Modern TVs like the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S have a thin body and a great image, but their built-in speakers often can not convey the full depth of sound, which is why connecting an external acoustic system, such as a soundbar, becomes a priority for many users who want to get a cinematic experience.
There are several ways to improve audio, but using the HDMI ARC interface is the best and most convenient option, which allows you to transmit uncompressed digital sound and control the soundbar volume from the TV remote, which greatly simplifies the operation of the entire system in the home.
In this article, we will discuss the process of physical connection, software configuration and diagnosis of possible problems that occur when pairing devices, you will learn how to choose the right cable and activate the necessary protocols for stable operation.
Choosing the right equipment and cables
Before you start installing, you need to make sure that your equipment is compatible. Xiaomi Mi TV 4S features an HDMI ARC port, which is usually marked with the corresponding inscription on the back of the device. To transmit high-quality sound, you will need a soundbar that supports the audio return protocol, and a quality HDMI cable version 1.4 or higher.
Using cheap or damaged cables can cause unstable sound, artifacts or no signal at all, and it is recommended to use certified High Speed cables that are able to pass large amounts of data without loss.
⚠️ Note: Do not use adapters DVI-HDMI or old cables HDMI version 1.0-1.2, Because they may not support the function ARC and multichannel sound transmission.
Also worth paying attention to the location of ports. There may be several HDMI connectors on the back of the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S, but only one of them supports the audio return function. Usually this is a port marked HDMI (ARC) or HDMI 1 with the corresponding icon.
💡
Check if your soundbar has a separate HDMI output marked "TV ARC" or "HDMI OUT to TV." That's where you plug the cable coming from the TV.
Physical connection of devices
The process of connecting equipment does not require special skills, but requires attention to detail.Make sure that the TV and soundbar are turned off from the socket before manipulating to avoid voltage surges that can damage the electronics.
Insert one end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI OUT (ARC) port on the back of the soundbar.The second end of the cable must be connected to the HDMI port (ARC) on the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S. After that, connect both devices to the power grid.
☑️ Checking the physical connection
After powering on the soundbar, select the correct signal source. Using the speaker control panel, select HDMI or TV ARC mode. The indicator on the front of the device should light up or change color, signaling an active connection.
If you use additional devices such as game consoles or consoles, it is better to connect them directly to the TV, rather than to the soundbar, so that the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S can process the video signal independently and only transmit audio to acoustics.
Set up the TV Xiaomi Mi TV 4S
After the physical connection, you need to properly configure the software part of the TV. The Android TV system installed on the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S requires activation of several parameters for the correct operation of external sound. Go to the main menu and select Settings.
In the menu that opens, look for Sound or Display & Sound. Here you're interested in the audio output section. By default, the TV can use built-in speakers, so you need to manually switch output to an external system.
| Setup parameter | Recommended value | Description of function |
|---|---|---|
| Audio-guide | HDMI ARC | Switching the sound to an external receiver |
| CEC Control | Included. | Controlling the soundbar from the TV remote |
| Digital format | Auto / Pass-through | Transmission of the original sound format |
| Television volume | 0 (at ARC) | Turning off built-in speakers |
A critical step is to activate the CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) function, which on Xiaomi TVs can be called MI Remote Controller or simply Control via HDMI. This technology allows the TV remote to control the volume and soundbar on.
What if there is no sound after setting up?
Activation of HDMI-CEC protocol
HDMI-CEC is the link between the TV and the acoustics. Without it activating, you'll have to use two remotes: one for the TV, the other for the soundbar, which is extremely inconvenient. On the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S, this feature is often turned on by default, but can be deactivated by the user or knocked down after the upgrade.
To check, go to Settings → Device → Settings → Settings → On (or similar path depending on the firmware version). Make sure the Control via HDMI switch is in the On position. Also check the settings of the soundbar itself - in some models, the CEC function must be enabled separately through the settings menu on the acoustics remote.
If the function is activated but the remote doesn't control sound, try reconnecting. Turn off the TV, turn off the HDMI cable, wait 10 seconds and plug everything back in. Sometimes handshake protocol (handshake devices) requires re-initialization.
⚠️ Note: Some budget soundbars may not work properly with the implementation CEC In this case, volume control can work in jerks or require double pressing of buttons.
It is important to understand that different manufacturers call the technology CEC differently: Samsung – Anynet+, LG – SimpLink, Sony – Bravia Sync. However, the Xiaomi menu uses a standard name, and compatibility is ensured by basic HDMI standards.
Choosing a digital audio format
The quality of playback depends on the selected audio output format. In the settings of Xiaomi Mi TV 4S in the section Sound → Digital Audio Format, the options are usually available: Auto, PCM, Dolby Digital and DTS. The choice of the right mode depends on the capabilities of your soundbar.
Auto mode is the most preferred, as the TV itself determines the supported codecs of the connected device. However, if the soundbar does not detect the signal or emits a crack, try to force the PCM format for stereo sound or Dolby Digital for volumetric.
If you’re watching content from embedded apps (Netflix, YouTube), the TV can transmit a signal in a format that your soundbar doesn’t understand, in which case, it’s also worth checking the audio settings in the specific app’s settings and choosing a compatible option.
💡
For maximum surround sound quality, choose Dolby Digital or DTS if your soundbar supports these codecs. PCM is enough for regular TV broadcasting.
It's worth noting that when choosing a PCM format, multi-channel audio is compressed into stereo, which can reduce the immersion effect when watching movies. So for home theater, aim for bitstream when decoding is on the soundbar side.
Diagnostics and problem-solving
Even with the right connection, there can be technical difficulties, the most common problem is the lack of sound or its periodic loss, first of all, check if the sound is not silenced on the soundbar itself, since it can have its own independent volume level.
If there is an image and there is no sound, try changing the screen resolution in your TV settings to a lower one (for example, from 4K to 1080p) and back again.This action forcibly restarts the handshake HDMI protocol and often restores the audio channel.
- 🔌 Check the density of the cable in the connector – it should sit very tightly.
- 🔄 Restart both devices in full cycle (turn off the socket for 1 minute).
- 📺 Update the firmware of the Xiaomi Mi TV TV 4S Up to the latest version via the Settings menu → On TV. → System Update.
In some cases, the problem is that HDCP versions are incompatible, and if you're trying to play secure content (4K HDR) and the soundbar is old, the TV can block the output, and if you're trying to play it, you can only replace the acoustics with a more modern model.