How to connect Alice column to Xiaomi TV

The integration of the Yandex.Station with the Xiaomi brand TV opens up new multimedia management capabilities for owners. Voice commands allow you to start videos, adjust volume or turn off the screen without looking for a remote control. Modern Mi TVs and Redmi TVs have powerful functionality that can be expanded with the help of the Yandex ecosystem.

The process of synchronizing devices depends on the chosen method of connection, since direct integration through the single operating system Android TV is currently not available. Users can connect via Bluetooth, HDMI cable or integration through the Mi Home application. The choice of a particular method directly affects the sound quality and the set of available voice commands.

In this article, we will take a detailed look at each method available so that you can choose the best one for your TV model.The right setup will ensure Alice’s stable operation and turn a regular TV into a smart home control center.

Preparation of equipment and compatibility check

Before you start setting up, make sure all components are ready to go. Make sure your Xiaomi TV is connected to Wi-Fi and has the current firmware version. To check for updates, go to Settings β†’ About TV β†’ System Update. Having the latest security patches and drivers is critical for the stable operation of the Bluetooth module.

The Yandex.Station column also needs to be pre-configured via the Yandex app on your smartphone. If you just bought a device, follow the instructions on the mobile app screen to link to your account. Without initial settings via your phone, connecting to your TV will be impossible.

Check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network if you plan to use smart home features; different subnets or guest networks can block device detection by each other; stable router signal is key to avoid delays when performing voice commands.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure that the TV remote has a quick access button to the app menu or voice search, this will make navigation easier when you first set up.

πŸ“Š What type of internet connection do you have?
Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz
Wi-Fi 5 GHz
Wired LAN
Mobile Internet via router

Method 1: Connect via Bluetooth to output sound

The most common way to use a speaker with a TV is to operate in wireless speaker mode. In this scenario, Yandex.Station acts as a Bluetooth speaker, transmitting all the sound from the Xiaomi TV screen, which allows you to significantly improve the audio quality if the built-in TV speakers seem quiet or flat to you.

To activate the mode, you need to turn on the pairing mode on the column. Say the phrase "Alice, turn on bluetooth" or press the action button on the top of the device until the indicator lights up in blue, and then the TV goes into the search mode for available devices.

On the Mi Remote remote, click the settings button or go to the Settings menu β†’ Remotes and Accessories β†’ Add Accessory. The TV will start scanning the surrounding space. The name of your column should appear in the list of available devices, for example, Yandex Station or Yandex.Station.

β˜‘οΈ Checklist of Bluetooth connection

Done: 0 / 5

Once successfully paired, the sound from the TV will automatically switch to the speaker. You can adjust the volume with the TV remote, but note that latency when watching movies via Bluetooth can be noticeable. For music content or news channels, this is not critical, but when watching action movies, dissynchronizing lips and sound can be annoying.

Method 2: Using HDMI-ARC and CEC

For users who care about high sound quality and no delays, the best solution is to connect via HDMI cable. Many models of speakers Yandex.Station Max and Station 2 are equipped with an HDMI port, which allows you to transmit sound in digital format. Xiaomi TVs support the ARC (Audio Return Channel) protocol, which allows you to transmit sound to external acoustics.

Connect the HDMI cable to the HDMI (ARC) port on the back of the TV. The second end of the cable connects to the corresponding connector on the speaker. After the physical connection, you need to activate the CEC function in the TV settings so that the TV remote can control the volume of the speaker.

ParameterBluetoothHDMI (ARC)Wi-Fi (Translation)
Sound qualityMedium (compression)High (digital)High.
Sound delayAvailable (100-300 ms)MinimumDepends on the network.
Volume controlFrom the TV remoteFrom the CEC.Voice or in an annex
StabilityDepends on the interference.Tall.Depends on the router.

From the Xiaomi TV menu, go to Settings β†’ Sound β†’ Output β†’ And select HDMI ARC. Now all audio stream will go through cable. This is the best option for a home theater, as it supports surround sound and does not consume battery power if the speaker is portable.

⚠️ Attention: When in use HDMI-Make sure the cable supports the standard ARC, Otherwise, the sound may not be transmitted or only work in mono mode.

Integration through Mi Home and Smart Home

The most advanced use case involves uniting devices into a single smart home ecosystem. While direct integration of Yandex and Xiaomi services in one application is limited, you can use a bundle through scripts or third-party platforms. However, for basic control of the TV through Alice's voice commands, just add the device to the Yandex application.

Open the Yandex app on your smartphone and go to Devices. Press the + button and select Smart Home Device. From the manufacturer list, find Xiaomi Mi Home and log in by entering your Mi Account information, which will allow Alice to see your TV.

Once you have your accounts tied, you can give commands like β€œAlice, turn on the TV” or β€œAlice, switch to HDMI 1.” Xiaomi TV must be plugged in and on standby (not completely off) to respond to power commands.

What to do if the TV is not on?
Make sure the region in the Mi Home app and Xiaomi account matches. Often the problem occurs if the account is Chinese and the region is "Russia". Also check if the router does not block local device requests.

The voice control functionality through Mi Home allows you not only to turn the app on and off, but also to run specific apps if they support this feature. For example, you can say "Alice, launch YouTube on your TV," and the command will be transmitted through the cloud to the Xiaomi device.

Broadcasting content from phone to TV

Another way to connect a speaker to a TV is to use it as a signal source, broadcasting images and sound from a smartphone, in which case Yandex.Station does not connect directly to the TV, but acts as an intermediary or source of content that is displayed on the big screen through Chromecast built-in or Mi Cast technology.

Run a video or music in the Yandex.Music, Movie Search or YouTube app on your smartphone. Click on the broadcast icon (a rectangle with waves) in the corner of the screen. In the list of available devices, select your Xiaomi TV. The sound and image will go to the big screen, and the column can remain as an alarm clock or timer.

If you want to use the speaker's sound when broadcasting video to TV, it can be difficult to implement directly because of protocol limitations. Usually, the sound is either through the TV speakers or through the speaker, but not simultaneously. To switch the audio output to the speaker while streaming video to TV, you better use the Bluetooth mode described above.

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Use the command "Alice, stream music to [Column Name]" if you have multiple devices in different rooms to redirect the sound exactly where the TV is.

Setting up voice control and scripts

Once you've successfully connected, you can configure scenarios to automate. In Yandex, go to Scripts β†’ Add Script. You can create a team that will perform multiple actions at once. For example, the phrase "Alice, I'm home" can turn on the TV, turn it on to the desired HDMI input, and run your favorite radio station.

Use logic blocks to configure conditional transitions. If a Xiaomi TV supports an IR port (universal remote), you can configure the script to simulate the on-button press, which works even for older TV models that are not connected to the Internet, but are in the range of the IR emitter of the column (if it has an IR port, such as Max Station).

It's important to name the devices correctly so that Alice understands them. Give the TV a clear name, like "Living Room TV" or just "Television." Avoid complex characters and long names. Check the recognition by saying, "Alice, where's the TV?", she should show the device in an app or on a smart display screen.

⚠️ Note: When creating complex scenarios, consider network latency. 1-2 Seconds, which is normal for cloud services smart home.

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Voice control becomes truly convenient only after setting up scripts and renaming devices into names that you understand.

Troubleshooting and troubleshooting

In the process of operation, there may be situations when communication between devices is lost. If Bluetooth is permanently disabled, try to remove the device from the list of paired devices on the TV and create a pair again. Sometimes it helps to completely reset the network settings on the Xiaomi TV through the Settings menu β†’ Network β†’ Network Reset Network settings.

If Alice doesn't see the TV in the Mi Home app, check the server region. China and Europe/Russia servers are often isolated from each other. Make sure that Xiaomi's account settings are country of residence, not China, if you're using the global firmware version.

If you have a problem with HDMI audio, check your audio format settings. In some cases, the TV tries to output audio in a format that the speaker does not support. Switch the output format in the TV settings to PCM or Stereo to eliminate distortion or lack of sound.

Remember to update the firmware of the column itself periodically. The phrase β€œAlice, update yourself” or automatic update through the application will ensure that the latest patches of compatibility with third-party devices are available.

Why does Xiaomi TV not find a Bluetooth speaker?
The most common problem is that the speaker is already connected to another device (like a phone). Bluetooth protocol allows active connection to only one sound source. Turn off Bluetooth on your phone or select your speaker from the list of TV devices.
Can I control the volume of the TV with my voice?
Yes, if the devices are connected via Mi Home or HDMI-CEC. The commands "Alice, turn up the volume" will work. If the connection is only via Bluetooth as a speaker, the volume is also adjustable, but the level may depend on the settings of the Android TV mixer.
Does TV control work without the internet?
Voice control via Alice requires a constant connection to the Internet. Without the network, the speaker will not be able to process your request. However, Bluetooth speaker mode will work without the Internet, transmitting sound from TV to speaker directly.