Xiaomi’s modern Smart TVs offer a huge selection of entertainment over the Internet, but many users still prefer classic digital broadcasting. The question of how to set up air channels on a Xiaomi TV remains one of the most frequent, especially after the initial installation of the device. Owners of Mi TV Stick, Mi Box and full-fledged Mi TV series face the need to properly connect the antenna and tuner.
The reception process depends on the model of your device and the presence of the built-in DVB-T2 module. If you have just unpacked a new TV or moved to another apartment, you will need to rescan the frequencies. In this article, we will discuss all the steps from the selection of an antenna to fine-tuning the image quality.
The right configuration will allow you to enjoy free, high-resolution federal channels without the delays and buffering that are typical of online streaming. Let's take a look at what steps you need to take to ensure that terrestrial TV is running smoothly.
Compatibility check and equipment preparation
Before you start setting up the menu, you need to make sure your device is technically ready to receive a digital signal.Most modern Xiaomi TVs released after 2018 are equipped with a built-in DVB-T2 tuner. However, if you use an external Mi Box S or Mi TV Stick unit, the situation changes. These gadgets do not have an antenna connector and their own tuner, relying solely on the Internet.
These devices will require (purchase) a separate prefix or USB-Tuner compatible with Android TV. In the case of full-fledged Xiaomi TVs, make sure you have a serviceable antenna (room or external) and standard cable. RG-6 A damaged cable can cause a complete lack of signal or artifacts to appear on the screen.
It is important to check the connector on the back of the TV. It is usually signed as Antenna In or RF In. If you are using a complex receiver or satellite system, the connection should go through HDMI, not through the antenna input.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to insert the antenna cable by force. The connector must enter tightly but without excessive effort, so as not to damage the TV's internal contact group.
Make sure the antenna is pointed towards the nearest transmitting tower. Room antennas often require a mount next to the window for better reception. External antennas must be rigidly fixed and pointed strictly at the repeater.
Connecting the antenna cable to the TV
Physical connectivity is the foundation of a stable signal. Take your antenna cable and paste it into the appropriate connector on the back or side of the device. On Xiaomi Mi TVs, this connector is often located in a niche with other ports, so use the original cable from the kit or a quality analog with a thin plug.
If you are using an active antenna (amplifier), make sure it is connected to a power source.Some Xiaomi TV models can power the antenna via an antenna port (5V), but don't rely on it. USB-TV port or socket for powering antenna amplifier.
Once the cable is connected, turn on the TV and go to the main menu.The Android TV or PatchWall system should automatically determine the connection of a new signal source, but manual search initialization is often required.
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Use a double shield cable if the length of the wire from the antenna to the TV is more than 10 meters, which will help to avoid signal loss and interference.
Check the density of the plug. It should not hang around. If the cable is old, the oxidized contact can cause periodic channel loss, in which case it helps to clean the contacts or replace the plug.
Setting up channel search in the Android TV menu
The configuration interface may vary slightly depending on the operating system version and the regional features of the firmware, but the overall algorithm of actions remains the same for all Android TV devices.
On the remote control, click the gear button or the Menu button. In the list that opens, select Settings. Then scroll down to Channels or Translation. In some versions of the interface, this item may be called Live Channels.
Select the option "Channel setting" or "Switch inputs." The system will suggest selecting a signal source. Make sure you select "Antenna" rather than "Cable" if you use a standard air antenna, although in DVB-T2 mode the difference is often only in the frequency range.
☑️ Checklist before scanning
Once you select a source, click "Scan" or "Scan." The TV will start the process of finding available frequencies, at which time the screen can display the progress scale and signal level, do not interrupt the process, even if it seems to be getting stuck at a certain percentage.
Manual and automatic settings DVB-T2
Automatic search is the easiest way, but it's not always effective in areas of uncertain reception. If the automation doesn't find all 20 channels or the picture quality is low, you should use manual adjustment.
You'll need to know the frequency of the nearest transmitter, and you can do this on the official digital television website of your region, and you can type in the megahertz (MHz) frequency or channel number (TBC) in the appropriate field, and the TV will show the level and quality of the signal in real time.
Rotate the antenna or change its position by observing the level and quality scales, and your goal is to maximize both, and then start scanning that frequency.
⚠️ Warning: Don't mix up frequencies with manual settings. Introducing incorrect data can cause the TV to start looking for a signal in the blank range, which will take time and will not give results.
If you live in a border area where the signal is picked up from two different towers, automatic search can create duplicate channels, in which case manually adjusting the frequencies of a particular transmitter will help to clear the list of unnecessary.
What to do if you have less than 10 channels?
Table of the main parameters of digital broadcasting
To understand the setup process, it is useful to know the basic technical parameters that you may encounter. Digital TV is transmitted in packets called multiplexes. In Russia, the standard is DVB-T2.
Below is a table with the main specs that can be displayed in the engineering menu or when you manually set up your Xiaomi TV.
| Parameter | Description | Typical value |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Signal Transmission Technology | DVB-T2 |
| Modulation. | Method of encoding data | 64-QAM / 256-QAM |
| Protective interval | Parameter for echo control | 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32 |
| Frequency of sampling | Frequency grid step | 8 MHz (channel) |
| Video codec | Image compression format | H.264 (MPEG-4) |
Understanding these parameters can be useful in diagnosing problems, for example, if your TV only supports the old DVB-T standard, it will not be able to decode a modern DVB-T2 signal, and no antenna settings will help.
Most models Xiaomi Mi TV 4A, 4S, P1 and newer fully support the current standards of video and audio coding, ensuring high quality images.
Solving Signal and Image Quality Problems
Even after you've set up successfully, you may have problems, the most common being scattering the image onto the dice or stopping the image completely, a sign of a weak signal or interference, try reconnecting the cable or repositioning the antenna.
If the channels are gone after the system update, the settings in the region may have been lost. Check if the right country is set in the settings of the TV. For Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other CIS countries, the frequency settings may differ.
Sometimes the problem is overheating the tuner or software failure. Try resetting the channel settings completely and starting the search again. In extreme cases, resetting the TV to factory settings through the Settings menu → Device → Reset.
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The quality of the picture in digital TV is all-or-nothing. If the signal is above the threshold, the picture is perfect, if the screen is below, black or crumbles. There should be no average quality (like snow in the analogue).
Look at nearby devices. Microwave ovens, routers, and other sources of radiation can interfere with the frequency range of digital TV. Try to turn off suspicious devices while watching.
Using TV viewing apps
If the built-in tuner does not meet your requirements or the device does not have an antenna input (like Mi). TV Stick, apps come to the rescue, on Google Play or through installation. APK-Files can be found with many solutions.
Popular services provide access to hundreds of channels over the Internet, which requires a stable broadband connection, and for Xiaomi TVs, Peers.TV, SPB TV, Wink and others are well optimized.
Installing third-party apps allows you to bypass the limitations of the built-in tuner and access the archives of transmissions and paid packets, but remember that this is no longer on-air broadcasting, but streaming data, depending on the speed of your Internet.
⚠️ Note: When installing apps from unknown sources (not from Google Play) make sure to be secure APK-Use only proven resources to avoid infecting the TV system with viruses.
To install applications manually, turn on Unknown Sources mode in the TV security settings. APK-flash-drive.