Xiaomi and Redmi have powerful screens, but sometimes you want to enjoy content on a large display. Streaming an image allows you to turn the living room into a real theater using only the home network, a process that has become much easier with the development of Mi Home technology and built-in Android protocols.
You don't need complex cables or adapters if both devices support wireless connectivity, but you need to have your Smart TV and mobile gadget on the same LAN, and in this article, we'll take a look at all the methods available, from native system functions to third-party applications.
Many users mistakenly believe that it requires the Internet, but Miracast only requires a router to work, and we'll look at the nuances of customization that are often overlooked, which leads to delays or no sound, and let's figure out how to make this process as comfortable as possible.
Wireless Data Transfer Technologies: DLNA, Miracast and Chromecast
Before you start setting up, it’s important to understand the difference between the major protocols that Xiaomi’s ecosystem uses, each with its own unique features and suits different media use cases.
Miracast is a mirror-screen technology that broadcasts everything that happens on a smartphone display in real time. It doesn't require an internet connection, working directly over Wi-Fi Direct, which provides minimal latency when playing games or presenting.
In contrast, DLNA is designed solely to transfer media files (video, photos, music) from a device’s memory to a TV, in which case the phone is only a remote control, and the Smart TV itself is decoding.
The third player is Google Chromecast built-in, which is often embedded in modern TVs, which allows content to be sent from apps to the big screen, freeing up the phone for other tasks while the video is played.
- 📱 Miracast is ideal for gaming and displaying the application interface without delay.
- 🎬 DLNA It is suitable for viewing heavy files 4K memory.
- 🌐 Chromecast is convenient for streaming from online services like YouTube or Netflix.
⚠️ Note: When using Miracast, the battery charge of the smartphone is consumed much faster, since the screen is constantly active, and the processor encodes the video stream.
Choosing the right protocol depends on your goal. If you want to just show photos to friends, DLNA is fine. If you want to play or work, you better mirror. Understanding these differences will help you avoid confusion in your settings.
Preparation of equipment and network for stable operation
Successful synchronization of devices is impossible without proper infrastructure preparation. The first and most important condition is that the Xiaomi smartphone and the TV are on the same subnet, which means that they must be connected to the same router.
A common mistake is to use a guest Wi-Fi network or different frequencies (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) with client isolation. It is recommended to use 5 GHz frequency for high-resolution video transmission, as it provides higher bandwidth.
Check if Wi-Fi Direct is enabled on your TV. Most Android TV or MIUI for TV models activate it automatically when Wireless Monitor is enabled. Make sure that both devices have Bluetooth enabled, as it is often used for initial device detection.
- 🔌 Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- 📡 For 4K Videos are preferably used in the 5 GHz band.
- 🔄 Restart your router if your devices can’t see each other.
Signal stability is critical, because if the router is far away, there may be artifacts or connection breaks, and then you should consider using a repeater's Wi-Fi or bringing the devices closer together.
Broadcasting through the built-in Translation function in MIUI
The fastest way to display an image is to use the system utility "Translation", which is built into the MIUI shell. This method works on the Miracast protocol and does not require the installation of additional software.
To start, open the curtain control panel and find the "Translation" or "Cast" icon. If it's not available, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Broadcast. The system will start looking for available devices within range.
☑️ Pre-broadcast checks
When your Smart TV appears on the list, click on it. A request for confirmation of connection may appear on the TV screen, which must be received by the remote control, and then the image from the phone will appear on the large screen.
⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Netflix or Netflix) IVI) You may block the output of protected content through Miracast due to the policy HDCP, black-screen.
In the feature settings, you can change the resolution or turn on the sound. If you use horizontal orientation, the image will automatically stretch over the entire screen. This native solution of Xiaomi provides the best compatibility with Mi TVs.
Using the Mi Home application for media management
Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers a more advanced way to interact with the Mi Home app, which not only broadcasts the screen, but also manages the media stored on the phone by sending it directly to TV.
Run an app and make sure your TV is added to your device list. Go to your TV device profile and look for the Media or Translation section. Here you can select a photo or video from your smartphone gallery.
The advantage of this method is that the phone is not mirrored, but a controller, so you can turn off the Mi Home app and respond to messages while the video is still on the TV, and the picture quality is often higher than when you're mirroring it directly.
| Parameter | Mi Home | System "Translation" | Chrome Cast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of connection | Local area network | Wi-Fi Direct | Internet + Local Network |
| Phone loading | Low. | Tall. | Low. |
| 4K support | Yes. | Depends on the model. | Yes. |
| Background mode | Possible. | Impossible. | Possible. |
The app also allows you to create playlists and control playlists, which is especially convenient for creating a party atmosphere when you need to constantly change tracks or slideshows.
Third-party applications for enhanced capabilities
If standard tools fail or your TV isn’t a Xiaomi device, third-party solutions will come to the rescue. App stores are full of utilities that can work with different protocols.
One of the most popular solutions is Web Video Caster, which allows you to send videos directly from your browser to your TV, bypassing the limitations of the system, and the app itself converts the stream into a TV-readable format.