Connecting a flash drive to a Xiaomi TV and enjoying high-quality movies is a task that seems simple only at first glance.In practice, users face playback errors, no sound or “invisible” files on the TV. USB-The reason is often because of format incompatibility: the TV simply does not recognize codecs, containers or video resolutions. In this article, we will discuss in detail what video formats Xiaomi supports. TV through USB, How to check the compatibility of your file and what to do if the video is not played.
It’s important to understand that even within the Xiaomi lineup, there are differences: new models (such as the Xiaomi TV Q2 2026 or Mi TV A Pro) support more formats than budget series like the Mi TV 4A. We have collected up-to-date data for all modern Xiaomi TVs, including information about supported codecs, resolutions and bitrates, and you will learn how to circumvent restrictions using transcoding or alternative viewing methods.
What video formats officially supports Xiaomi TV via USB
Xiaomi TVs run on Android TV (or its modified version of PatchWall), which defines the basic set of supported formats. However, the manufacturer often limits this list to ensure stable operation on all models.
- 📁 Containers (file extensions):.mp4,.mkv,.avi,.mov,.ts,.m4v,.flv (partially),.webm (limited).
- 🎬 Video codecs: H.264 (AVC), H.265 (HEVC), MPEG-4, VC-1, VP9 (only 4K-model).
- 🔊 Audio codecs: AAC, MP3, AC-3 (Dolby Digital), E-AC-3, DTS (Only in some models), FLAC, WAV.
- 📏 Maximum resolution: up to 4K UHD (3840×2160) upon 60 Hz for flagships; Full HD (1920×1080) budget-series.
But this list is just the tip of the iceberg, and the real compatibility depends on:
- 📺 TV models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) TV Q1E Dolby Vision is supported and Mi is supported. TV 4S — no).
- 🔄 Firmware versions (updates often add support for new codecs).
- 💾 File system USB-storage (FAT32, exFAT or NTFS — The latter may not be read on older models).
Table format compatibility for popular models Xiaomi TV
To be sure that your TV supports a particular format, we have compiled a table of data for the most common series, note that the information is relevant for firmware in 2023-2026. If your model is not specified, focus on the nearest specification.
| Model TV set | MP4 (H.264) | MKV (H.265) | AVI (Xvid) | Dolby Vision | DTS Audio | Max, permission. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi TV Q2 2026 | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. 4K) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | 4K @ 120Hz |
| Xiaomi Mi TV A Pro 2023 | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. 4K) | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | 4K @ 60 Hz |
| Xiaomi Mi TV Q1E | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. 4K) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | 4K @ 60 Hz |
| Xiaomi Mi TV 4S | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Partially (Full) HD) | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | Full HD |
| Redmi Smart TV X | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (Full) HD) | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | Full HD |
Important: Xiaomi TVs don’t support WMV, RMVB, or most DivX codec files out of the box, and if your file has this extension, you’ll have to convert it (more on that in one of the following sections).
💡
Before buying movies online, check their specifications through MediaInfo (free) and it will show the codec, bitrate and file container, which will help you avoid playback problems.
Why the video is not being played through USB: top-up-5 cause
Even if your file has the “right” extension (e.g.,.mp4), the TV may not open it.
- Incompatible codec. The file may be in a container. MKV, codec AV1 or VP8, Xiaomi TV supportive. ⚠️ Warning: If you hear sound when playing but no image (or vice versa), the problem is with the codec.
- Bitrates are too high: 4K videos with a bitrate above 50 Mbps may be slowing down or not opening on budget models.
- Incorrect USB file system. NTFS drives may not be readable on older TVs (use FAT32 or exFAT).
- Firmware problems. Outdated software may not recognize even standard formats. Check for updates in the Settings menu → About TV → System Update.
- A damaged file or USB. Try playing the video on another device or formatting the flash drive.
If none of the items fit, try alternative ways to view:
- 📱 Connect your smartphone to HDMI (via the adapter and play the video from it.
- 🖥️ Use a media player with support DLNA (for example, VLC Or Kodi on PC).
- ☁️ Upload the file to cloud storage (like Google Drive) and play it through your TV browser.
How to convert video for Xiaomi TV: step-by-step instructions
If your file is not playing, the most reliable way is to convert it to a compatible format. We recommend using the free HandBrake program (available for Windows, macOS and Linux).
☑️ Preparation for conversion
- Run HandBrake and click Open Source to select the source file.
- In the Format section, select MP4 (the most versatile option for Xiaomi TV).
Audio
- Codec: AAC (most compatible) or AC3 (for Dolby Digital)
- Bitrate: 192-320 kbit/s.
- Press Start Encode and wait until the process is complete. Copy the finished file to USB.
⚠️ Warning: Do not change other settings in the technical menu unless you are sure of their purpose.
Alternative ways to play video on Xiaomi TV
If file conversion seems too time-consuming, consider alternative viewing options:
- 📦 Media player with USB: Connect an external player (such as Xiaomi Mi Box S or Nvidia Shield) to your TV via HDMI. These devices support many more formats, including AV1 and DTS:X.
- 🌐 Streaming over the network: Use applications like VLC, Kodi or Plex to stream video from a PC or NAS-server-side.