Modern televisions Xiaomi Mi TV They are powerful multimedia centers that allow you to display content from other devices without using bulky cables. Wireless connection has become the de facto standard for comfortable viewing of movies, photos, and presentations on a large screen. Users often wonder how to stream images from a personal computer or laptop using only the capabilities of a home network.
There are several proven methods for implementing this task, each with its own technical features and use cases. You can use built-in Windows protocols, third-party software, or native operating system functions. Android TV, which powers most Xiaomi TVs. The choice of a specific method depends on your operating system, driver version, and required signal quality.
In this article, we'll take a detailed look at all available device synchronization options. We'll cover standard operating system tools, specialized applications, and media streaming methods. We'll also cover network optimization to minimize latency and eliminate potential image artifacts during wireless data transfer.
Preparing equipment and setting up the network
Before you begin setting up a wireless connection, you need to make sure that all components of your multimedia system are ready for use. Fundamental requirement For stable operation, both devices must be on the same local network. This means the laptop and TV must be connected to the same router, either via an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi.
Please pay attention to the frequency range of your wireless network. To transmit high-definition video streams, such as 4K or Full HD, it is highly recommended to use the range 5 GHzIt provides higher throughput and less interference than the 2.4 GHz band, which is critical for preventing audio and video desync.
- 📺 Make sure that on your TV Mi TV The latest firmware version has been installed via the settings menu.
- 💻 Check that your laptop has the latest drivers for its network adapter and graphics card.
- 📶 Make sure both devices are connected to the same subnet (e.g. 192.168.1.x).
- 🔒 Disable guest WiFi mode on your router, as it often isolates devices from each other.
It's important to check your computer's firewall and antivirus settings. Sometimes security systems can block incoming requests to discover devices on the network. For the Miracast and DLNA protocols to work correctly, you must allow the private network to discover devices in the Windows network profile.
⚠️ Note: If your router supports AP Isolation, image sharing will not work. This feature must be disabled in your router settings, as it prevents devices within the network from communicating with each other.
Using Windows' built-in projection feature
Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems have built-in support for the technology. Miracast, which allows you to broadcast your screen without installing additional software. TVs Xiaomi Mi TV also support this standard, making the connection process as simple as possible for the user. You won't need HDMI cables or complex IP address settings.
To get started, press the key combination Win + K on your laptop's keyboard. The "Connect" panel will open on the right, where the system will begin searching for available wireless displays. If the TV is turned on and connected to the network, its name should appear in the list of available devices.
After selecting the TV on the screen Mi TV You may be asked to confirm the connection. Use the remote control to grant access. The desktop image will be duplicated on the large screen. You can change the operating mode through the menu. Projection, selecting the "Extend" option to use the TV as a second monitor, or "Repeat" to clone the image.
☑️ Check before connecting Miracast
It's worth noting that the quality of a wireless connection directly depends on the strength of the WiFi signal. If you notice cursor twitching or audio desync, try moving your laptop closer to the router or TV. Also, make sure there are no heavy background processes running on the TV that could consume CPU resources.
Streaming via Google Chrome and Chromecast
Because the operating system Android TV, installed on Xiaomi TVs, has built-in support for the technology ChromecastYou can use the Google Chrome browser on your laptop to mirror tabs or the entire screen. This method is especially convenient if the standard Windows tool doesn't work or produces inconsistent results.
Open Google Chrome on your computer and make sure you're signed in to your Google account (though this isn't always strictly necessary for local casting). In the upper right corner, click the three-dot menu and select "Cast." The browser will scan the network and find your Mi TV.
In the window that opens, you can choose what exactly you want to broadcast: a specific browser tab, the entire desktop, or a specific file. Broadcast tab It's most effective for viewing web content, as it's optimized and uses less CPU resources. If you need to share a presentation or work in another program, choose "Cast Desktop."
⚠️ Note: Casting your entire desktop via Chrome may result in higher input lag than native Miracast. This method is better suited for static content rather than fast-paced games.
To control the streaming process, use the streaming control panel that appears in your browser. You can adjust the volume, pause the stream, or switch sources. If the TV isn't found, check to see if your antivirus software is blocking network access for the streaming process. chrome.exe.
What should I do if Chromecast doesn't see my TV?
Make sure your antivirus isn't blocking your local network. Try rebooting your router. Check that Chromecast is enabled in your TV settings (usually enabled by default on Android TV). Make sure your TV and PC are set to the same time zone; this can sometimes affect detection.
Organizing a media library via DLNA and media servers
If your goal is not to broadcast a live image of your desktop, but to play a video file or show photos stored on your laptop's hard drive, the most effective technology will be to use DLNAThis protocol allows the TV to see folders containing media files on the computer as network resources.
Windows has the sharing feature built in by default. You need to open "Streaming Media Settings" in Control Panel and enable this option. After that, your device will appear in the list of devices. Mi TVYou can customize the access level by allowing the TV to play content from specific libraries (videos, music, pictures).
For more flexible control, it is recommended to use specialized software, for example, Universal Media Server or PlexThese programs allow you to stream video in formats that your TV may not natively support, performing on-the-fly transcoding using your computer's processor.
| Parameter | Miracast (Projection) | DLNA (Media Server) | Chromecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Screen cloning | Playing files | Tab/Screen Sharing |
| Delay | Average | Absent | Low/Medium |
| Quality | Depends on the WiFi signal | Original (no loss) | Depends on the codec |
| Control | From a laptop | From the TV remote control | From a laptop/phone |
When using DLNA, navigation is done with the TV remote via the Gallery, Video, or Music apps. The computer in this case serves only as a data storage device, and its screen can be turned off or used for other tasks, which is a major advantage of this method.
Solving common connection problems
Despite technology standardization, users may encounter situations where their laptop doesn't detect their TV or the connection constantly drops. One of the most common causes is a different version of the WiFi security protocol. Make sure both devices support the standard. WPA2 or WPA3 and operate in compatible mode.
If the device Mi TV If your network adapter isn't listed as available for projection, try updating the wireless adapter drivers on your laptop. Go to Device Manager, find your network adapter, and select Automatic Driver Updates or download the latest version from the laptop manufacturer's website.
Another common issue is audio and video desync. This often occurs when the WiFi channel is overloaded. Try switching your router to a less congested channel or, as mentioned earlier, using the 5 GHz band. Reducing the image quality in the Windows projection settings may also help.
- 🔄 Restart your router, TV, and laptop—this solves 80% of network discovery issues.
- 🛡️ Temporarily disable your antivirus to check if it is blocking network ports.
- 📡 Check if your router has speed limits (QoS) for specific devices.
- ⚙️ Reset your TV's network settings using the menu
Settings → Network → Reset.
⚠️ Note: Menu interfaces and item names may vary slightly depending on the Android TV version and regional firmware version of your Xiaomi TV. If you don't find an exact match, look for synonymous items in the settings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why does the image flicker or have low resolution when connected via WiFi?
This is a sign of a weak WiFi signal or congestion. Make sure your laptop and TV are within range of the router's strong signal. Try switching to the 5 GHz frequency if your router is dual-band. Also, close background programs on your laptop that may be consuming bandwidth, such as torrents or Steam downloads.
Is it possible to connect a laptop to Mi TV if there is no internet access, only a local network?
Yes, internet access is not required for Miracast and DLNA technologies to work. The key is for devices to see each other on the local area network (LAN) created by the router. Even without a cable from the ISP connected to the router's WAN port, the LAN will function.
Xiaomi TV does not appear in the list of Windows devices, although both are connected to WiFi.
Check the network type in Windows. If the network is marked as "Public," the system is blocking device discovery. Change the network profile to "Private" in the WiFi settings. Also, make sure AP (Client Isolation) is disabled in the router settings, which prevents data exchange between wireless clients.
Is there any audio delay when connecting wirelessly?
When using Miracast and Chromecast, a slight delay (from 100 ms to 1 second) is normal due to the time it takes to encode and decode the video stream. While this isn't noticeable when watching movies, it can be critical for games. DLNA technology eliminates this drawback, as the TV decodes the file automatically.