Quick answer: To play a video now, connect the computer with an HDMI cable or cast it (AirPlay from a Mac, Miracast from Windows). To keep the file on the TV, copy it to an exFAT USB drive, or upload it at Share Large Video Files (up to 20 GB per transfer) and download it on a TV or streaming box that can save files.
Built-in options, and their limits
An HDMI cable is the most reliable way to play anything: the TV just shows the computer screen.
AirPlay from a Mac plays to an Apple TV or an AirPlay-compatible TV. Miracast (Windows key + K) mirrors a Windows PC to TVs that support it. Both stream; nothing is copied.
Most TVs play videos from a USB drive; many accept exFAT as well as FAT32, but FAT32 cannot hold a file over 4 GB.
Send any size from Computer to TV with a link
- Upload the video at Share Large Video Files on the computer.
- If your TV or streaming box can download files (many Android TV and Google TV devices can, with a file manager app), open the link there and download.
- Otherwise, download on the computer and copy the video to a USB drive formatted exFAT (or FAT32 for files under 4 GB).
- Plug the drive into the TV's USB port and open it from the TV's media player.
Things that trip people up
- A file over 4 GB will not copy to a FAT32 drive. If the TV does not read exFAT, split the video or re-encode it smaller.
- TVs are picky about formats: MP4 with H.264 is the safest; HEVC plays on most 4K TVs; MKV on many; ProRes and some audio codecs (such as DTS) on few.
- Wireless mirroring can stutter with high-bitrate 4K. Use HDMI or a USB drive for long films.
What TVs play, roughly
| Format | Plays on most TVs? |
|---|---|
| MP4, H.264 + AAC | Yes, the safest choice |
| MP4 or MKV, HEVC | Most 4K TVs |
| MKV, H.264 | Many; check the manual |
| MOV (ProRes) | Rarely; export an MP4 |
| AVI, WMV | Older formats; convert to MP4 |
Your TV's manual lists exactly which containers and codecs its USB player supports.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to watch a computer video on a TV?
An HDMI cable from the computer to the TV. It plays anything the computer can play.
Why won't my TV play the video from USB?
Usually the format: convert it to MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio, which almost every TV plays. Also check the drive format (FAT32 or exFAT).
Can I send a video to someone else's TV?
Send them a link. They download it on a computer or a smart TV box and play it from there or from a USB drive.
Why does the copy fail at 4 GB?
The USB drive is FAT32, which cannot hold files over 4 GB. Reformat it as exFAT if your TV supports it.
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