Recommended Free Tools
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Many Samsung Smart TVs can record broadcast programs to a USB or portable hard drive, but only on selected models, and availability varies by country. Before buying storage or following any menu steps, confirm that your exact model supports recording. Once it does, the feature saves programs received through the TV’s antenna input. It does not capture video from an HDMI device such as a set-top box, game console or streaming stick, and Samsung Australia states that it also excludes Samsung TV Plus.
Confirm that your TV can record
Recording is a model-and-region feature. Samsung’s regional e-Manual, in its “Recording programmes” section, states: “This function may not be supported depending on the model or geographical area.” The same section says: “You can record only the programmes that are received through an antenna.” (Samsung Electronics, Samsung Smart TV e-Manual, 2023–2024 regional edition, pp. 115–120: the e-Manual PDF.)
A USB port does not prove support. To check, do one of the following:
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
- Search Samsung’s local support site for your exact model number. Samsung Australia’s guide, “Set up and Record Live TV,” is at samsung.com/au and is the regional reference for the steps below. Samsung’s regional pages carry no single global date, so check the publication date shown for your country.
- Open the e-Manual built into your TV and search for “Recording,” “PVR,” or “Timeshift.” If none of these returns a result for your model, the feature is probably not offered on that set.
The table below separates the three things people often mean by “recording.”
#1 Best Overall
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
| Option | What it does | What you need | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled or instant recording | Saves an antenna broadcast to the connected drive so you can play it back later | Supported model, tuned channels, aerial connection, USB or portable hard drive | Antenna-received broadcasts only. Samsung Australia excludes Samsung TV Plus. |
| Timeshift | Pauses or rewinds the live broadcast you are watching | Supported model and USB storage | Intended for time-shifting the current broadcast. Samsung Germany states it is not for saving programs permanently (Samsung Germany, Timeshift guide, updated 23 June 2026). |
| External HDMI device | Not recorded by the TV’s built-in feature | Recording must be done on the source device or a separate recorder | Outside the scope of Samsung’s built-in recording |
Prepare a drive
- Use a USB or portable hard drive. Samsung Australia says compatible models need one for recordings.
- Expect formatting. Samsung Australia says the drive must be formatted for the TV, and formatting deletes everything already on it. Copy any files you want to keep to another location before you accept the prompt.
- Do not generalise the filesystem. The Australian instructions refer to NTFS formatting for that regional guidance. Check your own model’s manual rather than assuming the same format applies everywhere.
- Consider drive speed. For the Timeshift setup it describes, Samsung Germany recommends a hard drive with a rotational speed of at least 5,400 rpm. This is regional advice, not a guarantee that every Samsung TV will work with every drive.
- Plan capacity around your viewing. The Samsung sources reviewed here do not give a minimum capacity. Insufficient free space is one of the causes Samsung lists when recording fails, so leave room for the programs you intend to keep.
Record a program that is on now
- Connect the formatted drive to the TV and make sure the antenna is connected and channels are tuned (Samsung Australia lists these as requirements for compatible models).
- Tune to the antenna broadcast you want to keep.
- Open the broadcast controls or the Guide’s current-program menu and select Record. The exact button or menu depends on your model and region.
Schedule a future program
Scheduled recording works for programs that have not started yet. Samsung describes two routes; use whichever matches your model’s menus.
Route 1: Schedule Manager (Samsung Australia’s described menus)
- Press the 123 button on the remote.
- Choose Schedule Manager.
- Open Schedules and add a recording.
Route 2: Guide (e-Manual)
- Open the Guide and highlight the upcoming program.
- Select Schedule Recording.
Labels differ between models and regions, so if a menu name here does not match your screen, follow the e-Manual for your exact model.
Rank #2
- NONSTOP SPEED: Race through projects with our fastest SSD for creators; Load, edit and transfer with sustained read and write speeds of up to 2,000MB/s1; The T9 Portable SSD performs at high speeds even during longer processes
- DYNAMIC THERMAL GUARD: When you’re elbow-deep in a passion project, the T9 Portable SSD stays cool; Its advanced thermal solution withstands and controls heat to keep the SSD at ideal temperatures—even in heavy use2
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether you’re using a desktop, camera or a gaming console3, count on the T9 Portable SSD for extensive compatibility; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- STRONG. SOLID. STABLE: From concept to completion – the T9 Portable SSD gives you the longevity to last through heavy use with one convenient drive that dares to go the distance
- WORKS LIKE MAGIC: Your T9 Portable SSD performs like new with the always up-to-date Magician Software; With firmware updates, extra encryption and continual monitoring of your drive health, it works like a charm
Use Timeshift to pause live TV
On a supported model, choose Timeshift from the live broadcast controls to pause or rewind the program you are watching. Timeshift is useful for stepping away from a live show, but it is not a way to keep a program. If you want to keep it, use a recording or schedule one before the broadcast starts. Samsung Germany’s guidance on storage speed for Timeshift is covered in the drive section above.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWhen Record or Timeshift is unavailable
Work through these checks in order. Samsung Australia lists weak signal, insufficient space and missing storage among the likely causes.
Rank #3
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
- Model and region. Confirm that your exact model supports the feature in your country. If it does not, no setting will enable it.
- Source. Make sure you are watching an antenna broadcast. HDMI inputs, apps and Samsung TV Plus are not covered by the built-in recording feature.
- Storage connection. Check that the USB or portable hard drive is connected and powered.
- Drive format and space. Confirm the drive was formatted for the TV and has free space. Formatting erases data, so if you are unsure, back up first.
- Signal strength. Weak antenna reception can prevent a recording from being made. Check the aerial connection and signal before retrying.
If all five checks pass and the option still does not appear, consult the e-Manual for your model or contact Samsung support for your country.
Which version of the instructions to follow
Samsung’s sources are regional and dated differently: the e-Manual cited here is a 2023–2024 regional edition, the Australian page is the reference for the “123” menu route, and the German Timeshift guide was updated in June 2026. Where they differ, the menu on your own TV and the manual for your model take precedence.
Rank #4
- MOVE FILES IN A FLASH: Fast and convenient read speeds up to 300 MB/s* with the latest USB 3.1 standard give you more time to work, play, watch, and create; Send a 3GB 4K UHD video file from your Bar Plus to your PC in just 10 seconds**
- RUGGED REFINEMENT: As strong as it is stylish; The sturdy metal body keeps your data safe and intact, and the integrated keyring prevents accidental misplacement or loss; The Bar Plus is the ideal combination of stunning design and worry-free durability
- TOUGH & TRUSTED: The Bar Plus a trustworthy drive to store your valuable data; It works through it all with a waterproof, shock-proof, temperature-proof, magnet-proof, and X-ray-proof body, all backed by a 5-year limited warranty***
- WORLD'S #1 FLASH MEMORY BRAND: Experience the performance and reliability from the world's #1 brand for flash memory since 2003;**** All firmware & components, including Samsung's world-renowned DRAM & NAND, are produced in-house
The Bottom Line
If your model supports recording in your country, a formatted USB or portable hard drive and a working antenna signal are enough to record and schedule broadcast programs. Use Timeshift to pause live TV, and use a recording when you want to keep a program.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- MOVE FILES IN A FLASH: Fast and convenient read speeds up to 300 MB/s* with the latest USB 3.1 standard give you more time to work, play, watch, and create; Send a 3GB 4K UHD video file from your Bar Plus to your PC in just 10 seconds**
- RUGGED REFINEMENT: As strong as it is stylish; The sturdy metal body keeps your data safe and intact, and the integrated keyring prevents accidental misplacement or loss; The Bar Plus is the ideal combination of stunning design and worry-free durability
- TOUGH & TRUSTED: The Bar Plus a trustworthy drive to store your valuable data; It works through it all with a waterproof, shock-proof, temperature-proof, magnet-proof, and X-ray-proof body, all backed by a 5-year limited warranty***
- WORLD'S #1 FLASH MEMORY BRAND: Experience the performance and reliability from the world's #1 brand for flash memory since 2003;**** All firmware & components, including Samsung's world-renowned DRAM & NAND, are produced in-house
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
