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There are many ways to enjoy entertainment on your television. Most modern TVs have plenty of HDMI ports, so you can connect different devices and choose the type of media you want to consume.
For instance, in addition to the (usually slow) built-in smart OS, you can connect a Roku, a Chromecast with Google TV, a PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, an Apple TV, a Blu-ray player, and more. However, there is one port you might be overlooking that can enhance your experience — the USB port.
The USB port is often forgotten about in many devices. For example, with a spare USB drive, you can turn a Wi-Fi router into shared storage without a NAS. Most TVs (even older ones) have a USB 2.0 or 3.x port, and some newer sets have a USB-C port. There are many cool things you can do with the port on a TV, and I have found four ways to use it that I find interesting and useful.
Update firmware on your TV
For recovery missions
I recently had an issue where a storm rolled through, and a power spike messed up my TV. Spikes in electricity can come out of nowhere, even with a surge protector — which I use. Luckily, it didn't completely destroy the TV, but I spent several days troubleshooting it. One of the things I needed to do was update the firmware, but it wasn't connecting to Wi-Fi.
The USB port was a lifesaver. I downloaded the appropriate firmware from the manufacturer's website to a USB drive. From there, I was able to update my TV using the on-screen instructions and pointing it to the USB port. This can also be helpful to anyone who wants faster firmware updates if a TV is in a location with shoddy or no Wi-Fi connectivity.
Create a media wall with a USB drive
To display photos or videos and play music
Sometimes you might find yourself with photos or videos you want to display on your big screen. Usually, it is easy to use the built-in casting technology. However, not all devices are compatible with each other, and when I run into conflicts, the USB port is useful. I also have large collections of media on my computer that aren't on my phone. So, copying them onto a flash drive, plugging it into the port, and playing it locally works well. This isn't only helpful at home but also in the office — and often more reliable.
Just load the photos, slides, videos, or music you want to display on the TV to the USB drive. Once connected to a USB port, most TVs have a basic media player app that will play media from the drive. I'm also able to loop photos, so it becomes a digital display frame. It's also a cool way to watch older videos I have collected over the years — perfect when the internet goes down.
It's also important to mention that when preparing the USB drive, formatting it as FAT32 or exFAT is essential for most TVs. Also, if using the media player that came with it (and not VLC Player, for instance), format photos as JPEG or PNG, music as MP3, and videos as MP4. I learned through trial and error that the most common file types and straightforward naming conventions work best. To convert files, I used the open-source ConvertX tool.
Plug in computer peripherals for easier navigation
Attach a keyboard, mouse, and more
You don't have to settle for using the remote to search, or even the TV's phone app, to navigate the user interface. I have a couple of back-lit Das Keyboard mechanical keyboards that physically plug into my computers. I don't have to change batteries or rely on flaky Bluetooth connectivity like wireless keyboards. It also feels like having a giant monitor connected to a TV OS-style UI. I also used wireless keyboards on older TVs without Bluetooth by plugging the receiver into the USB port to search for content from my couch.
The Das Keyboard I used doesn't have long enough cords to reach my couch, but it isn't a deal-breaker. I find being able to get up for a second to search or type in passwords without having to "hunt and peck" with a mouse is a selling point. I also remembered I could plug in a webcam for video conferencing, an unused gaming controller, and a mouse to use in conjunction with the keyboard.
Use it as a timed charger dock
Charge with power on and stop with power off
You can use your TV as a timed charging dock for some of your gadgets. While the TV is on, plug the devices that need charging into the USB port, and they will get power while you are watching a movie or binging your favorite shows. Once you turn off the TV, the charging will stop, and they will have some power.
Now, keep in mind that most USB ports don't produce a lot of power — and the juice that comes out is a slow flow. On average, a USB 2.0 port outputs 2 to 2.5 watts, and a 3.x port averages 3 to 5 Watts. It's like trying to charge your phone by plugging it into your laptop in a pinch. Still, smaller, low-power devices like remotes and earbuds can get a charge. It also matters how long you have the TV. For instance, I could charge my old Android phone I replaced as a Roku in about 5 hours — perfect for watching a movie or binge-watching.
Don't overlook your TV's USB port
Most people worry about HDMI ports and what can be plugged into their TV, but there are good use cases for the USB port, too. Whether you want to view photos or videos from your local collection or connect a webcam to get that Star Trek-like viewscreen for the ultimate video conferencing experience, there are some cool things you can do with the smart TV that you might not have thought of.
