Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 have powerful screens, but sometimes it becomes necessary to display the image on a large diagonal of the TV or monitor. The broadcast feature allows you to show photos, videos or even gameplay on a wide screen without losing quality. Owners of devices based on MIUI often wonder how to activate this mode and what nuances exist.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to transfer multimedia content. You will learn about the built-in tools of the Android system, the features of the Miracast and DLNA protocols, and also consider third-party applications for complex cases. Understanding these processes will help you to use your gadget in conjunction with home appliances.
It's worth noting that the quality of your data is directly dependent on the speed of your Wi-Fi connection. Wireless technology requires a stable signal to ensure smoothness of the picture. We'll also touch on the topic of wired connectivity, which can be a lifeline if you don't have a wireless network.
Built-in MIUI capabilities for wireless transmission
The MIUI operating shell on the Redmi Note 7 provides users with a convenient built-in tool for screen duplication, often called "Translation" or "Wireless display" depending on the firmware version and region, and is based on the Miracast standard, which allows users to stream video directly to compatible TVs.
You don't need to install any additional software to activate the mode. You just lower the notification curtain and find the appropriate icon. If it's not on the first screen, try swiping left or pressing the control panel edit button. In some versions of MIUI, this option is hidden in the connection settings menu.
⚠️ Note: If your TV doesn't support Miracast natively, the built-in broadcast feature may not see it.
The connection process usually takes no more than a minute. The smartphone scans the airwaves for available devices and offers a list of choices. Once the connection is confirmed, the TV screen will show an exact copy of the display of your Redmi Note 7. This is convenient for showing presentations or viewing content from applications that do not have Cast support.
It's important to understand the difference between simply duplicating a screen and intelligently streaming it. In the first case, the phone sends a video stream of the entire interface, which can lead to delays; in the second case, the device acts only as a control panel, and the content is downloaded by the TV itself over the Internet.
Setup DLNA and Chromecast in popular apps
The most common use case is watching videos from online cinemas or video hosting sites, and apps like YouTube, Netflix or IVI use Chromecast technology or similar protocols, which allows you to stream high-quality videos without straining your smartphone processor.
To get started, make sure your Redmi Note 7 and TV (or set-top box) are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Open the app, select the video, and click on the rectangle icon with the waves in the corner.
DLNA is also widely used to stream media files stored in the phone’s memory to a TV, using a standard MI Video player or third-party solutions like BubbleUPnP. The algorithm is similar: select a file, press the Translate button and select a device.
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For DLNA and Chromecast to work smoothly, it is critical that both devices are on the same subnet. If you have a dual-band router, connect your phone and TV to the same band (e.g., only 2.4GHz or only 5GHz).
The advantage of this approach is that you can use your phone for other tasks while you're watching, and the video stream goes directly from the router to the TV, so the battery drains more slowly than when you're completely duplicating the screen, but for this method to work, the application needs to have built-in protocol support.
Use of third-party broadcasting applications
If Xiaomi's built-in tools don't work or the old-model TV doesn't support modern standards, third-party apps come to the rescue. The Google Play marketplace offers a variety of solutions, such as TV Cast, Web Video Caster or Screen Mirroring. These programs often know how to find devices that the system ignores.
Many of these applications work on the principle of creating a local server or using special receivers. For example, the AirScreen app installed on Android TV emulates the AirPlay and Google Cast protocols, making the TV visible to iPhones and Android smartphones. On the Redmi Note 7 side, you simply select the device you find.
Some programs allow you to stream not only the video, but also the browser, so you can open a website with a movie in the app browser and send it to the big screen. DRM-protections that sometimes block the normal broadcast of the browser tab.
Why can third-party applications not work?
When choosing an app, pay attention to the availability of ads and the number of permissions. Free versions often intrusively offer subscriptions or display banners. For one-time use, this is acceptable, but for constant comfort, it is better to consider paid versions or open-source analogs.
Wired connection via USB-C and HDMI
When wireless connection is unstable or requires maximum image quality without compression, it makes sense to use a cable. However, owners of Redmi Note 7 need to know one technical detail: USB Type-C port in this model does not support video output directly through the USB-C adapter to HDMI.
This is because there is no MHL or Alt Mode support in the Snapdragon 660 chipset installed in this model, and trying to connect a simple adapter will not work, and you will have to use more complex solutions for wired connection, such as adapters with DisplayLink support.
DisplayLink technology uses software compression of the video stream and transmits it through the usual USB-It requires a special cable adapter with a DisplayLink chip and a driver on your smartphone, and it allows you to get a stable picture, but it can consume more energy.
| Connection method | Image quality | Delay (Latency) | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miracast (Integrated) | High (HD/Full HD) | Medium | Low. |
| Chromecast (YouTube, etc.) | Maximum (4K HDR) | Minimum | Low. |
| Third-party annexes | Depends on the software. | Tall. | Medium |
| DisplayLink (Cable) | High. | Low. | Tall. |
So for the Redmi Note 7, wireless methods remain the main ones, and wired options should only be considered as a last resort when Wi-Fi is overloaded or unavailable, and picture quality is critical.
Games broadcasting and delayed work
Gamers often want to bring the game to the big screen, but this is where the input lag comes in. When you stream it wirelessly through Miracast, the signal goes, phone --> router --> TV. This takes time, and the action on the screen can be split-second late.
For dynamic shooters or fighting games, even a short delay makes the game uncomfortable. In such cases, it is better to use the TV as a second monitor for static content or strategies. If you plan to stream gameplay, the Redmi Note 7 can do well with real-time video coding.
There are games-optimized apps that try to minimize latency, they can lower resolution or frame rate for the sake of response speed, and it's also worth turning off various "image enhancement" modes on the TV, as they add additional processing and increase lag.
☑️ Optimization for gaming
Note the heating of the device. Simultaneous operation of the graphics, Wi-Fi module and video encoder can lead to a strong heating of the case. In hot weather or during long sessions, it is recommended to remove the case for better heat sink.
The solution: problems and their elimination
Despite the simplicity of the technology, users often face difficulties. The most common problem is that the phone can't see the TV. 90% of the time, the reason is that the devices are connected to different networks (for example, one to the guest, another to the main, or one to 2.4 GHz, another to 5 GHz with client isolation).
Another common mistake is the black screen when playing video, which is due to HDCP protection, which prevents the capture of protected content, in which case only using the Translate button inside the application itself (YouTube, Netflix), rather than duplicating the entire screen, will help.
⚠️ Warning: If the stream is constantly interrupted or the image is "crumbling", try restarting the router.Crowded router buffer is a common cause of instability of streaming video.
It's also worth checking the firewall settings on the router, and sometimes security features block the multicast traffic needed to detect DLNA and Miracast devices, and temporarily disabling such filters will help diagnose the problem.
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The key to a successful broadcast is a stable local area network, and if the Wi-Fi signal is weak, no phone settings will help ensure a smooth picture.
In conclusion, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 provides a wide range of tools for displaying images, from simple built-in mirroring to complex schemes using third-party software. Understanding the principles of these technologies will allow you to enjoy content on the big screen without unnecessary nerves.