Could anyone provide instructions on how I can view iMovie footage on a TV?
I have the footage on a USB drive, but the TV will not play it (TV is Panasonic 50 inch flat screen)
The main intention will be to play footage in a gallery situation on domestic flat screen TV but brand of TV as yet not known.
Thanks for any help with this.
MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012), iOS 11.2
Thank you for your quick response, but could I ask for more information?
I have an early version of an Apple TV box and access to HDMI cables, but does this mean I have to have the macBook with the TV to send the signal from MacBook to the TV? My intention was to run separate iMovie animations on two separate TV's. Is there not a way of plugging in a usb drive directly into a TV without having the MacBook in the chain? (it will be in a public space and not attended be me at all times).
I apologise if I am using up more of your time with this query.
Thanks Rich for the information.
A USB is just a connection cable (in most cases) so the TV's would need other hardware or software to "read" the contents stored on the USB device.
Some modern HD TV's can read the data on a USB device. Those that do will also have at least on USB port or the side or rear.
Apple TV's have internal storage so you wouldn't need a nearby computer.
The internal storage on new Apple Tvs is for Apps only. You won't be able to directly store media on it. Unless you download an App that specifically allows this like VLC.
Beyond that, what format is the video in in the USB?
If you kept it as a iMovie project it will not play, you would need to export it as say mp4 or some more commo format the TV can play.
Refer to your TV's user guide for what formats it expects, and whether it can read media off of a USb drive directly.
Once you get it working on your TV, you'll have some idea of how to get it to work on the other unknown Tv assuming it supports media playback from a USB device.
Hi,
Format your USB drive to ExFat and that might solve it. That worked for another poster here. You can do that using the Disc Utility app in the Utilities Folder on your Mac. ExFat will be one of the options. Reformatting the disc will erase all data on it, so you will need to remove your movie from it first, or have a back-up of the movie that you can then download to the disc. If it doesn't work you always can reformat the disc back to its original format.
I have a 55in flat screen Panasonic, and I have never been able to get either a Fat 32 formatted USB or a Mac OS extended (journaled) formatted USB to play on it.
Another way is to connect your Mac to the TV and whatever plays on the computer will display on the TV.
-- Rich
Thank you for responding.
The format is .mov which as far as I know is the iMovie format.
As you say, changing the format to mp4 sounds like it will work. I will try this.
Thank you again
iMovie for Mac: What is iMovie Theater?
Get an Apple TV and a HDMI cable and you can share any audio or video on your computer or iOS device.
Yes, mp4 is probably a safe bet. My Panasonic Viera cannot play .mov files but can play mp4 or mpegs.
I would assume any TV available at the location, may have a similar restriction.
Thank you Rich and Phil and everyone who helped out on this.
Brian
You're welcome. Glad we could help.
How do I view iMovie footage on a TV?
