You do not have to upload personal video files to a streaming service to watch them on a TV. Most smart TVs and streaming devices can play files from USB or stream them over your home network.
The best method depends on how many files you have. A USB drive is easiest for a few videos. A media server is better for a large library you want organized and available from multiple devices.
Does this affect you?
Use this if your videos are stored on a computer, phone, USB drive, external drive, or NAS and you want to watch them on a smart TV, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, or Apple TV.
Play files from a USB drive
- Copy the video files to a USB flash drive or external hard drive.
- Format the drive as exFAT or FAT32 for broad TV compatibility. NTFS support varies by brand.
- Plug the drive into a USB port on the TV.
- Open the TV’s Source, Media, USB, Smart View, Media Home, or file browser app.
- Choose the video file and play it.
Most TVs handle common files such as MP4 and MKV, but the codec inside the file matters. A video can have a familiar file extension and still fail on an older TV if the internal codec is unsupported.
For Roku devices with USB support, install Roku Media Player from the Channel Store before playing local USB files.
Set up a home media server
Use a media server if you have a library of movies, shows, or family videos you want organized and available throughout the house.
- Install Plex Media Server, Jellyfin, Emby, Kodi, or a similar tool on a computer or NAS that stays on.
- Point the server to the folder containing your videos.
- Let it scan and organize the library.
- Install the matching app on the TV, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or other device.
- Sign in or connect to the server and start streaming.
For best performance, connect the computer or NAS running the server to the router with Ethernet. Large video files can buffer over weak Wi-Fi.
Cast one local file from a phone
If you only want to play one video from a phone, use the Cast option in a gallery or file manager app when your TV or streaming device supports Chromecast or similar casting. This avoids setting up a full server.
Windows can also share media by DLNA through Media streaming options. It is less polished than Plex or Jellyfin, but it can work for simple browsing on the same network.
Use transcoding when formats fail
Older TVs may not play newer HEVC, AV1, or unusual audio/video formats directly. Plex, Jellyfin, and similar servers can transcode unsupported files into a format the TV can play, which is one of their biggest advantages over USB playback.
Sources
- Plex Support – Set up Plex Media Server and stream to devices (2025)
- Roku Support – Play personal media using the Roku Media Player channel (2025)
- Samsung Support – Play videos from a USB drive or connected device (2025)