Sony TV USB Supported Formats: Image, Video & Audio Compatibility

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Your Sony TV is ready for more than just cable channels!

If you’ve been puzzled by which USB formats, video types, or audio files work with your TV, you’re in the right place.

Dive into our simple guide to seamlessly connect your media to your Sony TV, no tech expertise required!

How to Check Supported USB Formats

The easiest way to verify your TV’s supported USB formats is by heading to the official Sony website or an e-commerce website like Amazon or Best Buy.

Go to the search bar, commonly found at the top of the screen, and search for your Sony TV model. Select it in the results and scroll down to the specs section which contains all of the technical details for your TV.

Look for USB drive format support or something similar. Here, you will find which formats your TV supports. For instance, you can find your Sony TV’s supported USB format in the specs section of the Sony website (see an example below).

Source: Sony

Check the Help Guide on your TV

Your TV’s Help Guide contains its specs, including supported USB formats.

Let’s learn how to access it!

Step 1: Open your TV’s Help Guide by following one of the two methods listed below.

• Hit your remote’s Help key.
• Click the remote’s Home key, then head to Apps. Go to See all, followed by Help. Open the Help Guide.

Step 2: Head to Using the TV with Other Devices.

Step 3: Go to USB devices.

Step 4: Open Information about USB devices used for storing photos and music.

Step 5: Take note of the supported formats.

Check the Help Guide on the Web

Alternatively to check the Help Guide on your TV, you can also access the same Help Guide in a web browser on your computer or smartphone by following the steps below.

Step 1: Go to the Sony Support page.

Step 2: Click on your country or region.

Step 3: Take note of your Sony TV model number and enter it into the Search Bar at the top of the screen.

Step 4: Open Manuals.

Step 5: Go to Help Guide (Web manual).

Step 6: Navigate to Using the TV with Other Devices.

Step 7: Head to USB devices.

Step 8: Click on Information about USB devices used for storing photos and music.

How to Check Video, Image, and Audio Formats

Videos, images, and audio files must also be formatted correctly to be read by your Sony TV.

Let’s learn about how to check your Sony TV’s supported video, image, and audio formats.

Check the Help Guide on Your TV

In addition to displaying all supported USB formats, your TV’s Help Guide also contains all compatible media formats. You can access this guide through your TV’s settings.

Step 1: Depending on your TV model, follow one of the methods below to navigate to the Help Guide.

• Hit the Help button on your remote.
• Press the remote’s Home button. Then, navigate to Apps, before clicking See all. Go to Help, and then Help Guide.

Step 2: Navigate to Using the TV with Other Devices.

Step 3: Head to USB devices.

Step 4: Go to Supported files and formats.

Step 5: Choose a type of media file (e.g. Photos, Music, Videos, etc.) to see its supported file formats.

Check the Help Guide on the Web

You also have the option of verifying your TV’s supported file formats by going to the Help Guide on your computer or smartphone.

Step 1: Navigate to the Sony Support page in a browser.

Step 2: Choose your country/region from the list.

Step 3: Correctly enter your TV’s model number into the Search Bar.

Step 4: Click on Manuals.

Step 5: Open the Help Guide (Web manual).

Step 6: Head to Using the TV with Other Devices.

Step 7: Click on USB devices.

Step 8: Go to Supported files and formats.

Step 9: Select the media type you want to check.

All Supported USB Formats for Sony TVs

A USB drive can support different formats. These will decide which devices or operating systems are compatible, and hence, will be able to read and write on them.

Knowing the technical differences between these formats isn’t necessary when reformatting your own USB, but if you’re curious to learn more about them, check out the article What File System Should I Use for My USB Drive?

Sony TVs support the following file systems:

• NTFS
• FAT12
• FAT16
• FAT32
• exFAT (This is the only format that supports files larger than 4GB.)

Meanwhile, Sony BRAVIA models support:

• FAT16
• FAT32
• exFAT
• NTFS (This format is only supported by models released in 2013 or later.)

How to Change a USB Format

Follow the instructions below to convert your USB to a compatible format on Windows and Mac OS.

Warning: Converting your USB will delete all of its data, so save everything you want to keep on another storage drive.

Window OS:

Step 1: Click the Start button, and search for and open “File Explorer.”

Step 2: Navigate to This PC/My Computer.

Step 3: Find your USB’s name and right-click it.

Step 4: Choose Format from the drop-down menu.

Step 5: Set a compatible File system (e.g. FAT32) for your Sony TV.

Step 6: Click on Start.

Step 7: When a window pops up warning you that all of your USB’s data will be erased, click OK.

Step 8: Then, press OK to close the confirmation window informing you that the reformatting process is complete.

Mac OS:

Step 1: Simultaneously press Command (cmd) and the space bar on your keyboard. Then, search for and launch Disk Utility.

Step 2: Click on your USB’s name on the left side of the screen.

Step 3: Head to Erase at the top of the window.

Step 4: Find the Volume Format and set it to MS-DOS File System.

Step 5: Select Erase.

Step 6: In the confirmation pop-up, press Erase again.

Step 7: Exit Disk Utility.

How to Play Your Photos, Videos, and Music

Once you’ve formatted your USB, you’re ready to start playing compatible media files on your Sony TV.

Let’s learn how!

Step 1: With your Sony TV turned on, plug your USB into it.

Step 2: Click your remote’s Home key before following one of the methods listed below to launch your USB files.

• Your Apps → See All → Media Player → Album, Music, Video → Select your USB’s name
• Apps → Media Player → Choose your USB
• Media → Photos, Music, Videos → Click on your USB device
• Connected Devices → USB → Photos, Music or Videos
• Media Server → USB

Step 3: When prompted, allow the Media Player to access the photos and media on your device.

Step 4: Find and highlight the media file you want to open, then press the Select button.

All Supported Video Formats for Sony TVs

Sony TVs support a large range of video formats including:

• H.263
• H.264 AVC
• H.265 HEVC
• MPEG-4 SP
• VP8
• VP9 (Only on 4K TV models.)
• WMV
• VP6
• MJPEG

Head to the media file you want to display on your TV and take note of its format. If it’s not set to a compatible video format, proceed to the next section to learn how to convert it.

How to Change a Video Format

Follow the steps below to change a video file’s format.

Step 1: Open Freeconvert.com/video-converter in a web browser on your computer.

Step 2: Drag and drop the file you’d like to convert on the website.

Step 3: Select a video format supported by your Sony TV.

Step 4: Click Convert, and download your converted file once the process is complete.

All Supported Image Formats for Sony TVs

If you’re looking to display an image on your Sony TV, it must be set to one of the following file formats:

• JPEG
• ARW
• HEIF

How to Change an Image Format

Let’s learn how to adjust your image file’s format.

Step 1: Go to Freeconvert.com/image-converter on your computer.

Step 2: Drag a file to the website.

Step 3: Choose a compatible image format.

Step 4: Press the Convert button and download your converted file.

All Supported Music/Audio Formats for Sony TVs

The music/audio formats supported by Sony TVs include:

• AAC
• FLAC
• MP3
• MIDI
• Vorbis
• AMR-NB
• AMR-WB
• PCM/WAVE
• WMA
• AC3
• DTS

How to Change a Music/Audio Format

Follow the steps below to reformat your music/audio file.

Step 1: Open Freeconvert.com/audio-converter in a browser.

Step 2: Drag a file into Choose Files window.

Step 3: Choose your desired file format.

Step 4: Click Convert and download your converted file.

Wrapping Things Up

Sony TVs only support select file systems and media file formats. Since most USBs aren’t automatically set to these file systems, you will have to convert them manually before connecting them to your Sony TV.

You may also have to convert your media file if it isn’t already set to a compatible format.

Remember, you can always verify your Sony TV’s compatible formats by checking the official Sony website, or the Help Guide on your TV or in a web browser.

Once your USB and media files are compatible with your Sony TV, you’re ready to start displaying them!

Did you know which formats your Sony TV supports? What’s your experience converting a USB or media file?

Let us know in the comments below!

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