Using USB Flash Drives

How to Play MP4 Videos on a Smart TV from a USB Flash Drive

Most modern Smart TVs can play video files directly from a USB flash drive. The exact wording of the menus will vary from one TV brand to another, but the basic procedure is usually the same.

1. Prepare the USB Flash Drive

If you have received a prepared USB flash drive containing your videos, no additional preparation should be necessary.

The video files are stored on the drive as .mp4 files and are ready for playback on compatible devices.

A Note About the USB Drive's Format

USB drives can use several different file systems. Common formats include:

• FAT32
• exFAT
• NTFS

The supplied flash drive is formatted using exFAT. exFAT is well suited to video because it supports large video files, but some televisions—particularly older models—may not support exFAT-formatted USB drives.

2. Find the USB Port on the Television

Look around the outside edges of the television.

USB ports are normally located:

• on the side of the TV,
• on the back of the TV, or
• in a recessed connection panel on the back.

Look for a small rectangular socket labeled something similar to:

Some televisions have more than one USB port.

The USB port looks similar to the standard rectangular USB ports found on many desktop and laptop computers.

If the television is mounted close to a wall, a flashlight may make the ports easier to find.

Be Sure It Is a USB Port

Do not force the flash drive into a socket.

A standard USB plug only fits one way. If it does not slide in easily, turn the flash drive over and try again.

Do not insert the drive into an HDMI, network, optical audio, or other type of connector.

3. Insert the USB Flash Drive

Turn on the television.

Insert the USB flash drive into one of the TV's USB ports.

Wait approximately 5 to 15 seconds.

Some televisions will immediately display a message such as:

If such a message appears, choose Open, Browse, Media, Videos, or the closest available option.

If nothing appears automatically, continue with the steps below.

4. Open the Television's Media Menu

Using the television's remote control, look for a button labeled something similar to:

• Home
• Menu
• Source
• Input
• Apps
• Smart
• Media

Press that button.

The exact name varies by television manufacturer. You are looking for an option that allows you to view files stored on the USB drive.

Depending on the television, this may be called:

• USB
• Media
• Media Player
• Video
• Photos & Videos
• My Content
• Connected Devices
• External Devices
• USB Storage
• Source

Select the appropriate option using the arrow buttons on the remote, and then press OK, Enter, or the center button.

5. Select the USB Flash Drive

If the television asks which device you want to use, select the USB flash drive.

It may appear under a name such as:

• USB
• USB Drive
• USB Storage
• Mass Storage Device
• or the actual brand name of the flash drive.

You may then be asked what type of files you want to view.

Choose Videos or Movies. If there is no Videos option, choose All Files or Browse Files.

6. Find and Play Your Video

Use the arrow buttons on the remote to move through the files and folders.

If the videos are stored inside a folder, select that folder first.

Highlight the .mp4 video you want to watch.

Press OK, Enter, or Play.

The television remote can normally be used to:

• pause the video,
• resume playback,
• fast-forward,
• rewind,
• stop playback, and
• return to the file list.

7. If the USB Flash Drive Does Not Appear

If the television does not recognize the USB drive, remove it and try another USB port on the TV, if one is available.

If the TV still does not see the drive, the television may not support the exFAT file system used by the supplied flash drive.

How to Find Out Whether Your TV Supports exFAT

There are three relatively easy ways to determine whether a particular television supports an exFAT-formatted USB flash drive.

Method 1 — Simply Try the Drive

Insert the USB flash drive into the television.

If the TV recognizes the drive and allows you to browse its contents, the television supports exFAT.

If the TV displays a message such as:

—or if the USB drive never appears at all—exFAT may not be supported. Before assuming that is the problem, try another USB port if the television has one.

Method 2 — Check the Television's Manual

Find the television's exact model number.

The model number is usually printed on a label on the back of the television. It may also appear in the TV's menu under something similar to:

Search the television's printed manual or online manual for the words:

• USB
• file system
• exFAT

The manual may list supported USB formats such as FAT32 / NTFS / exFAT. If exFAT is specifically listed, the television supports it.

Method 3 — Look Up the TV Model Online

Using a phone or computer, search for the exact television model number followed by:

The television manufacturer's specifications or owner's manual are generally more reliable than answers found on discussion forums.

If Your Smart TV Cannot Play the Flash Drive

If your television does not support playback from exFAT-formatted USB flash drives, the supplied flash drive will need to be played using a different device.

The flash drive and video files do not need to be changed. Instead, use another device that supports exFAT USB drives and MP4 video playback.

Depending on what equipment you already own, possible alternatives may include:

• another, newer Smart TV,
• a desktop or laptop computer,
• a compatible media player, or
• another USB-capable playback device connected to your television.