My Wi-Fi went out, but a forgotten TV feature kept me entertained for hours

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• Most smart TVs have USB ports that are greatly underutilized.
• The outputs can be used to broadcast local media files, troubleshoot bugs, download updates, and more.
• I've been using my USB port to play older media files, especially when the internet is down.

These days, the internet and Wi-Fi connectivity seem to be virtually ubiquitous. In the US, at least, there is a societal expectation that you can connect your devices to the web wherever you go. 

After all, connectivity is essential for many devices to function. But sometimes that connectivity fails -- and what can you do if you want to watch TV without the internet?

Here's what you can do: use a USB flash drive.

Also: The default TV setting you should turn off ASAP - and why professionals do the ...