How to set up regular TV channels on Xiaomi Smart TV: from antenna to auto search

Xiaomi Mi TV and Redmi Smart TVs offer not only access to streaming services, but also the ability to view on-air, cable and satellite channels through an integrated tuner. However, many users face difficulties: signal is not captured, channels are not stored, sound is lost. In this article, we will analyze all the ways of connecting, from choosing an antenna to manually adjusting frequencies, and also solve typical problems, such as why Xiaomi TV does not find channels or shows them in poor quality.

It is important to understand that the process depends on the TV model (for example, the Mi TV 4S supports only DVB-T2, and the Mi TV Q2 also supports DVB-C/S2) and the type of signal (air, cable, satellite). We will consider each option separately, and also give recommendations for choosing equipment for stable reception. If you live in a low signal zone, pay attention to the section on amplifiers and active antennas - this can save you hours of setting.

1 What channels can you watch Xiaomi Smart TV without the console

All modern Xiaomi TVs are equipped with built-in tuners for receiving digital TV.

  • πŸ“‘ On-air TV (DVB-T2) β€” 20 free channels in Russia (first and second multiplexes), broadcasting in the format MPEG-4.
  • 🏒 Cable TV (DVB-C) β€” paid packages from providers (Rostelecom, MTS, Beeline, etc.).
  • πŸ›°οΈ Satellite TV (DVB-S2) β€” Only in models with support (e.g. Mi) TV Q1E or Redmi Smart TV X).
  • 🌍 Analog TV is an outdated format, but some models (for example, Mi) TV 4A 2019) still supports it.

To find out which tuner is installed on your TV, go to Settings β†’ Device β†’ About TV β†’ Specifications. Look for lines DVB-T2, DVB-C or DVB-S2. If you do not have the right standard, you will have to buy an external console.

πŸ“Š What type of television do you use?
Etheric (DVB-T2)
Cable (DVB-C)
Satellite (DVB-S2)
IPTV (via the Internet)
I don't know.

Important: Russia has completely turned off analog broadcasting since 2026, so if your Xiaomi TV doesn’t catch channels, it’s likely a problem with the lack of DVB-T2 support or the wrong setup.

2. Which antenna to choose for Xiaomi Smart TV

The antenna determines the quality of the signal and the number of channels found.

Type of antennaSuitable forPlusesConsPrice (2026)
Passive room roomCities with strong signal (up to 15 km from the tower)Cheap, compact.Weak signal, depending on location300–800 β‚½
Room active (with amplifier)Areas with medium signal (15-30 km from the tower)It's amplifying the signal, stable reception.Requires power (USB/power supply)800–2 500 β‚½
Outward directionalCountryside (30+ km from the tower)Maximum reception, resistant to interferenceHard editing, darling.2 000–6 000 β‚½
Collective (common to the home)Apartment buildings with connected cableYou don’t need to buy separately.Depends on the state of the home network0 β‚½ (if already connected)

For most cities in Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, etc.), an active room antenna with an amplifier is enough, for example, Harper ADVB-2120 or BBK DA32. If you live in a remote area, it is better to choose an outdoor antenna with a gain of at least 28 dB (for example, Locus L 002.10).

⚠️ Note: If you are using an active antenna powered by USB, Connect it to the network adapter, not to the USB-TV port. TV power may not be enough to keep the amplifier running smoothly.

3. Connecting antenna to Xiaomi Smart TV: step-by-step instructions

The connection process is the same for all Xiaomi models (including Mi TV P1, Redmi Smart TV A, etc.).

Select the antenna type (room/outdoor)|Connect the antenna to the nest ANT IN back-end|If the antenna is active, connect the power.|Turn on the TV and go to Settings β†’ Channels-->

  1. Connect the antenna to the ANT IN connector (usually located on the back of the TV). If you use cable, connect the coaxial cable from the provider.
  2. Turn on the TV and on the remote, press the Home button, then select Settings β†’ Channels β†’ Channels.
  3. Select the source of the signal: πŸ“Ά On-air TV (DVB-T2) β€” digital channels. 🏒 Cable TV (DVB-C) β€” If connected to the provider. πŸ›°οΈ Satellite TV (DVB-S2) β€” Only for supported models.

Run autosearch. The TV will prompt you to select a country (select Russia or Other for manual settings).

Wait until it's done. It can take 5 to 15 minutes, and then the TV will show you the list of channels it found.

If the autosearch does not find channels, try manually setting (section 5) or check the signal quality (section 6).

πŸ’‘

If the TV doesn't respond to the antenna, try rebooting it: press and hold the Power button on the remote for 10 seconds, sometimes resetting the tuner errors.

4.Cable TV setup (DVB-C) from the provider

If you are connected to cable television (for example, from Rostelecom or MTS), you will need to enter additional parameters.

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Channels β†’ Channel Configuration β†’ Cable TV (DVB-C).
  2. Select Manual Search (if the search engine does not work).
  3. Enter the parameters from the provider (they can be found on the website or in the contract): πŸ”’ Frequency (e.g., frequency, 314 MHz). πŸ”„ Symbolic speed (e.g, 6875 ks/s). πŸ” Modulation (usually) 256 QAM).

Click Search and wait for the result.

Example of parameters for popular providers (2026):

ProviderFrequency (MHz)Symbolic speed (ks/s)Modulation.
rostelecom3146875256 QAM
MTS3466875256 QAM
Beeline2986875256 QAM
Tricolor (cable)3866875256 QAM

⚠️ Note: If the provider uses a binding MAC-You may need to activate the TV in your personal office. MAC-Xiaomi TV You can find in the settings β†’ On TV. β†’ State of the network.

5 Manual addition and sorting of channels

If the search engine did not find all channels or they are in a chaotic order, you can:

  • πŸ” Add a channel manually if you know its frequency.
  • πŸ“Š Sort the list by number or alphabet.
  • πŸ—‘οΈ Remove unnecessary ones, such as duplicates or test channels.

How to add a channel manually:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Channels β†’ Manual addition.
  2. Select the signal type (DVB-T2 or DVB-C).
  3. Enter the channel frequency (e.g. 546 MHz for the First Multiplex in Moscow).
  4. Click Search and save the channel you found.

How to sort channels:

  1. In the channel menu, press the OK button on the remote.
  2. Select Channel Management β†’ Change the order.
  3. Move the channels using the ↑/↓ buttons and save the changes.
Frequencies of Digital Multiplexes in Russia (2026)
First multiplex (RTRS-1): 474 MHz, 498 MHz, 522 MHz, 546 MHz, 570 MHz, 594 MHz, 618 MHz, 642 MHz, 666 MHz, 690 MHz. Second multiplex (RTRS-2): 714 MHz, 738 MHz, 762 MHz, 786 MHz, 810 MHz. The exact frequency depends on the region - check on the RTRS website or in the "Telegid" application.

6 Signal Problems: Why Xiaomi TV Can't Find Channels

If the TV does not catch channels or shows them with interference, the reasons may be as follows:

  • πŸ“Ά Weak signal – the antenna is too far from the tower or is not oriented correctly.
  • πŸ”Œ Cable problems – damaged coaxial cable or connector.
  • ⚑ Power shortage – the active antenna is not connected to the network.
  • πŸ“» Incorrect settings – the wrong standard is selected (for example, DVB-T instead DVB-T2).
  • πŸ—οΈ Interference – powerful electrical appliances (microwave, refrigerator) work nearby).

How to check the signal level:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Channels β†’ Signal status.
  2. Look at the signal level and signal quality scales:

Decisions:

  • πŸ”„ Reconnect the antenna and check the cable for damage.
  • πŸ“ Turning the antenna 10-15 degrees can significantly improve reception.
  • πŸ”Œ If you use an amplifier, try turning it off – sometimes it worsens the signal.
  • πŸ› οΈ Replace the cable with a coaxial cable with a 75 ohm wave resistance.

πŸ’‘

If the TV finds channels but they freeze or fall apart, the problem is as a signal, not in the TV. Try using a interference filter or moving the antenna away from the windows (the glass screens the signal).

7. Alternative ways to watch TV on Xiaomi Smart TV

If you can’t set up on-air or cable TV, there are alternatives:

  • 🌐 IPTV via β€” SS IPTV, Lazy IPTV Or TiviMate. You need a playlist from the provider.
  • πŸ“Ί Prefix (T2, Android TV, MAG) β€” plug-in HDMI.
  • πŸ’» Broadcasting from a computer via Miracast or DLNA.
  • πŸ“± Mobile operators - MTS TV, MegaFon TV, Beeline TV (there are applications for Xiaomi) TV).

How to set up IPTV:

  1. Install the SS IPTV app from Google Play (on Xiaomi TV with Android TV).
  2. Download a playlist (.m3u) from your provider or find a free one (e.g., on IPTVX).
  3. Download the playlist to the app and start watching.

⚠️ Attention: Free of charge IPTV-Playlists often contain illegal content, and use them at your own risk, the provider may block access.

8. Frequent questions and answers

My Xiaomi TV doesn't find a single channel.
Check: Is the antenna connected to the ANT IN connector (don't confuse it with HDMI!). Selected the right signal source (DVB-T2 for terrestrial TV). Is there a signal in your region (check on the RTRS website). Is the antenna working (try connecting it to another TV). If nothing helps, try resetting the tuner to Settings β†’ Channels β†’ Reset.
How to update the list of channels on Xiaomi TV?
Go to Settings β†’ Channels β†’ Channel Configure β†’ Autosearch and start the process again. If you want to save your current channels, choose Update instead of Reinstall.
Can I record live channels on Xiaomi TV?
No, the built-in recording function is only available for satellite TV (on models with DVB-S2) or when connecting an external hard drive. On-air TV will require an external console with recording support (for example, BBK SMP144HDT2).
Why do some channels show without sound?
This is a typical problem with: Incorrect audio setup (try changing channel settings); using the old broadcast format (e.g. MPEG-2 instead of MPEG-4); codec problems (update TV firmware); Go to Settings β†’ Sound β†’ Audio output; and select PCM instead of Auto.
How to reset the tuner settings on Xiaomi TV?
To return the factory tuner settings: Open Settings β†’ Channels. Select Reset tuner settings. Confirm action (may be required) PIN-The default code is 0000 or 1234. Once reset, you'll have to reconfigure the channels.