Media player Xiaomi: what you need and how to use on a TV or smartphone

Xiaomi’s media player is a universal multimedia playback solution that is often underestimated. Many users believe that an integrated player in a TV or smartphone is enough, but standard applications rarely support all modern formats, do not talk about additional features like subtitles or network access. Xiaomi Media Player (or its counterparts like Mi Video, Mi Music) solves these problems by offering advanced features even on budget devices.

In this article, we will discuss why Xiaomi needs a media player, what tasks it solves better than standard applications, and how to configure it correctly. Particular attention will be paid to integration with the Mi Home ecosystem, support for rare formats (like.mkv with multiple audio tracks) and the nuances of use on Mi TV, Mi Box and Smartphones Redmi/POCO. If you’ve only used YouTube or a built-in player, you’re missing half the power of your device.

What is Xiaomi Media Player and How is it Better than Standard Apps

Media player from Xiaomi is not one universal application, but a whole range of programs for different tasks:

• 📺 Mi Video - Video player (set by default on Mi) TV Mi Box)
• 🎵 Mi Music – audio player with support for streaming and local files
• 🖥️ Xiaomi Media Center – Centralized Content Management (available on some TV models)
• 🌐 Mi Remote - an application for controlling a player from a smartphone

The main advantage over standard players (like Google Play Movies or Android player). TV) — Support for rare formats without conversion, for example, Xiaomi players play easily:

• 🎬 Video in.mkv,.flv,.avi with multiple audio tracks
• 🔊 Audio in.flac,.ape,.dts (including surround sound) 5.1/7.1)
• 📄 Subtitles in.srt,.ass,.ssa with synchronization setting

Xiaomi’s media players are also closely integrated with the company’s ecosystem. TV You can:

• 🔄 Automatically synchronize viewing history between TV and smartphone
• 📱 Manage playback from your phone via Mi Remote (including gestures)
• 🌍 Stream content from cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive) without downloading

The main functions of Xiaomi media player: from playback to streaming

The functionality of the media player depends on the device (TV, console Mi Box or smartphone), but the basic features are the same for all platforms.

Local reproduction

Support for files with USB-External hard drives, external hard drives (including NTFS/exFAT) and network folders (SMB, DLNA). For example, on Mi. TV 4S/5 You can connect the disk to the volume of 16 TB (when formatted in exFAT) and play video in resolution up to 8K@60fps (supported-model).

2. Streaming over the web

Ability to broadcast content from:

• 📱 Smartphones Xiaomi/Redmi Mi Share (analogue to AirDrop)
• 💻 Computers by computer DLNA or through Mi Home (requires installation of Mi) PC Suite)
• ☁️ Cloud services: Mi Cloud, Google Drive, OneDrive (on some models)

3. Control by telephone

The Mi Remote app allows you to:

• 🎚️ Adjust the volume and brightness of gestures
• 🔍 Search for content by voice (supports the Russian language)
• 📋 Manage playlists and bookmarks

The Mi Box S and new TVs also have a "Continum" feature, which automatically switches playback between devices, for example, you started watching a movie on your smartphone on the subway, and at home the TV will suggest you continue from the same moment.

What formats supports media player Xiaomi: the full list

One of the key advantages of Xiaomi media player is a wide range of supported formats, unlike many competitors (for example, the standard player on Samsung). TV, Xiaomi plays most files out of the box. Below is the current support table for devices 2022-2026.

⚠️ Note: The Mi Box (especially older models like the Mi Box 3) may have problems playing.mkv with multiple audio tracks:

1. Update the firmware to the latest version.
2. Use of an alternative player (e.g. Kodi or VLC Google Play).
3. Converting a file to.mp4 with one audio track (via HandBrake).

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If the video is slowed down when playing with USB-Try to connect the disk to the back port USB 3.0 (if any) – This increases the speed of reading data.

How to set up Xiaomi media player: step-by-step instructions

The media player's settings vary by device, but the overall algorithm is the same. Below is the universal guide for Mi. TV, Mi Box and Xiaomi smartphones.

1.Initial setting

On a TV or console:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Media player.
2. Select Permissions and enable access to memory and network.
3. In the Sources section, add folders for scanning (local or network).

On a smartphone:

1. Open Mi Video or Mi Music.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ → Scan the device.
3. Enable the option to show hidden files (if necessary).

2. Connection of network disks (SMB/DLNA)

To play files from a computer or NAS:

1. On TV, go to Media Player. → Network devices.
2. Select Add the device → Manually.
3. Enter. IP-computer address (e.g. 192.168.1.100) and access data (logs/password from SMB-balls).
4. Confirm the connection and wait for the folder scan.

⚠️ Note: If the network drive is not displayed, check:

• 🔌 Are devices connected to the same network (Wi-Fi or via router).
• 🔒 Sharing enabled on your computer (in Windows: Control Panel) → Network parameters → Public access).
• 🔄 The router's offline. AP Isolation (customer isolation).

Enable PC Sharing

Check it out. IP-address

Disable Windows Firewall

Use Ethernet cable (for stability)

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3. Optimization of reproduction

To avoid brakes and sound problems:

• 🎛️ In the player settings, select Hardware Acceleration (if available).
• 🔊 For surround sound, turn on Passthrough in Sound Settings → Exit HDMI.
• 📶 If the video is slowing down over Wi-Fi, connect the TV to the router via Ethernet or use Wi-Fi 5 GHz.

Comparison of Xiaomi Media Player with Alternatives: Kodi, VLC, Plex

Xiaomi’s media player isn’t the only solution for content playback, but let’s look at how it compares to popular alternatives.

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If you want maximum compatibility with Xiaomi devices and a simple interface, the media player from Xiaomi is optimal, IPTV Or customization, it is better to choose Kodi.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

Even with Xiaomi’s media player optimization, users are facing typical problems, including the most common and ways to solve them.

1.The video is not played or is slowing down

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔋 Insufficient power of the device: on the Mi Box S or Mi TV 4A They can slow down files. 4K HDR. Solution - conversion into 1080p or use of an external player.
• 🔌 Slowly. USB-Driver: Use a disk with an interface USB 3.0 and the speed of reading 50 MB/s.
• 📶 Network problems: When streaming over Wi-Fi, switch to 5 GHz or use a cable.

2. No sound or wrong track

A common problem when playing.mkv with multiple audio tracks:

• 🔊 In the player, press the audio button on the remote and select the desired track.
• 🔧 If there is no sound at all, check the settings. → Sound. → Exit HDMI auto-optional (PCM).
• 🛠️ On the Mi Box can help reset sound settings: Settings → Annexes → Media player → Clear the data.

3. Subtitles or incorrect encoding are not displayed

Problems with subtitles are usually related to the encoding of:

• 📄 Restore the subtitles file in UTF-8 (via Notepad++).
• 🔤 In the player, select Settings. → Subtitles → Coding → UTF-8.
• 🔄 If subtitles are not synchronized, use buttons. +100ms/-100ms remote.

4 The player does not see the network disk

Check the following points:

• 🌐 Devices are connected to a single network (e.g., a single router).
• 🔒 Sharing is enabled on the computer (in Windows). 10/11: Parameters → Network and Internet → Sharing parameters).
• 🔄 The router's offline. AP Isolation (customer isolation).
• 📡 If you use DLNA, Make sure that the server (such as Plex or Kodi) is running.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi media player