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Don't ignore your TV's USB port — 4 things it can do
Your TV's USB port is probably the most underutilized port in your entire home. Most people see the USB port as a service-only port or a slow way to charge a remote.
Oftentimes, it goes ignored on the back of your TV. The reality is that a TV's USB port is a versatile gateway for data and power, helping address common smart TV issues. It can even let you turn a standard dumb TV into a full-fledged media center, or a smart TV into a power-user rig.
Add some back lighting
The visual upgrade
An easy way to use your TV's USB port is to plug in an LED light strip for cool-looking back lighting. The benefit is that it's not just for aesthetic purposes. It can also reduce eye strain in dark rooms and can improve perceived contrast on your screen, making for a much more pleasurable viewing or gaming experience.
Another benefit of using a USB port for these lights rather than a nearby power outlet is that, since the port is powered by the TV, the lights should turn on and off automatically with the screen. You don't need an extra remote, and you don't have to worry about excess power usage when you're not actually using your TV.
Local media playback
Master offline 4K playback
If you want to appreciate the higher resolution of your TV, you might find that streaming bitrates on Netflix and YouTube are often throttled and don't do your panel justice. An alternative is a high-speed USB drive that enables high-quality playback without an internet connection. You can still opt for offline 4K video playback without needing a separate DVD or Blu-ray player.
From a technical perspective, you can use apps such as VLC or Kodi on Android or Google TV to play MKV or MP4 files directly from a thumb drive or external SSD. It's worth taking note of the file systems, whether that's FAT32, EXFAT, or NTFS, as TVs can be very picky about drive formatting.
Peripheral input
Make your TV more than just a TV
By using different peripherals with your TV, you can use it for more than just watching movies. You can connect a keyboard or mouse to navigate a TV web browser, or use it to type long passwords so you don't have to use the remote's d-pad. A wireless USB dongle makes this instant if you've already got a wireless keyboard and mouse at home. Just plug the USB dongle in, and you should be ready to go.
Many modern TVs also support wired or wireless game controllers via USB, enabling cloud gaming. Some TVs offer apps such as Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce Now that can be installed directly on the TV, so connecting a controller lets you play comfortably. A select few smart TVs, particularly those that run Google TV or Samsung's Tizen, actually support USB webcams for big-screen video calls. If you want to call your friends or family and see all their pores thanks to the magic of 4K, this is an option you can take advantage of.
Expanding external storage
Stretch your TV even further
Most smart TVs come with a modest 8GB or 16GB of internal storage, which is fine for many users but can fill up quickly for some, particularly if you're installing high-end games or applications. You can use a USB drive as adoptable storage for your smart TV, which is useful for Android TVs if you plan to install a large number of apps. Just plug the USB drive in, then go to your TV's developer options and enable external storage, giving your TV access to extra storage.
Some people might note that a common issue as their TVs age is that they begin to lag and slow down. This can sometimes be because your internal storage is full. Rather than buying a new TV, a small USB drive can be a simple, elegant way to speed up your current TV.
Be aware of power and formatting limits
Before buying anything new to plug into your TV, be aware that not all TV ports are created equal. There's a major difference between a standard 0.5A port and a 1.0+ HDD labeled USB port. Whatever you're planning to plug in, ensure your TV provides it with enough power and data to function correctly.
If you're using a powered streaming stick, such as a Chromecast or an Amazon Fire TV Stick, you'll likely still want to use a wall plug to avoid boot loops caused by low USB power.
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