Modern Xiaomi Mi TV and Redmi TVs, which are powered by Android TV, offer users a wide range of multimedia experiences. One of the most popular use cases is wirelessly connecting a computer to a large screen to watch movies, present work projects or launch games, which eliminates unnecessary wires and maximizes the diagonal of the TV. Wireless data transfer is more stable than ever, provided the network is set up correctly.
The main advantage of this connection is that there are no physical limitations on the length of the HDMI cable, and the ability to manage content directly from the keyboard and mouse, anywhere in the room. However, to achieve a perfect picture without delay, you need to understand the differences between broadcast technologies. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, from built-in Windows functions to specialized applications.
Before you start setting up, make sure that both your laptop and your TV are connected to the same wireless network.This is a fundamental requirement for Miracast and DLNA. If the router supports dual-band, you are strongly advised to use a 5GHz network to transmit heavy video streaming, as it provides higher bandwidth.
Wireless Image Transmission Technologies: Miracast, DLNA and Chromecast
Understanding the differences between the basic data protocols will help you choose the most appropriate method for your tasks. Miracast is a technology that allows you to broadcast a computer screen image to a TV in real time. It is often labeled on Windows as "Connect to a wireless display." The peculiarity of this method is that it creates a direct connection between devices, minimizing delays.
By contrast, the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) is focused primarily on transferring media content — photos, music and video files stored on a PC hard drive. You won’t see a Windows desktop, you’ll only be able to play files through the TV’s built-in player, which is great for watching high-quality downloaded movies without loading your computer’s processor while you’re watching.
Google Chromecast built-in, which is built into most Xiaomi TVs, allows you to stream Google Chrome tabs or content from supported apps. It's a hybrid option that often proves to be the most stable for streaming videos from the Internet. Each of these methods has its advantages depending on what you plan to do.
- 📺 Miracast is ideal for dubbing the desktop, holding presentations and games with low graphics.
- 🎬 DLNA — Best choice for heavy video files (4K HDR) from a hard disk without loss of quality.
- 🌐 Chromecast – optimal for streaming online videos from the browser and working with web applications.
⚠️ Warning: Miracast technology may not support audio transmission in some Windows or WiFi driver configurations. If sound is only coming through laptop speakers, check the playback device settings on the system.
Equipment preparation and network setup
The quality of the wireless connection depends on the state of your local network. Before setting up, make sure that the router is not too far from the Xiaomi TV. Walls and appliances can cause interference, especially in the 2.4 GHz band. For stable image transmission at 1920×1080 and above, it is recommended to use the 802.11ac standard (WiFi 5) or later.
On the computer side, you also need to activate the appropriate services. In Windows 10 and 11, wireless display support is built in by default, but can be disabled for energy or security reasons. You will need to check whether the network detection protocol is enabled and if access to media content in the firewall is allowed.
An important aspect is updating the wireless adapter drivers on your PC. Outdated network card software can cause connection breaks or the inability to detect the TV in the list of available devices. Go to Device Manager and check the relevance of drivers for your WiFi module.
☑️ Preparation for connection
Method 1: Translate the screen through standard Windows tools
The fastest way to display an image from your computer to your Xiaomi TV is to use the built-in Windows feature, which does not require additional software installation and is based on the Wi-Fi Direct standard. First, make sure that the TV is running the Wireless Display app or similar, unless it is activated automatically when you search for the device.
On your computer keyboard, press the Win + K key combination. On the right, the Connection panel will open, where the system will start searching for available displays. Your Xiaomi Mi TV or Redmi TV should appear in the list. After selecting the device, a request for confirmation of connection may appear on the TV screen, which must be received by the remote control.
Once you pair it successfully, you can choose to work in a duplicating screen or expanding your desktop, and the expansion mode turns the TV into a second monitor, allowing you to run the movie on the big screen and continue to work with documents on your laptop. The resolution and orientation are managed through the settings menu → System system → Display.
⚠️ Attention: When using the Win method+K can cause a noticeable delay in the mouse cursor. For dynamic games, this method is not suitable, since the response can reach the maximum. 100-200 miss.
If your computer can't see the TV, try restarting Windows Projector. Open the command line with administrator permissions and type a command to restart the corresponding service, although in most cases, a simple restart of both devices helps.
Solving driver problems
Method 2: Using Google Chrome and Chromecast
Xiaomi TVs have built-in support for Chromecast technology, making Google Chrome a powerful broadcasting tool, especially if you need to show the content of a particular tab or the entire desktop with audio accompaniment. Picture quality is often higher in this mode, and buffering is more efficient.
To get started, open the Chrome browser on your computer. Click on the three dots in the top right corner of the menu and select "Translate..." (Cast.) In the window that opens, you'll see a list of available devices. If the TV doesn't show, click "Find other devices" and make sure the broadcast source selects "All screen" or "Tab".
A feature of this method is the ability to broadcast the sound of the system, and when you select the source "All screen" in the broadcast settings, a tick appears "Translate sound", which allows you to output audio from any application running on a PC through the acoustic system of the TV, which is critical for watching movies.
- 🖥️ Tab – only broadcasts the contents of one browser tab.
- 🖼️ Whole screen – transmits an image of the entire Windows desktop along with the taskbar.
- 📁 File – allows you to select a local video file to play directly through the browser.
The stability of the connection through Chrome depends on the performance of the computer processor, because it is the one who encodes the video stream in real time, which can cause slowdown on weak laptops.
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Using the Chrome browser is the most versatile way to ensure that audio and video are transmitted to almost any TV with Android TV.
Method 3: Transfer media content via DLNA
If your goal is not to duplicate the screen, but to watch movies or photo gallery stored on your hard drive, DLNA technology will be optimal. Xiaomi TVs work perfectly with standard Windows media servers. You do not need to install anything on TV, just set up the right sharing in the OS.
Go to Windows Settings, select Network and Internet, then Status. In the "Additional Network Settings" section, find Sharing Options. You need to enable network discovery and file and printer sharing. You also need to allow access to media content for your TV in the Multimedia menu (in the classic control panel).
Once set up on your Xiaomi TV, open the Media Player or Gallery app. Your computer should appear in the signal sources. You will access the shared folders. For comfortable use, it is recommended to create a separate TV folder and configure access to it so that you do not wander through the system files.
| Parameter | Importance for DLNA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol | DLNA / UPnP | Standard for Media Transmission |
| Compression | No loss. | The TV decodes itself |
| Downloading a PC CPU | Minimum | Just reading the file. |
| Sound. | Supported | All codec formats |
It is worth noting that when using DLNA, subtitles may not appear or require separate inclusion in the player settings on the TV.
Use of third-party applications and utilities
Staffing doesn’t always provide the functionality required, especially for specific tasks or older router models. In these cases, third-party solutions come to the rescue. One of the most popular Android TV apps is AirScreen, which emulates AirPlay, Google Cast and Miracast reception, greatly improving compatibility.
For users who require minimal latency (such as retro games or interactive presentations), there are paid solutions like ApowerMirror or LetsView, which install their client on a PC and application on a TV, creating an optimized data channel, and often allow you to control your computer from the remote control of the TV.
Another powerful tool is the VLC Media Player app, which, if installed on both a Xiaomi computer and TV, can easily open Stream in the desktop version and send it to a rendering device (your TV), which bypasses many of Windows' system limitations when working with network threads.
⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party apps from unknown sources (not from the Google Play Store) may carry security risks. APK-files from official developers websites only.
Remember that having a lot of running background broadcast apps can reduce the overall performance of the Android TV system, causing the interface to slow down.
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To reduce latency when playing over WiFi, try prioritizing traffic (QoS) in your router settings for the MAC-address.