Connecting a flash drive to a Xiaomi TV seems like a simple task — until you encounter the message “Format is not supported.” Even modern models with Android TV or Google TV on board have restrictions on playing video from external media. In this article, we will not just list compatible extensions, but also explain why some files open without problems, and others do not, even if their format is included in the official list.
The problem lies not only in file extensions (such as.mp4 or.mkv), but also in the codecs used, resolution, bitrate and even container structure. We analyzed the technical documentation of Xiaomi Mi TV 4S/4A/5/5X/Q1/Q2, and also conducted tests on devices with different versions of firmware (including MIUI TV 3.0 and Google TV 11/12). The results may surprise: some “unsupported” formats play after simply renaming the file, and others require recoding.
Official list of supported formats: what Xiaomi says
The user manuals for Xiaomi TVs (e.g. Mi TV Q2 55" or Redmi Smart TV X43) provide a basic list of formats, but without codec detail. This creates confusion: the user sees the.avi list, but does not understand why the file with such an extension does not open.
According to the manufacturer, Xiaomi TVs support the following containers:
- 📁 .mp4 (H.264, H.265/HEVC, MPEG-4)
- 📁.mkv (Matroska) – with codec restrictions
- 📁 .avi (DivX, Xvid, MPEG-4)
- 📁.mov (QuickTime) - only with H.264
- 📁.ts/.m2ts (traffic)
- 📁.FLV – Partial support
- 📁.wmv, only WMV9 (VC-1)
- 📁.webm - with VP8/VP9
But this list is just the tip of the iceberg, and for example,.mkv with AV1 codec won't play even if the container itself is supported, and the.mp4 file with the DTS-HD audio track will play without sound. To avoid errors, check out the compatibility table below.
Codec Compatibility Table: What Really Works
We tested over 50 video files on Xiaomi Mi TVs TV P1 65" (2023) and Redmi Smart TV X50 (2022) with the latest firmware updates, summarized in a table where «✅» It means full support, «⚠️» — Reproducing with problems (e.g., no sound «❌» — utterly.
| Container | Video codec | Audio codec | Max, permission. | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .mp4 | H.264 (AVC) | AAC, MP3 | 4K @ 60 Hz | ✅ |
| .mp4 | H.265 (HEVC) | E-AC-3 (Dolby Digital+) | 4K @ 30Hz | ✅ |
| .mkv | VP9 | Opus | 1080p @ 60 Hz | ⚠️ (soundless on some models) |
| .avi | Xvid | MP3 | 1080p @ 24Hz | ✅ |
| .mov | ProRes | PCM | Anybody | ❌ |
Critical Feature: Xiaomi TVs powered by Google TV (Like Mi. TV Q2) support AV1 It's only streamed (YouTube, Netflix) but not from local media, which means that the.mkv file is a file with a AV1-encoding will not be played from a flash drive, even if its resolution corresponds to the capabilities of TV.
It is also worth noting that bitrate plays a key role: files with a bitrate above 40 Mbps may slow down or not play at all, especially on models with an Amlogic processor. S905 (Like Mi. TV 4S). For comparison: Mi TV P1 chip-wise MT9650 copes with bitrate up to 100 Mbit / s 4K.
Why the video is not played: top-5 causes and solutions
If your Xiaomi TV doesn’t see a file on the flash drive or gives an error, the problem may not be in the format, but in one of the following factors:
- File system flash drive. Xiaomi TVs officially support only FAT32 and NTFS. exFAT is unstable, and ext4 is not recognized at all. Solution: format the drive in NTFS (optimum for files >4 GB).
- Incompatible subtitles: Built-in subtitles in.ass or.ssa can block playback. Solution: extract subtitles into a separate.srt file.
- DRM-Files downloaded from Apple TV+ or Disney+, They often have Widevine protection, which prevents them from being played on external devices.
- If the file starts playing but stops after a few seconds, the problem may be the metadata, so you can save the file through FFmpeg or HandBrake.
- Resolution restrictions: Xiaomi models with Full screen resolution HD (For example, Redmi Smart. TV X43) will not reproduce 4K-Solution: Convert video to a flash drive, even if the format is supported. 1920×1080.
⚠️ Warning: If the TV doesn't see the flash drive at all, check it on another device. USB-port on Xiaomi TV (Especially on 2019-2020 models, they do not provide enough power for drives larger than 128 GB. USB-feed-in.
How to convert video for Xiaomi TV: step-by-step instructions
If your file is not playable, the most reliable way is to convert to a universal format. We recommend using the free HandBrake program (available for Windows, macOS and Linux).
Select the source file|Specify the output format MP4|Select a codec. H.264 (x264)|Set the bitrate not higher than 20 Mbit / s|Select an audio codec AAC|Disable subtitles or convert to.srt|Click "Start Encode»-->
Additional recommendations for specific scenarios:
- 🎬 For 4K-Video: Use the codec H.265 (HEVC) with a bitrate of up to 30 Mbps. This will reduce the file size without loss of quality.
- 🎧 For multichannel audio: if the source file has an audio track DTS:X or TrueHD, convert it to AC3 5.1 (Dolby Digital).
- 📱 For video from the phone: files shot on Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 in.mov format with codec H.265, They may not reproduce. Recode them into H.264.
If you prefer online services, use CloudConvert. Select Android TV preset, which automatically selects compatible options. However, note that downloading files over 1 GB requires a paid subscription.
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Before converting, check if the TV is powered up, which can limit the decoder's performance, making even compatible files play back with jerks. Turn it off from Settings → Energy Saving
Hidden Opportunities: How to Reproduce Unsupported Formats
Even if the file format is not on the official list, there are ways to get around the limitations:
- Rename the extension. Some Xiaomi TVs define the format by extension, not by actual content. For example, a video.mkv file with H.264 codec can be renamed video.mp4 and it will play. Importantly, this only works if the codec is actually supported.
- Use DLNA. Install the BubbleUPnP app on your phone and stream the file to your TV over a local area network, in which case the decoding takes place on your phone, and the TV acts as a screen only.
- Kodi Player. Install Kodi via Google Play (available on Google TV models) This player supports almost all formats, including AV1 and FLAC.
- Update firmware. Newer software versions (e.g. MIUI TV 3.2+) have added support for VP9 Profile 2 and HDR10+. Check for updates in the Settings menu → About TV → System Update.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party players (e.g, VLC or MX Player) disable hardware acceleration decoding in the app settings. On some Xiaomi models TV It causes image artifacts.
How to install Kodi on Xiaomi TV without Google Play
Model comparison: which Xiaomi TVs work better with video
Compatibility with video formats depends on the processor and firmware version, and we analyzed the technical characteristics of popular models and compiled a rating for multimedia support:
| Model | Processor | Max. bitrate. | Support for HDR | AV1 (from the flash drive) | Ratings. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi TV P1 (2023) | MT9650 | 100 Mbps | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ | ❌ | ★★★★★ |
| Mi TV Q2 (2022) | Amlogic T972 | 60 Mbps | HDR10 | ❌ | ★★★★☆ |
| Redmi Smart TV X50 | Amlogic S905X3 | 40 Mbps | HDR10 | ❌ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Mi TV 4S (2019) | Amlogic S905 | 20 Mbps | No. | ❌ | ★★☆☆☆ |
As you can see from the table, even Xiaomi’s flagship models don’t support AV1 from local media, due to the lack of a hardware decoder for this codec in the processors used, but the Mi TV P1 can play AV1 through streaming services (for example, YouTube), since decoding takes place on the server side.
If you want to maximize compatibility, choose MediaTek MT9650 models (like Mi TV P1 or Mi TV 6 OLED) that not only support more formats, but also handle higher bitrates better.
Frequent errors and their solutions: analysis of flights
Even experienced users face unexpected challenges when playing flash drive videos, and consider typical scenarios and ways to fix them:
- 🚫 Error: "Format is not supported." Reason: Incompatible codec or container. Solution: Check the codec through MediaInfo. AV1, ProRes or VC-3, convert.
- 🔊 Mistake: Video is coming, but no sound. DTS, TrueHD or FLAC Solution: Recode the sound into AAC or AC3. In HandBrake, select the “Audio” tab and install the codec. AAC (avcodec).
- 🐢 Mistake: Video slows down or jerks. Reason: Too high bitrate for a TV model. Solution: Reduce bitrate to 20 Mbps for a TV model. 1080p or 40 Mbit/s for 4K. Also check if the TV is overheating (especially for passive cooled models).
- 📂 Error: The TV can't see the files on the flash drive. Reason 1: ExFAT file system or ext4. Decision 1: Format the flash drive into NTFS. Reason 2: Files are hidden in folders with Cyrillic names. Decision 2: Rename folders to Latin (e.g. Films instead of Movies).
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If the TV gives an error when playing files with a bitrate above 50 Mbit / s, but technically supports such a resolution, try connecting the flash drive through the device. USB-externally powered hub, power shortages can cause decoding failures.