Modern Xiaomi TVs running on Android TV or PatchWall’s own shell offer a rich array of multimedia features, but users often face confusion when connecting external devices. On the back or side of the device, you can see several connectors that look the same but have different functional loads. The wrong choice of port can lead to the fact that you do not receive the declared refresh rate, lose HDR support or be unable to transfer the sound to an external speaker system.
Owners of Mi series models TV, Redmi Smart TV and new lines P1, A2 and Q2 You need to be clear about the differences between standard interfaces and advanced ports, and the specifications of each slot have a direct impact on the quality of the image in games and movies, and ignoring these nuances makes buying expensive. 4K-TVs are a waste of money, as the device will work in normal Full HD mode.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to identify the right slot, how HDMI 2.0 differs from 2.1 and why choosing a particular connector is critical for the next generation of gaming consoles.
Visual port identification on the TV body
The first step is always to physically inspect the back or side of your Xiaomi Mi TV. Manufacturers often label the connectors in fine print, which is difficult to see without a flashlight, especially if the TV is already mounted on the wall. On most models, you will see standard HDMI ports, but one of them may have additional marking or color highlighting indicating its priority.
Notice the inscriptions next to the sockets. You can often see the designations HDMI 1 (ARC), HDMI 2 (eARC), or just a lightning icon. The HDMI logo itself does not guarantee support for all functions, so look for additional characters. For example, the presence of the inscription "60Hz" or "4K" next to a particular port indicates that it is through this high-resolution signal.
⚠️ Warning: Don't try to force the cable into the port if it's not coming in.Some models have deep connectors, and using thick cables with massive connectors can damage the TV's motherboard.
If the marking is erased or impossible to read, refer to the user's instructions, which always show the diagram of ports. In the digital age, manuals are often available in the digital age. PDF-It's also useful to search the model specification on the Internet by code from the sticker on the back cover.
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Use your smartphone flashlight to highlight the inscriptions around HDMI ports, as they are often unreadable in normal lighting.
Technical differences: HDMI 2.0 vs HDMI 2.1
The main difference is the bandwidth of the data channel. HDMI 2.0, which is widely found in Xiaomi TVs of past years, provides bandwidth up to 18 Gbps. 4K-60 frames per second content and static support HDR. However, for modern tasks, this may not be enough.
The newer HDMI 2.1 standard, introduced in top Xiaomi models from 2021-2022, offers a huge increase in speeds up to 48 Gbps. This allows you to transmit an image in 8K resolution at 60 Hz or 4K at 120 Hz. In addition, this interface supports dynamic HDR (Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+), which changes the parameters of the picture in real time for each frame.
- 🎮 Support VRR: Variable frequency refresh technology eliminates image gaps in games, which is critical for owners of Xbox Series X and Xbox Series X. PS5.
- 📺 ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode: Automatically switch the TV to game mode with minimal input delay when starting the game on the console.
- 🎨 Dynamic HDR: More accurate color reproduction and contrast compared to static HDR, available in version 2.0.
It’s important to understand that having an HDMI 2.1 port doesn’t mean all ports on your TV are the same. Often, the manufacturer only equips Xiaomi TV with one full port of the new standard, and the rest leave versions 2.0.
Cable compatibility
Using ARC and eARC for external acoustics
If you're planning on using a soundbar or a home theater, port choice becomes even more critical. ARC (Audio Return Channel) stands for reverse audio, and it allows you to transmit sound from the TV to external acoustics over the same cable that the video is running on, eliminating the need to pull a separate optical cable.
The eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) technology is an improved version and is only available on HDMI 2.1 ports. It is necessary to transmit object sound in Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats without loss of quality (without compression). If you connect an expensive Atmos-enabled soundbar to a conventional HDMI port, you will get only compressed sound, which will negate the benefits of expensive acoustics.
To activate the function, you not only need to physically connect to the correct port, but also configure the software part. This is usually done through the Settings → Sound → Output menu. Here you should select the option "Pass-through" or "Auto" so that the TV transmits the original bit stream to the soundbar decoder.
| Characteristics | HDMI ARC | HDMI eARC |
|---|---|---|
| Sound bandwidth | up to 1 Mbps | up to 37 Mbps |
| Supported formats | Dolby Digital, DTS | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, TrueHD |
| Necessary cable | Standard HDMI with Ethernet | Ultra High Speed HDMI |
| Synchronization of lipsync | Basic | Automatic and accurate |
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For home theater systems with Dolby Atmos, always use an eARC-marked port, otherwise surround sound will not work.
The best choice for PS5 and Xbox gaming consoles
Gamers are the most demanding audience, as it is important not only the resolution, but also the input delay (input lag).When connecting a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X to a Xiaomi TV, you need to look for a port with support for 4K@120Hz. On most models, this is the only port labeled as "Game Mode" or "HDMI 2.1".
If you connect the new generation console to a regular HDMI 2.0 port, you can still play, but the maximum resolution will be limited to 4K at 60 Hz, or you will have to reduce the quality to 1080p to reach 120 Hz. In games that support performance mode, this is a significant loss of smoothness.
You should also check the settings of the TV itself. → General. → External entrances (the path may differ depending on the version) MIUI TV) You often need to manually enable "Enhanced format" HDMI" or "HDMI 2.0 Format for a specific port. Without this step, the TV can block HDR-signal.
- 🕹️ Game Mode: Make sure that when you connect the console, the TV automatically switches to game mode, disabling the extra post-processing of the image.
- 🌈 HDR In games: For the correct work HDR Xbox games need to be calibrated HDR in the console settings after connecting to the correct port.
- ⚡ VRR Freesync: Check the specifications of your Xiaomi model AMD Freesync, which often only works through a specific HDMI-port.
And don't forget the cable. Even if you're connected to the right port, but you're using an old cable from a previous generation, you're not going to get 120Hz. The cable is the right cable with the PS5 and Xbox, and you should use it.
Customize the image and sound after connecting
After physically connecting the device to the selected port, you need to perform a software setup. The Android TV system on board Xiaomi will often recognize the type of device itself, but manual verification will not interfere. Go to Settings → Device → About TV to make sure that the signal is determined correctly.
To adjust the image, go to Settings → Image → Modes. You should choose Mode Mode Mode Mode or Game, depending on the use case. It is important to disable all image enhancers, such as noise reduction or dynamic contrast, if you want to see content exactly as the director or game developer intended.
⚠️ Warning: Using Bright or Standard mode with aggressive post-processing can lead to unnatural colors and compression artifacts in low-quality films.
If you use a PC, make sure that the graphics card settings are set to full dynamic range (RGB Full / 0-255) rather than limited (16-235). The mismatch of these settings causes black to turn grey and the picture to look faded. This is a common problem when connecting computers to Xiaomi TVs.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Even with the right connection, users can encounter problems, one of the most common is a flashing screen or periodic loss of signal. This often indicates poor quality cable or excessive length. For 4K HDR signals, the length of the HDMI cable should not exceed 3-5 meters without the use of an active amplifier.
Another common problem is the lack of sound when connecting the soundbar via ARC. In this case, a full HDMI-CEC reset will help. Try turning off the CEC function in the TV settings, turning all devices off the socket for 1 minute, and then turning them back on and activating the CEC again. This restarts the handshake protocol between devices.
If there is an image but no HDR, check if the deep color option is enabled for a particular port. In some PatchWall firmware, this setting is hidden in the engineering menu or requires activation via the HDMI Color Enhancement switch.