Smart TV owners often have to watch free TV broadcasting through terrestrial repeaters. Xiaomi TVs running on Android TV have a built-in module for receiving the digital signal of the DVB-T2 standard. However, unlike older models, the setup process here has its own software features that can confuse an untrained user.
Before you start the software part, you need to make sure that the hardware is physically connected, and if you've just unpacked your device or moved, that's where you start to view your favorite shows, and ignoring the basic antenna requirements can lead to even a perfectly customized software search that doesn't work.
In this article, we will take a look at all the steps of connecting broadcast broadcasting, look at common errors and offer solutions for situations where automatic search does not work, you will learn how to choose the right signal source in the Xiaomi Mi TV menu and which parameters you need to check first.
Preparation of equipment and inspection of antenna
The first step is to check the integrity of the antenna cable and the reliability of its connection to the TV. The antenna input on the back of the device is usually marked with the inscription ANT IN or denoted by the antenna symbol. Make sure that the cable is tightly inserted into the connector before clicking or stopping, as poor contact often causes a lack of signal.
The quality of the image received depends on the type of antenna used. In urban environments where the repeater is in line of sight, often enough room antenna with an amplifier, in country houses or in areas of uncertain reception will require the installation of an external all-wave antenna on the roof.
⚠️ Note: Using an antenna amplifier unnecessarily (at a very powerful signal) can cause the tuner to overload and complete image loss, so adjust the gain depending on the signal level.
Modern Xiaomi models support the DVB-T2 standard, which provides high-resolution signal transmission. Old analog antennas may not work properly unless they are designed for the decimeter wavelength range used by digital broadcasting. Check the specifications of your receiving device to rule out equipment incompatibility.
Setting the signal source in the TV menu
Once you've connected the cable, you need to switch the TV to antenna mode, and to do that, take the remote control and find the button that selects the source of the signal. On Xiaomi remotes, it's often marked with an arrow square icon or an Input signature.
When you press this button, you will see a list of available inputs on the screen. You will need to select Etheric TV or DTV. If you are in the main menu of the Android TV system, you can also transition to television through the top status bar, where the current source is displayed.
- 📺 Press the entry select button on the remote.
- 🔌 In the list of sources, select "Etheric TV" or «DTV».
- ⚙️ Wait for the Digital Television Interface to Launch.
If the screen displays a message that says "No signal" or "Weak signal", it means that the TV is not receiving enough radio waves. In this case, do not rush to change the settings of the software, but go back to check the antenna cable and the position of the antenna, sometimes just turn the antenna towards the nearest tower to stabilize the reception.
Automatic search for digital channels
The easiest and most reliable way to find available transmissions is to use automatic search, the system itself will scan the entire frequency range and store the programs found in the device's memory, and to start this procedure, you need to go to the TV settings menu.
Click the menu button on the remote (three dots or gear) and go to Settings. In the window that opens, look for Channels or Broadcast, and then select AutoSearch.The TV will warn that the current list of channels will be replaced with new data.
Path to the menu: Settings → Channels → Auto Search → OKThe scanning process can take anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes depending on the number of frequencies available in your area, while searching, the screen will display the progress bar and the current signal level, interrupting the procedure can lead to incorrect operation of the list of channels in the future.
☑️ Checklist before searching
Once the scan is complete, the system will sort the channels found and assign them serial numbers, it is recommended to immediately check the image quality on several channels. If the picture on some channels is broken into cubes or the sound is interrupted, you may need to manually adjust the antenna.
Manual frequency setting and channel removal
In some cases, automatic search can't find all the multiplexes available, especially if the signal is weak, and then manual adjustment comes to the rescue, and you need to know the frequency of the nearest repeater, which can be found on the official digital television website of your region.
From the channel settings menu, select Manual Search, where you can enter a specific megahertz frequency or channel number, and this method allows you to break through the ether at a specific frequency and estimate the signal level without long scanning the entire range.
| Parameter | Description | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Operating frequency of multiplex | Depends on the region (e.g. 546 MHz) |
| Modulation. | Type of signal encoding | 64 QAM or 256 QAM |
| Bandwidth | Channel width | 8 MHz |
The channel menu also includes a list editing feature, which allows you to delete unwanted or broken channels and change the order of those channels so that your favorite shows are at the top of the list, especially for older users who have difficulty navigating a long list of 20 or more positions.
How to sort channels by alphabet?
Manual tuning is also useful when updating the broadcast grid when a new packet of channels is launched at one frequency. Instead of completely resetting and long search, you can quickly update only a specific multiplex by manually entering its frequency.
Signal problems and their solution
The most common problem users have is the message "No signal" or periodic fading of the image, which can be caused by external factors (thunderstorm, wind, obstacles) and technical malfunctions. First of all, check the integrity of the antenna cable: it should not be clamped, and the plug should not oxidize.
If you use an active amplifier indoor antenna, make sure it is connected to a power source (if separate power is required) or receives it through a power source. USB-Some antenna models require a 220V outlet, and the lack of power makes them useless.
⚠️ Warning: Metal objects, microwave ovens and powerful Wi-Fi routers located near the antenna can cause severe interference that impairs the reception of a digital signal.
In dense urban areas, the signal can bounce off buildings, causing a multipath effect, in which case it helps to replace the antenna with a directional model or install it in another place, for example, closer to the window looking at the TV tower, sometimes just change the position of the antenna by a few centimeters.
💡
Use the Digital TV app on your smartphone to accurately determine the direction to the nearest tower and correctly orient the antenna.
Using TV viewing apps
Owners of Xiaomi TVs with Android TV have an alternative to the built-in tuner – installing third-party apps. If the overhead signal is not caught, you can use Internet TV through services like Peers.TV, SPB TV or applications from your cable provider.
To install these apps, go to the Google Play Store on your TV, type the service name in search, and click "Install." Once installed, you'll need to log in and select channels of interest, which is independent of the quality of the over-the-air signal, but requires a stable high-speed Internet connection.
- 📥 Go to the Google Play Store on your TV.
- 🔍 Find a TV watcher app (e.g. Wink, Okko, Peers.TV).
- 🚀 Install the application and log in to your account.
The advantage of the applications is the ability to view the archive of programs, pause on the air and high quality HD/4K images, which are not always available on air, but it is worth considering that for viewing premium content can be charged a subscription fee.
💡
Combining the built-in DVB-T2 tuner for major federal channels and internet-based entertainment apps is the optimal smart TV strategy.
Resetting TV settings
If digital TV is constantly out of order, channels are not saved, or the list is constantly updated on its own, a tuner reset may be required, which will return reception parameters to factory values, but will not affect other TV settings and installed applications.
To do the reset, go to the channel settings menu and find Reset or Factory settings in the TV sub-menus. The system will request confirmation of action. After you reboot the TV module, you will have to re-run the automatic channel search procedure.
This procedure is also useful when moving to a new residence, where broadcasting is conducted from different frequencies, reset allows you to clear the memory of old, already irrelevant frequencies and start the search from scratch, which speeds up the setup process.