Xiaomi’s modern Smart TVs offer users not only access to online cinemas, but also the ability to watch on-air TV. However, after the first switch on or move to a new place of residence, many owners face a lack of image on the screen, which is due to the fact that the TV requires manual or automatic settings of reception for broadcasting on-air channels.
The process of finding broadcast towers may seem complicated only at first glance, but it actually takes only a few minutes. It is important to understand that the quality of reception depends on the type of antenna connection and the region of your residence. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the steps from connecting the cable to fine-tuning the frequencies.
If you have just unpacked your device, don’t rush to launch streaming services. The first thing you need to do is to ensure the basic functionality of the device. We will look at options for the DVB-T2 digital standard, which is the main one in Russia and CIS countries, and also touch on the issues of setting up satellite and cable TV.
Preparation of equipment and inspection of antenna
Before you go to the settings menu, you need to make sure that the physical integrity of the connections is not visible, the signal will not appear out of thin air, unless the antenna cable is connected to the corresponding connector on the back of the TV, and most often users forget to check the density of the plug or the integrity of the cable itself after transportation.
For digital television to work properly, you need an active amplifier antenna or a quality passive option that's directed towards the nearest TV tower. It's critical to check if the antenna amplifier is powered if it's required for your distance to the repeater. Without power, the signal will be too weak to decode.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure you use a decimeter-wavelength (DMW) antenna, as it is the one that transmits the digital signal. Old meter antennas ("mustache") will not be able to receive a modern signal without a special converter.
Check the ANT IN connector on the TV body. It's usually signed and round with a thread or tight press. If you use adapters or extension cords, try connecting the antenna directly to rule out fault. The quality of the cable also plays a role: too thin a wire can be shielded by its own currents.
☑️ Checking before setting up
Automatic setup of DVB-T2 digital channels
The easiest and most common way to get a list of channels is to run an automatic search. Android TV or PatchWall, installed on Xiaomi TVs, has a built-in tuner that scans the entire frequency range on its own, a method ideal for initial installation.
To start the process, go to the main menu and select the settings section. You'll need to find the channel item. The path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same. Press the menu button on the remote or select the gear icon in the corner of the screen.
In the menu that opens, look for Channels or Broadcast, and you will be asked to select a signal source. As we set up on-air TV, select the Etheric option (DVB-T/T2). Don't confuse it with cable or satellite mode, otherwise the search may take too long or not yield results.
- 📺 Click the button "Search channels" or "Autosearch" in the corresponding menu.
- 📡 The system will start scanning frequencies, displaying the progress bar and the number of signals found.
- 🔢 After completion, the TV will store the found multiplexes in the device memory.
During the scan, the TV may be interrupted several times to check the signal. This is normal behavior. If the signal is unstable in your region, the process may take longer. Do not turn off the device until the procedure is completed, otherwise the list may not be saved correctly.
Manual Frequency and Multiplex Adjustment
Sometimes automatic mode can't find all the available channels or misses some of them, and this often happens in an area of uncertain reception, where the signal is weak and intermittent, and in such cases, manual adjustments come to the rescue, allowing you to specify the exact frequency of the broadcast.
First, you need to know the frequency of the nearest repeater, and you can do this on the official digital television website of your country by entering your address, and the data you get (channel number and frequency in MHz) will be used to enter into the settings of your Xiaomi TV.
In the signal source selection menu, switch from Auto to Manual. You'll see a frequency input field. Use the digital remote or on-screen keyboard to enter the value. After you enter, click Search or Check.
| Parameter | Description | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Tuner type | Selection of broadcasting standard | DVB-T2 |
| Frequency | Operating frequency of the repeater | Depends on the region (e.g. 506 MHz) |
| Strip width | Signal parameter | 8 MHz (automatically) |
| Modulation. | Type of signal encoding | 64 QAM / 256 QAM (auto) |
If the signal level and the quality displayed on the screen are high (green scale), you can start searching for channels at this frequency. Remember the number of the physical channel (TBC) on which your multiplex is broadcasting, as this will make it easier to reconfigure in the future.
Configuring cable television (DVB-C)
If you use a provider that sends a signal through a coaxial cable directly to your apartment, the procedure will be different. In this case, the DVB-C standard is used. Most operators require authorization, but the basic channel package is often available immediately.
Connect the cable from the provider to the same ANT IN connector. From the TV menu, select the Cable signal source (DVB-C). Here it is important to choose the right scan settings. Often you need to choose Full or All mode to cover the entire frequency range of the provider.
Some operators use signal encryption, in which case a simple search may not work without a CI+ access card. If you have an access module, insert it into a CI slot on the side or back of the TV, the system must automatically recognize the card and unlock the paid channels.
⚠️ Note: When setting up cable TV, make sure that the search options are “Network” or “Frequency” and not just “Open Channels”, otherwise paid channels may be skipped.
If the channels are not available, contact your provider's technical support, they can provide accurate frequency plans or network parameters that need to be manually entered in advanced tuner settings. USB-flash drive if the provider uses a specific sorting.
What to do if the provider requires registration MAC-address?
Sorting, editing and removing channels
Once you've done a successful scan, you'll get a long list of channels where useful channels can be mixed with information or radio stations, and you can edit the list for ease of viewing, which is especially true if you want to bring your favorite channels to the top of the list.
Go to the feed menu and select "Edit" or "Sort." Here you can move the list items using the navigation buttons on the remote. Just select the desired channel and drag it to the desired position. There is also a concealment feature available: unnecessary channels can be marked with an X or a lock, and they will disappear from the general list when you switch.
To rename channels (for example, to "1 HD" became "First channel"), select the appropriate item in the editing menu. Enter the name using the on-screen keyboard. This helps you navigate faster, especially if there are many channels with similar names in the list.
- 📝 Use the Favorites feature to create a separate list of your favorite channels.
- 🗑️ Remove duplicates that may have appeared in repeated searches.
- 🔒 Introduce parental controls on age-restricted channels.
Save the changes before leaving the menu. If you just switch the signal source, the sorting settings may not apply. In some versions of PatchWall firmware, sorting can be reset once the system is updated, so it makes sense to take screenshots of the channel order.
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Use channel numbering according to their logical order (1, 2, 3...) so that when switching the buttons "+" and "-" does not occur chaotic jumping between genres.
Solving Signal and Image Quality Problems
Even after you've set it up properly, you might encounter artifacts like scattering the image into squares, fading the sound, or completely missing the signal, which indicates signal level problems or interference.
First, check the signal level in the information menu (usually called by the Info or i button on the remote). If the scale is less than 50% full, you need to improve reception. Try to rotate the antenna, raise it higher or replace the cable with a better one with a copper vein.
If the problem only occurs at certain times of the day or when you turn on appliances, there may be electromagnetic guidance, in which case installing a filter-separator or replacing the antenna with a model with better protection against interference will help. It is also worth checking the contacts in the connector: oxidation can significantly impair the quality of data transmission.
⚠️ Warning: If the signal quality scale jumps from 0% to 100%, it is a sign of poor contact in the antenna cable or malfunction of the tuner of the TV. Try tightly twisting the plug or using an F-connector instead of a pin.
In rare cases, the problem lies in the TV software. If other devices on the same antenna are working normally, try resetting the channels to the factory and do the search again. Also check for system updates in the Settings menu → About TV → System Update.
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The stability of the digital signal is a binary indicator: either the picture is perfect or it is not at all. The appearance of "squares" means that the signal level has fallen below the decoding threshold, and a physical adjustment of the antenna is required.