How to Use a USB Memory Stick for Your Digitised Photos and Videos

USB memory sticks are one of the most popular ways to receive digitised family photos and videos. The amount of data they can hold is remarkable, so whether you have one video or one hundred, it's usually possible to store everything on a single USB stick by simply using one with a larger capacity.

Many people, however, are unsure what they can actually do with a USB stick once they receive it. Can you watch the videos on your TV? Can you make copies? Is it safe to keep everything on the USB stick?

This guide answers some of the most common questions.

Using a USB Stick on Your TV

USB memory sticks are more versatile than many people realise.

In addition to desktop computers and laptops, most modern televisions also have one or more USB ports. This means you can often plug the USB stick directly into your TV. Before ordering, it's worth checking the side or back of your television for a USB socket. Most Smart TVs support playback from a USB memory stick.

Why USB Sticks Are Formatted Differently

USB sticks can be formatted using different file systems. At Photo Revivals, we use either FAT32 or ExFAT, depending on your file size and the USB stick's capacity.

FAT32: is the most widely compatible format and works with almost all computers, televisions and media players. The only significant limitation is that an individual file cannot be larger than 4GB. In practice, this is enough for approximately three hours of video, depending on the format used.

ExFAT: If a video file is larger than 4GB, or if we are using a high-capacity USB stick, we may use the newer ExFAT format instead.

ExFAT supports much larger files and is compatible with virtually all modern Windows computers, Macs and many Smart TVs.

Although Windows only allows larger USB sticks to be formatted as ExFAT using its built-in tools, specialist software can also format them as FAT32 if required. In reality, this is rarely necessary, as ExFAT works perfectly well for most people.

If you ever experience compatibility issues, we can usually help by splitting larger video files into smaller ones or discussing alternative options.

Make a Backup

One of the biggest advantages of receiving your memories on a USB stick is how easy it is to copy them. We strongly recommend making at least one additional copy as soon as you receive your USB stick. You can copy the files to:

• Your computer

• An external hard drive

• Another USB memory stick

• Secure cloud storage

  
  

Having more than one copy protects your precious memories if a USB stick is ever lost or damaged.

Copy, Don't Move

When making a backup, always copy the files rather than move them.

Copying creates another version while leaving the original safely on the USB stick. Moving the files removes them from the USB drive, leaving you with only one copy.

Keeping multiple copies in different locations is one of the safest ways to preserve your family memories.

Need Help?

If you're unsure whether your television or computer will work with a USB memory stick, or if you have any questions after receiving your digitised videos or photographs, we're always happy to help.

If you're still deciding how you'd like your memories returned, you may also find our article USB Memory Stick, DVD or Cloud Storage: Which Is Best for Your Family Memories? useful, as it explains the advantages of each option.

At Photo Revivals, we want you to enjoy your family memories with complete confidence, both now and for many years to come.

If you have any questions, just call Photo Revivals on 01937 349970 or email mark@photorevivals.com