How to connect Xiaomi Mi Box S (MDZ-22-AB) TV: full instructions from unpacking to settings

Media player Xiaomi Mi Box S (model) MDZ-22-AB) โ€” It is a compact device that turns any TV into a smart TV with Android support. TV, But even a gadget as simple as this has connectivity nuances that can be confusing for beginners, like why you don't have an image when you first turn on, how to sync your remote, or what to do if the Mi Box S doesn't see Wi-Fi. In this article, we will analyze all the stages - from unpacking the box to fine tuning sound and picture.

Feature of the model MDZ-22-AB โ€” It works with TVs of any year of release, supports resolution up to 4K HDR It's voice-controlled through Google Assistant, but it's important to connect the device to the power source correctly, to choose the right one. HDMI-We have compiled all possible scenarios, from standard connectivity to solving rare problems, such as when the player โ€œhangsโ€ on the Xiaomi logo.

If you've just bought a Mi Box S or are planning to buy one, this guide will save you time. There are no general phrases here, only specific actions explaining why they're important. HDMI-cable DVD-Player or how to avoid screen resolution issues on first start.

1. Unpacking and inspection of equipment

Before connecting, make sure that the box has everything you need. standard equipment Xiaomi Mi Box S MDZ-22-AB include:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฆ The media player Mi Box S (black glossy case with the logo Xiaomi).
  • โšก Power supply with cable (important: voltage should be) 5V/2A).
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Remote control with batteries (usually two fingers) AAA).
  • ๐Ÿ“บ HDMI-cable ~1.5m version 2.0a supportive 4K).
  • ๐Ÿ“„ Short instructions in several languages (including Russian).

What do you do if something's missing? HDMI-cables or batteries for the remote:

  • ๐Ÿ” Check the box again - sometimes the cable lies under the foam insert.
  • ๐Ÿ›’ If really not, go to the replacement store. Xiaomi rarely completes devices with an incomplete set, it could be a packing marriage.
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ Any battery will be suitable for the remote. AAA, But it is better to use alkaline (for example, Duracell or Energizer) - they hold the charge longer.

Attention to the power supply! Some users try to use smartphone chargers, but this is fraught with problems.The power supply from the Mi Box S should give exactly exactly the same amount of power. 5V/2A. If the voltage or current strength is different, the player can:

  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ Overheating (if the voltage is higher).
  • ๐Ÿข Work unstable (if the current strength is lower).
  • ๐Ÿšซ Do not turn on (if the parameters do not coincide strongly).
๐Ÿ“Š What type of TV do you have?
Old (no-one) HDMI)
Modern (Full) HD/4K)
Smart TV (Android or Tizen)
Projector

2. Connect to the TV through HDMI

It's the most important part, even if you do the right thing, you choose the wrong one. HDMI-port or cable, the image may not appear:

  1. Choose the right one. HDMI-TV-port. ๐Ÿ“บ Modern. TV ports are usually signed: HDMI 1 (ARC), HDMI 2 (STB) etc. ๐ŸŽฏ The best choice is a port marked HDMI 2.0 or 4K (If the TV supports high resolution). โŒ Avoid port. ARC (It is designed for sound systems).

Get the cable on.

Only use that one. HDMI, If it's damaged, buy a new one with support. HDMI 2.0 (e.g., Belkin or UGREEN). Cheap cables may not transmit a signal 4K.

Get the power on.

Insert the power supply into the socket and connect it to the Mi Box S. Make sure the indicator on the front of the player lights up white (this means the device is ready to go).

Turn on the TV and select the source of the signal.

On the remote. TV Press the Source (or Input) button and select the one HDMI-If the image doesn't show up, try another port.

What do you do when you don't have an image? Here are the most common reasons and solutions.

Problem.Possible causeDecision
Black screen, the indicator on the player is on fireIncorrect screen resolutionPress the button. OK on the remote Mi Box S for 5 seconds โ€“ reset the resolution to 720p
No signal, lights flashing.Bad contact in HDMI-portCheck the cable, try another port or cable
The image is there, but it's blurry.Low resolution or incorrect settings TVGo to Settings. โ†’ Display and sound โ†’ Permission and select Auto or 4K
The player does not turn on, the indicator does not burn.Problems with the power supply or cableTry another power supply with parameters 5V/2A

If your TV is older than 2010, it may not support you. HDMI-CEC. In this case, the remote TV You canโ€™t control the Mi Box S and youโ€™ll have to use two remotes.

Picked. HDMI-port 4K|

Use the original cable from the set|

The power supply is connected to the outlet (not to the USB-port TV)|

The indicator on the player is lit in white-->

3. Set up the remote control

The Xiaomi Mi Box S remote works on Bluetooth technology, so it does not need to be โ€œpointedโ€ to the player - the signal passes even through obstacles.

  1. Put the batteries in. Open the back of the remote and insert the two batteries. AAA, polarize (+/-).
  2. Turn on the player. Press any button on the remote (for example, Home or OK). If the indicator on the player flashed, then the remote has started synchronization.
  3. Wait 10 to 15 seconds, and at that point, the player and the remote are getting to know each other, and don't press the other buttons to keep the process from getting knocked down.
  4. Check work. Press Home - the main Android menu should open. TV.

Voice control: The Mi Box S remote supports Google Assistant, to activate voice search:

  1. Press and hold the button with the microphone (๐ŸŽค).
  2. After the beep, say a command, such as โ€œPut the Lord of the Rings movie on Netflix.โ€
  3. If the microphone is not working, check if it is covered with a protective film (sometimes it is forgotten to remove).

๐Ÿ’ก

If the remote often โ€œglutsโ€, wrap it in a thin film or case โ€“ the glossy surface slides in the hands, and the buttons can be pressed accidentally.

4. First on and basic setting

When you first start up, the Mi Box S will offer you to go through the initial setup process, which takes 5-10 minutes and includes:

  1. Language choice. English is usually the default. Scroll down and select Russian.
  2. Wi-Fi connection. Player will automatically find available networks. Select yours, enter your password. If Wi-Fi is not available, check: ๐Ÿ“ถ Distance to the router (should be no more than 10 meters). ๐Ÿ”’ Password (sometimes the register of letters has a value). ๐Ÿ”„ Reboot the router.

Log in to Google's account.

This is a must if you want to install apps from Google Play. If you don't have an account, create it right on the screen. TV.

Customization of the display and sound.

The player will tell you to choose the screen resolution. Auto is the best option. If the image is cropped, manually install it. 1080p 60Hz.

What if the settings are stuck? For example, when you connect to Wi-Fi or log in to your account.

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Reboot the player: turn off power for 1 minute.
  • ๐Ÿ“ถ If you have a Wi-Fi problem, connect via an Ethernet adapter (sold separately).
  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Use a mouse with USB-port for navigation (if the remote does not respond).

The important thing about Google is that if you don't want to link a player to your main account, create a separate one, which is convenient if the device is used by children or guests, so they can't accidentally delete your data.

How to reset the settings to factory, if the player โ€œhangsโ€ on the logo?
1. Turn off the power. 2. Press the button. OK on the remote control and, without releasing it, connect the power back. 3. Hold on. OK still 10โ€“15 A few seconds before the recovery menu appears. 4. Choose Wipe. data/factory reset using volume buttons and confirm the choice with the button OK. โš ๏ธ After resetting, all applications and settings will be deleted!

5. Internet connection: Wi-Fi and Ethernet

Xiaomi Mi Box S MDZ-22-AB It supports two ways to connect to the Internet: wireless (Wi-Fi) and cable (Ethernet.

๐Ÿ“ถ Connection via Wi-Fi

This is the most popular method, but it can cause problems if:

  • The router operates at 5 GHz, and the player does not support it (check in the router settings).
  • The signal is weak due to thick walls or long distance.
  • The network uses non-standard DNS (For example, to block advertising).

How to connect:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Network and Internet โ†’ Wi-Fi.
  2. Select your network from the list.
  3. Enter your password (registration is important!).
  4. If the connection does not occur, click Additional and manually specify IP-address DNS (For example, 8.8.8.8 for Google).

๐ŸŒ Connection via Ethernet

If Wi-Fi is unstable, it is better to use a wired connection. This will require a USB-Ethernet adapter (for example, Xiaomi Mi). LAN Adapter or any other on a chip AX88179).

Instructions:

  1. Connect the adapter to USB-port on the back of the Mi Box S.
  2. Connect the adapter to the router or modem via LAN-cable.
  3. Go to Settings โ†’ Network and Internet โ†’ Ethernet.
  4. If the connection is not activated automatically, click Connect.

Speed comparison:

ParameterWi-Fi (2.4 GHz)Wi-Fi (5 GHz)Ethernet
Maximum speed~50 Mbps~300 Mbps~1 Gbps
Delay (ping)50-100 ms.20-50 ms5-20 ms.
StabilityMediumTall.Maximum
Suitable forWatching the video in HD4K-streaming, games4K HDR, play-off

Advice for gamers if you play Cloud Gaming (e.g. GeForce) NOW Or Xbox Cloud, use Ethernet. Even at high speeds, Wi-Fi delays can spoil gameplay.

6. Sound and image setting

After you've connected to the Internet, you should optimize the sound and the picture for your TV, which is especially important if you have a computer. 4K TV or sound system (Soundbar, AV-receiver).

๐Ÿ“บ Image setting

To get the best picture quality:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Display and Sound โ†’ Screen Resolution.
  2. Select the maximum supported resolution: ๐Ÿ“บ For Full. HD TV: 1920ร—1080 60Hz. ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ For 4K TV: 3840ร—2160 60Hz (if the TV supports the TV) HDR, turn on this option below).

Automatic change of frame rate

24 Hz

If the image is "cut off":

  • ๐Ÿ” Check your TV settings: Turn off Overscan (scaling) in the menu TV.
  • ๐Ÿ“ In the Mi Box S settings, select 16:9 as the aspect ratio.

๐Ÿ”Š Sound tuning

Mi Box S supports sound output through HDMI (including Dolby Digital formats and DTS), and also via Bluetooth (for wireless headphones).

How to set up:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Display and Sound โ†’ Sound.
  2. Choose. HDMI as the main exit (if used) TV receiver).
  3. Enable Automatic Format Determination to support Dolby.
  4. If there's no sound: ๐Ÿ”Š Check if the sound on the remote is off. TV. ๐Ÿ”„ Reboot the player. ๐ŸŽง If you use Soundbar, make sure it is connected to the correct one. HDMI-ARC port.

For audiophiles, if you have one. AV-Receiver, in the audio settings, select Passthrough (direct output) for Dolby TrueHD formats and DTS-HD. This will allow the receiver to decode the sound without loss.

๐Ÿ’ก

If your TV doesnโ€™t support you HDR, But you've selected this resolution in the settings, and the picture will be dim. 4K SDR.

7. Installation of applications and firmware update

After the basic setup, you can start installing apps. Xiaomi Mi Box S runs on Android TV, So there's a Google Play Store with optimized versions of the software.

๐Ÿ“ฅ Installation of applications

To install, for example, Netflix or YouTube:

  1. Open the Google Play Store (the icon on the home screen).
  2. In the search, enter the name of the application.
  3. Click Set and wait for the download.
  4. After installation, the application will appear in the Application menu.

๐Ÿ”„ Firmware update

Regular updates fix bugs and add new features to update the Mi Box S:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ About the device โ†’ System update.
  2. Click Check for updates.
  3. If an update is found, click Download and Install.
  4. Wait until the game is finished (the player will reboot automatically).

What to do if the update is โ€œhangingโ€?

  • โณ Wait 30 to 40 minutes (sometimes the process is slow).
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ If the player does not respond, turn off the power for 10 seconds and turn on again.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฅ If the update is knocked down, download the firmware manually from the Xiaomi site and install via Recovery.

Warning about "custom" firmware: some users try to install informal firmware (for example, to unlock Google Play in unsupported regions), this can lead to:

  • ๐Ÿšซ Loss of warranty.
  • ๐Ÿ› Unstable player performance.
  • ๐Ÿ”’ Blocking certain features (e.g. Netflix) 4K).

๐Ÿ’ก

To speed up the download of applications, connect to the Internet via Ethernet or use Wi-Fi at 5 GHz.

8. Solving common problems

Even after you set it up properly, you can have problems, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

๐Ÿ”ด Player's not on.

Possible causes and solutions:

  • ๐Ÿ”Œ No power: check the socket, cable and power supply.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Batteries in the remote control are exhausted: replace them.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Freeze: Turn off power for 1 minute, then turn on again.
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Breakdown: if the indicator does not burn at all, it is possible that the power supply or the player board itself burned down.

๐Ÿ“บ No image, but there's sound.

What to do:

  • ๐Ÿ” Check it out. HDMI-cable and port (try another cable).
  • ๐Ÿ“ Reset the permit: press the permit. OK 5-second remote.
  • ๐Ÿ”ง In the settings TV turn off HDMI-CEC (Sometimes he's in conflict with the player).

๐ŸŽต No sound.

Decisions:

  • ๐Ÿ”Š Check if the sound on the remote is off. TV or Mi Box S.
  • ๐ŸŽง If you use Soundbar, make sure it is on and the correct input is selected.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Reboot the player.
  • ๐Ÿ“ป In the sound settings, select the correct output (HDMI Bluetooth).

๐ŸŒ The internet is not working.

Diagnosis:

  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Check if other devices are connected to the same network.
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Reboot the router.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Check the settings. IP and DNS (Sometimes manual installation helps. DNS from Google: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Reset network settings on the player: Settings โ†’ Network and Internet โ†’ Additionally. โ†’ Resetting network settings.

If nothing helps: try connecting via Ethernet or contact Xiaomi support (if the player is guaranteed).

๐Ÿ’ก

Most of the Mi Box S problems are solved by rebooting the player or resetting the settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi Box S MDZ-22-AB

โ“ Can you connect the Mi Box S to an old TV without a new one? HDMI?
Xiaomi Mi Box S has only one box. HDMI-Older TVs will require an HDMI-to-AV converter (e.g. Portta) PET0301S), The quality of the image is low (maximum) 480p).
โ“ How to Connect Wireless Headphones?
Go to Settings. โ†’ Devices โ†’ Bluetooth, turn on search mode and select your headphones from the list. Most models are supported (e.g. AirPods, Sony). WH-1000XM4).
โ“ Why isn't Netflix working in 4K?
Netflix 4K Requires: Premium subscription. streaming device with Netflix certification 4K (The Mi Box S has it. The quality setting in the Netflix profile is High. The Internet connection is at least 25 Mbps. If you're done, but 4K does not turn on, update the application or reinstall it.
โ“ How to Reset Wi-Fi Password on Player?
Player doesn't save passwords