Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Plug the USB drive into a TV port that supports media playback, then open the TV’s Input, Home, Apps, or Media Player menu and select the drive, folder, and video. Menu names vary by model. If the drive is missing or a video will not play, check your exact TV model’s manual for supported file systems, storage limits, and media formats.
Before you connect the USB drive
Confirm that the TV supports video playback
A USB port alone does not guarantee that a TV can play video files. Some ports are intended for service, power, or recording, and some TVs may show photos and music without offering video playback. LG documents this limitation for some models in its USB video codec guidance.
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Check the drive format and capacity
USB file-system support varies by device. LG’s U.S. guidance recommends FAT32 or NTFS, while Roku lists FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, EXT2, EXT3, exFAT, and HFS+ for compatible Roku Media Player devices. These are product-specific examples, not universal TV requirements; consult the support page for your model. LG’s guidance also recommends USB memory devices of 32 GB or less and external storage of 2 TB or less, which should not be treated as limits for other TV brands or models. See LG’s USB viewing guidance and Roku’s Media Player guidance.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Back up anything important before reformatting a drive. Reformatting can erase its contents, and switching to a file system your TV supports is useful only if the TV’s documentation identifies that format as compatible.
#1 Best Overall
- USB-C 2-in-1 storage OTG: The Lexar JumpDrive Dual Drive D40E features USB Type-A and Type-C connectors in a slim, portable form factor for easy device compatibility
- Transfer speeds up to 100MB/s: Based on internal testing, performance may vary depending upon the host device, interface, and usage conditions. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes
- Plug and Play: Widely compatible with USB Type-C smartphones, tablets, laptops, Macs, and traditional Type-A devices, no software installation required. The 360° swivel design allows for easy switching between connectors without the hassle of losing a cap
- Durable & Compact: The Lexar D40E USB memory stick features a metal enclosure, withstands temperatures from 0° to 50° C (32°F to 122°F), and is lightweight at 26g with dimensions of 70.4 x 16.9 x 11.7mm
- Security & Warranty: Securely protects files using an advanced security software solution with 256-bit AES encryption. Backed by a Lexar 3-year limited warranty
Play a video from the USB drive
- Connect the drive directly to the TV’s USB port. Wait for the TV to recognize it. If the television has multiple USB ports, use one identified for media in its manual.
- Open the media browser. Depending on the model, choose the USB input or open Input, Home, Apps, or Media Player. Sony’s help guide, for example, gives the path HOME > Apps > Media Player.
- Select the USB device and browse to the video. Open the relevant folder, choose the file, and start playback. LG and Sony provide model-specific menu instructions in their USB viewing guide and USB playback guide.
Why a video may not play
The TV does not detect the drive
- Check that the port supports media playback rather than only service, power, or another function.
- Connect the drive directly, then consult the TV’s manual for supported file systems and any storage-capacity restrictions.
- Do not reformat the drive until its files are backed up.
The drive appears, but the video does not
The TV may not support video playback, or it may not recognize the file in its current location or format. Some LG models, for example, can display photos and music from USB without supporting video playback. Check the support page for the exact model rather than assuming every TV in a brand’s lineup behaves alike.
The video is listed but will not start
A file extension such as MP4 or MKV identifies a container, not every encoding detail inside it. Playback can depend on the video codec, audio codec, resolution, and other specifications. Two files with the same extension may therefore behave differently. LG says the file’s codec specifications must match the TV’s supported formats; Sony cautions that playback may still fail for files in listed formats. Compare the file’s details with the model’s support table. Renaming the extension does not change the encoding. See LG’s codec guidance and Sony’s USB playback guidance.
Rank #2
- High-speed USB 3.0 performance of up to 150MB/s(1) [(1) Write to drive up to 15x faster than standard USB 2.0 drives (4MB/s); varies by drive capacity. Up to 150MB/s read speed. USB 3.0 port required. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, usage conditions, and other factors; 1MB=1,000,000 bytes]
- Transfer a full-length movie in less than 30 seconds(2) [(2) Based on 1.2GB MPEG-4 video transfer with USB 3.0 host device. Results may vary based on host device, file attributes and other factors]
- Transfer to drive up to 15 times faster than standard USB 2.0 drives(1)
- Sleek, durable metal casing
- Easy-to-use password protection for your private files(3) [(3)Password protection uses 128-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Mac OS X v10.9 plus; Software download required for Mac, visit the SanDisk SecureAccess support page]
The picture plays, but there is no sound
Audio support can differ from video support. Check the file’s audio codec against the TV’s compatibility information, and check how sound is routed to speakers or a receiver. On relevant Roku setups, Dolby audio output may require a compatible TV or receiver connected through HDMI or optical audio; see Roku’s Media Player guidance.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThere is no video playback option
Check the TV manual or model-specific support page to see whether USB video playback is supported. If it is not, an external media player or network media server may work, provided it supports the drive, file system, capacity, and file encodings you need. Roku documents USB and network media access on some devices, but compatibility depends on the specific player and file.
Rank #3
- What You Get - 2 pack 64GB genuine USB 2.0 flash drives, 12-month warranty and lifetime friendly customer service
- Great for All Ages and Purposes – the thumb drives are suitable for storing digital data for school, business or daily usage. Apply to data storage of music, photos, movies and other files
- Easy to Use - Plug and play USB memory stick, no need to install any software. Support Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / Vista / XP / Unix / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports
- Convenient Design - 360°metal swivel cap with matt surface and ring designed zip drive can protect USB connector, avoid to leave your fingerprint and easily attach to your key chain to avoid from losing and for easy carrying
- Brand Yourself - Brand the flash drive with your company's name and provide company's overview, policies, etc. to the newly joined employees or your customers
Choosing an alternative player
Before buying an external player, check its official support information for the exact model. Compare these details with your drive and files:
- Supported USB file systems and drive capacity.
- Supported containers, video codecs, audio codecs, and resolutions.
- USB port and power requirements.
- Whether local USB playback works without a network connection.
There is no single player established as compatible with every TV, drive, and video file. Roku’s guidance notes that unsupported files may need conversion for direct playback; verify support for your specific files and setup before choosing a device.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【16GB Flash Drive】USB flash drives with 16GB capacity, meet your needs of daily use on work, school, home and travelling for photos, music, videos, files storage and transfer. IMEASON thumb drives can be used to store different files, easy to data backup.
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- 【Wide Compatibility】USB drive supports Windows 7/8/10/11 / Vista / XP / Unix / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, also Supports USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports. USB Stick support TV, desktop, notebook computer, car, audio and other device. The USB Memory Stick is your great data storage and transfer companion with traveling and working.
- 【Easy to use】usb memory stick is plug and play without any software installation. Just simply plug the Flashdrive into the port of your USB-compatible devices such as computer, laptop to start data storage or transmission.
- 【What You Get】16 GB USB Flash Drive Thumb Drive, The default format of the usb storage flash drive is FAT32.
Rank #4
- GOOD VALUE PACKAGE - 1 Pack 32GB Memory Stick USB 2.0 Flash Drives with great cost performance and high quality.
- BIG CAPACITY - The available capacity: 29.10GB-29.8GB, You can save the data of movies, music, photos, designs, programs, manuals, handouts in a high speed.Good performance in digital data storing, transferring and sharing with families, friends, workmates, clients and machines.
- EASY TO USE & PLUG AND WORK - Support windows 7 / 8 / 10 / Vista / XP / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, Compatible with USB2.0 and below.
- TWISTTURN DESIGN & EASY CARRY - The metal clip rotates 360° round the ABS plastic body which with rubber oil skin feeling finish. The capless design can avoid lossing of cap, and providing efficient protection to the USB port.
- WARRANTY & SUPPORT - SIMMAX logo is laser printed on the USB connector surface, our products are of good quality and we promise that any problem about the product within one year since you buy.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
