Broadcast Simulator
Transform your video library into a simulated live TV broadcast
1. Organize videos into subfolders (each becomes a channel)
2. Open USBTV and select your media folder
3. Your broadcast begins automatically
Chrome, Edge, or Chromium-based browser. Desktop, Android, or Raspberry Pi. Safari and Firefox have limited support.
How to organize your media library for USBTV
Each top-level subfolder becomes a TV channel. Videos inside (including nested subfolders) are shuffled into a deterministic random schedule — you tune in mid-show, just like real TV.
📂 My Media/
├── 📂 Cartoons/
│ ├── episode1.mp4
│ ├── episode2.mp4
│ └── 📂 Season 2/
│ └── episode3.mp4
├── 📂 Movies/
│ ├── film1.mp4
│ └── film2.mp4
├── 📂 Nature Docs/
│ └── documentary.mp4
└── 📄 config.txt (optional)
MP4 (H.264/AAC) is strongly recommended — it works in every browser on every platform. WebM, MKV, and MOV files are also supported, but codec compatibility varies across browsers. HEVC (H.265) video will not play in most browsers. When in doubt, re-encode to H.264 MP4 for guaranteed playback.
USBTV automatically cleans up filenames for display, removing:
Keyboard shortcuts and touch gestures
Use + / - to zoom the timeline. Scroll horizontally to see upcoming programs. Click any channel row to tune to it.
Solutions for common issues
For maximum compatibility, use .MP4 files encoded with H.264 video and AAC audio. This combination works in every browser on every platform. MKV, WebM, and MOV are supported but codec compatibility varies. HEVC (H.265) will not play in most browsers. If a specific file won't play, re-encoding it to H.264 MP4 almost always resolves the issue.
A/V desync within a file is usually caused by variable frame rate (VFR) recordings — common in screen captures and phone videos. Re-encode to constant frame rate (CFR) MP4 to fix. If desync develops gradually over long viewing sessions, USBTV automatically resets the browser's decode pipeline periodically. You can also press R at any time to force a manual resync.
USBTV syncs playback to a schedule clock so every device shows the same content at the same time. Occasional brief pauses or skips can occur when the system corrects for drift between the video position and the schedule. In Smooth mode, corrections are minimal and only happen when drift exceeds 2 seconds. Precision mode keeps tighter sync (useful for multi-device setups) but may cause more frequent micro-adjustments. Choose the mode that fits your setup in Settings → Schedule.
Browsers require explicit permission to access local folders, and this permission can expire after a restart or update. Click the folder icon on the splash screen to re-authorize. Enabling Remember Folder in Settings → Schedule helps, and installing USBTV as a PWA (browser menu → "Install app") provides more persistent access.
For synchronized playback across screens, all devices need: the same seed phrase (set in Settings → Schedule), identical folder names for matched channels, identical filenames within those folders, and a working internet connection for the initial clock sync. Channels are matched by folder name — your full libraries don't need to be identical.
USBTV couldn't reach time servers, so it's using your device's local clock. Single-device playback works fine, but multi-device sync will be less accurate since devices can't agree on a shared reference time. Check your internet connection or firewall settings.
Make sure your media folder has at least one subfolder containing video files. USBTV treats each top-level subfolder as a channel — files at the root level are ignored. If channels appear but show black, the video codec is likely unsupported. Re-encode to H.264 MP4.
To clear all saved data (channels, preferences, license) and start fresh, open your browser console (F12) and run:
indexedDB.deleteDatabase('CableSimDB_v4')
Free software for building your media library
USBTV is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of the tools listed below. These are independent, third-party applications we find useful for preparing media files.
Open-source download manager that captures video files from streaming sites, file hosts, and direct links. Handles batch downloads, automatic extraction, and link decryption. Useful for collecting video content from sources that don't offer a native download option.
jdownloader.orgVideo transcoder for converting media files to MP4 (H.264/AAC) — the format USBTV recommends for maximum browser compatibility. Use it to re-encode MKV, AVI, WMV, or other formats that browsers can't play natively. Batch processing lets you convert entire folders at once.
handbrake.frRips DVD and Blu-ray discs to MKV files with no quality loss. Preserves all video, audio, and subtitle tracks from the original disc. The MKV output can then be converted to MP4 with HandBrake for use in USBTV, or played directly if your browser supports the codec.
makemkv.comDisc → MakeMKV (rip to lossless MKV) → HandBrake (convert to MP4 H.264/AAC) → USB drive (organize into channel folders) → USBTV
Unlock the full broadcast experience
$12/year per device • No auto-renewal
$12/year per device • No auto-renewal
Already have a key? Activate in Settings → License
How USBTV handles your data
USBTV stores the following in your browser's IndexedDB:
This data never leaves your device and can be cleared anytime via browser settings.
USBTV contains no advertising, no third-party tracking scripts, and collects no information about your media files or viewing habits. The only telemetry is an anonymous count of hours watched, used solely to understand overall product usage. No filenames, folder names, or identifying information is ever transmitted.
Last updated: February 2025
By using USBTV or purchasing a USBTV+ license, you agree to these terms.
USBTV is a media playback tool for content you own or have rights to use. You agree not to use USBTV for piracy, copyright infringement, or any illegal purpose. We do not condone or support unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material.
USBTV+ licenses are:
We reserve the right to modify features, pricing, and these terms at any time. Significant changes will be communicated via email to license holders. Continued use constitutes acceptance of updated terms.
We may revoke licenses for violation of these terms, including use with pirated content or license abuse. No refund will be provided for terminated licenses.
USBTV is provided "as is" without warranty. We are not liable for data loss, service interruptions, or any damages arising from use. USBTV is not affiliated with any cable, broadcast, or streaming service.
Questions about these terms? Contact us at [email protected]
Control how content is scheduled and synchronize playback across screens.
Free users get a random seed each session. Upgrade to USBTV+ for a persistent sync code.
All content plays once per cycle before repeating. USBTV+ lets you lock a seed for identical schedules across devices.
Smooth sync keeps playback fluid with gentle periodic alignment. Precision sync uses continuous drift correction for side-by-side displays.
Choose a preset or customize your own color scheme
Save to config.txt for portable settings across devices.
Screen mode, visual effects, and multi-display
Span a single broadcast across multiple synchronized displays.
Unlock the full broadcast experience
$12/year per device • No auto-renewal
$12/year per device • No auto-renewal
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Used to prevent simultaneous use on multiple devices. Your license is not bound to this device.