Xiaomi TV Audio Output Connections

9 April 2018

1) The Hard Wiring Connection

2) Blue Tooth  Connection
3) More about SPDIF and  HDMI (ARC)
4) Why HDMI (ARC) Not Working

Xiaomi TV or MiTV  is originally a TV manufactured in China for Chinese market.  Plenty of users has encountered problems;  for example,  playing YouTube 4K movies or  trying to install Google Play Store.  This is because Xiaomi has omitted the supporting features not commonly found in Chinese market to cut down cost.  One of such features is the old type of analogue video and audio output ports.  

How Many Ways?

There are 2 ways to connect to MiTV's audio system

1.  Hard Wiring Method
2.  Blue Tooth  

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1.  Hard Wiring Method

Xiaomi TV has only digital ports;  SPDIF is the only audio output port available.  Alternatively, one could use one of the HDMI that has Audio Return Channel (ARC) for audio connection.  This is provided the audio receiver also has an HDMI with ARC connection;  otherwise,  one would have to use an HDMI ARC adaptor which allows signal to be converted to other audio format.

a)  What is SPDIF?

SPDIF stands for Sony/Philips Digital Interface.  It is a type of digital audio connection used in consumer audio equipment.  Unlike ordinary analogue audio connection,  SPDIF  signal is transmitted digitally over either a coaxial cable or a fibre optic cable called TOSLINK connectors.   Most modern amplifiers will have SPDIF connectors;  older amplifiers only has analogue connections.

b)  What to do for Amplifiers without the correct SPDIF connection?

Xiaomi TV only has a co-axial type of SPDIF connection.   If one’s amplifier has only TOSLINK port,  one will have to buy a Co-axial RCA to Optical TOSLINK SPDIF converter as shown

  

However,  if one’s amplifier has only analogue port such as composite video/audio inputs,  one will need to buy a Digital to Analogue audio converter with RCA connectors as shown

 c)  Connecting up

In addition to the above converter,  one would need to have the right type of cables 

1.   For connection between Xiaomi TV and the converter -  A length of Co-axial digital RCA cable 

2.  For connection between the Converter and one's amplifier - either a TOSLINK cable or a set of RCA audio cable depending on one's amplifier set up

d) Any Difference between the Ordinary and Digital Co-axial Cable?

They are all having the same type of RCA connectors. 　The difference is in the quality of the cables.  The digital cable has better grade of cable and RCA connector.  However,  some claimed that there was no appreciable difference for a short length of cable connection.

e)  Connection using HDMI ARC

This audio connection is more commonly used by audiophile who often seek perfection in sound quality as it is one mean of sending true Dolby sound surround from the TV to the sound system.  For more information about how to set this up,  please refer to this article.  

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2)  Blue Tooth

a)  Type of Blue Tooth　

This is the most modern way of audio connection that is being used nowadays  in almost every new sound system.   The connection is done by pairing between 2 devices for example,  the TV and the phone or the speaker system.   Up to seven or eight devices can often be paired but usually,  one 2 devices can be paired together.

MiTV has its own built-in audio bluetooth transmitter which will allow audio connection to the speaker or headphones through a bluetooth receiver such as these receivers

There are several types of blue tooth receivers available in the market.  They differ only in the way they get their power,  some has its own rechargeable battery while others has a USB charger.    Although Bluetooth standards are always backward compatible,  it is preferable to get receivers that are using the same Bluetooth standard as the TVs;  in the case of MiTV,  it is Bluetooth 4.2.

b)  Connecting up

Connecting the Bluetooth device is relatively easy.  All one has to do is to pair up the devices.  To pair up,  fire up [Setting] and select [Device and Bluetooth],  MiTV will search for available Bluetooth device in the room.  If the Bluetooth device does not show up,  try turning on the Bluetooth device as it may be switch off by default.

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