Modern smart TVs from Xiaomi are powerful multimedia centers, but working with office documents, running heavy games or viewing content from a PC hard drive often requires displaying images on a large screen. Many users underestimate the capabilities of wired connection, relying solely on wireless technologies that can suffer from delays. Proper connection setting allows you to turn your TV into a full-fledged monitor with a diagonal of tens of inches.
There are several proven methods of synchronizing devices, each with its own advantages and limitations. The choice of the specific method depends on the availability of free ports, the version of the computer operating system and the quality requirements of the transmitted signal. In this article, we will discuss all the current options in detail so that you can choose the best one for your situation.
Connecting via HDMI cable: the classic option
The most common and reliable way to transmit video is to use the HDMI interface, which allows digital video and audio to be transmitted over a single cable without loss of quality, and to implement this method, you will need a suitable cable and a free port on the back or side of the TV.
The connection process is extremely simple and does not require the installation of additional software. The computer automatically recognizes the new output device, and the Xiaomi TV will prompt you to choose the source of the signal. It is important to use a cable version at least HDMI 2.0 if you plan to broadcast the image in 4K resolution.
☑️ Checking before connection HDMI
After the devices are physically connected, switch the signal source to the remote control. Press the login select button and find the corresponding port number, such as HDMI 1 or HDMI 2. If the image does not appear immediately, check the density of the connectors in the sockets.
Set up image and sound settings in Windows
After a successful connection, Windows may require an additional configuration to correctly display the image. Often, the default is the screen duplication mode, which is not always convenient for work or watching movies. The user must choose the desktop expansion mode or display the image only on the second screen.
To control the display settings, press the Win + P key combination. A side menu will open where you can select one of four modes of operation. The "Second Screen Only" mode completely turns off the computer monitor, transferring all tasks to the TV, which saves the graphics card resources.
- 🖥️ Duplicate – the image on both screens is the same, convenient for presentations.
- 📺 Expand – the TV becomes an extension of the desktop, you can drag and drop windows.
- 💻 Only the first screen – the image goes only to the PC monitor, the TV goes out.
- 📽️ Only the second screen – the image is only on the TV, the PC monitor goes out.
Don’t forget to adjust the audio settings as well, as the default audio can continue to go through your computer’s speakers. Go to the audio settings, find your output device (usually called the TV model name or “NVIDIA High Definition Audio”) and select it by default.
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To watch movies in Expand mode, simply drag the player window onto the TV screen and expand it to the full screen.
Wireless connection via Wi-Fi and Miracast
If cable laying is impossible or undesirable, you can use wireless technology. Windows 10 and 11 supports the Miracast standard, which is built into most Xiaomi smart TVs running Android TV. This allows you to broadcast the image without unnecessary wires.
Both devices must be on the same local Wi-Fi network for stable operation, and signal latency in this mode can be higher than with a wired connection, so this method is less suitable for dynamic games than for watching photos or videos.
⚠️ Attention: With wireless connectivity, image quality may decrease with poor Wi-Fi signal. Use a router operating in the 5GHz band to minimize delays.
To start the connection, open the notification center in Windows and select "Project" or "Connect." The system will start searching for available displays. Your Xiaomi Mi TV should appear in the list. After selecting, the pairing process will begin.
Using Chromecast technology built-in
Xiaomi TVs often feature built-in Chromecast technology, making it easy to stream content from Google Chrome or compatible apps, a method ideal for showing web pages, presentations or YouTube videos directly from your browser.
In Chrome, you click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Translate. The system will suggest you select the output device. If you want to broadcast the entire tab, select the appropriate source in the menu.
What if the TV is not visible on the list?
Make sure your TV runs Chromecast built-in or similar, and you may need to update your Google Home app on your mobile device for initial setup.
The advantage of this method is that it can control playback from a computer while the TV acts as a passive receiver, but for a full desktop, this method is less convenient than Miracast, due to the limitations of broadcasting only the content of the browser tab.
Table of comparison of connection methods
To make it easier for you to decide on how to connect, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you assess the pros and cons of each option depending on your current tasks.
| Method | Image quality | Delay (Input Lag) | Necessity of wires |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI cable | Maximum (4K/8K) | Minimum | Required. |
| Miracast | High (depends on Wi-Fi) | Medium | Not required |
| Chromecast | High. | High (for PC) | Not required |
| VGA/DVI (via adapter) | Medium (up to 1080p) | Minimum | Required. |
As you can see from the table, for games and text, cable is the absolute leader, and wireless technology benefits in convenience and aesthetics, saving the user from unnecessary wires.
Solving common problems and errors
Users may experience various difficulties during the setup process, such as no sound, incorrect resolution or periodic connection breaks, often in the graphics card drivers or port energy saving settings.
If the TV is defined as "Unknown device", try updating the graphics card drivers through Device Manager. It is also worth checking whether HDMI-CEC is enabled in the settings of the Xiaomi TV, which allows you to control the device from one remote control.
⚠️ Note: When using adapters (e.g, HDMI-VGA) No audio transmission will be made through the cable, you will need to connect individual speakers or use a Bluetooth adapter for audio.
Another common problem is the mismatch of the proportions of the image when the picture is cut at the edges. To correct this, go to the image settings on the TV and find "Format" or "Partial Ratio" by selecting "Screen size" or "16:9" mode.
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Most connectivity problems are solved by simply restarting both devices and checking the integrity of the cable.