Xiaomi TV doesn’t support AVI format: a complete guide to solving the problem

You are trying to open a movie or video format AVI on the Xiaomi Mi TV TV, But instead of a picture, you see the "Unsupported format" error or the black screen? The problem is familiar to many owners of smart TVs of this brand. Despite the stated support for most multimedia formats, Xiaomi TVs based on Android TV often refuse to reproduce AVI-files due to the encoding of video and audio inside the container.

In this article, we’ll look at 7 proven ways to get around the limitation, from simple settings to deep file optimization: you’ll learn why your TV doesn’t see AVI, which codecs are to blame, and how to make videos play without buying a new device. And we’ll compare the effectiveness of each method so you can choose the best one for your Mi TV 4S, Mi TV 5 or Mi TV Q1 model.

Why Xiaomi Mi TV doesn’t play AVI: Technical reasons

The AVI (Audio Video Interleave) format is a container that can contain video and audio encoded by different algorithms, the problem is that Xiaomi Android TVs do not support all codec combinations inside the AVI. Here are the key reasons for the incompatibility:

• 🎬 Outdated video codecs: AVI frequently uses DivX, XviD, or MPEG-4 ASP, which are not included in the standard Android codecs TV.
• 🔊 Unsupported audio formats: If the audio track file is in AC3 (Dolby Digital) or DTS, The TV may not recognize it even if the video codec is supported.
• 📦 Non-standard container structure: Some AVI-Files are created in violation of specifications, which leads to read errors.
• 🛠️ Lack of hardware acceleration: Even if the codec is software-supported, the TV may not use it due to CPU limitations.

Interestingly, the problem is more common on models with Amlogic processors (e.g. Mi TV 4A), whereas TVs on MediaTek (e.g. Mi TV 5 Pro) sometimes do better. Check the exact model of the chipset in the Settings menu → About TV → Model.

⚠️ WARNING: If your Xiaomi TV suddenly stops playing AVI-files that were opened before, the reason may be automatic software updates, MIUI TV 3.0+) Remove support for outdated codecs to save resources.

Method 1: Convert AVI to Supported Format (MP4, MKV)

The most reliable way is to convert the file to a format that is guaranteed to play on Xiaomi Mi TV.

• 📹 MP4 videocoded H.264 (AVC) audio AAC — Universal choice for all models.
• 🎥 MKV video H.265 (HEVC) Opus audio is better for high resolution files (4K).

For conversion we recommend free programs:

• 🖥️ HandBrake – supports batch processing and quality settings.
• 📱 VLC Media Player (built-in converter) – convenient for quick conversion.
• ⚡ FFmpeg (for advanced users) – allows you to fine-tune the settings.

Example of commands for FFmpeg (keeps quality, converts to MP4):

ffmpeg -i input.avi -c:v libx264 -preset slow -crf 18 -c:a aac -b:a 192k output.mp4

⚠️ Note: When converting to H.265 (HEVC) Files take up less space, but Xiaomi TVs on Amlogic processors S905 (Like Mi. TV 4S 55") may be braked during reproduction 4K HEVC. In that case, choose. H.264.

Method 2: Update the TV firmware to the latest version

The manufacturer regularly releases updates that extend format support to check the relevance of the software:

1. Open Settings → About TV → Update system.
2. Click "Check Updates."
3. If a new version is available, install it (internet connection required).

For Mi TV 4A/4S models, it is critical to upgrade to at least MIUI TV 2.5+, as earlier versions do not support H.265 and some audio codecs. If the automatic update does not work, download the firmware manually from the official Xiaomi website and install via USB.

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After the update AVI-files still do not play, try resetting the TV settings to factory (Settings) → Personal. → Reset.This often solves codec problems, but will remove all installed applications.

Method 3: Use of alternative players (Kodi, VLC, MX Player)

Xiaomi's standard player is limited in format support, but you can install third-party apps with a wider set of codecs.

• 🎬 Kodi supports almost all video codecs, including DivX and XviD. AVI. Install the official Kodi for Android TV Google Play.
• 📺 VLC for Android TV — It has built-in codecs and does not require additional packages.
• 🎥 MX Player - lightweight player with support for hardware acceleration (choose the version with a codec) NEON for ARM-processors).

To install the player:

1. Open the Google Play Store on your TV.
2. Find an application (such as “Kodi”) and install it.
3. Launch the player and open the file via the built-in file manager or over the network (DLNA/UPnP).

If Google Play is not on your model (for example, on Mi). TV 4A For the Chinese market, download APK-player-file USB-The storage device and install through the settings → Annexes → Install from USB.

Method 4: Recoding the audio track (if the problem is in the sound)

Often, Xiaomi TV refuses to play AVI not because of the video, but because of an unsupported audio format (for example, AC3 5.1 or DTS), in which case it is enough to recode only the sound, leaving the video unchanged.

Instructions for FFmpeg (save video, convert audio to AAC):

ffmpeg -i input.avi -c:v copy -c:a aac -b:a 192k output.mkv

If you want 5.1 sound, use:

ffmpeg -i input.avi -c:v copy -c:a aac -ac 6 -b:a 384k output.mkv

For convenience, you can use graphic tools:

• 🎧 Audacity + FFmpeg – for manual audio editing.
• 🎛️ Avidemux – allows you to replace audio without video transcoding.

⚠️ Attention: If in AVI-file used DTS-HD MA (Lossless audio, you have to convert it to AAC Opus, as Xiaomi TVs do not support lossless formats HDMI ARC.

Method 5: Configure DLNA/UPnP for streaming

If you keep it AVI-computer-file NAS, You can stream them to Xiaomi TV through DLNA In this case, a server (such as Plex or Kodi) can transcode a file on the fly into a supported format.

How to set up:

1. Install server software on your PC: 🖥️ Plex Media Server – Automatically converts incompatible formats. 📡 Serviio – Supports profiles for Android TV. 🏠 Jellyfin is an open alternative to Plex.

Add a folder with AVI-files in the server library.

Plex for Android TV

Connect to the server and play the file.

The advantage of this method is that you don't have to convert files in advance, and the server will determine the capabilities of the TV and choose the compatible format. 4K-Video may require a powerful server-side processor.

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Transcoding on the fly requires a productive PC (a processor no weaker than an Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 is recommended).

Method 6: Connecting an external player (Fire TV Stick, Nvidia Shield)

If none of the software methods worked, consider connecting an external media player via HDMI, guaranteed to solve the problem with AVI and other exotic formats.

• 🔥 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K — It supports all codecs, including DivX and DTS, cost ₽.
• 🛡️ Nvidia Shield TV Pro is a top player with hardware support for Dolby Vision and DTS:X, price ~15 000 ₽.
• 📦 Xiaomi Mi Box S – budget alternative (about 2,500) ₽), but weaker in terms of codecs.

The connection takes 2 minutes:

1. Insert the device into the free HDMI port on the TV.
2. Select the appropriate signal source via Xiaomi remote (Source or Input button).
3. Set up the player and install apps (like Kodi or VLC).

This is a good way to go if you are often exposed to non-standard formats or want to improve overall playback (e.g., for Dolby Atmos movies).

Method 7: Change the file extension (if the codec is supported)

Sometimes Xiaomi TVs refuse to play AVI not because of codecs, but because of the file extension, for example, a file with H.264 video and AAC audio can be saved as.avi, although it is essentially MP4.

Try renaming the file:

• From film.avi to film.mp4 (if inside H.264/AAC).
• From movie.avi to movie.mkv (if inside H.265/Opus)

To check the real codec, use:

• 🖥️ MediaInfo (PC) – shows detailed information about the file.
• 📱 MX Player (Android) – in the playback menu there is a tab “File Information".

⚠️ Note: This method only works if the codecs inside the file are actually supported by the TV. If the video is not played after renaming the video, return the old extension and use other methods.

FAQ: Frequent questions about playing AVI on Xiaomi Mi TV