Xiaomi’s modern Smart TVs are complex multimedia centers that, however, must perform their basic function of showing television. Many users, when first faced with a PatchWall shell or a pure Android TV, do not immediately find the usual button to switch signal sources. This is because the logic of smart TVs is built around applications and streaming, relegating the classic air signal to the background of the interface. Turning on TV mode requires not just pressing a button, but often pre-tuning the equipment and choosing the right signal source through the menu.
In this article, we will discuss the process of TV activation on different models of Xiaomi and Redmi TVs. You will learn how to connect the antenna cable correctly, choose the right type of signal (digital or analog) and perform automatic or manual adjustment of channels. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances of working with the digital standard DVB-T2, which is the main one in Russia and CIS countries. Understanding these processes will allow you to avoid common mistakes, such as the absence of images or sound due to incorrectly selected frequency range.
We will also discuss the use of external consoles if your model does not have a built-in tuner or it is defective. It is important to understand that the built-in tuner DVB-T2 supports only models released for markets where this standard is adopted, while global versions may require an external receiver. We will help you determine which option is relevant for your device, and provide a step-by-step algorithm for each case, ensuring stable television operation in your home.
Connecting antenna and checking equipment
The first and most important step before turning on the TV function is to physically connect the signal source. Without a properly connected antenna, any software settings will be useless. You need to find a connector on the back or side of a TV, which is usually signed as ANT IN, RF Input or Antenna. This is where a coaxial cable from your home antenna or satellite receiver is inserted if it is in broadcast mode. Make sure that the cable sits tightly in the nest, since poor contact often leads to image artifacts or no signal at all.
If you use an active amplifier indoor antenna, be sure to connect it to the power grid. Passive antennas, in turn, do not require additional power, but their effectiveness depends on proximity to the transmitting tower. In dense urban areas or remote from the repeater, a more powerful external directed antenna may be required. The quality of the cable also plays a role: use shielded cables with a resistance of 75 Ohms to minimize interference.
💡
Use a dual-shield cable if the antenna wire passes near power wires or appliances to avoid tweaks and interference in the image.
After you're physically connected, you need to make sure that the TV sees the signal. To do this, put the remote in the signal source selection mode, often a button with a square with an arrow inside or a separate button. TV. If the message "No signal" appears on the screen, it does not mean a break, but only indicates that the TV has not yet adjusted the frequencies or the antenna is not active. Some Xiaomi models require manually activating the power of the antenna through the menu if it is connected directly to the menu. USB-powerport.
Selecting a signal source and entering the settings menu
Once the cable is connected, you need to switch the TV to the antenna mode. On the remote control, find the button responsible for choosing the input source (Input or the square icon). In the menu that opens, you will see a list of available ports: HDMI, AV and, importantly, TV or Live TV. The choice of this option activates the built-in tuner. If you see an interface with the suggestion to configure channels, then you are on the right path. In some versions of PatchWall firmware, this item can be hidden in the side menu or require the installation of a separate aggregator application.
To access advanced settings, such as manual frequency settings or channel list resets, you need to go to the main system settings menu. This is usually done by pressing a button with a gear on the remote or through the top drop-down menu. Find a section that may be called Channels, Broadcasts or DTV settings. This is where all the tools for managing on-air and cable broadcasts are located. The interface may differ depending on the model year and the regional version of the firmware, but the logic remains the same.
It is important to distinguish between the types of signal that the TV offers. Modern models of Xiaomi support the DVB-T2 standard (digital terrestrial) and DVB-C (digital cable). Analog signal (DVB-T or AV) is gradually becoming a thing of the past and in many regions it is already disabled, but the ability to receive it can be saved. When you start up, the setup wizard usually suggests choosing the type of connection: choose "Antenna" for broadcasting or "Cable" for connecting via a provider without a console.
☑️ Checking before setting up
⚠️ Note: If you live in an apartment building and use a collective antenna, make sure your home supports the digital standard. DVB-T2. Older homes may require custom converter installation or switching to cable operator services.
Automatic and manual channel setting
The easiest way to get a list of channels is to run an automatic search. From the channel settings menu, select the option AutoSearch or AutoScan. The TV will start scanning the entire frequency range, trying to find available multiplexes. This process can take from 2 to 10 minutes depending on the number of signals found and the speed of data processing by the Xiaomi processor. During the search, the screen may display the progress bar and the number of channels found. It is not recommended to interrupt this process, as this may lead to an incomplete list of available programs.
But automatic search doesn't always work. Sometimes the TV will let channels with a weak signal or, conversely, add non-operating frequencies to the list. In such cases, manual adjustment comes to the rescue. To do this, select Manual setting or Manual Tune from the menu. You will need to know the frequency of the nearest repeater in your region (this information is easy to find on the digital network site, specifying your address). By entering a specific frequency, you can estimate the level and quality of the signal in real time, adjusting the position of the antenna to achieve maximum values.
The optimal signal strength is above 60-70% and a quality close to 100%. If the signal quality jumps or is low, the image will crumble into squares or the sound will stutter. The table below shows the main parameters that may be required for manual adjustment for different types of broadcasting:
| Parameter | Etheric (DVB-T2) | Cable (DVB-C) | Analog (DVB-T) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of modulation | COFDM | QAM | VSB |
| Frequency | 498 MHz (example) | Depends on the provider. | Different for each channel |
| Strip width | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 7-8 MHz |
| Coding | MPEG-4 / H.264 | MPEG-4 | MPEG-2 |
What to do if you find 0 channels?
Work with Live TV and PatchWall
In Xiaomi PatchWall TVs, regular channels can be accessed through a special app, often called Live TV, Broadcasts, or has an antenna logo. If you can't find it on the home screen, try pressing the Home button on the remote or go to My Apps. In some versions of the firmware, the channel widget is at the top of the screen or is called by a long press of the source select button.
The Live TV app serves as a bridge between the Android operating system and the TV tuner. This is where the video stream is decoded. If the app gives an error or a black screen, try clearing its cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Live TV → Clear the data. After that, you will need to re-search the channels. Updating this system component can also solve compatibility problems with new codecs or frequency grids.
The app's user interface allows you to sort channels, add favorites, and adjust parental controls. You can rename channels for convenience by assigning them clear names instead of dry digital notations. There's also an EPG (electronic program guide) feature that shows the transmission schedule if the signal provider broadcasts this data. The EPG requires that the appropriate option be activated in the settings and the TV has access to the Internet to synchronize time and guide data.
💡
The Live TV app is a system component of Android TV, and its removal or forced shutdown will make it impossible to watch terrestrial TV through the built-in tuner.
Use of external prefix DVB-T2
Not all Xiaomi TVs have a built-in tuner, especially for global versions that are designed for markets dominated by cable or streaming. If your model specification doesn't mention DVB-T2 support, or you can't find an antenna input, you'll need an external set-top box. This compact device connects to the TV via an HDMI port and takes over the signal reception and decoding function.
Connecting an external console requires the following actions:
- 🔌 Connect the antenna cable directly to the console socket, not the TV.
- 📺 Connect the set-top box and the TV. HDMI-cable (preferably using version cable) 1.4 or higher to support Full HD/4K).
- ⚡ Power the prefix from USB-TV port or from a separate network adapter.
- 📺 Switch the signal source on the TV to the appropriate port HDMI.
Once connected, the TV is controlled by two remotes: one you adjust the volume and brightness of the screen, the other (from the console) switch channels. However, many modern consoles support CEC technology, which allows you to control both devices with one remote control. To activate this feature, go to the settings of the Xiaomi TV, find the Device Settings → External Devices and enable the CEC option. This will greatly simplify operation, allowing you to switch channels and control the console menu directly from the TV remote.
⚠️ Note: When using an external console, the image quality depends not only on the antenna signal, but also on the quality of the image. HDMI-Cheap cables can cause interference or limit resolution to 720p, Even if the console supports Full HD.
Solving common problems and errors
Even with the right setup, users can run into problems. One of the common complaints is that audio and image are out of sync or there is no audio track at all. This is often solved by changing the audio format in the settings. Go to Settings → Sound → Digital Output and try to switch from Auto or Dolby Digital to PCM. PCM mode provides the most compatibility and often eliminates sound problems when viewing digital channels.
Another common problem is the message "Signal is too weak" or periodic fading of the image. If you use a room antenna, try moving it closer to the window or raising it higher. In the case of cable television (DVB-C), the problem may be on the provider's side, but it is also worth checking the density of the cable in the connector. Sometimes it helps to replace the antenna cable with a better one, with less signal attenuation at high frequencies.
If the TV stops seeing channels after updating the firmware, reset the channels to factory settings.This won't delete your apps or accounts, but will clear the frequency list and require you to re-do autosearch. In extreme cases, when software methods don't work, you may need a full reset of the TV, but this method should only be resorted to after consulting with technical support or studying the forums for your particular model.