Question External HDD files not showing up on LG TV ?

[HardDrive to TV Fix Neede]

The LG TV recognizes the hard drive just fine as far as I can tell. It knows when its plugged into the usb port in the back of the TV. But when I go to open it NONE of the hard drive's folders actually shows up. It would be one thing if there were empty folders but that isn't the case. Instead NONE of the folders show up on the TV. Instead the only folder that "shows up" is one that doesn't even exist titled "LG TV" --- Help! Why isn't the TV picking up the actual hard drive files. The TV goes through the step to select vid vs music files and everything but the folders just don't show up.

 

[Aeacus]

Is it isolated incident or has it been always so with that specific TV?

Though, i've seen such instances before and it comes down to device (in your case: TV) not being able to read folder structure (some even can't read data inside subfolders). This is actually quite common with media playback devices. Regular media playback devices aren't PCs and usually can't make sense of folders and folder structure. Instead, all media should be in the root directory, without being inside folders/subfolders for media playback.

 

[SkyNetRising]

The LG TV recognizes the hard drive just fine as far as I can tell. It knows when its plugged into the usb port in the back of the TV. But when I go to open it NONE of the hard drive's folders actually shows up.

What is full model name of the TV ?
Your TV probably doesn't support file system used by your external drive.
Usual requirement is Fat32 file system. It may not necessarily read NTFS or Mac file systems.

What external drive are you using?
2.5" drive? 3.5"drive ? Does it have external power?
If your external drive doesn't have external power, then it's also possible,
your TV can't supply enough power through USB, to operate drive properly.

 

[HardDrive to TV Fix Neede]

Is it isolated incident or has it been always so with that specific TV?

Though, i've seen such instances before and it comes down to device (in your case: TV) not being able to read folder structure (some even can't read data inside subfolders). This is actually quite common with media playback devices. Regular media playback devices aren't PCs and usually can't make sense of folders and folder structure. Instead, all media should be in the root directory, without being inside folders/subfolders for media playback.

No, not isolated event for this particular external. I recently bought a new one and loaded it with media, some of which is straight copied from a former USB that was working with the TV as well as another flash drive. I've been able to see the files on an older hard drive but when I copied them to the new drive the TV doesn't show the folders they're in. And now the old drive does the same thing. I am assuming its a formating issue at this point but I am a compleate newbie at this sort of thign so don't know how to proceed

 

[kerberos_20]

lg smart tvs can read ntfs, but it cant read GPT drives, it needs to be in MBR format
also i see no mention about exFAT format, just fat32 or ntfs with 2TB size limit

 

[Dylan Beckett]

Also keep in mind that a video file can look like the same format, eg mkv... but have very different parameters... eg 264 files might work but not 265.

Play a whole bunch and see which ones work and which don't, then use something like:
https://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo

You install that on your pc, and it ads a right click extension to your file explorer (may be hidden by default, click to show more etc).

Then you just click on a video file and run that, see what the differences are between the ones that do and don't work.

Also ask on a more LG smart TV specific forum as they might have the answers you really want without less work.

The No NTFS can be a thing... but also, somethings will only work for drives up to a certain size.

If you have a USB 3 (blue port), try using that instead of the USB 2 one.

I've found the default 'media player' can be useless on my bravia (just an example)... it'll play some things but, others are glitchy or don't work at all.

So you need to use an app like VLC or JustPlayer on your Smart TV. Sideload them if you have to/can. LG sucks for that cause it's not android. Get android for your next Smart TV!

It can also help to force close, clear the cache of the app that's not letting it play, then reopen and see if that helps. And ideally, if you expect problems with certain files, reboot the tv before you even try it (not power off, reboot).

JustPlayer plays DV btw, good to know (videos play green and purple otherwise).

BTW, don't forget to check the usb cables, and maybe reformat the drives you're using.
Also, uninstall any apps you really don't need as most tvs have no space left and they run badly as a result.

Check how big the internal storage is on the smart tv... you might be shocked at how lame it is.


Good luck.