Modern multimedia systems allow you to turn a regular laptop into a control center for a home theater, and owners of Xiaomi equipment often face the need to display images from the computer to the big screen. This may be necessary to watch movies, show presentations or run games that require maximum graphics performance. Owners of smart TVs Mi TV or Mi Box consoles have several options for this task, each of which has its own technical features.
In this article, we will take a look at all the current methods of connection, from classic wires to advanced wireless protocols. You will learn how to configure Miracast without third-party programs, what cables are used for the purpose of connecting the network. HDMI necessary 4K-And what's more, we're going to look at the nuances of Windows 10 and macOS, because the algorithms for how they work are very different.
The right setup of display settings allows you not only to duplicate the image, but also to expand the desktop, turning the TV into a second monitor, which improves productivity and improves the user experience when consuming content. Next we will move on to step-by-step instructions that will help you avoid typical errors and signal delays.
Wireless streaming via Miracast and Wi-Fi Direct
The most popular and convenient way is to use Miracast technology, which is built into most modern Xiaomi TVs with Android TV or PatchWall operating system.This protocol allows you to transfer video and audio in high quality without using additional routers, since the connection is established directly between devices via Wi-Fi Direct. To get started, make sure that your laptop supports the wireless display standard and the TV is connected to the power grid.
The setup process on the TV side usually doesn't require complicated manipulations. You need to open the app menu and find a built-in utility, often called Wireless, Miracast, or Screen Mirroring. In some Mi TV models, this feature is activated automatically when you try to search for a device from a computer, but manually running ensures the stability of the connection.
On a Windows 10 or 11 computer, you do things through the system menu. Press the Win + K keyboard to call the connection panel. The system will start looking for available displays within network range. If the TV doesn't show up right away, check if visibility is on.
The important thing is the refresh rate and resolution. With wireless connectivity, the system can automatically reduce the picture quality to ensure smooth transmission. You can manually change these parameters in the System → Display → Additional display settings by selecting the desired resolution and frame rate.
⚠️ Note: When using Miracast over long distances or with multiple neighboring Wi-Fi networks, image artifacts or sound dissynchronization may appear.
Connection via HDMI cable: maximum quality
If you want to transmit 4K HDR images without compression or delay, cable is the leader. Xiaomi TVs are equipped with HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 ports, which allows you to transmit a high-density signal.
After you physically connect the cable to the laptop and TV ports, switch the signal source to the TV. Use the remote control, press the source selection button (often designated as the square with the arrow) and select the appropriate port, such as HDMI 1 or HDMI 2.
☑️ Connection check HDMI
In Windows, the second screen modes are managed via the projection menu. Press Win + P to select "Duplicate", "Expand", "Second screen only" or "Computer screen only". The expansion mode allows you to use the TV as a separate workspace, which is convenient for multitasking.
For macOS users, the process is also simple, but requires an adapter if the laptop does not have a native HDMI port. Once connected, go to System Settings → Monitors. Here you can adjust the location of the screens, their resolution and refresh rate. Mac OS often uses a mirror mode by default, which you need to switch to the desktop extension in the Location menu.
| Parameter | HDMI 2.0 | Miracast (Wi-Fi) | Chromecast Built-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum authorization | 4K @ 60 Hz | 1080p / 4K (depends on router) | 4K HDR |
| Signal delay (Latency) | Minimum (< 1 ms) | Medium (50-200 ms) | Low (for video) |
| Stability | Tall. | Depends on the interference. | Tall. |
| Sound transmission | Yeah (multi-channel) | Yes. | Yes. |
Using Google Chromecast technology
Many Xiaomi TVs are Android TV-based, which means that it has built-in support for Google Cast technology, which allows you to stream content from Google Chrome or an entire desktop directly to your TV via a local Wi-Fi network. This method is ideal if you want to show the content of a web page or video from a site that does not have a built-in Cast button.
To get started, open the Chrome browser on your laptop. Make sure your computer and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. In the upper right corner, click on the three-dot menu and select "Cast." The browser will prompt you to select the output device.
In the window that opens, you'll see a list of available devices. Before you start streaming, it's important to select a source. Click on the drop-down "Sources" and select "Cast desktop" if you want to show all windows, or "Translate tab" for specific browser content.
Why Chromecast can't find the device?
The quality of transfer via Chromecast depends on the speed of your Wi-Fi router and its position. For stable operation in 4K, it is recommended to use routers with support for 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) or later, operating in the 5 GHz bandwidth.
Broadcast from MacBook and Apple devices (AirPlay)
Apple owners are less fortunate with native support, as Xiaomi’s ecosystem is based on Android. However, modern Xiaomi TVs often have built-in AirPlay 2 support. Check if this feature is available in the settings of the TV under “Apple AirPlay and HomeKit.” If there is a feature, just turn it on.
If you don't have built-in support, don't despair. You can install a third-party app on your TV from the Google Play Store, like AirScreen or AirPin, which emulates the AirPlay receiver, allowing iPhones, iPads and MacBooks to see the TV as Apple's native device.
Once you install the app on your TV, open the Control Center on your Mac (or Command + F2 keyboards to call the screen menu). The list of available displays will show the name of your TV or the app you're running. Select it to start mirroring.
💡
To reduce delay when playing through AirPlay on TVs, Xiaomi is recommended to turn on “Game mode” in the TV image settings or turn off all post-processing images (noise reduction, dynamic contrast).
It’s worth noting that with AirPlay emulators, picture quality can be slightly lower than with native connectivity, and input lag can be noticeable in dynamic games, but for viewing photos and videos, this method works perfectly, maintaining high bitrates.
Adjusting the sound when connected to the TV
A common problem with users is that there is an image on the TV and the sound continues to go through the speakers on the laptop. In Windows, the management of playback devices is in tray. Click on the speaker icon, then on the arrow or the name of the current device to open the full list.
In the list, select your Xiaomi TV or Mi TV. The system will instantly switch the audio stream. If the device is marked as "Disabled", right-click anywhere on the list and select "Show Disabled Devices", then activate it.
In macOS, audio is controlled via the audio menu in the menu bar or through System settings → Sound → Exit. Here you also need to select a TV from the list of available devices. Make sure that the volume on the TV itself is not reduced to a minimum.
⚠️ Warning: If the sound appears after switching the device but becomes quiet or hoarse, check the sound format settings in Windows Device Manager. Sometimes you need to switch the format from 5.1 to stereo or change the sampling rate.
Solution: delays and breaks of connection
Even with the right setup, there can be technical difficulties, and one of the most common problems is the desynchronization of sound and video or periodic freezes in images, most often indicating a wireless channel overload or a lack of computing resources.
Try to reduce the network load: turn off downloads on other devices, stop torrents. If you use an HDMI cable, make sure it is not compressed and has the necessary specification. Cheap cables may not be able to transmit 4K signals over long distances.
In some cases, updating the graphics card drivers on your laptop and your TV software helps. Go to Settings → About TV → System Update on Xiaomi remote to check for new firmware versions.
💡
The stability of wireless broadcasting is 90% dependent on the quality of the Wi-Fi router and the absence of physical barriers between it, laptop and TV.