Modern Redmi and POCO smartphones have high-resolution screens, but even a 6.67-inch diagonal doesn’t always satisfy the desire to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a blockbuster. When you want to get friends or just sit comfortably on the couch, you need to stream content to the big screen. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem offers many ways to do this without unnecessary wires and complex settings.
There are several basic methods of image transmission, each with its own advantages depending on the quality of your network and the availability of free time: you can use the built-in Mi Drop or Mi Cast features, connect the device via a physical cable or use third-party streaming applications. The choice of the specific method often depends on whether your TV supports Smart TV technology or whether you need to purchase additional adapters.
In this guide, we will discuss in detail all the current ways of connecting, including the nuances of working with protocols. DLNA We're going to look at situations where wireless connectivity is unstable, and we're going to propose alternatives using this. HDMI-We'll also focus on tweaking the sound and image quality so that watching movies becomes a truly cinematic experience.
Preparation of devices and compatibility check
Before you start setting up a broadcast, make sure both devices are ready to interact.First of all, check whether your Xiaomi smartphone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This is a fundamental requirement for most wireless protocols, such as Cast and DLNA. If the router distributes two networks (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), make sure that the gadgets are in the same segment, although modern routers often combine them automatically.
Note the operating system version. Android TVs or Wi-Fi Direct modules usually don’t have problems, but older models may require a firmware update. On your phone, go to Settings → About your phone and check for MIUI or HyperOS system updates. Outdated software may contain bugs that block the detection of external displays.
Also, you should determine the source of the content in advance. If you plan to watch online cinemas, make sure that the application supports Chromecast built-in. Local files stored in the memory of your smartphone will require a media player with support for network protocols. Some TV models have restrictions on file formats, so it is better to have a universal player on hand.
⚠️ Note: When using guest Wi-Fi in public places or offices, the broadcast may be blocked by network security settings. In such cases, direct connection of devices is impossible without access to the main router.
Keep in mind battery power. High-resolution image broadcasting significantly increases the power consumption of the processor and communication module. It is recommended to connect the phone to the charger or power bank, especially if you plan a long viewing session, this will prevent a sudden shutdown at the most critical moment of the film.
☑️ Checking before connection
Use of the built-in Mi Cast function (Wireless projection)
The easiest and fastest way to display a Redmi smartphone image on a TV screen is to use the Mi Cast system function, which is built into the MIUI shell and does not require additional software installation. It works on the Miracast protocol, which allows you to stream video and sound with minimal latency, which is ideal not only for movies, but also for displaying presentations or photos.
To activate the function, lower the notification curtain and find the Broadcast or Projection icon. If the icon is not available quickly, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Broadcast. The system will automatically start searching for available devices within network range. The TV should activate the signal reception mode, which is often called Screen Mirroring, Miracast or Wireless monitor in the signal source menu at this time.
Once you find a TV, the name will appear on the screen, click on it to pair, the TV screen may request confirmation of connection, use the remote to allow access, and from that point on the phone screen will be completely duplicated on the large display, including all notifications and system sounds.
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If the picture quality is low or there are delays, try changing the resolution or frame rate in the broadcast settings, and getting your smartphone closer to the router will also help.
Importantly, when using Mi Cast, the phone screen must be turned on, which is different from streaming via DLNA, where the phone acts only as a remote control, but some modern TVs support audio only or background broadcast, allowing you to turn off the screen of the smartphone.
- 📺 Universality: Works with most Smart TV without installing apps on TV.
- ⚡ Speed: Instant connection without needing to enter passwords or scan QR-code.
- 🔄 Sync: Rotating the phone screen automatically changes the orientation of the image on the TV.
Broadcasting via Google Home and Chromecast
If your TV is equipped with an Android TV built in or has a Chromecast connected, the most stable option is to use the Google ecosystem. Unlike mirror display, this method allows you to stream video directly from the server to the TV, freeing up the resources of the smartphone. You can fold the app or even lock the phone, and the movie will continue to go.
To start, make sure your phone has Google Home installed. It's often preinstalled on certified Android devices, but if it's not, download it from the Play Market. Open the app and find your TV in the device list. Click on the device icon and select the Cast my screen button. Confirm the action and the image will appear on TV.
But watching movies from the Internet (YouTube, Netflix, IVI, Kinopoisk) is even easier: Open the app on your phone, find the Cast icon, and select your TV. The video will be launched directly to TV in the highest possible quality, supported by the screen and Internet speed.
| Parameter | Mi Cast (Miracast) | Google Chromecast |
|---|---|---|
| Dependence on the phone | High (screen active) | Low (remote only) |
| Battery consumption | High-pitched | Minimum |
| Image quality | Depends on the power of Wi-Fi | Stable, up to 4K HDR |
| Support for DRM | Partial | Full (licensed content) |
One important caveat is that some content-protected apps can block image transmission over Mi Cast due to HDCP limitations, leaving a black screen with sound. In such cases, using the native Cast button inside the app or Google Home is the only working solution.
Wired connection via HDMI and USB-C
When wireless methods are not providing the right quality or the network is overloaded, a proven wired connection comes to the rescue. To connect a Xiaomi smartphone to a TV through a cable, you will need a USB-C to HDMI adapter. It is important to know that the USB port in your phone should support the MHL or DisplayPort Alt Mode standard. Flagship models and many mid-size Redmi devices support this feature, but it may not be available in public sector employees.
The connection process is as simple as possible: insert the adapter into the charging connector of the phone, and in it - the usual one. HDMI-a cable with the second end connected to the free port of the TV. switch the signal source to the TV to the appropriate input (for example, HDMI 1) The image should appear automatically. If this does not happen, check the image output settings in the Settings section. → Connection and sharing.
The main advantage of this method is that there are no delays and compression artifacts typical of Wi-Fi. You get a bit-to-bit picture from the phone. In addition, many adapters have an additional USB port for power connection, which allows you to charge the phone while viewing, offsetting the energy cost of displaying the image.
⚠️ Note: Not all cables and adapters are the same. Cheap adapters may not support higher resolution 720p Or make your screen flicker. Use certified accessories that support you. 4K@60Hz for the best of experience.
If you use a laptop or PC as an intermediate, you can use remote access programs, but this will put extra strain on the computer processor. Direct cable connection to the TV is the most reliable option for viewing heavy files with a bit rate above 20 Mbit / s.
What to do if there is no HDMI signal?
Streaming local files via DLNA and UPnP
If movies are downloaded to a phone's memory and take up a lot of space, it's not always convenient to stream them through a screen mirror. The DLNA protocol allows you to transfer media files directly to the TV using its built-in decoder. This frees up the smartphone processor and allows you to control playback (pause, rewind) even after the screen is locked.
To implement this method, a DLNA-enabled media player (often called Media Player, SmartShare or built-in source menu) must be running on the TV. On a Xiaomi smartphone, you can use the standard Mi Video video player or third-party applications like VLC for Android or BubbleUPnP.
In the VLC application, the process is this: open a video file, click on the broadcast icon (rectangle), and select your TV from the list. The file will start buffering and playback on the big screen. The advantage of the method is that the TV itself decodes the video, so the quality depends only on the speed of the local network, not the power of the phone.
- 📂 Support for formats: The TV may not read some codecs the phone opens (such as rare subtitles or audio tracks).
- 📶 Network load: At high bitrate (4K Remux) may slow down if the router is weak.
- 🎮 Convenience: Ideal for viewing photo albums and home video from your phone.
Solution and optimization of quality
Even with the right setup, users can face problems: audio and video out of sync, low resolution or periodic communication interruptions. Often the reason lies in congestion of the Wi-Fi channel. If the router is running at 2.4 GHz, it can be affected by microwaves, bluetooth devices and neighboring networks. Switching to 5 GHz significantly improves flow stability.
Another common problem is the wrong aspect ratio: the image can be stretched or have black stripes, and this is solved by the settings of the TV itself (button Aspect, P.Size or Format on the remote), select the mode "Original", "Just Scan" or "16:9" to remove the edges of the phone interface.
If the audio is only coming through the phone and the TV is not, check the audio output settings in the app from which the broadcast is coming. In some cases, rebooting the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi module on the smartphone helps. Also make sure that the TV does not have the "Video Only" mode in the Miracast settings.
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The stability of wireless broadcasting is 90% dependent on the quality of the router and the absence of physical obstacles between it and the devices.
For owners of old TVs that do not have smart-functions, the salvation will be the most important. HDMI-Whistleblows (e.g. Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire) TV Stick or Xiaomi Mi TV They're in the port. HDMI And add all the modern functions of the Smart TV TV, Allows you to connect your phone just like you do to a new device.