Connecting to a media server on a Xiaomi TV: 5 working ways

Xiaomi Mi TVs TV (Series 4, 5, 6 and later) support media server connection via protocols DLNA, SMB And specialty apps like Plex or Kodi, which lets you stream movies, music and photos directly from your computer, NAS-A device or even a smartphone, without wires or copying files, but many users have problems with the TV not seeing the server, giving out authorization errors or slowing down when playing back.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to connect to the media server on Xiaomi. TV, including network folder configuration, solving common errors (e.g. Error 2001 or Unable to connect to the server), and optimizing for smooth playback 4K-We'll focus on the hidden firmware settings. MIUI TV, which allow manually to indicate IP-server address and bypass the limitations of the standard DLNA-player.

1. Preparing Xiaomi TV to Connect

Before setting up your media server, make sure your Xiaomi TV meets the minimum requirements:

• 📺 Model TV: any of the Mi series TV 4/5/6 (including Mi TV A2, Mi TV Q1/Q2), Redmi Smart TV Xiaomi TV Stick. On older models (e.g. Mi) TV 3) There may be no protocols. SMB.
• 🔄 Firmware version: not lower MIUI TV 2.0 (for) SMB-Support required 3.0+). You can check the version in Settings → On TV.
• 🌐 Network connection: TV and server must be on the same local area network (via Wi-Fi or cable). VPN or different subnets block detection DLNA.
• 🔒 Disable the firewall: on the router and the server device (PC)/NAS) Temporarily disable firewalls (Windows Defender, Kaspersky, etc.) as they often block ports. 1900/TCP (DLNA) and 445/TCP (SMB).

If you connect over Wi-Fi, check the connection speed in Settings → Network → Network status. 4K HDR requires at least 25 Mbps of stable speed. At lower values, the video will slow down or decrease the resolution.

⚠️ Xiaomi TVs with firmware older than 2021 may not have support SMBv3 — It's a modern protocol for network folders, and in that case, you'll have to use it. DLNA or install third-party applications (VLC, Kodi).

2. Connection via DLNA (simple method)

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is the most common protocol for streaming media over a local network, built into most Xiaomi TVs and does not require additional applications, but DLNA has limitations:

• ❌ No support for subtitles in individual files (only embedded files).
• ❌ Not all video formats are played correctly (e.g.,.mkv with a video format). 10-bit HDR may slow down).
• ❌ There is no way to sort files by folder – everything is displayed in one list.

To connect:

1. Set up. DLNA-PC-server/NAS: 🖥️ Windows: Enable Media Streaming in the Control Panel → Network parameters → Streaming parameters. 🐧 Linux (Ubuntu/Debian): Install MiniDLNA or Rygel via the terminal: sudo apt install minidlna sudo systemctl start minidlna 📦 NAS (Synology/QNAP): Activate Media Server in the Control Panel.

On Xiaomi TV:

Media player

Local area network

If the server is not displayed:

• 🔄 Restart router and TV.
• 📡 Check that the router has enabled the Multicast protocol (in the settings) DHCP).
• 🔧 Manually indicate IP-server address in Settings → Network → Additionally. → Manual connection to DLNA (Not available on all models).

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If DLNA is slowing down when playing 4K, try limiting bitrate to 20 Mbps in the server settings (on PC) or converting files to.mp4 with H.264 codec.

3. Connection via SMB (network folders)

SMB (Server Message Block) is a more flexible protocol than DLNA, allowing you to view the file structure of folders, supports subtitles and works more stable with heavy formats, but the configuration is more difficult:

1. Server configuration (PC)/NAS): 🖥️ Windows: Enable Shared File Access by SMB control panel → Programme programmes → Turning Windows components on or off. Make sure Server service is running (services.msc). 📂 Share the folder: right-click on the folder → Properties → Access. → Share. Set Reading Rights for Guest User or Create a New User with Password. 🔐 Set up security: in folder properties → Security Add Everyone User with Read and Execute Rights.
2. Connection to Xiaomi TV: Open the Media Player. → Network → Add a network folder. Enter: Server address: \\IP_ADRES PC\NAME PAPKI (e.g, \\192.168.1.100\Films). Username: if authorization is required (e.g. User) Password: from a PC account.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware older 2020 year-end SMBv2/v3. In this case, forcefully turn on SMBv1 PC (unsafe, but sometimes necessary):

sc.exe config lanmanworkstation depend= bowser/mrxsmb10/nsi


sc.exe config mrxsmb10 start= auto

Make sure PC and TV are on the same network|Check it out. IP-PC address (ipconfig command)|Disable the firewall on the PC|Sharing a folder with reading rights|Reboot router-->

4.Using Plex or Kodi for Extended Features

If the built-in DLNA/SMB protocols are not satisfied (for example, due to the lack of support for subtitles or playlists), install third-party applications:

• 🎬 Plex: server software for transcoding on the fly, supports subtitles, film covers and remote access.
• 📺 Kodi: open media player with plugin support (including torrents) Requires manual source customization.

Instructions for Plex:

1. Install Plex Media Server on PC/NAS from plex.tv.
2. Add media folders to the Plex library (via the web interface http://localhost:32400/web).
3. On a Xiaomi TV, install the Plex app from the App Store (or via Send Files to TV if it’s not in the store).
4. Log in to your Plex account and select a server.

Advantages of Plex over DLNA/SMB:

• ✅ Automatic download of film covers and descriptions.
• ✅ Transcoding on the fly (converting formats for TV compatibility).
• ✅ Support for subtitles (including.srt and.ass).
• ✅ Access to the media library from any device (including a smartphone).

5. Solving typical connection errors

Even with the right setup, you can get errors.

Error 2001 ("I failed to connect to the server")

Causes and solutions:

• 🔌 Server is off or not responding: check if the service is running SMB/DLNA on PC (on Windows – services.msc, look for Server or SSDP Discovery).
• 🌍 Different subnets: if the router distributes IP from different ranges (e.g, 192.168.1.x and 192.168.0.x), The solution is to tie the PC to a static one. IP router-setting.
• 🔒 Block ports: open ports on the router 139/TCP, 445/TCP (SMB) and 1900/UDP (DLNA).

Error 1001 ("No access rights")

Most often occurs when connecting via SMB:

• 👤 Incorrect credentials: on a PC, check that the user you're connecting to has permission to the folder.
• 🔄 Password reset: If you previously entered an incorrect password, reset the authorization cache on TV: Settings → Annexes → Media player → Clear the data.
• 📛 PC name with Cyrillic: rename your computer in Windows settings to Latin (for example, from MyPC to MyPC).

Videos are slowing down or not playing

Reproduction problems are usually related to:

• 📶 Low network speed: check the speed through Settings → Network → Network status. 4K HDR At least 25 Mbps is required.
• 🎞️ Unsupported format: Xiaomi TVs do not work well with.mkv in 10-bit or HEVC. Convert to H.264 via HandBrake.
• 🔧 Server settings: in Plex, limit the transcoding bitrate to 15 Mbps (in server settings) → Transcoder).

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If the TV can't see the server, first check the most obvious reason: different networks. Even if both devices are connected to the same router, they may be on different subnets (e.g., 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi). Solution: connect both devices to the same frequency or use a cable.

6. Optimization for 4K and HDR

Xiaomi Mi TV Q1/Q2 and Mi TV 6 support 4K @ 60Hz and HDR10+ playback, but you need to:

• 📡 Use wired connection: even Wi-Fi 6 may not be able to handle 50 bitrate+ Mbit/s: Connect the TV to the router with a Cat 6 cable.
• 🖥️ Set up server: For Plex: in the transcoding settings, select Original Quality and disable the bitrate limit. SMB/DLNA: Make sure that the files are not higher than the resolution 3840×2160 codec H.264 or H.265.
• 🔧 Enable hardware acceleration: On a PC with Plex, activate Hardware Acceleration in the server settings (requires an Intel Quick Sync graphics card or a PC with Plex). NVIDIA NVENC).

If the video is played with artifacts or "teared" sound:

• Try changing the playback buffer in the player settings (if Kodi or VLC is used).
• Turn off Dolby Vision in your TV settings (Settings → Picture → HDR Mode → Off) if the server does not support this format.

7. Alternative methods: cloud storage and USB

If setting up a network connection seems difficult, consider alternatives:

• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Install Google Drive, Yandex Disk or Mega on TV. Upload files to the cloud and play directly (suitable for movies in the cloud). 1080p). ⚠️ Cons: speed limit (free rates give) ~5 Mbps).
• 💾 USB-drive or external hard drive: Format the disk into NTFS exFAT (FAT32 does not support files >4GB. Connect to the port USB 3.0 on TV (usually blue) Open files via Media Player → USB-device.
• 📱 Smartphone Transfer: Use LocalCast (Android) or Infuse (iOS) apps to stream from your phone to TV. Xiaomi/Samsung Screen Mirroring is a feature that will be used (but there will be a lag when playing video).

USB-It's a one-time option, but it's not easy for a large library. Cloud storage is convenient, but it depends on the speed of the Internet. Network server remains the most versatile solution.

FAQ: Frequent questions