Looking for the simplest means of playing videos from a USB storage device on a non-smart TV

Having already configured a VLC-powered Google TV configuration with USB hard drives for a relative without the router or download speed needed for reliable streaming, I'm now trying to configure a similar setup for another relative with a non-smart TV and an even slower download speed.

The only requirements for such a device would be the ability to be controlled entirely with a remote, a USB-A or USB-C port compatible with USB hubs and media storage devices, and the reliable playback of videos of assorted codecs and file extensions. As Roku, FireTV, and Android/Google TV streaming sticks tend to be plastered with ads as a means of promoting content within their ecosystems, an alternative HDMI device that minimizes the number of button presses between turning on the TV and and reaching the navigation menu for videos on attached USB storage devices would be preferred.

50 comments

What about a Raspberry Pi or other SFF PC flashed with libreelec to run Kodi.

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- It would have to be a raspberry pi as SFF PCs don't support CEC, OP would have to use a usb dongle.
  
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  Looks like an Intel NUC supports CEC. That would be a more powerful option I suppose.
  
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Plug your laptop into it and use VLC. That's the simplest approach.

If you want a dedicated playback system any little arm SBC that has decent hardware accelerated video playback should work well. Something like an RPi 4 can run a basic desktop with hardware accelerated VLC, or you could run libreelec. Look for something modern that supports the encodings you think you might use, it's a drag dealing with choppy playback because you're trying to play an encoding the board doesn't support.

Or you could run a media server like PLEX somewhere on your network and use a Chromecast plugged into the TV as a streaming target. This lets you use your phone as a control device. The simplest setup for this is to just run PLEX on your desktop or laptop and shut the server down when you're not actively using it.

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- For the Plex server, why shut it down when not using it?
  
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  I'm not using a dedicated PLEX server, just running it on a machine that's not always on.
  
  I was trying to make the point that you don't need a dedicated PLEX server, you can just fire it up on a laptop when you're going to use the TV. This way you can setup TV streaming by just buying a Chromecast.
  
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I use an Odroid loaded up with CoreElec ( a version of Kodi ).

It connects via HDMI

can be controlled with a normal remote control via HDMI-CEC

can connect 4 USB devices (including a USB hub)

no need for a constant internet connection

Tv and movie database info is downloaded once and stored, not retrieved as needed

Has played every file format I've thrown at it

Easy to use interface

FOSS and no ads
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I think an existing laptop or tablet is probably the best way to go here. Only hard part is a remote

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- I bought the cheapest wireless laptop I could find to use as a remote
  
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Generic "USB media players" used to be a big thing back before they were integrated into every TV, I'm fairly sure you can easily find one with a remote still.

It seems like a lot of DVD/bluray players still take USB too, we used to play off of an external HDD and USB thumb drives using our Blu-ray player when I was a kid. You can probably get something really good second hand too.

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- Years ago a $9.99 el cheapo Walmart DVD player was my first USB media player on an old CRT TV.
  
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Go with a pi 4 running LibreELEC.

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I have a Roku (apart from a static ad on the home screen, I haven't noticed any problem with them and if it was really an issue I could use adblocking DNS servers), and can play media on it from a NAS drive, or I can plug a USB drive into my router and access it that way. It's all controllable via the remote and provided there's good WiFi signal, doesn't require a fast internet connection. Saying all that, I do have fast internet and usually just stream stuff to it via my phone/tablet and the video caster app.

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- I can imagine the phone-to-roku streaming method working well, particularly given the simplicity of Roku OS, though in terms of USB drive usage, past testing on a dedicated Roku TV has been mixed in terms of codec compatibility, unfortunately.
  
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I'd recommend a Raspberry pi running Libreelec. Its Kodi so has a great UI with no ads or tracking, supports HDMI-CEC so you can control it with your TV's own remote (on most models) and I haven't found a video codec it can't handle. Also if you decide to move to a NAS or streaming for your videos in the future it supports that as well.

Any model of pi should be able to handle video playback from USB but older ones obviously can't handle 4k. Also a pi can't power a mechanical USB drive so if that's what you're using you'd either need them to have their own power supply or use a powered USB hub.

One like this could be used to power the pi and drives at the same time: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-PowerIQ-Charging-Macbook-Surface-7-Ports-3/dp/B00VE4UJD4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2SJ87KGXVYOFK&keywords=anker+usb+hub+powered+3.0&qid=1696764826&sprefix=anker+usb+hub+powered+3.0%2Caps%2C884&sr=8-1

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Many of non-smart TVs support playing videos from USB 🫡

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- Good point; something I'll have to try before I decide on buying anything. Problem with some media players could be the lack of support for changing between audio and subtitle tracks on the fly for multilingual support, so in both the case of the TV itself and anything I plan on buying I'll have to do more research first I guess, since unfortunately Amazon listings are often bereft of non surface-level technical specs.
  
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  In any case you can just buy a raspberry pi, or even better a lenovo thinkcentre, or anything. I just wanted to let you know that many TVs support it, though it's a little bit of pain
  
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  In any case you can just buy a raspberry pi, or even better a lenovo thinkcentre, or anything. I just wanted to let you know that many TVs support it, though it's a little bit of pain
  
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I know it’s probably not what you’re looking for in terms of budget, but I use an Apple TV with a portable router called Beryl AX connected to an USB Drive when I’m traveling. To any hotel’s dumb TV I connect the ATV, and then my router through Ethernet. And there you go, all my travel drive to see and use with Infuse.

Infuse is super powerful and through name parsing you get this media “wall” interface, just as Netflix so to speak. You a get zero ad experience over all.

On the plus side this Router can connect to any Wi-Fi and re-route the traffic (kinda like a repeater but fancier), so you get your own private Wi-Fi and your ATV has also internet.

Edit: I don’t know about any of those systems you mentioned, but using a ad-filtering DNS (like AdGuard) you may be able to stop ads over there. It worked for me with Tizen OS.

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- AppleTV with Infuse is my setup also. It makes everything else feel like the fucking stone age. Copying files, ads and slow Android device interfaces…never again. The AppleTV remote is also great.
  
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My firestick (4k) has Android, with correct accessory (that allows power and OTG at the same time).

You can connect to USB drive or hub.

Has remote control.

There are alternative launchers to avoid ads.

You can sideload most things.
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Nvidia Shield is pretty paired down if you want something plug and play.

There are some NAS products out there with media servers and HDMI output. Helps you skip a few steps.

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- I actually would love to buy an nvidia shield for my family but it seems to have WORSE decoding experience than my steamdeck somehow. Makes me feel like it's already outdated, and for a $200 difference a SD can do a lot more.
  
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WSyOIq9Mn7uTd94PC_LXcFlUi9ceZHhRgk-Yld9rLKc/edit#gid=0
  
  Please correct me if I'm misunderstanding something
  
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I recommend looking into playnite as a "launcher" for your games.

If you have a PC you could also consider moonlight streaming

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Raspberry Pi and Steam Link if you have an ok computer to stream from

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- If you are gonna stream anyway I recommend a Plex/Jellyfin server.
  
  Steam link or VLC is probably gonna be annoying to use and poor quality wise.
  
  If OP actually wants a very simple way of playing a film from an actual USB drive, I would use a PI with VLC.
  
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  Eh. I can stream 4k 60fps games through Steamlink and have used it for movies too. It works perfectly.
  
  Plus, you get a computer out of it too and can game.
  
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- +1 on that.
  
  But...by the time you put together the bill of quantities for the Pi, Case, Power brick, Active cooling, remote.... The 1080p Firestick becomes cheaper. The Firesticks advert filled UI can be wrangled using a custom launcher.
  
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  Yeah, true. I got my 4 a couple of weeks ago and all the bits and pieces came to about $100 from Amazon with some sales.
  
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  Definitely true; while it would have been more fun setting up something like a Pi4 with Plasma Bigscreen to avoid content ecosystems, it seems that choosing between a Google TV or Fire TV stick or a USB-supporting BluRay player will be a more economical option. Haven't delved much into custom launchers before, but it seems that might be a good solution for the sort of minimalistic UI I'm looking for.
  
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I dont know if these devices are available worldwide, but we, Indonesian, have 2 cheap devices exactly for that. ZTE B860H V5 and HG680FJ. It's like $10 without remote, and another $1 for the remote.

It came locked by one of our ISP, but you can easily unlock it and put anything you want in it. Linux, OpenWRT, or just regular Android TV. ROM choices are limitless.

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- While I certainly have a budget, the problem with the lowest-end Google TV / Android TV devices is that while they work fine for their intended purpose of streaming, they're less likely to flawlessly support the most demanding of video codecs while processing video output locally via VLC or another media player.
  
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  It's a actually pretty capable device tho. It has s905x2 processor which is on par or better than RPi4.
  
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  https://youtu.be/k9CyFiU3Lko?si=U_nQ6g-AHYV91YRu
  
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The "simplest" method is to plug the USB straight into the TV if the TV supports USB playback. You could also try plugging the USB into the router as many of them support DLNA servers - not a solution but a piece of the puzzle that can be used.

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I use a mini pc (ryzen 3200u) from aliexpress. you can use whatever OS you want.

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- Seconding mini pc as a good option. I use a mini lenovo think station I got of fb marketplace
  
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AFAIK fire sticks etc. can be installed with custom operating systems

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- Custom launcher like Wolf Launcher,Yes. Not a custom ROM.
  
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Get your hands on any old working PC or Laptop and load Linux Mint. Default video player is good enough and it has USB ports. I have had no compatibility issues with remotes.

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Kodi seems like your best bet, it's very accessible across many devices, you could use an older PC, Raspberry Pi or even an Xbox if you wanted to save money by repurposing a device you may already have.

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Maybe a Raspberry Pi or similar single board compter running Kodi and a USB based wireless remote? Not as simple as some out of box solution (if any exist) but should be easy to use.

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If tv cant play from usb its probably 10+ years old with small screen size. You can get brand new 40" 1080p android tv from 180€. You can just turn off internet and use it as a usb player if thats what you want. Rpi 4 4GB + psu + SD card + hdmi cable is like 120-130€ and you will still have a big pile of cables behind that old tv.

There might be better options than android tv, IDK, Im not expert. Im also not google fan, but android tv just works fine for me.

USB hubs can work, but I wouldnt put them in the same sentence with word "reliable". Maybe I just had bad luck with them... My setup is android tv + jellyfin server with sata drives

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- Unfortunately it's a relatively new TV that just happens to not be a smart one. Having helped my other relatives pick an inexpensive Google TV powered smart TV specifically for its VLC compatibility, I would have preferred to have done the same in this case, but hopefully I can find something that'll work all the same.
  
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  Did you try playing videos from USB? It can be done on most non-smart tvs
  
  Otherwise you need small computer with USB or sata ports. Rapsberry pi, banana pi, intel nuc and simmilar. Lot of smart tv boxes dont have any port for storage
  
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