Modern TVs are smart, meaning all you need to do is plug them in and turn them on. Most of the setup involves downloading the streaming services you subscribe to and signing in to them.
Yet, if you turn the TV around, you’ll notice several ports on the back—not just HDMI ports. One of them is a USB port. While it’s easy to overlook, the USB port is actually useful and supports several accessories worth using.
The downside of the USB port
While the port functions like other USB ports, there is one important difference: it is not always powered. As a result, accessories plugged into the port may not stay on or receive power at all times.
This is because the USB port draws power directly from the TV. If the TV is turned off, the port won’t be powered. Due to this, the USB port may only supply power when the TV is on, unless the model supports power in standby mode.
Since a USB port’s power behavior can vary by model, you shouldn’t assume your TV supplies power in standby mode. On the TV I’ve used, there is no standby power for the USB port; it only powers on when the TV is on.
Additionally, standby mode does not output much power when in use. It is significantly lower than the power the port delivers when the TV is on, typically ranging from 0 to 2.5 watts, depending on the TV model.
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