Modern Xiaomi TVs with Android TV or Google TV have evolved into powerful multimedia centers that can play content from a variety of sources. However, embedded applications can not always reproduce the specific file formats that are already on your personal computer or laptop.
There are several proven methods for doing this, each with its own advantages and limitations: You can choose a wired connection for maximum stability and image quality, or use wireless technology for convenience. The choice of the particular method depends on your TV model, the version of the Windows operating system or macOS, and the available hardware on your home network.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current translation options, from simple cables to advanced network protocols. DLNA-Understanding these differences will allow you to choose the best scenario for any situation.
Wireless broadcasting through the built-in Windows function
The fastest way to do this without having to install additional software on your computer is to use Miracast technology, which is built into Windows 10 and Windows 11. Xiaomi TVs running Android TV support this standard out of the box, allowing you to stream an image in just a few clicks. You don't need any routers or complex network settings if the devices are in the same Wi-Fi range.
To get started, make sure your computer and TV are connected to the same wireless network, which is critical, because the protocol uses a local network to transmit a video stream. If you're using a guest Wi-Fi network or an isolated VLAN, the connection may not be established.
⚠️ Note: There is a slight input lag when using wireless, which is normal for watching movies, but can interfere with dynamic games.
The connection process is as follows:
- 📺 Press the “Menu” button on Xiaomi remote TV Select the source of the signal "Wireless display" or "Screen Mirroring».
- 💻 On the computer keyboard, press the Win key combination + K.
- 🔍 In the side menu that opens, find the name of your Xiaomi TV in the list of available devices.
- 🖱️ Click on the TV name and wait for the confirmation of the connection on the TV screen.
Once paired successfully, your computer's screen will be completely duplicated on the TV, so you can choose Repeat to see the same thing on both screens, or Expand using the TV as a second monitor, which is especially convenient for working with documents or browsing the web on a large screen without distraction from the main monitor.
Using DLNA to play media files
If your goal is not to duplicate desktops, but to play back video files stored on your hard drive, then DLNA technology is the perfect solution: It allows Xiaomi TVs to view your computer as network storage and play back content directly using their own Android TV decoders, which takes the load off the computer’s processor and provides more stable playback.
To implement this method, you will need to set up folder sharing in Windows or use a dedicated media server. Standard Windows tools allow you to share a folder, but third-party software often works more stable and supports more subtitles and audio tracks.
| Programme | Difficulty setting up | Support for formats | Requirement for PC resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Windows Access | Medium | Basic | Low. |
| Plex | Tall. | Maximum | High. |
| VLC Media Player | Low. | High-pitched | Average. |
| Kodi | Medium | Maximum | Average. |
Consider setting up through the popular VLC player that many users are familiar with. Open the program, go to the View → Playlist menu, then select the Local Network tab and activate the UPnP / DLNA option. After that, run the built-in web interface or just open the file, and in the playback menu, select the Rendering option where your TV should appear.
More advanced users should pay attention to the Plex server. It not only broadcasts a file, but can also transcoding video if the TV does not support the original file format. For example, if you have a video in a rare codec, Plex converts it to a stream that is understandable for Xiaomi, ensuring smooth playback.
Broadcasting via Google Chrome and browser
Because Xiaomi’s TV operating system is Android-based, it has deep integration with Google services, including Chromecast built-in technology, which allows you to stream the contents of the Google Chrome tab or the entire desktop directly from the browser interface to the PC, a method that works on Windows, macOS, Linux and even Chrome OS.
To start the broadcast, open the Google Chrome browser on your computer. Make sure you are logged in to your Google account, although this is not always strictly mandatory, but makes it easier to find devices. In the upper right corner, click on the three vertical menu points and select "Cast."
- 🌐 In the window that opens, select the source: “Translate tab”, “Translate file” or “Translate desktop».
- 📺 Click on the icon of your Xiaomi TV in the list of available devices.
- 🎬 If you choose to broadcast the file, a conductor will open to select the video on the disk.
This is particularly useful for viewing online video from sites that do not have a built-in Cast button, or for displaying web pages. The image quality when broadcasting tabs is usually high, because it uses hardware acceleration of the browser. However, when broadcasting the entire desktop, the load on the computer processor increases.
Wireless connection via HDMI cable
Despite the popularity of wireless technology, classic wired HDMI connectivity remains the “gold standard” for maximum image and sound quality.The cable transmits uncompressed (uncompressed) digital signal, ensuring that there are no compression artefacts, delays and connection breaks that are possible with Wi-Fi.
You will need a standard cable to connect. HDMI. If your computer does not have a port, there is one. USB-C (Thunderbolt), Mini DisplayPort or DVI, Use the appropriate adapter or cable adapter. HDMI 2.0 and 2.1 support resolution 4K at 60 Hz and HDR, What is critical for owners of Xiaomi TVs with support for these technologies.
The procedure is very simple:
- Connect the cable to the computer's video output and the HDMI free port on the TV.
- Turn on the TV and press the signal source selection button on the remote (usually the square icon with the arrow).
- Select the appropriate port number, such as HDMI 1 or HDMI 2 (ARC).
- On your computer, press Win + P and select the display mode.
⚠️ WARNING: When using long cables (more than 5 meters), cheap models may not be able to handle signal transmission. 4K. In such cases, the signal may disappear or snow. For longer distances, use active cables or fiber optic cables. HDMI.
Once connected, Windows will automatically detect a new display device. You can go to Settings → System → Display to adjust the resolution, orientation and scaling of fonts separately for the TV, which will make the text readable at a great distance from the screen.
Third-party streaming apps
The built-in operating system tools don't always work perfectly, especially if the devices are on different subnets or have driver problems. In these cases, specialized applications come to the rescue that create their own data channel. One of the most popular and functional solutions is AirScreen or ApowerMirror.
The AirScreen app, available on the Google Play Store on Xiaomi TV, emulates AirPlay receivers (for Apple devices), Google Cast and DLNA. This makes it a universal bridge for any device. Once you install the app on your TV, launch it and it will start searching for devices on the network.
If you use macOS, AirPlay's built-in feature may not see an Android TV without third-party software. Installing a receiver app on a TV solves this problem. You can stream a Mac screen with the same smoothness as an Apple TV. For Windows, the analogue is LetsView, which also requires a client to be installed on both a PC and a TV.
☑️ Testing streaming readiness
Solving Connection and Buffering Problems
Even with the right setup, users can face problems: video slows down, the image twitches or the sound lags behind the picture. Most often the reason lies in an overloaded Wi-Fi channel or insufficient router speed. The 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi standard is often overloaded with neighboring networks and household appliances, which leads to the loss of data packets.
For stable 4K video streaming, it is highly recommended to use the 5GHz bandwidth. It provides higher bandwidth, although it has a shorter range. If your router is dual-band, make sure that both your computer and TV are connected to a 5GHz network.
Problems can also arise from the power saving settings of the network card on the computer. Windows may try to save energy by periodically turning off the Wi-Fi adapter, which leads to a break in the flow. Disable this option in the Device Manager in the properties of your network adapter in the Power Management tab.