Connecting the amplifier to the Xiaomi TV: all the ways and settings

You have bought a new TV Xiaomi Mi TV or Redmi Smart TV, But the built-in speakers don't make the sound you expected, AV-A receiver or soundbar can dramatically improve sound, but connecting it often raises questions. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to connect an amplifier with Xiaomi TVs - from the classic to the traditional. HDMI ARC to optical cable and analog connectors.

It is important to understand that the choice of method depends not only on the model of your Xiaomi. TV, But also from the type of amplifier. AV-Receivers usually support HDMI ARC/eARC, While budget soundbars may be limited to optical input, we will also look at typical connection errors that result in the absence of sound or distortion, and give recommendations for adjusting the sound parameters in the TV menu.

If you're not sure which cable or connector to use, this article has a comparative table of all the ways you connect, showing the pros and cons of each, and for those of you who have had problems connecting devices, we've prepared a section on diagnostics and solutions.

1.What amplifiers are compatible with Xiaomi TVs?

Before you buy cables or change settings, make sure your amp can work with Xiaomi at all. TV. Compatibility depends on the type of connection and the audio protocols your appliance supports.

Xiaomi TVs (Mi series) TV 4/5, Redmi Smart TV, Mi TV Q1/Q2 and newer) are usually equipped with the following sockets for sound:

• 🔹 HDMI ARC/eARC — The most modern way, supports multichannel sound (Dolby Atmos, DTS:X) and single-control.
• 🔹 Optical output (TOSLINK) — It transmits digital sound without interference, but is limited to formats (usually only PCM or Dolby Digital).
• 🔹 Analog output (3.5 mm or) RCA) — It is suitable for older amplifiers, but the sound quality is lower.
• 🔹 Bluetooth – wireless connection, but with audio delay (not suitable for movies).

Check the back of your amp or soundbar for appropriate inputs, for example, if the TV only has an optical output and the amp receives sound only from the sound. HDMI, You will need an adapter (but this does not always guarantee stable operation).

2. Connection through HDMI ARC/eARC — Best option for modern devices

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel is a standard that allows you to transmit sound from your TV to an amplifier over the same cable used to transmit an image. A newer version, eARC, supports high-resolution formats such as Dolby Atmos and the likes of the newer version. DTS:X.

To connect the amplifier through HDMI ARC:

1. Use the cable. HDMI High Speed (version 1.4 or higher) Cheap cables may not support ARC.
2. Connect one end of the cable to the port HDMI ARC on the TV (usually signed), and the other - to the port HDMI ARC/eARC power-up.
3. Turn on the function. ARC In the settings of the TV: go to Settings → Sound. → Exit HDMI ARC → Turn on.
4. On the amplifier, select the appropriate HDMI-sound-input.

If the sound does not appear, check:

• 🔌 Correctness of cable connection (ARC-port is often marked with a different color).
• 🔊 Audio output settings on the TV (should be selected) HDMI ARC).
• 🔄 Update of TV firmware (in older versions) MIUI for TV were bugs with ARC).

Important: Xiaomi TVs until 2020 (e.g. Mi) TV 4A) They may not support eARC, but only standard ARC. This means that Dolby Atmos and DTS:X No audio will be transmitted, and the sound will be converted to Dolby Digital.

Optical connection (TOSLINK) — securely, but with limitations

If your amp or soundbar doesn’t support HDMI ARC, optic (TOSLINK) It's a good alternative, it can transmit digital audio without interference, but it has limitations:

• 🎵 Supports only stereo or multi-channel Dolby Digital (5.1) sound, but not Dolby Atmos or Dolby Digital. DTS:X.
• 🔌 No video transmission (sound only).
• 🔄 Does not allow to control the volume of the amplifier from the TV remote.

Instructions for connection:

1. Connect the optical cable to the Optical Out port on the TV and Optical In on the amplifier.
2. In the settings of the TV (Settings) → Sound. → Digital exit) select PCM Dolby Digital (depending on the formats supported by the amplifier).
3. On the amplifier, select the optical input as the sound source.

If there's no sound:

• 🔹 Check if the connector is contaminated (optical cables are sensitive to dust).
• 🔹 Make sure that the optical output is selected in the sound settings on the TV, not the optical output. HDMI analog.
• 🔹 Try restarting both devices.

4. analog connection (3.5 mm or RCA) — effluent

If your amplifier does not have digital inputs, you can use analog connection through 3.5 mm (mini-jack) or RCA ("Tulips. This method is simple but has drawbacks:

• 🔊 The sound quality is lower than that of digital connections (interference is possible).
• 🎛️ No multi-channel sound support (only stereo).
• 🔌 A separate cable is required to control volume.

How to connect:

1. Use a 3.5mm cable → RCA (if only on the amplifier RCA-inputs) or directly 3.5 mm → 3.5 mm.
2. Connect one end to the Audio Out output on the TV, the other to the Aux In input on the amplifier.
3. In the settings of the TV (Settings) → Sound. → Output of sound) select Analog output.

To improve sound quality:

• 🔹 Use shielded cables (they are jamming).
• 🔹 Set Direct or Pure Audio mode on the amp if there is one (this disables additional signal processing).

💡

If you hear background noise on analog, try using a dividing transformer (ground insulator) that eliminates the ground loops that often cause interference.

5. Wireless Bluetooth connection – convenient, but with a delay

If you don't want to mess around with the wires, you can plug in an amplifier or a Bluetooth soundbar, which is a good way to do this.

• 🎧 Bluetooth-enabled soundbars (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Soundbar).
• 🔊 Wireless amplifiers or active speakers.
• 🎵 Listening to music (but not for movies due to sound delay).

How to connect:

1. Turn on the pairing mode on the amplifier (usually you need to hold the Bluetooth or Pair button).
2. On the TV, go to Settings → Bluetooth and Devices → Add the device.
3. Select your amp from the list and confirm the connection.

Limitations of Bluetooth connection:

• 🔄 Latency can be as high as 100-300 ms, which is noticeable when watching movies.
• 🎵 The sound quality is worse than over wires (compression is used). AAC or SBC).
• 🔋 Reconnection is required (especially after the TV is turned off).

💡

Bluetooth is only for music. Use it for movies and games. HDMI ARC Optical cable to avoid dissynchronization of sound and video.

6.Tune the sound on the Xiaomi TV after connecting the amplifier

After the amplifier is physically connected, you need to adjust the sound settings on the TV so that the sound is transmitted correctly. → Sound.

Key parameters:

If the sound is distorted or missing after setting:

• 🔹 Check if the TV is on Night Mode or Dynamic Compression – they can spoil the sound.
• 🔹 Make sure the correct input is selected on the amplifier (e.g, HDMI 1 or Optical).
• 🔹 Update the firmware of the TV - in the old versions there were bugs with the transmission of sound over the HDMI ARC.

💡

If the sound is interrupted when watching Dolby Atmos movies, try setting the TV to set Digital Sound. → PCM. This will turn off multi-channel sound, but eliminate stuttering.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even when you're connected properly, you can have problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

Problem 1: No sound through HDMI ARC

• 🔌 Check that the cable HDMI ported ARC (usually signed).
• 🔄 Restart the TV and amplifier (sometimes) ARC"hanging").
• 🔊 In the settings of the TV (Settings) → Sound. → Exit HDMI ARC) Turn on the Control option. HDMI (HDMI CEC).

Problem 2: There is sound, but with interference (on optical connection)

• 🔹 Replace the optical cable – it could have been damaged.
• 🔹 Make sure that Dolby Digital is selected in the audio settings on the TV, not PCM (If the amplifier supports Dolby).
• 🔹 Check if the connector is dirty (wipe it with a dry cloth).

Problem 3: The delay of sound when watching movies

• 🎬 If you use Bluetooth, go to a wired connection (HDMI ARC optics).
• 🔄 In the amplifier settings, find the Lip Sync or Sound Lag option and select the value manually.
• 📺 On the TV in the menu Settings → Sound. → Sound delay try to set the value of 100-200 ms.

Problem 4: The amplifier does not turn on with the TV

• 🔌 Make sure that both devices are on HDMI CEC (Xiaomi TV It's an option. HDMI).
• 🔄 Check that the amplifier is connected to the outlet (some models do not turn on on by the power supply). CEC, if off by the button).

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)