Samsung TVs support most common video and audio formats, but the exact compatibility depends on the TV model and model year. The same file extension can contain different codecs, so a file such as MKV or MP4 may play on one Samsung TV but not on another.
The tables below summarize the main video and audio formats supported by recent Samsung TVs, followed by the most important codec limitations and changes in newer models.
Supported Video Formats and Codecs
Samsung TVs support the following video containers and codecs. The maximum resolution, frame rate and bitrate vary by model group.
| File format | Container | Video codecs |
|---|---|---|
| AVI | AVI | H.264, MPEG-4, MPEG-2, MPEG-1, H.263, VP6 |
| MKV | MKV | H.264, HEVC, MPEG-4, MPEG-2, MPEG-1, VP9, AV1 |
| MP4 | MP4 | H.264, HEVC, MPEG-4, AV1 |
| MOV | MOV | H.264 and supported MPEG codecs |
| 3GP | 3GP | H.264, MPEG-4 |
| ASF | ASF | Supported codecs depend on model |
| VRO | VRO | MPEG-2 and supported codecs |
| MPG / MPEG | MPEG | MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 |
| TS / TP / TRP | TS | H.264, HEVC, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, AV1 |
| FLV | FLV | Supported codecs depend on model |
| VOB | VOB | MPEG-2 |
| SVI | SVI | Supported codecs depend on model |
| M2TS | M2TS | H.264, HEVC and supported codecs |
| MTS | MTS | H.264, HEVC and supported codecs |
| WebM | WebM | VP8, VP9, AV1 |
The main video codecs found in current Samsung TVs are:
- H.264 / AVC
- HEVC / H.265
- MPEG-4 SP/ASP
- MPEG-2
- MPEG-1
- Motion JPEG
- VP8
- VP9
- AV1
- H.263
- VP6
Support is not identical across all models. For example, Samsung’s 2026 premium UHD model groups can support H.264 up to 4096 × 2160 at 60 fps, HEVC up to 4096 × 2160 at 60 fps or 3840 × 2160 at 120 fps, and AV1 up to 3840 × 2160 at 120 fps. Basic models have lower limits.
The QN990H 2026 model supports substantially higher video resolutions, including HEVC and AV1 up to 7680 × 4320 at 60 fps.
Supported Audio Formats and Codecs
Samsung TVs support a variety of audio codecs used in video files and standalone music files.
| Audio format / codec | Support |
|---|---|
| AAC | Supported |
| HE-AAC | Supported |
| AC-3 | Supported |
| Dolby Digital Plus | Supported |
| MP3 | Supported |
| LPCM | Supported |
| ADPCM | Supported |
| Opus | Supported |
| Vorbis | Supported |
| MPEG-H | Supported on applicable models |
| AC-4 | Supported on applicable models |
| G.711 | Supported |
| FLAC | Supported |
| WAV | Supported |
| ALAC | Supported |
| APE | Supported |
| AIFF | Supported |
| MIDI | Supported |
Samsung specifies additional limits for some audio codecs. For example, Vorbis and Dolby Digital Plus are supported up to 5.1 channels on the specified 2026 models. Supported sampling rates depend on the codec and can range from 8 kHz to 48 kHz.
FLAC is supported up to 16/24-bit and 48/96/192 kHz, with up to 5.1 channels.
Important Samsung TV Codec Limitations
A supported codec can still fail to play if the file exceeds the decoder’s technical limits.
The most important limitations include:
- H.264 FHD Level 4.2 is supported, but FMO, ASO and RS are not.
- H.264 UHD Level 5.1 is supported on applicable models.
- HEVC FHD Level 4.1 is supported.
- HEVC UHD support depends on the model group.
- HEVC is supported in MKV, MP4 and TS containers.
- GMC 2 or higher is not supported.
- QCELP and AMR NB/WB audio are not supported.
- Files with excessive bitrates or frame rates may not play correctly.
Samsung also notes that incorrect container information or damaged media can prevent playback even when the codec itself is supported.
DTS and Other Discontinued Formats
One of the most important compatibility changes is DTS audio.
DTS is not supported on current Samsung TVs. Samsung’s specifications state that DTS audio is not supported on 2024, 2025 and 2026 TV models.
This can result in a common problem where an MKV or MP4 file displays video but has no sound. The video codec may be supported while the audio track uses DTS.
Samsung has also removed several older formats from newer TV generations.
| Format or codec | Change |
|---|---|
| DTS | Not supported on recent Samsung TVs |
| WMV | No longer supported on specified 2025+ models |
| VC-1 | No longer supported on specified 2025+ models |
| WMA | No longer supported on specified 2025+ models |
| RA | No longer supported on 2026+ models |
| RV | No longer supported on 2026+ models |
| RMVB | No longer supported on 2026+ models |
This means that compatibility can change between generations. A file that played on an older Samsung TV may not play on a newer model if it uses a discontinued codec.
