Have you received a memory stick with your digitised video files on it but are struggling to watch the videos on your television or other devices? This guide will help teach you to format your USB so you can watch your videos on any device you like.
There are two main formats of a memory stick that we use at Digital Converters: exFAT and FAT32. FAT32 is our favourite choice of formatting because it works on most devices (such as your Smart TV). However, it cannot handle files over 4GB (roughly 3 hours of video footage) whereas exFAT can.
If you are struggling to get your memory stick working on your TV, try formatting it to FAT32 by following one of our guides:
Guide to formatting a memory stick on a Windows PC:
1. Connect your memory stick to your computer and open the USB’s file on File Explorer.
Occasionally, there will be a pop-up that comes on the screen asking what you would like to do with the USB device inserted. Click on the option to open and view the files. If this pop-up does not appear, open File Explorer and find the USB device through there.
Your USB will be named after your order number. This is the same number printed on the labels found on the media you sent to us.
2. Copy all the files onto your computer’s hard drive to back them up.
This is the most important step!
If you do not back up your files onto your computer, you will lose all your precious media when formatting.
To copy the files onto your computer: select all the files on the memory stick; right-click and select copy; open Documents on File Explorer and create a file to save your media in. Open the file, right-click and select paste.
3. Right-click on your USB drive and click on ‘Format’.
A new window will pop up asking how you would like your USB formatted.
4. From the window, select FAT32 from the drop-down bar under File System.
FAT32 is the most accessible of USB formats. It works with the majority of Smart TV’s and supports other devices.
5. Click on ‘Start’ and ‘OK’ to commence the formatting process.
This process will take a few minutes – you may want to make a cuppa whilst you are waiting.
6. Once the formatting is completed click on ‘OK’.
Your memory stick has now been formatted to FAT32!
7. Copy the backed-up files back onto the USB drive.
Open the file where you have copied your media. Copy these files and paste them onto your newly formatted memory stick.
Guide to formatting a memory stick on an Apple Mac:
1. Connect your memory stick to your computer and open the USB’s file.
If you have the latest MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, you will need a USB-C adaptor to connect your memory sticks to your computer.
To find the memory stick’s folder, click the Finder window and select the correct drive.
2. Back up your files onto the computer.
This is the most important step!
If you do not back up your files onto your computer, you will lose all your precious media when formatting.
To copy your files onto your computer: highlight the files to be copied; press Command-C; find a safe destination to save your files; press Command-V to paste your precious memories onto your computer.
3. Open Applications: select Utilities and double-click Disk Utility.
Formatting the USB will wipe all the data saved onto it. Please make sure you have backed up your files before continuing!
4. From the left windowpane, select your USB drive.
At Digital Converters, we always title memory sticks with your order number. This will be a 5-digit number that is printed on the labels found on the media you sent to us.
5. Click on the ‘Erase’ tab displayed on the top toolbar and select Format on the dropdown bar.
You have the choice to change the name of your memory stick here. This may be useful if you want your own personalised name for the memory stick instead of our generated order number.
6. From the dropdown bar, select FAT32.
FAT32 is the file format that can be accessed by most devices.
7. To begin the formatting, click on OK and then Erase.
This process may take a few minutes – whilst you are waiting you may want to make yourself a cuppa!
8. Finally, copy your backed up files onto the USB drive.
Open the file where you have copied your media. Copy these files again and paste them into your newly formatted memory stick.
You will now be able to watch your media on your television and other devices!
If something goes wrong:
We have a lovely customer service team who can help you with any technical issues you may have with your memory stick.
Our office is open on weekdays from 9 am to 5:30 pm:
Phone: 01423 319041
Email: info@digitalconverters.co.uk
Online Chat:
https://www.facebook.com/DigitalConverters/
