This is your smart TV's big secret that is concealed in its USB ports
Whether you have an Android TV or a standard smart TV, you've probably noticed that it has several inputs for specific cables, such as HDMI, Ethernet (LAN), optical audio (TOSLINK), and AV (RCA).
The truth is that when it comes to Universal Serial Bus connectors, there is a big difference between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, which are two of the most widely used versions.
However, knowing what each type does specifically is a secret for many users, preventing them from taking advantage of all the features to optimize the TV's maximum performance.
Although it may seem very difficult, it is all about determining the physical composition and details. If you do not know how they work, in this article you will learn everything about these ports so that you can use them without any problems.
- Check the color of the interior of the entrance
The bottom of the ports will always be different in color, as this indicates their functions and what exactly they are for. They usually differ in USB type, but their transfer speeds vary.
Some of the most common colors in smart TVs are black, which is USB 2.0 with a maximum speed of up to 480 Mbps; white, which is 1.0 or 2.0 up to 12 Mbps; and dark blue, which is USB 3.0 with a speed of up to 5 Gbps, which is the most used in current devices.
However, there is also the light blue color for USB 3.1, which is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 10 Gbps, and the red color for USB 3.2, which is the most advanced with speeds of up to 20 Gbps. The yellow color is the same as 3.2 but is more commonly used in mobile devices.
Sometimes they don't show any color at all, as they are uniform patterns used for different things at medium speed.
- Count the number of pins
In this context, pins also play an important role along with colors to identify the process.
In the middle of the interior, you should see some rectangles, where the quantity determines the capacity it has.
The four-pin ports are USB 22.0, and the nine-pin ports are 3.0 or 3.1, which determines the transfer speed. In case you don't see the color, look at the number of pins to get an idea of what type it is.
- Use the port according to the device you want to connect to.
Now that you know the functions of each type of USB input, it is important that you use your devices correctly.
That means, if you have a computer that connects via USB 3.0 and your smart TV has multiple ports, use the most convenient port, which is the dark blue one, in this case. The same goes if you plan to activate devices like Roku, Chromecast, and Fire TV Stick.
This way, you can take full advantage of all the features and avoid future connection problems. By following all the information, the next time you use one of the inputs on your TV, you will do it correctly.