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Question of the Day: How impressed have you been with the 2026 Amazon Prime Day deals?
USB on HDTVs
- Thread starter Pitbull
- Start date
lived666
Executive Member
Tvs were dirt cheap at Makro when I was there the other day checking out the cheapish UHD ones. Yeh all current models have USB - I took my portable hard drive and plugged in and messed around on a few models - there is a hi sense that I had my eye on, except the UHD was too weird.
In the 32" size range you can get fhd smart with wifi for under R4k depending on brand - I think it was PNP that had a blaupunkt for under R4k
In the 32" size range you can get fhd smart with wifi for under R4k depending on brand - I think it was PNP that had a blaupunkt for under R4k
Most TV's can play those files, but be careful with a hard drive. Many el cheapo TV's don't support the NTFS file system. Samsungs do as far as I know.
Still a dumb idea, it's much better to have a standalone player. Just much easier.
84cm = 33 inches so it makes sense.
Still a dumb idea, it's much better to have a standalone player. Just much easier.
84cm = 33 inches so it makes sense.
lived666
Executive Member
You cant be serious? having a standalone player is a dumb idea, who uses disks these days?
Who said anything about disks?
I'm assuming you mean discs but still who said anything about it
lived666
Executive Member
I dunno, OP said his option is to buy a blu ray player, so what for when you can just plug USB into the TV - smart TVS, even the cheapish ones have no issues. All he needs to do is take his USB device to the TV shop and plug it in to the various models and play around
MickeyD
RIP
That's the viewing size... most old TVs have their speakers on the sides that makes it much wider.
He can, it will work. I'm just saying a player is a much better option especially long term. If money is tight though just a Samsung TV will work fin.
What do you mean by "old"? Some new TVs also have their speakers on the sides. Do you mean a CRT TV? Because yeah those were also a different aspect ratio (4:3).
MickeyD
RIP
Yes. CRT. I know.
lived666
Executive Member
And an LG, or Sinotec, Hi-Sense, Toshiba, Aim, Blaupunkt etc, they all have USB. No need for a standalone player unless you like extra clutter around your tv.
True
lived666
Executive Member
yeh, they just differ a tad on the firmware, thats why its best to test your USB device in the shop prior to purchasing.
SeRpEnT
Executive Member
I have a Samsung 5 series LED TV which does suport USB devices. However it only plays movies until 2hours at which time the buffer runs out and the movie stops. Not sure if the never versions (6 series onwards?) has newer firmware which supports videos longer than 2 hours?
happynoodleboy
Expert Member
I am on my second HiSense 55", and it plays everything.Literally everything.
Have a 640G HDD that I use for all my son and wife's movies,series, etc, and I have never had a file not play.
Have a 640G HDD that I use for all my son and wife's movies,series, etc, and I have never had a file not play.
Pitbull
Verboten
HiSense support any good? Good TV's?
happynoodleboy
Expert Member
I have a Phillips 42" and the HiSense.
And to be honest I will not buy another brand again.
Have had absolutely no issues, the first 55" got exchanged due to lightning damage.
Full HD, 3D, USB, HDMI, all the bells and whistles, for like a third to half of the price of a Samsung or LG, or such.
Even the audio is like 5 times better than my brothers Samsung.
Just my opinion, but I am really impressed and happy with it.
lived666
Executive Member
I was considering the hisense 50" smart uhd at Makro - still might get it, though not sure if I want uhd or standard fhd - the uhd was strange, either way, cost was indeed a fraction of most brands, except sinotec, same price.
Strange I have the same one (older 40") no problems apart from the odd voice to pic mismatch which I solve by just stopping and resuming the movie.
Pitbull
Verboten
I just don't want to help my dad buy a TV (he has had his current one probably going on 20 years). He just doesn't buy stuff like this at all. He asked me to help him buy a good one. Don't want him to tell me after 2 years, see you made me buy k@k
But I think that what you said with it playing everything is probably a safe bet. If the TV goes in 2 odd years I'll just replace it for him. Playing media will be a big thing for him. He actually comes to my house every time he watched everything on the HDD. At least he's moving with the times. The Laptop is a pain for him as he says he can't want it nicely and sitting on the couch. He wants to view it on TV. Just with everything being available online I can't be arsed with a Blu-ray player tbh.