Which TV Stick to Play Video Files

figarow on 03/12/2022 - 07:52
Last edited 03/12/2022 - 10:13 by 1 other user

I only want to play files from my external hard drive. My TV is old and will only recognise video files from the USB port if I transcode them.

So I recently purchased an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max to solve the issue, however I didn't realize that the hard drive must be formatted to FAT32 which has the 4GB file size restriction. There are ways around this, (splitting files, streaming etc) but I'm not able/willing to do these methods (I'm without ethernet access).

Instead, I want a TV stick that can play any sized file. Do they exist?

Electrical & Electronics Media Player

Comments

  • garetz on 03/12/2022 - 09:07
    -1

    The restriction is caused by the tv not the usb stick, they exist, but not for your tv.

    • figarow on 03/12/2022 - 09:29
      -2

      Thats not right the operating system is on the stick not the tv.

      • garetz on 03/12/2022 - 09:51
        +1

        The operating system makes no difference, if the tv is old, the reader is the hardware on the tv that restricts the file size and fat 32.

        Check what usb port is on the tv, if its 1.1 you are out of luck. If its 2.0 then you can use exfat.

    • HeWhoKnows on 04/12/2022 - 07:47
      +1

      Get a cheap DVD player.
      Most have the ability to play plug-in USB sticks.

      And the Amazon fire stick is for streaming content from internet such as Netflix, Stan and YouTube.
      Not for playing your video files.

      However if the videos are on your mobile phone you can "mirror" them to your TV via the Fire TV Stick.
      Just get the appropriate app installed.
      There are FREE screen mirroring apps for both Apple and Android

  • 7ekn00 on 03/12/2022 - 09:14

    Stick? no, but some do support exFAT (has > 4GB limits)
    Media Players - yes - plenty of cheap Android USB media players - others like AppleTV, TelstraTV, etc

    FireTV 4k Max supports > 4GB files:
    https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/fire-tv-stick-4k-usb-driv…

    You don't need to install any module to be abke to access fat32 formatted device, hell you don't need to have root at all. Fat32 is recognized by the system as is.
    You just need a working OTG cable and use MiXplorer (download it from XDA official page). You will see your thumb drive in the hamburger menu (first or second one).
    I have non rooted firestick 4k and it works.

    • figarow on 03/12/2022 - 09:35

      How do i know which devices support exfat. Its not something listed in specifications from what I've found.

      Not sure what you are saying about the fire stick. I already have the otg cable and currently have a usb drive connected. The quoted text talks about accessing fat32 which i have achieved.

      Or its too early for me and im not understanding.

    • HeWhoKnows on 11/12/2022 - 20:14

      Typical Fire TV stick does not have any USB ports so a bit difficult to recognise a fat32 formatted device

  • BigTime on 03/12/2022 - 10:16

    ES File Explorer supports NTFS drives on Firesticks.

  • Porker on 03/12/2022 - 10:41

    I have firestick 4k and yes fat32 limitation (4GB file size) exists.

    For HDD movies, I use my Shield TV or even an old laptop.

    • figarow on 03/12/2022 - 10:50

      Thank you! I was starting to go crazy. Just tested again with same USB drive using ES File Explorer and only FAT32 can be seen.
      The old laptop isn't an option for me because for some reason my old TV stutters through HDMI. Have tried different cables and different ports always same result.

      • Porker on 03/12/2022 - 11:15

        Even if you could connect a HDD to the firestick, and say overcome the 4GB issue, the other issue I encountered (I believe) was power. Even though the firestick was connected to an external power USB source, it seemed to shut down quite often only when running a movie from external USB stick over OTG.

        The laptop issue 'may' by to do with the laptop too - perhaps update the video drivers and see if that addresses the flickering/stutter.

        • figarow on 03/12/2022 - 11:29

          Cheers. Its not the laptop as its way over spec. 11th gen intel and works flawlessly with external monitor. No its some weird issue with the tv. The HDMI ports work perfectly with the fire stick (video from connected usb) yet are unable play video from laptop without stuttering.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 03/12/2022 - 13:18
    +1

    Xiaomi Mi Box S
    Shield TV Pro

    • figarow on 03/12/2022 - 13:37

      At less than half the price of the Xiaomi would either of these do the same job? Not sure the difference between them.
      MXQ-4K
      MXQpro 4K

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 03/12/2022 - 14:02
        +1

        Maybe. Or it could be yet another device that won't suit your requirements destined for the bin.

        • figarow on 03/12/2022 - 14:09

          Yep risky. Cheers. Looking for reviews on YouTube.

      • Jaxy on 04/12/2022 - 08:21

        Those things are garbage. they can't even get their description right. One says android 7 and then android 6 in a different paragraph. And at $18 i wouldn't expect much out of it.

      • Whisper Quiet on 07/01/2023 - 20:35

        I used those boxes back in the day before I got the shield a couple years ago. They do a pretty good job but usually only are good for 2-3 years. Youd have to look at the ones retailing for $50-$100. They will run everything even HEVC 10 bit but just check in the details what chip theyre running as some are a bit less powered. To me its the best choice unless youre willing to shell out money for the shield

  • MS Paint on 03/12/2022 - 14:17
    +1

    I think the easiest solution is to upgrade the tv. Keep an eye on marketplaces - there are bargains to be had.

    • figarow on 03/12/2022 - 14:23

      That's the long term plan but It's 65" so not a cheap replacement. The TV itself runs fine and I'm happy enough to keep it and avoid the expense. Also I run the risk of buying something else with issues.

  • brendanm on 03/12/2022 - 15:17

    What can't you just stream from the laptop to the fire stick using plex or similar?

    • figarow on 03/12/2022 - 15:39

      My WIFI connection where I have the TV is below average. Also I'm not wanting the quality downgrade caused by the transcoding.

  • ShannonN on 03/12/2022 - 22:08

    Is another modern cheap tv an option? sound like your TV is quite old I just gave a way a Samsung SD 32" TV that is 1337 x 768 ? and even though its a 2014 model it plays all the downloaded stuff I have ranging from amazon and netflix streamed stuff at all resolutions inc 4k from external mechanical hdd via usb or 32 gb usb stick

    These were all played by android media player built into the TV without stutter any real problems with clarity etc these files were all in mp4 or mkv format

    • figarow on 03/12/2022 - 23:02

      It sure is but was wanting to avoid the extra cost of replacing a 65" if possible.

  • Leo Getz on 04/12/2022 - 12:13

    Model of your current old TV?
    Checked for firmware updates for it?

    Do you have a game console that could play media?

    New TV may well be the easiest option.

    • figarow on 04/12/2022 - 12:30

      Soniq S65UV16A-AU
      No firmware updates
      No console
      Yes newer TV or continue re-encoding each file.

  • xylarr on 04/12/2022 - 21:32

    You could get a Google TV thing, then install the Plex app, then on a computer on your network that has access to your library, install the Plex server.

    • Ramrunner on 05/12/2022 - 17:55

      Read other comments OP has already said above the WiFi is sub-par, and not an option.

  • Massive Flog on 07/12/2022 - 12:38

    I Googled your TV and it looks like it's an LCD. I've been using my PC plugged directly into my various TVs via HDMI for years. LCDs tend to stutter, whereas my old plasma TVs didn't.

    Issue could well be a frame-rate mismatch. I finally found a solution last year after Googling my arse off. You could try using MPC-BE (https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/media_player_classic_black_edition_(mpc_be)_64_bit.html).

    Go to Options/Video/Fullscreen, then tick the "Use autochange fullscreen monitor mode". It will convert everything to 60 fps and result in smooth playback. I own a recentish Sony LCD, and the stuttering was driving me nuts. This fixed it.

    • figarow on 07/12/2022 - 16:20

      I so wanted this to work. Thanks mate but same result for me. Also tried messing with other settings in MPC-BE but nothing.

  • Massive Flog on 07/12/2022 - 17:44
    +1

    Bummer. I was hoping it'd work for you, too.

  • figarow on 07/12/2022 - 17:45

    Thanks MF for the motivation, after all this time I seem to have fixed it. I got messing with the NVIDA control panel and saw the refresh rate was only at 30Hz! Changed it to 60Hz and 95% of the stutter is gone, it's not perfect, I mean I can still see some slight shudder at times but wow it's 100% watchable now. I can't find the max refresh rate for this TV but I assume its 60Hz.

    For some reason the HDMI connected TV doesn't show up in the NVIDA control panel yet it does show in windows display settings.

    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/59938/100261/2.png
    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/59938/100260/1.png

    Also the TV is using my GTX 1650 but the laptop screen uses the Intel graphics which I thought was strange?

    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/59938/100263/tv.png
    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/59938/100262/monitor.p…

    • Ramrunner on 07/12/2022 - 19:39
      +1

      Matching frame rates is a pain in the arse.

      Australian/UK content is generally 25 fps so 50 Hz is best to prevent stutter.
      Any other content generally 29.96 (close enough to 30) so 60Hz is better.

      Generally if you play the content on a smart TV, it will automatically match frame rate. The Chromecast with Google TV recently got frame rate matching as well with Plex so absolute joy it now automatically switches the HDMI output of my TV to match the frame rate perfectly and everything is now smooth no matter what content I play.

      Doesn't work with all apps yet (7Plus doesn't match) but step in the right direction.

  • Massive Flog on 07/12/2022 - 18:12
    +1

    That's great. I know how seriously irritating that stutter can be.

    It looks like it does do 60Hz:

    https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1325585/Soniq-S65ux16a-Au.…

    If you haven't done it already, try turning off any image processing (assuming you can on your TV). That can also have a detrimental effect on your PC's output. Game mode, ideally, if your TV has it as a setting. I assume you're playing files through MPC-BE?

    Not sure about the graphics card issue. I don't actually have a graphics card in my PC; Intel Graphics only.

  • figarow on 07/12/2022 - 18:39
    +1

    Cheers for the help. I'm using VLC. MPC-BE for some strange reason now has a constant stutter like there is a mismatch with framerates or something. This is with your above mentioned setting enabled and disabled. This didn't happen before I changed the refresh rate so yeah. Maybe this thread will help someone else one day :)

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