output (usually 0.5A or 1A). If you plug in a volumetric hard drive without power, the TV may not see it or shut it down all the time. In this case, switching the source will not give a result until the power problem is solved through the USB-hub.
File system also plays a role. nativally Android TV PatchWall is a great reader of formats. FAT32 and NTFS. The exFAT format may require the installation of third-party player applications, such as: VLC or MX Player if the built-in player refuses to play the file. USB-The source system first scans the disk, which may take time.
- 💾 Use the ports. USB 3.0 (blue) to view video in 4K.
- ⚡ For hard drives, use a double cable. USB ore-hub.
- 📂 Format flash drives into NTFS files larger than 4 GB.
If the TV sees the drive but doesn't switch, try to remove the device, go to the Sources menu, select a USB, and then plug in the drive, which will force the process of indexing files.
⚠️ Attention: Don't pull out USB-a drive during the recording of a TV broadcast or playback of a file, which can damage the file system of the flash drive or freeze the TV media service.
Problem Solving: Black screen and no signal
A common problem for users is switching to the source, but the screen remains black with the words "No signal." First of all, check the physical connection of the cable. HDMI cables can go away, especially if the TV is fixed to the wall and the cable is under tension. Try reconnecting the cable or replacing it with a known serviceable one.
The second reason could be a permission mismatch. DVD-Player or game console of the last generation, and the TV tries to bring the picture to the table 4K, In this case, you need to switch to another working source (for example, on-air TV), go to the resolution settings for the problem port (if such an option is available globally), or change the settings on the device itself.
It is also worth checking the version of the standard. HDMI. For supportive devices HDCP 2.2 (copy protection) 4K contents) you must use ports marked with the appropriate logo (usually HDMI 1 HDMI If you connect secure content through a normal port, you will see a black screen.
Recommended sequence of actions at the "black screen":
1. Turn off the external device.
2. switch the TV to the desired HDMI.
3. Insert the external device.
4. wait 10-15 seconds for handshake (HDCP handshake).If nothing works, reset your image settings or completely reboot your TV through the Settings menu → About System → Reboot. A software failure of the video output driver is a rare but possible reason for the lack of a signal.
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90% of the problems with switching sources are solved by restarting an external device (console, consoles) or replacing HDMI cable with a higher quality (High Speed).