Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 4 have powerful multimedia capabilities, but a small screen is often not enough to comfortably watch videos or show presentations. Fortunately, technology makes it easy to stream images from a mobile device to a large TV display, turning the gadget into a full-fledged media center. There are several proven methods of connection, each of which has its own features, advantages and hardware requirements.
In this article, we will detail how to connect Xiaomi Redmi 4 to a TV using both wireless protocols and wired connections. MIUI, standardization DLNA for file streaming and connection through HDMI-The nuances of external adapters and how to solve typical problems with signal delay or lack of image will also be touched upon.
The choice of the specific method depends on the model of your TV and the availability of free time to set up. If you have a modern Smart TV, the process will take only a couple of minutes, whereas for older models you will need to purchase additional equipment. Let's look at each option in detail so that you can choose the most suitable for your situation.
Wireless connection via built-in broadcast function
The most convenient and popular way to display Redmi 4 images on your TV is to use Miracast technology, which is called Translation in the MIUI shell. This method does not require additional cables or routers if the TV supports Wi-Fi Direct. To get started, make sure that your Smart TV supports Miracast or has a built-in Wi-Fi module.
To activate the mode, you need to lower the notification curtain and find the "Translation" icon. If it's not on the first screen, press the panel edit button and drag the desired element into the active zone. Once turned on, the phone will start searching for available devices within the range of the wireless network. Your TV should appear on the list, often with the name of the brand or model.
Click on the name of the TV in the list, and in a few seconds, the image from the smartphone screen will appear on the large display. It is important to understand that with this connection, the screens are fully synchronized: all notifications, calls and actions will be visible to the audience. This is ideal for showing photo albums or navigating maps.
⚠️ Note: When using wireless broadcast, the smartphone battery discharges much faster due to the high load on the Wi-Fi module and processor.
The quality of the image is directly dependent on the speed of the wireless connection and the distance between the devices. If you notice the desynchronization of sound and video or the appearance of artifacts, try to bring the smartphone closer to the router or TV, and the stability of the signal can also be affected by working microwave ovens or neighboring Wi-Fi networks, creating interference in the 2.4 GHz band.
Setup DLNA for streaming video and photos
If your goal is not to duplicate the screen, but to play specific video files or photos stored in the memory of Xiaomi Redmi 4, then DLNA technology is perfect. It allows you to transfer media content to the TV using your smartphone as a remote control, without loading the phone processor with real-time video processing.
To implement this method, both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. On the TV, you need to run an application that supports DLNA (often called Media, Smart Share or similar). On a smartphone, you can use a standard video player or third-party applications, such as BubbleUPnP or built-in Mi Video.
- 📺 Open the video file on your smartphone and click the Translation button or triangle icon in the corner of the screen.
- 📡 Select your TV from the list of available DLNA-rendering.
- ▶️ Playback will start automatically and you will be able to control volume and rewind from your phone.
The main advantage of DLNA is that you can fold an app or even lock your smartphone screen, and the video on your TV will continue to play, which frees up the gadget for other tasks, such as chatting in messengers or browsing the web.
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Use MP4 or MKV video file formats with H.264 codec for maximum compatibility with built-in TV players to avoid Format Not Supported errors.
Some users are faced with a situation where the TV can not see the smartphone, in which case, check the firewall settings in the router and make sure that the local network is marked as “Trusted”, and you may need permission to access the media in the security settings of the TV itself.
Use of the HDMI-cables and adapters MHL
The HDMI wired connection provides the best image quality without delay and compression, which is critical for gaming or watching high-resolution video. However, the Xiaomi Redmi 4 features a Micro-USB connector that does not itself transmit video in analog or digital format without additional components.
To connect, you will need a special MHL adapter (Mobile High-Definition Link) or an active USB-to-HDMI adapter. It is important to note that MHL support must be hardware implemented in the smartphone processor. In the case of Redmi 4, the situation is ambiguous: some modifications support video output, others do not, so buying an adapter carries a risk of incompatibility.
The connection process is as follows: the adapter is inserted into the charging port of the smartphone, and a standard one is connected to it. HDMI-If the adapter requires external power, you need to connect the Micro-USB cable from the charger to it, and then select the appropriate signal source on the TV (for example, the corresponding source of the signal, HDMI 1).
| Type of connection | Image quality | Delay (Latency) | Need for a router |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miracast (Wi-Fi Direct) | High (up to 1080p) | Medium (notable in games) | No. |
| DLNA | Maximum (depending on the file) | Absent. | Yeah (Wi-Fi network) |
| HDMI (MHL) | Maximum (no compression) | Absent. | No. |
| Chromecast | High (adaptive) | Low. | Yeah (Wi-Fi network) |
If the adapter doesn't show up after you've connected, try rebooting your smartphone with the cable already connected, and it's also worth checking if the USB debugging feature is included in the developer menu, although this is rarely required for MHL. In most cases, the system must automatically detect the external output device.
☑️ Checking before buying an adapter
Use of external consoles Chromecast and Android TV
If your TV is not a Smart TV or its built-in features are unstable, an external console such as Google Chromecast or Android TVs is a great solution. These devices take all the work of decoding the video stream by unloading the smartphone.
To work with Chromecast, you need to install the Google Home app on Redmi 4. Once you set up the console and connect it to the same Wi-Fi network as the phone, you can stream the contents of the screen or individual applications. In the Google Home app, select your console and click on the “Translate screen” button.
The advantage of using external consoles is to support more modern codecs and protocols that may not be available in older TVs. Android TV interface provides access to a huge number of streaming services directly, without the need to use the resources of the smartphone.
⚠️ Note: When streaming via Chromecast, make sure that your smartphone apps and console firmware are updated to the latest versions. Incompatibility of software versions often leads to connection breakage or no sound.
There are also universal client applications that allow you to turn any TV with a new set. HDMI-It's a port to the receiver, if you plug in a mini PC or a special dongle set-top box, and it makes it flexible, and it allows you to upgrade even very old TV models, giving them a second life.
Solving Typical Connection Problems and Errors
Despite the simplicity of modern technology, users often have difficulty trying to connect the Xiaomi Redmi 4 to a TV.One of the most common problems is when the phone sees the TV's Wi-Fi network but can't connect or permanently loses connection.
Often the reason lies in MIUI power saving settings, which aggressively restrict the background operation of network modules. To fix this, go to the battery settings and for the Translation application or system service, select No Limits mode, which will prevent the Wi-Fi module from turning off while running.
- 🔄 Reboot the router and both devices (TV and smartphone) to reset network caches.
- 📶 Make sure that both devices are on the same subnet (sometimes a guest Wi-Fi network isolates the devices from each other).
- 🛡️ Turn it off. VPN-Smartphone services, as they can block local discovery broadcasting.
If you have a wired image but no sound, check the audio settings in the TV menu. Sometimes the default sound stays on the phone's speaker. From the Sound menu, select TV Dynamics or External Audio System. Also, the problem may be the HDMI cable itself, which may not support audio streaming.
The secret to a stable connection
In cases where nothing works, you can try resetting your network settings on your smartphone, which will delete stored Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth settings, but often resolve deep driver software conflicts, and after reset, you will need to re-enter passwords from wireless networks.
Comparison of methods and final recommendations
To sum up, the way you connect the Xiaomi Redmi 4 to your TV depends on your specific tasks. DLNA or built-in streaming is ideal for a single view of photos or short video. For regular use of your smartphone as a media center, it is better to get an external console.
Keep the HDMI wired connection for situations where stability and no delays are critical, such as gaming. However, remember the risk of MHL incompatibility with your particular CPU revision. Wireless methods benefit in convenience, but lose in stability when the signal is bad.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different player apps, as standard system tools don’t always provide the best decoding quality. Third-party software often has more flexible buffering and subtitling settings, which is important for watching movies.
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The optimal balance between quality and convenience for Redmi 4 is achieved by using Miracast technology for screen duplication and DLNA for playing video files from memory.
Technology is not standing still, and even a budget smartphone like the Redmi 4 can provide a decent level of multimedia interaction with modern technology.