You bought a Xiaomi TV Box (or Mi Box S, Mi Box 4K), connected to a TV, but the sound in movies and games seems flat? Perhaps it is in the format of DTS Sound, a surround sound technology that many users do not use fully. This article will help you understand what DTS on Xiaomi consoles, what models support it, how to adjust the output and what to do if instead of surround sound you hear distortion or complete silence.
We won’t be bothering you with the technical details of codecs and bitrates (though I’ll cover them in a separate section), instead we’ll be giving you practical instructions with step-by-step screenshots, a compatibility table for Xiaomi and DTS models, and solutions to typical problems, like why Netflix or Kodi don’t play DTS, even though the console supports it. If you want your home theater to sound like a real movie, read on.
What is DTS Sound and Why You Need It on Xiaomi TV Box
DTS (Digital Theater Systems) is a multi-channel sound format that delivers a deeper and more realistic sound than standard stereo (2.0) or even Dolby Digital. Unlike the latter, DTS uses less compression, which should theoretically produce a cleaner sound. In practice, the difference is only noticeable on high-quality acoustics or sound bars.
On Xiaomi consoles (e.g. Mi Box S, Mi Box 4K, Xiaomi TV Stick), DTS support means that the device can:
- 🎬 Decode sound tracks in format DTS from movies (for example, with Blu-ray or torrent trackers).
- 🔊 pass on raw DTS-stream to an external receiver or sound bar (if they support format).
- 🎮 Improve the sound in games (e.g. Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile via emulators).
But there's a caveat: most Xiaomi consoles don't know how to decode DTS on their own -- they only transmit a signal to an external device (receiver, soundbar). If your TV or speakers don't support DTS, the sound won't be at all or it will be distorted.
What Xiaomi TV Box models support DTS?
Not all Xiaomi consoles work equally well with DTS. The table below shows the current models (for 2026) and their capabilities. Note that even if the console supports DTS output, this does not mean that it will be able to decode it without an external receiver.
| Model of the console | Support for DTS | Max. Disorder. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi Box S (MDZ-22-AB) | ✅ Yes (paste) | 5.1 | An external receiver is required. Android 9+ may have problems with Kodi. |
| Xiaomi Mi Box 4K (MDZ-24-AA) | ✅ Yes (paste) | 7.1 | Best compatibility with DTS:X. Supports HDMI 2.1. |
| Xiaomi TV Stick 4K | ❌ No. | — | Only Dolby Digital. DTS converts to stereo. |
| Xiaomi Mi Box 3 (Old) | ⚠️ Partially. | 5.1 | It only works with firmware on Android 7. DTS-HD support is not available. |
| Xiaomi Mi TV Box 4c | ❌ No. | — | Only stereo or Dolby Digital through conversion. |
If your model is not in the table, check for DTS support as follows:
- Connect the console to the TV or receiver.
- Play the movie with DTS-by a route (e.g. through Kodi or VLC).
- Press the Info button on the receiver’s remote – if DTS 5.1 is displayed, there is support.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi consoles do not decode DTS:X (extended format 3D-sound – they transmit it as normal DTS 5.1. for full support, an external receiver with DTS:X.
How to turn on DTS on Xiaomi TV Box: step-by-step instructions
By default, Xiaomi may not be transferring DTS to external devices. To enable support, follow the following steps:
- Connect the console to the receiver or soundbar via HDMI (use HDMI 2.0 or later).
- Open the settings → Display and sound → Sound.
- Select Digital Sound (HDMI).
- In the audio format section, install Auto or Passthrough (if any).
- Enable the DTS Output option (if available).
- Save the settings and reboot the console.
☑️ Checking settings DTS
If there is no Passthrough option, your model does not support DTS transmission.
- 🔄 Try updating the firmware (see section below).
- 🎧 Use the external USB-Supported DAC DTS (For example, Creative Sound Blaster X4).
- 📀 Convert sound to Dolby Digital via FFmpeg (spoiler instructions).
Convert DTS to Dolby Digital via FFmpeg
Update firmware to improve DTS support
If your Xiaomi console doesn't play DTS or the sound is interrupted, it could be because of outdated firmware. Software updates often add support for new audio formats. Here's how to upgrade:
- Go to Settings → About the console → System update.
- Click Check for updates.
- If a new version is available, download and install it.
For the Mi Box S and Mi Box 4K models, the latest firmware versions (as of May 2026) are:
- Mi Box S: MSZ-22-AA-9.0.0-20260315 or later.
- Mi Box 4K: MDZ-24-AA-11.0.0-20260420.
⚠️ Warning: After the update, reset the sound settings to factory (Settings) → Display and sound → Sound resetting. This will eliminate the conflicts between the old and the new parameters.
If the automatic update does not work:
- 🔗 Download the firmware from the official Xiaomi website.
- 📁 Place the file. update.zip root USB-storage.
- 🔄 Connect the flash drive to the console and update through Settings → About the prefix → Local Update.
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Before the update, turn off everything. USB-devices (except the flash drive with firmware) and use the original power supply.
DTS Problems on Xiaomi TV Box and Their Solutions
Even if the console supports DTS, users often face problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| No sound when playing DTS | The receiver does not support the format | Enable conversion to Dolby Digital in the settings of the console |
| The sound is interrupted or distorted | Low bitrate HDMI-cable | Replace the cable with HDMI 2.1 with eARC support |
| DTS only works on Kodi, not Netflix | Restrictions of streaming service | Use an external player (such as VLC) |
| After the update, the DTS stopped working. | Resetting the sound settings | Manually enable Passthrough in the settings |
If the problem persists, try:
- Disconnect all devices from HDMI-TV port, except for the set-top box.
- Reset the sound settings to factory.
- Test another file with DTS (e.g., the official DTS trailer).
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90% of problems with DTS Xiaomi TV Box is being decided by replacement HDMI-cable to a certified High Speed or enable Passthrough mode.
DTS in applications: Netflix, Kodi, YouTube and others
DTS support is not just for the console, but also for the app, and this is how popular services are handled:
- 🎥 Netflix: DTS Available only for individual films as Dolby Atmos (DTS:X To check, turn on the movie (e.g. Bloodshot) and press Info on the remote if Dolby Digital is displayed.+, signifier DTS not used.
- 📺 Kodi: Full support DTS, but requires manual adjustment: Go to Settings → Player. → Audio. Set the output device as HDMI. Enable Passthrough. In the Capable Receivers section, mark DTS and DTS-HD.
YouTube
Dolby Digital 5.1
Games (emulators)
PPSSPP
Audio Latency: High
To test DTS in Kodi, download the official test files and check the playback.
DTS Alternatives: Dolby Digital, PCM and Other Formats
If your Xiaomi console doesn’t support DTS or you don’t want to mess around with settings, consider alternatives:
- 🔊 Dolby Digital (AC3): Supported by all Xiaomi models. The quality is slightly worse DTS, But compatibility is better.
- 🎧 PCM 5.1 Uncompressed sound but requires HDMI 2.0. Suitable for music, but not for movies (large file size).
- 📀 AAC: Compressed streaming format (YouTube, Spotify) is worse, but works everywhere.
- 🎬 Dolby Atmos: Available only on the Mi Box 4K in separate applications (Netflix, Disney)+).