External storage for tv? 9 December 2020 at 10:24AM in Phones & TV 14 replies 182 views

Medz

Hello,

I would like to buy an external hard drive to record tv. I have a clash of programs I would love to watch on Sunday; that are unlikely to be repeated (and aren’t on Freeview catch up).  

The LG site sets out the specifications for the device. 

I already have a hard drive for my Mac. I assume because its for a Mac the tv gives no option to format it. 

What would you recommend I buy; and how much should I expect to spend (on no frills budget)? 

Also can anyone explain to why LG specify ‘maximum’ storage criteria; as opposed to ‘minimum’. 

Hopefully other non tech savvy folk will benefit from this thread. 

Many thanks as always for your always brilliant advice. 

Best wishes. 

missile

I currently have a WD external USB hard drive attached to my LG TV and it records fine.
My drive was previously connected to my PC using Windows 10. I guess you may need to reformat your drive.

Medz

missile said:

I currently have a WD external USB hard drive attached to my LG TV and it records fine.
My drive was previously connected to my PC using Windows 10. I guess you may need to reformat your drive.

I inserted it. The tv recognises it. It registers it as only having very little storage space. I thought I might need to format it. 

I clicked ‘input’ and that apparently is where the format option is; but all I see is the ‘eject’ option.  I thought perhaps you can’t format one with a Mac label. 

missile

You can reformat any drive. Connect it to your PC to reformat. 

You have filled a ITB drive?

Medz

missile said:

You can reformat any drive. Connect it to your PC to reformat. 

You have filled a ITB drive?

No. It is unused straight out of the box. 

I don’t have a PC; only a MacBook. 

Neil_Jones

Fuse on Mac should be able to do it (I don't have a Mac, so I can't comment, but I know it can't use NTFS out of the box):

https://www.howtogeek.com/236055/how-to-write-to-ntfs-drives-on-a-mac/

Chino

Medz said:

I clicked ‘input’ and that apparently is where the format option is; but all I see is the ‘eject’ option.  I thought perhaps you can’t format one with a Mac label. 

If it's any consolation, I have an LG television with an NTFS-formatted USB drive connected and I'm only offered the "Eject" option when I select it from "Inputs"; there's no "Format" option despite what the following page claims:
https://www.lg.com/uk/support/product-help/CT00008334-1435837452345

Medz

Chino said:

Medz said:

I clicked ‘input’ and that apparently is where the format option is; but all I see is the ‘eject’ option.  I thought perhaps you can’t format one with a Mac label. 

If it's any consolation, I have an LG television with an NTFS-formatted USB drive connected and I'm only offered the "Eject" option when I select it from "Inputs"; there's no "Format" option despite what the following page claims:
https://www.lg.com/uk/support/product-help/CT00008334-1435837452345

The plot thickens. It’s almost as thick as me when it comes to technology! lol

missile

I am sure you could reformat drive with your MacBook(?) I installed dual boot on my iMac so I could use either operating system. 
USB drives are not expensive but I would suggest a PVR like BT Youview box would be a better option for you. Cheap as chips on eBay.

Gizmo247

I bought one of these for each of my Samsung TVs a while back - they work great and occupy almost no space:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B083ZS4HYD/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_bGo0Fb2QWCXA2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Medz

Gizmo247 said:

I bought one of these for each of my Samsung TVs a while back - they work great and occupy almost no space:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B083ZS4HYD/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_bGo0Fb2QWCXA2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I really like the size. Especially since I have a really narrow mantle under the tv. 

I was concerned to read all the buyer feedback about it overheating though. Have you found that to be an issue?