FAT32 file size and my HDTV - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Willravel · 12-15-2009, 07:04 PM

I recently discovered a USB plug on my HDTV, which it turns out can play media. I tested it by putting the Avatar 1080p video on my 4GB flash drive and plugging it in. Nothing. So I went online and looked around and found that, apparently, the Samsung USB software doesn't recognize the Mac OS format of the flash drive. Fine. I opened up Disk Utility and erased the drive, formatting in what's called "MS-DOS (FAT)" on Mac, but what' most other folks call FAT32. I put the trailer back on the drive and presto, I was watching a 1080p video off the USB flash drive without so much as a skip.

Emboldened, I grabbed my 16GB usb flash drive and reformatted it to FAT32 so I could put feature-length 1080p videos on it, which are considerably larger than 4GB. It formatted without a problem, but when I tried to drag and drop Star Trek in 1080p into the drive, there was an error. I've been able to use the drive for this same file before when it was Mac OS formatted, so I went hunting online. Crap. According to Google, FAT32 has a file size limit of 4GB minus 1 byte.

Should I just go into each movie and edit them into pieces, having to switch files a few times during a viewing? Or is there something I'm missing? I have the Samsung LN40B630 40" LCD and a SanDisk 16GB Cruzer flash drive, in case that helps.

Cynthetiq · 12-15-2009, 08:01 PM

format to NTFS and figure out how to read NTFS on your Mac.

Willravel · 12-15-2009, 08:18 PM

Edit: Creating new thread for relatively different topic...

Willravel · 12-16-2009, 01:30 PM

Turns out the TV only accepts FAT32. Fortunately, there's an application called MKVToolNix which can easily split up MKV files.

kutulu · 12-16-2009, 02:39 PM

This may be a stupid question, but what are the file types that the TV can accept? Are you sure it can play and mkv file or is it maybe just avi, mpeg, and wmv?

Willravel · 12-16-2009, 04:19 PM

I found the booklet that came with the TV and it has a full list, which includes everything from mp4 to avi to mkv.

ASU2003 · 12-16-2009, 07:13 PM

Why can't you just plug your computer into your tv? Does it have vga or dvi/hdmi ports?

Willravel · 12-16-2009, 07:46 PM

I bought a DVI to HDMI adapter and an HDMI cable, but I still need an audio cable. Also, my Mac mini has a bit of trouble with 1080p.

12-15-2009, 07:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	FAT32 file size and my HDTV I recently discovered a USB plug on my HDTV, which it turns out can play media. I tested it by putting the Avatar 1080p video on my 4GB flash drive and plugging it in. Nothing. So I went online and looked around and found that, apparently, the Samsung USB software doesn't recognize the Mac OS format of the flash drive. Fine. I opened up Disk Utility and erased the drive, formatting in what's called "MS-DOS (FAT)" on Mac, but what' most other folks call FAT32. I put the trailer back on the drive and presto, I was watching a 1080p video off the USB flash drive without so much as a skip. Emboldened, I grabbed my 16GB usb flash drive and reformatted it to FAT32 so I could put feature-length 1080p videos on it, which are considerably larger than 4GB. It formatted without a problem, but when I tried to drag and drop Star Trek in 1080p into the drive, there was an error. I've been able to use the drive for this same file before when it was Mac OS formatted, so I went hunting online. Crap. According to Google, FAT32 has a file size limit of 4GB minus 1 byte. Should I just go into each movie and edit them into pieces, having to switch files a few times during a viewing? Or is there something I'm missing? I have the Samsung LN40B630 40" LCD and a SanDisk 16GB Cruzer flash drive, in case that helps.

12-15-2009, 08:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	format to NTFS and figure out how to read NTFS on your Mac. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

12-15-2009, 08:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Edit: Creating new thread for relatively different topic... Last edited by Willravel; 12-15-2009 at 08:40 PM..

12-16-2009, 01:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Turns out the TV only accepts FAT32. Fortunately, there's an application called MKVToolNix which can easily split up MKV files.

12-16-2009, 02:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
kutulu Junkie	This may be a stupid question, but what are the file types that the TV can accept? Are you sure it can play and mkv file or is it maybe just avi, mpeg, and wmv?

12-16-2009, 04:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	I found the booklet that came with the TV and it has a full list, which includes everything from mp4 to avi to mkv.

12-16-2009, 07:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
ASU2003 immoral minority Location: Back in Ohio	Why can't you just plug your computer into your tv? Does it have vga or dvi/hdmi ports?

12-16-2009, 07:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	I bought a DVI to HDMI adapter and an HDMI cable, but I still need an audio cable. Also, my Mac mini has a bit of trouble with 1080p.