With technology now in place to turn any Smart TV into a multimedia hub, Xiaomi’s ecosystem is no exception. Users often wonder how to display a picture from a laptop to a big screen to watch a movie, show a presentation, or play a game. Wireless Wi-Fi is the most convenient way to avoid having to search for HDMI cables and pull them across the room.
In fact, the Android TV operating system that is installed on most Xiaomi and Mi TVs has built-in tools for broadcasting content. You don’t need to install complex software or be an expert in network settings if you follow proven algorithms.
In this article, we will discuss all available methods of connection, from built-in Windows functions to the use of specialized applications. We will examine the nuances of the Miracast and DLNA protocols, and pay attention to the features of working with macOS. Proper configuration will ensure stable transmission of high-resolution video stream without delay.
Preparation of equipment and network infrastructure
Before you start setting up your wireless connection, you need to make sure your local network is ready to transmit heavy video content. The Wi-Fi router must support 5 GHz frequency standards for high bandwidth, although work is possible at 2.4 GHz. Both devices – and laptop and Xiaomi TV – must be connected to the same network, otherwise they simply “will not see” each other.
Check the software's relevance on both devices. On a Mi TV, you can do this by going to Settings → About TV → System → System Update. Outdated wireless module drivers on a laptop or an older version of TV firmware can cause unstable connection or no device search function at all.
⚠️ Note: If your router is set up with customer isolation (AP Isolation, devices will not be able to communicate with each other even when on the same network.
To diagnose the signal quality, you can use Windows built-in tools or third-party snails. A weak Wi-Fi signal will lead to image artifacts and desynchronization of sound. Ideally, the distance between the router and the TV should be minimal, or you should use a Wi-Fi repeater to amplify the signal in the receiving area of the TV.
Use of the built-in “Projection” feature in Windows 10 and 11
Windows operating systems, starting with version 10, have native support for Miracast technology, which allows you to broadcast the screen without additional programs. Xiaomi Android TVs also support this protocol, often calling it the “Wireless Monitor” or “Screen Mirroring.” To run the process on the laptop keyboard, there is a hot Win + K key combination that opens the sidebar of connections.
After pressing the keyboard, the system will start searching for available devices within range of the network. If the Xiaomi TV does not appear in the list, it may not be activated in the waiting mode for connection. Some Mi TV models require you to pre-open the Wireless display app or similar from the application menu to make the TV visible to external devices.
Once you select a TV, you may see a request to confirm your connection on the screen. Use the remote to press "Allow" or "OK." The image from the laptop will instantly appear on the big screen. You can choose to work: duplicate the screen, expand the desktop or output only to the second screen through the Win + P menu.
☑️ Checking before connection
It's important to note that when you use Miracast, the load is on the software encoding of the video stream, which can lead to a small input lag, which is critical for dynamic games, but completely invisible when watching videos or working with documents.
Broadcasting multimedia via DLNA and Chrome browser
If your goal is not to duplicate the entire desktop, but to view video files or photos stored on your laptop, DLNA technology is perfect. Xiaomi TVs work perfectly with this protocol. You can just right-click on the video file in Windows Explorer, select Transfer to your device, and specify your Mi TV.
An alternative and often more stable way is to use Google Chrome. Since Android TV has built-in Chromecast support, you can stream the browser tab or the entire screen directly. To do this, open the browser, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Cast.
In the menu that opens, you can select a source: a specific tab, an entire screen or a file. This allows you to display content that may not be supported by a native TV player using the power of the laptop decoder, and the quality of the picture in this case depends on the power of the laptop processor and the speed of the Wi-Fi network.
| Method | Delay (Latency) | Quality. | CPU load |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miracast (Projection) | Low/Mediocre | High (1080p/4K) | Medium |
| Chromecast (Inlay) | Medium | Depends on the network. | Tall. |
| DLNA (Files) | Absent. | Original | Low. |
| HDMI cable | Minimum | Original | Absent. |
Using a browser is especially convenient when you need to show a presentation from the cloud or run video content from a site that does not have an app on your TV. This is a universal method that works on any operating system that has Chrome installed.
Connecting MacBook and devices to macOS
Apple laptop owners are less fortunate, as the Xiaomi (Android) and macOS ecosystems use different wireless transmission standards.Native AirPlay technology is not built into Mi TVs by default, although some new models may have AirPlay 2 support. If your TV is not in the macOS control center, a third-party solution will be required.
The most popular way is to install a reciprocating app on the TV itself, and in the Google Play Store on Xiaomi TVs, you can find apps like AirScreen or AirPin, and once you install it, the TV starts emulating the AirPlay receiver, making it visible to the MacBook.
The connection process is simple: make sure that the devices are on the same network, run the app on TV and select it from the Screen Replay menu on Mac. The image is broadcast with minimal latency. However, it is worth considering that free versions of such applications may have time limits or contain advertising.
Why can AirPlay work in an unstable way?
For professional work that requires color reproduction and stability, wireless methods on macOS and Android TV may be inferior to wired solutions, but for viewing photos, videos from the media library or showing web pages, this method is quite suitable and convenient for everyday use.
Third-party applications for enhanced capabilities
If standard operating system tools don't meet your requirements, specialized applications come to the rescue. LetsView is one of the leaders in this segment, offering free use for personal use. It is installed on both the laptop and the Xiaomi TV, providing a stable connection through the phone. QR-code PIN-code.
Another powerful tool is TeamViewer or AnyDesk if you want full control of your computer from the remote (although that requires installing an Android version on TV and emulation). For purely media tasks, Plex or Kodi is great. You install the server part on your laptop and the client part on your TV, accessing the entire media library with a beautiful interface.
Aggregator applications such as XCast or built-in solutions from graphics card manufacturers (such as NVIDIA Shield features, if available) can offer additional bitrate and buffering settings. This allows you to fine-tune the picture quality to your specific network conditions.
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Use static. IP-This will prevent situations where, after the router restarts, the laptop loses communication with the TV due to a change of address on the local network.
The choice of the specific application depends on your tasks. For games, the solutions with minimal coding are better suited, for movies, those that can buffer the flow. Xiaomi ecosystem is open to install APK files, which allows you to install even those applications that are not in the official Play Market store on TV.
Troubleshooting and troubleshooting
A common problem is when a laptop can't see a TV, and 90 percent of the time, it's done by network type check, make sure that Windows sets the network type as "Private" rather than "Public." In a public profile, the system blocks detection of security devices, which prevents Miracast and DLNA from working.
If the image twitches or the sound is lost, try to lower the output resolution or frame rate in the Windows screen settings. It is also worth checking if other devices on the network are busy downloading large files. The Wi-Fi Direct protocol used when connecting directly can conflict with the main Internet traffic.
⚠️ Warning: Antivirus software or a firewall on a laptop can block incoming connections from the TV. If you have connection problems, try temporarily disabling network protection or adding an exception to the projection service.
Network resets can be helpful in some cases. On Xiaomi TVs, you can do this via Settings → Network → Network Reset. On laptops, the command netsh winsock reset in the command line (launched on behalf of the administrator) often restores the network protocols to work correctly.
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The main reason for connection problems is the different subnet address of the devices, and make sure that both devices are in the same network segment (for example, 192.168.1.X) and not separated by the router’s guest mode.