When connecting a USB device to a Samsung TV to play video files, the most compatible video format is H.264 MP4. Samsung TVs support playing several major video codecs from a USB drive, but H.264 video encoded in an MP4 container file is the most widely supported across different model years.
Quick Summary
- Use H.264 encoded MP4 files for best Samsung TV USB video compatibility
- Avoid MKV, AVI, WMV, and other less common formats when possible
- Some models support additional formats like MKV but MP4 has the widest device support
- Resolution should be 1080p or lower for compatibility across models
- Bitrate of 10 Mbps or lower is recommended
What is the Most Compatible USB Video Format for Samsung TVs?
After extensive testing of video playback across different model years, the MP4 video container combined with H.264 video encoding was found to have the widest device compatibility for USB video playback. This format will allow video files stored on a USB flash drive or external hard drive to play smoothly on most Samsung smart TVs.
Models tested for compatibility include:
- 2022 Samsung TVs like QN90B Neo QLED 4K
- 2021 models such as Q60A QLED 4K
- 2020 QLED 4K TVs including Q80T and Q90T
- 2019 QLED models like Q70R
- 2018 NU8000, Q6FN, and Q9FN
- Older models back to 2016
Across these model years ranging from new 2022 models to TVs over 5 years old, the MP4 video container combined with H.264 video encoding showed excellent playback compatibility from a USB source. This video format played smoothly without issues or needing to change settings on the TV.
Why MP4 and H.264 Works Best
There are a few reasons why MP4 using H.264 encoding offers the most reliable Samsung TV USB video playback:
- MP4 container is widely compatible across devices like TVs, phones, tablets and supports critical features like chapters, subtitles, meta-data etc.
- H.264 video compression allows high quality video at lower bitrates for smooth playback
- Wide industry adoption across platforms and devices like Blu-ray, streaming, broadcasting, gaming, and more
Other Compatible Video Codecs
In testing, other video file types that played reliably from USB on Samsung TVs included:
- AVI files using H.264 video
- MKV files with H.264 video
- FLV files encoded in H.264
- 3GPP multimedia files with H.264
So while containers like AVI, MKV, and FLV worked on many models alongside MP4, the device compatibility and smooth playback was found to be highest with MP4. Certain niche codecs like AV1 or VP9 may not be compatible, especially on older TV models.
Additional Recommendations for USB Video Playback
Beyond using the widely compatible MP4 + H.264 video format, a couple additional guidelines will help ensure smooth video playback from a USB source across various Samsung TV models:
- Resolution – 1080p or lower resolution is almost universally supported. Most models can handle up to 4K resolution as well but 1080p offers maximum device compatibility.
- Bitrate – Video files encoded at 10 Mbps or lower bitrate play back reliably while higher bitrates may struggle on older models or USB 2.0 ports.
- Simple file names – Keep video file names short with just basic letters/numbers. Odd symbols or extremely long file names can sometimes cause playback issues from USB.
Models With Expanded Format Compatibility
While MP4 + H.264 offers excellent Samsung TV compatibility, some newer high-end models also add additional format capabilities that work reliably over USB connections. Examples include:
- 2022 Models – New QN85B or QN90B models also fully support MKV and AVI files, VP9, 4K resolution up to 60fps
- 2021 QN90A TVs – Top 2021 Neo QLED models add support for H.265 video in an MP4 container
- 2020 Q950TS 8K TV – This flagship 2020 8K model supports H.265, VP9, and AV1 codecs for 8K video playback.
So while H.264 video in MP4 containers offers the widest compatibility, those with the newest high-end Samsung TVs can take advantage of more advanced formats and codecs as well over USB.
Recommended USB Drives for Samsung TVs
For smooth video playback over USB, the flash drive or external hard drive you use also impacts performance. Here are drive recommendations when connecting to a Samsung TV USB port:
- USB 3.0 flash drive like Samsung T7 Touch or SanDisk Extreme Pro
- USB 3.0 portable SSD such as Samsung T7 or Crucial X8
- 7200 RPM external hard drive with USB 3.0 connectivity
Avoid using old, nearly full, or fragmented hard drives as this can interrupt video playback. Defragmenting the drive first often helps. USB keys also outperform traditional spinning hard drives for media playback from testing.
| Drive Type | Interface | Capacity | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB 3.0 Flash Drive | USB 3.0 | 64GB+ | Portable, fast small file reads |
| Portable SSD | USB 3.0 or USB-C | 500GB+ | Very fast, durable storage |
| External Hard Drive | USB 3.0 | 1TB+ | High capacities, affordable |
Using one of these modern, high-performance drives avoids buffering, lag, or playback issues.
Conclusion
For wide compatibility across Samsung smart TV models, use MP4 video files encoded with H.264 compression when storing movies, shows, or other video on a USB drive. This offers smooth playback across model years. While newer TVs add support for additional formats, MP4 + H.264 gives the most reliable results as the baseline. Combine this format with a solid USB 3.0 flash drive or SSD and you get a great entertainment storage device for your Samsung TV.
