How to turn on and set up channels on Xiaomi TV

Modern Xiaomi TVs with Android TV offer users a wide range of options for viewing content, but the basic feature of receiving terrestrial television remains a priority for many owners. The initial setup process can seem difficult due to the features of the PatchWall or Android TV interface, which are significantly different from the usual menus of older models.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions necessary for successful frequency scanning, and consider the nuances that arise when using different types of antennas. It is important to understand that digital television requires more accurate adjustment of receiving equipment than analog signal. Even a small error in connecting a cable or choosing a region can lead to a missing image or a message about the absence of a signal.

Before you go to software settings, you need to make sure that the physical integrity of the connections is in place. The antenna cable must be tightly inserted into the corresponding connector on the back of the device, and the antenna itself is correctly directed towards the repeater. Ignoring this step often leads to the fact that automatic search does not find any channel, even if the TV firmware is fully functional.

Connecting antennas and preparing equipment

The first and most critical step is to physically connect the signal source. On the back of Xiaomi TVs, whether Mi TV series models or newer lines, there is usually a connector labeled ANT IN or RF Input. This is where you need to connect a coaxial cable coming from a room or an external antenna. Make sure that the cable has no bending and the plug sits tightly in the socket, since poor contact is the main cause of unstable reception.

If you are using an active antenna (amplifier), check if it is powered. In some Xiaomi TVs, there is an option to power the antenna through the antenna input, but most often a separate power supply or injector is required. Lack of power on the active antenna will cause the signal level to be critically low, and automatic adjustment will not be able to detect multiplexes.

⚠️ Warning: Never connect a satellite receiver or cable operator cable directly to the TV's antenna input unless the signal is passing through a standard modulator.

For users living in areas of insecure reception, it is recommended to use external antennas with a high gain, aimed strictly towards the nearest tower. Internal antennas are effective only in the immediate vicinity of the transmitter. The quality of the cable also plays a role: use a cable with a resistance of 75 Ohms and a high-quality shield to minimize signal loss on the way to the TV.

πŸ“Š What type of antenna are you using?
Room active
Passive room room
Outside on the roof.
Cable TV
Satellite dish

Automatic setup of digital channels

After checking the physical connections, you can go to the software part. The interface of Xiaomi TVs may differ depending on the installed version of the shell, but the logic of the actions remains similar. You need to get to the main menu of system settings. To do this, click the button with the image of the gear on the remote control or select the corresponding item in the upper right corner of the main screen.

In the menu that opens, find the TV section, which can be called Channels, TV or Broadcasts depending on the regional firmware, and within this section, select Channel Configuration or Channel Search. The system will suggest that you select the signal source: you specify the antenna (or DVB-T2) if you use on-air broadcasting, and not confuse this with a cable or satellite.

β˜‘οΈ Checking before launching the search

Done: 0 / 5

Then you start scanning the frequencies, you'll see the progress bar and the current signal level, and the TV will consistently check the entire frequency range, trying to capture and decode the digital stream, and interrupting this process can lead to an incomplete list of available channels, so wait until you've finished the operation, even if it seems that the search is 99 percent frozen.

When the scan is complete, the system will suggest sorting the channels found or skipping the blank ones. It is recommended to agree to sorting the list of broadcasts by numbers, which will simplify navigation in the future. If the automatic search does not give results, move to manual settings that allow you to work with specific frequencies.

Manual frequency setting and list editing

Manual mode is required in cases where automatic search can not stable signal or misses some packets of channels. To switch to this mode, select the settings manual settings. Here you will need to enter specific parameters: channel frequency (in MHz) and bandwidth (usually 8 MHz for DVB-T2). These data can be found on the official website of digital television in your region, entering your address in a special coverage check service.

In manual mode, you can monitor the signal quality in real time. The screen displays the signal level and signal quality scales. Your task is to achieve maximum values, perhaps by rotating the antenna or changing its position. The green quality scale indicates that there are no errors in the data packet and the image will be broadcast without artifacts.

ParameterValue for DVB-T2Description
Signal typeDigital/DigitalDigital stream reception mode
Frequency474 - 858 MHzDepends on the channel number and region
Strip width8 MHzStandard broadcast channel width
Modulation.QAM 64 / AutoSignal encoding method

Once you've successfully captured the frequency manually, you can add this channel to the general list, and in the channel editing menu, you can rename them, hide empty channels, or tag favorites, which is especially useful if you've lost radio stations or technical channels that are not of interest to view.

Why do you need manual adjustment when you have automatic?
Automatic search often works on averaged algorithms and can skip channels with the signal boundary level. Manual setting allows you to β€œforce” the tuner to work on a specific frequency, ignoring weak noises, and accurately assess the possibility of receiving in current conditions.> While the world is actively moving to digital format, in many regions analog broadcasting is still available. On Xiaomi TVs this mode is often disabled by default or hidden in the depth of the menu. To activate it, you need to switch from DTV (digital) to ATV (analog). The TV will go through the frequencies in the increments typical of the analog standard. It is important to note that modern models may not have a full-fledged analog tuner in some regions due to legal restrictions, so the availability of this functionality is worth checking in the specification of a particular model. Analog signal is more sensitive to interference from household appliances and weather conditions. If the image is rippling or twitching, try using the antenna with the filter or changing its location. Also in the image settings, you can try to change the noise reduction parameters, although this only gives a cosmetic effect. ⚠️ Note: When switching between digital and analog mode, the list of channels is reset. You will have to search again for each signal type separately. One of the most common problems is the message "No signal" or "Weak signal" after the search is completed. First of all, check if the region is correctly selected. In the settings of the TV (usually in the General or System section), the country in which you are located should be selected. The wrong region can block certain frequency ranges or sound encoding standards. If the region is correct, but the channels are not, try to reset the tuner completely. To do this, find the channel menu item Reset channels or Delete all channels. After cleaning the memory, re-run the cables, sometimes the data from the previous ones are damaged. Oxidized contacts in the ANT IN connector can also cause problems. Clean contacts or replace the plug. If you use a separate-powered antenna amplifier, make sure the power supply is in good working order and gives the declared voltage. Using TV viewing apps, Xiaomi TVs with Android TV have an alternative to the built-in tuner - installing specialized applications. Services like Peers.TV, SPB TV or Lime HD TV allow you to watch channels over the Internet. This solution is ideal for those who do not have the ability to install an antenna or the reception quality in the region leaves much to be desired. To install the application, go to the TV store, go to the list of the service on the Google Play Store, after you will be available on the service. The quality of the image in this case depends solely on the speed of your Internet connection and the load of the servers of the provider, the main advantage of this method is independence from the air signal and the ability to view archived transmissions. However, it is worth considering that the broadcast over the Internet has a delay (lag) relative to real time, which can be from 30 seconds to several minutes. πŸ’‘Built-in tuner provides the best quality and no delays, but requires antennas. Apps are convenient but depend on Internet speed and can have lags. Why can't the TV find all 20 channels? Most often it's due to low signal levels. Digital signal is transmitted by packets (multiplexes). If the signal is weak, the TV can only catch the first, more powerful packet of 10 channels, and the second packet of 10 channels is broadcast on a different frequency with a lower power level, and the tuner can not decode it. Try to improve the antenna. Can you watch digital TV without an antenna? Without the antenna, the built-in tuner won't work. However, since you have a Xiaomi TV on Android, you can use Internet applications (IPTV) To watch TV channels without having to connect to an antenna cable. What if some channels are missing? This may be due to the audio track settings. Press the settings button (cogs) while watching and try to switch the audio track (for example, from Stereo to Mono or from the audio track). RU on EN). Also check if the "Description for the Visually Impaired" mode is included in the general sound settings.