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General discussion

USB port on 750 series - can plug USB Hard Drive?

Jul 4, 2008 5:31PM PDT

Description indicates the ability to plug in 'thumb drives'/'flash drives' into the USB port (typically 1-4 GB), but what about portable USB hard drives (300+ GB capacity)? I'm hoping the answer is YES, as this means I can access an almost unlimited amount of content that I've saved from the PC/Internet.

Discussion is locked

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Good question, as I have an external hard drive for media.
Jul 6, 2008 12:03PM PDT

I'm hoping for a good answer to this, as I have an external hard drive (old 40GB from my PS3 that I upgraded to a 160GB HDD, and the 40GB was recycled with an external enclosure) that's actually made for media clips that I hope can be played from my laptop, hooked into the A750, and played back. If not, then I have a 4GB SanDisk Cruzer, so I have no problems.

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Give it a try.
Jul 8, 2008 2:12AM PDT

It can't hurt to plug in the HDD.

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USB port on 750/850 series - can plug USB Hard Drive?
Dec 12, 2008 7:37AM PST

Mr. Samsung or Samsung Tech:

Can one of you answer this question? I am getting the 52" 850 and would like to know if I can hook up an external USB hard drive (as opposed to the thumbdrive).

Appreciate your help!

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USB Port - Why not use the DLNA connection via Ethernet?
Dec 12, 2008 4:59PM PST

Why not use the DLNA connection via the Ethernet port on the back of the TV to connect to your PC? Then using either the Samsung PC Share Manager program that comes on a CD with the TV (or download from Samsung.com) or Windows Media Player using the Library menu and then the Media sharing option (you have to play with a few settings), you can access all compatible content on the PC from the TV.

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USB Port - Why not use the DLNA connection via Ethernet?
Dec 13, 2008 1:16AM PST

I thought this only works with the newest version of Windows Vista Ultimate/Premium?


Also, if this is correct - the connection is:

TV > Router > Computer ? It would give me access to all the music/pictures/videos on the system? I've tried looking at the Samsung website but havent found much info on DLNA. Everything i've read so far says that i need to purchase a "media extender"

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USB Port Why not use the DLNA connection via Ethernet?
Dec 13, 2008 3:42AM PST

Nope, works with XP, mine is connected quite happily right now!

There are several ways to connect, the manual tries to show the various methods, but as with manuals they probably read better when viewed in the orignal ChineseHappy

I have my TV connected to a spare port on my wired Ethernet LAN switch, my PC acts as a hub for the Broadband / ADSL connection point via its modem. so for me it is:

TV - Ethernet Switch - PC - ADSL Modem

Works fine as long as you enable DHCP on the LAN / Firewall settings, I had to hunt around in Control panel to find where to do this which was fun, NOT!

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USB Port Why not use the DLNA connection via Ethernet?
Dec 13, 2008 5:30AM PST

Awesome!

And you got all this info from the manual that comes w/ the TV? I wonder if its online so I can look at it before the TV arrives on Monday.

So you mention this works on XP - any version? I was afraid I'd need a Media Center PC to get it to run.

Also, curious - do you know of anyway to do this wirelessly? I know the Samsung Linkstick exists, but from what I've read - all it does is get the system on the internet to download updates and the extra 'features'. But it doesnt actually allow networking between the TV and your computer's drives.

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USB Port Why not use the DLNA connection via Ethernet
Dec 13, 2008 6:56AM PST

Yep, the manual covers it sufficiently to get the average pc dabbler on the right track. The manual is indeed on line on Samsung.com, you can download a pdf copy, just search for the model you are getting and you will find it in the downloads area.

I use wired Ethernet, I don't trust wireless, even my eighty year old mum could hack most consumer wireless networks with a $50 gizmo off E-Bay, but the book does explain how to use DLNA wireless. It is strange, or maybe not, that Samsung insist you use their Samsung Wireless LAN Adapter (WIS-08BG) in the USB port rather than a proprietary item, they cost around $35, but you could use a Powerline Ethernet connection (adapters that run RJ45 Ethernet over the house ring main) if you can't easily run a cable between the PC and the TV, these run out at $100 a pair. Although I have heard a few people say that you can't do all this wirelessly I can't see why not, I can't see in the book where it specifically says you can't, but you will need to read carefully to check.

XP2 runs DLNA and the PC Share function fine, mine is not a Media Center PC and I can't see why you would need one as the TV is doing the work, the PC is just another storage device.

Just remember DHCP, it was the only thing that stumped me, the settings were in my ADSL / Broadband Modem Properties, Internet Connection Settings, just two boxes to tick that said DHCP 67 and DHCP 68, with these ticked everything burst into life, Infonet and Wiselink all work great.

Now if you could format a 1.5TB USB external drive to read like a USB memory stick, you would have some pretty flexible capability on hand, I know a whizz at work who has a USB stick formatted and prepped to look like a floppy disk drive, I wonder if perhaps the same method could be used on the 1.5TB HDD? Worth investigating I think?

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USB Port Why not use the DLNA connection via Ethernet
Dec 13, 2008 8:16AM PST

Awesome!

Found this:
http://www.samsung.com/us/pdf/dlna_guide.pdf


So, i'm thinking of getting a new router and positioning it right by the TV.. Do you know what the speed of the ethernet port is on the 850? Would I get a benefit from getting a router w/ gigabit ports?

What I want to do is put the TV/Blu-ray player directly attached to the router.. and i'll buy a wireless-n adapter for my desktop which is in the other room.

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USB Port Why not use the DLNA connection via Ethernet
Dec 13, 2008 11:34PM PST

Not sure about the port speed on the TV, probably 100MB, I'm running at 100MB and don't see any speed issues. Maybe the Samsung Tech people could comment on this?