I'm trying to get some movies into a USB drive to share with my parents, but they have older LCD TVs that aren't smart and can't connect to Wi-Fi. These TVs do have a USB slot and allow switching to USB as a source, but when I go to the menu, it specifies that it only supports "motion jpeg, 320x240, 30fps format." I've converted the movies from .mp4 to .mov using software, matching the required resolution, but although the TVs can detect the USB, they won't recognize the movie files. Has anyone else faced this issue? I have some pictures of the problem in another post.
4 Answers
It sounds like your TV isn't able to handle the video file format. Plus, remember that motion JPEG doesn't support sound, which might be a problem for movies!
The issue is likely that those older TVs can't decode the video formats you're trying to play, even after conversion. Your best bet might be to get an Android box or a similar device to playback those files. Also, keep in mind that .mov files are usually not compatible with many TVs—try using .mkv or .avi instead!
Back in the early DVD days, there were a lot of compatibility issues because the industry wanted to prevent piracy. Many players could only read factory-made discs, which frustrated consumers. It seems like those older TVs might be stuck in that outdated tech mindset!
Honestly, you should consider saving up for a newer TV. They're quite affordable these days, and it would save you a lot of hassle with file compatibility.
Good point! .mov is tricky with older devices, so switching formats could really help.