Modern Xiaomi Mi TVs are powered by Android TV, which offers users a wide range of third-party software installation options. However, the standard Google Play Market store does not always contain a full suite of applications, especially if it is a specialized media player with advanced functionality. One of the most popular solutions for playing video files in various formats is VLC Media Player, which is famous for its ability to open almost any codec without the need for additional installation of libraries.
Xiaomi TV owners often face a situation where the built-in player refuses to play files from an external hard drive or cannot decode sound in DTS or AC3 format. It is in these cases that installing an alternative player becomes not just a convenience, but a necessity. Unlike embedded solutions, VLC is completely free, contains no advertising and supports SMB and UPnP network protocols for streaming content from a computer. The installation process can seem difficult only at first glance, but with a clear adherence to the algorithm of actions it takes only a few minutes.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the installation methods available, take a look at the nuances of setting up the remote control interface and solve typical performance problems. You don't need to be an Android expert to turn your TV into a powerful multimedia center.
TV Preparation and Compatibility Check
Before you start downloading installation files, you need to make sure that your Xiaomi Mi TV is ready to install applications from unknown sources. By default, the Android TV security system blocks the installation of programs that are not downloaded from the official Google Play Store. This is a security mechanism that prevents malware from infecting your device. However, to install VLC, we will need to temporarily relax these restrictions.
Find the security or application section in the settings menu. Depending on the version of MIUI for TV firmware or pure Android TV, the path may vary slightly. Usually you need to go to Settings → Security and Restrictions or Settings → Applications → Install unknown applications. Here you need to find your browser or file manager and allow them to install programs.
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Use a browser that supports voice search on the remote, such as TV Bro or Puffin TV, to find the desired files faster on the Internet without entering text with the keyboard.
It's also worth checking the amount of free memory. The player itself weighs a little, about 20-30 MB, but to properly work the buffer and caching streaming video, it is advisable to have at least 100-200 MB of free space. If the memory is full, the system can work unstable, and the video will stutter even on a powerful processor.
- 📺 Make sure the TV is connected to the internet for download. APK-file.
- 🔒 Allow applications from unknown sources to be installed in security settings.
- 💾 Check for free space in the device’s internal memory.
- 🔌 Prepare. USB-drive if you plan to install through a flash drive.
Installation method through file manager and USB-accumulator
The fastest and most reliable way to install VLC for Android TV On the Xiaomi TV, this is a use USB-This method eliminates possible errors when downloading through the browser of the TV, which sometimes incorrectly processes large files or specific scripts of sites. USB-port.
First you need to download the installation file. It's important to choose the right version of the application. For Xiaomi TVs with Amlogic or Mediatek processors that run on Android TV, there's a special version labeled Android TV. It has an adapted interface that is convenient for remote control. The normal version for smartphones and tablets will also launch, but it will be extremely inconvenient to operate without a mouse.
☑️ Installation algorithm through USB
After the file vlc-android.apk It will be on the flash drive, insert the drive into the USB-The system must automatically identify the new device. If auto-start has not occurred, open the installed file manager (for example, X-Plore or standard File Manager). USB-drive in the list of storage devices, go to the file and click on it.
⚠️ Attention: Download APK-files only from official, verified resources, such as videolan.org or authoritative repositories like APKMirror. Installing modified versions from unverified sources can lead to data leakage or unstable system operation.
The system will issue a security alert. Confirm the installation by pressing the appropriate button. The process will take a few seconds. After the successful installation, the Open or Ready button will appear. Now the VLC will appear in your list of applications on the home screen or in the My Applications folder.
Installation via cloud storage or Send Files to TV
If there is no computer at hand, or USB-You can use wireless data transfer methods, one of the most popular ways for Xiaomi owners. TV — Use Send Files application to TV (SFTTV). It allows you to transfer files between a smartphone and a TV located in the same Wi-Fi network, at high speed.
To implement this method, you will need a smartphone based on Android or iOS. First install the Send Files to app. TV You can go to the TV through the Google Play Store. Then you can install a similar app on your smartphone. APK-file VLC directly to the smartphone via the browser.
Run the app on both devices. On your TV, select Receive mode and Send on your smartphone. Your Xiaomi TV should appear on the list of available devices. Select it, find the downloaded phone in your smartphone files. APK-The file will automatically be uploaded to the TV's memory, and the system will prompt it to be installed.
What if devices can’t see each other?
Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (2.4GHz or 5GHz should match). Sometimes routers with Smart Connect can isolate devices from each other. Try temporarily disabling this feature or creating a guest network. Also check that the phone and TV are geolocated, as newer versions of Android require this to operate the LAN.
Alternatively, you can use cloud storage, like Google Drive or DiskYandex. If you have a cloud browser or a separate cloud service app on your TV, you can download it. APK-You can download the file from your computer and then download it directly to your TV, which is slower, but doesn't require you to install any additional software to transfer the files.
- 📡 Make sure your smartphone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- 📲 Install the intermediary app (SFTTV) both-way.
- ☁️ Use the cloud if the direct connection is unstable.
- ⚡ Transfer speed depends on the quality of the wireless signal of the router.
Interface configuration and control from the remote
After successfully installing VLC on Xiaomi TV, it is important to properly configure the interface for comfortable use. The TV version of the player is designed with navigation using the remote buttons in mind, but some features may require manual activation. When you first start the application will prompt you to choose the interface language. Russian is supported in full, including menus and settings.
The main player window is divided into several tabs, and on the left is the navigation menu, where the "Video", "Audio", "Images", "Network" and "Settings" sections are located. The direction buttons on the remote control control, the "OK" or "Enter" button serves to confirm the selection, and the "Back" button allows you to return to a level higher or call a context menu.
In Settings → Interface, you can change the theme, font size and cursor behavior. For 4K TVs, it is recommended to turn on the interface zoom mode so that the text does not look too small. You can also set the actions when you complete the playback of the file, such as moving to the next file in the folder or exiting the menu.
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Use the long press of the Menu button or the special button with three points on the Xiaomi remote to call an additional context menu inside the player, where subtitles, audio track selection and image settings are available.
Special attention should be paid to decoding settings. In Settings → Video or Audio, you can find hardware acceleration options. By default, hardware decoding is enabled, which uses the power of the Xiaomi processor. If you are faced with decoding audio and video or image artifacts, try switching the decoding method to software one. This will increase the load on the processor, but can solve compatibility problems with rare codecs.
| Setup parameter | Recommended value | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware acceleration | On (Auto) | Reduces the load on the CPU, saves energy |
| Audio decoding | Passthrough (through) | Transmitting RAW-signal to receiver for better sound |
| Network caching | 1000-2000 miss | Removes jerks when watching online videos |
| Interface. | TV / Android TV | Optimize the size of elements under the TV screen |
Work with network resources and SMB/UPnP protocols
One of the strongest sides VLC It's a great way to work with network storage. Owners of Xiaomi TVs often store a media library on a computer or a computer. NAS-The player allows you to connect to shared folders using protocols. SMB (Samba and UPnP/DLNA without the need to install additional software on the PC.
To connect through SMB Make sure your computer has device detection and file sharing enabled in your network settings. → LAN or SMB. VLC It will automatically scan the local area network and find the computers available, and if the computer is not displayed, you can add it manually by typing it in. IP-address smb://192.168.1.XX/folder.
⚠️ Note: When connecting to network resources via protocol SMB Version 1.0 may have security and stability issues. Modern versions of Windows are disabled by default SMBv1. Recommended use SMBv2 or SMBv3. If the TV is old and doesn’t see new protocols, you may need to turn on Legacy support. SMB Windows settings, but this will reduce the security of your local network.
UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) works even easier, and it is enough to run a media server service on a computer (for example, through the standard Windows Media Streaming Options or an application like Plex, Jellyfin). VLC will display the server in the Local Network list, which is convenient because it does not require passwords and paths, but it is less flexible in access rights settings.
When viewing heavy (4K HDRs with high bitrate) files over the network, buffering may occur. In this case, in the VLC settings, increase the cache value. Also make sure that the TV is connected to the router via an Ethernet cable, since Wi-Fi, especially at 2.4 GHz, may not provide sufficient bandwidth for stable streaming.
- 🌐 Use an Ethernet cable to view 4K video.
- 🔑 Save passwords from network folders in the account manager VLC.
- 📂 Create playlists from network files for easy viewing.
- ⚙️ Set up static. IP server so that the paths do not change.
Problem Solving and Frequently Asked Questions
Despite the versatility of VLC, there may be specific situations when running Xiaomi TVs, such as the lack of sound in DTS movies. This is due to Android licensing restrictions. In such cases, it helps to enable the option "Passthrough" in the audio settings if your receiver or soundbar supports decoding or external codec installation, although they are usually built into VLC.
Another common problem is “drop out” of an application when trying to open a file with a broken index or a damaged structure. In this case, try updating the application to the latest version or clearing the cache through the Android App settings menu → VLC → Clear the cache. If the problem persists, reinstalling the application usually helps.
Users are also often interested in the possibility of installing plugins. Unlike the desktop version, mobile and mobile are not the only ones that can be used. TV-version VLC It has limited support for third-party plugins because of the Android architecture, but the basic functionality is enough for 99% of tasks.
If the remote stops responding in the player, check if the process that consumes all the resources of the CPU is running in the background. Rebooting the TV completely shutting down from the socket for 10 seconds helps to reset system errors.