Xiaomi TVs are popular choice among users due to the combination of price, quality and functionality. However, when playing video from a flash drive, external hard drive or over the network, many people face the problem: the file does not open, the sound is absent or the image is “braking”. The reason most often lies in the incompatibility of formats. In this article, we will discuss in detail what video formats support Xiaomi TVs (including the Mi TV series, Redmi TV and Xiaomi TV A), how to check the compatibility of your file and what to do if the video is not played.
It's important to understand that format support is not just a TV model, but a firmware version. For example, the 2018 Mi TV 4S may not play H.265/HEVC in 4K, whereas the 2023 Xiaomi TV Q2 can handle this without any problems. We've collected up-to-date data on all popular models and added practical tips for conversion and setup.
What video formats does Xiaomi TV officially support?
Xiaomi TVs run on Android TV or proprietary PatchWall, which defines basic media support, but the manufacturer often expands this list with hardware codecs.
- 📁 Containers (file extensions):.mp4,.mkv,.avi,.mov,.ts,.m2ts,.FLV (limited),.WMV (only on some models).
- 🎬 Video codecs: H.264 (AVC), H.265 (HEVC), MPEG-4, MPEG-2, VC-1 (narrowly), VP9 (new-model).
- 🔊 Audio codecs: AAC, MP3, AC3 (Dolby Digital), E-AC3 (Dolby Digital Plus), DTS (not-all-model), FLAC, WAV.
- 📏 Permits: up to 4K (3840×2160) upon 60 Hz for Mi TV Q/Xiaomi TV A Pro; up to Full HD (1920×1080) for the Redmi budget series TV.
Note that support for DTS and Dolby Vision depends on the model. For example, Xiaomi TV Q2 75" plays DTS-HD, and Redmi Smart TV X50 - not. The same goes for AV1 - this codec is currently supported only flagships 2023-2026.
Table of format compatibility by Xiaomi TV models
To avoid guessing whether your TV supports a particular format, we have compiled a table with data on popular series. If your model is not on the list, focus on the year of release and series (for example, Mi TV 5 and Mi TV 5 Pro have similar characteristics).
| Model | 4K H.265 (HEVC) | Dolby Vision | DTS | AV1 | Max. frequency (4K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi TV 4S (2018–2019) | ✅ (up to 30 Hz) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | 30 Hz |
| Redmi Smart TV X50/X55 (2020) | ✅ (up to 60 Hz) | ❌ | ✅ (DTS Core) | ❌ | 60 Hz |
| Xiaomi TV A Pro 55" (2021) | ✅ (up to 60 Hz) | ✅ | ✅ (DTS-HD) | ❌ | 60 Hz |
| Xiaomi TV Q2 65"/75" (2023) | ✅ (120 Hz) | ✅ | ✅ (DTS:X) | ✅ | 120 Hz |
Critical note: Xiaomi 4K and 120Hz TVs (e.g. Xiaomi TV Q2) require the use of HDMI 2.1 cable to play video at maximum quality. When connected via HDMI 2.0, the frequency automatically drops to 60Hz.
Why is the video not playing on Xiaomi TV?
If your TV refuses to open the file, the reasons may be:
- 🚫 Unsupported codec: For example, video encoded in AV1, Your model is released before 2023.
- 🔊 Sound problems: The file contains an audio track DTS-HD MA, But the TV only supports DTS Core.
- 📁 Damaged container: The.mkv file may be collected with errors (e.g. incorrect time stamps).
- 🔌 Power shortage USB-Port: External hard drive requires additional power, but the TV port does not provide enough current.
To diagnose the problem, check the file properties using MediaInfo (free for Windows/macOS).
- Video codec (H.264, HEVC, etc.)
- Codec profile (e.g. High 10 for H.264 may not be supported)
- Audio codecs and their bitrate.
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If the TV can’t see the file on the flash drive, try formatting it into a FAT32 (for files up to 4 GB or exFAT (for files over 4 GB). NTFS Not all Xiaomi models are supported.
How to convert video for Xiaomi TV?
If your file is not playable, the most reliable way is to convert it to a compatible format. We recommend using HandBrake (free) or FFmpeg (for power users). TV:
Select a.mp4 or.mkv| container
Install H.264 (AVC) or H.265 (HEVC) |
Limit bitrate to 20-30 Mbps for 4K|
Select the AAC or AC3| audio codec
Disable subtitles or embed them in videos-->
Example of commands for FFmpeg (for conversion to H.264 with AAC sound):
ffmpeg -i input.mkv -c:v libx264 -preset slow -crf 22 -c:a aac -b:a 192k output.mp4For models with Dolby Vision support (e.g. Xiaomi) TV A Pro may be retained HDR-metadata -profile:v high -x265-params "hdr-opt=1:repeat-headers=1" for HEVC.
What to do if the video stops after conversion?
How to play unsoptimized video on Xiaomi TV?
If you can’t convert a file, there are alternative ways to:
- Use DLNA/UPnP: Install a server on your computer or smartphone (such as Plex, Jellyfin, or Kodi) and stream the video over the network. The server automatically recodes the file on the fly.
- Connect an external player: Xiaomi Mi Box or NVIDIA Shield consoles support more formats than the built-in TV player.
- Update firmware: Newer versions often add support for additional codecs. You can check for updates in the Settings menu → About TV → System Update.
For broadcasting on DLNA we recommend:
- 📱 On Android: BubbleUPnP App.
- 💻 PC: Serviio or Universal Media Server.
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DLNA broadcasting can reduce quality due to transcoding. For 4K HDR, it is better to use a direct file transfer over the network (SMB) or an external drive.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Users often face typical problems when playing video on Xiaomi TV, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:
⚠️ Note: If the TV "hangs" when opening a.mkv file with multiple audio tracks, try removing excess tracks using MKVToolNix. Some Xiaomi models incorrectly handle multi-track containers.
- 🔄 Cyclical reboot when playing: The cause is a corrupted file or incompatible codec. Check the video on another device.
- 🎧 No Sound: Perhaps an audio track in format DTS or TrueHD. Transcode the sound into AAC or AC3.
- 🖼️ Artifacts on screen: Too high bitrate or wrong codec profile. 4K use H.265 Main10 bitrate up to 40 Mbps.
If the problem persists, reset the player settings to factory: go to Settings → Applications → Media Player → Storage → Clear the data.