Member Avatar for lil_bot

Hi there, when I click and drag files from afolder onto a USB to display on a TV (slideshow) I have to get someone on a PC to delete invisible copies of those files. What is that about? How can I do that myself without relying on a PC user and their PC. Thanks

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Short expert summary tied to the thread: the “invisible copies” that need a PC to remove are usually macOS metadata and resource‑fork files that get written onto non‑Mac volumes. Finder writes .DSStore files and, when a filesystem doesn’t support Mac “forks”, macOS creates AppleDouble files whose names start with `.` (these show up as separate items on other devices). See Apple’s note on AppleDouble and background on .DS_Store. (web.archive.org)

Practical steps to fix and avoid needing a PC (do these on the Mac):

  • Show hidden files in Finder (use the toggle Command+Shift+.) so the offending items are visible. (macrumors.com)
  • Clean up the AppleDouble files with the built‑in tool dot_clean, then optionally remove .DS_Store files. Example (replace USBNAME with the actual volume name and back up first):
# reveal hidden files in Finder: press Command+Shift+.
dot_clean -m /Volumes/USBNAME
find /Volumes/USBNAME -name ".DS_Store" -delete

dot_clean -m merges/removes the ._* AppleDouble files; it’s the supported way to tidy a drive macOS has touched. Use the find delete only on the USB volume you mean to clean. (ss64.com)

Longer‑term fixes:

  • Format the stick to a cross‑platform filesystem that the TV supports (exFAT for big files, MS‑DOS/FAT32 for widest legacy support) using Disk Utility (this erases the drive—backup first). Check the TV manual because brands/models differ in which filesystems and file types they support (Sony’s support pages are an example). (support.apple.com)

If avoiding hidden metadata during copy is preferred, copy with ditto --norsrc (or script the dot_clean + diskutil eject sequence into a Shortcut/Automator action). Always back up before mass deletes and test the cleaned USB on the TV. This follows the same diagnostic path suggested (check device/format) and extends ’s point about some TVs being picky about extra files. (osxdaily.com)

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Member Avatar for Reverend Jim

Can you provide more information? For example. you don't drag files onto a USB any more than you drag files onto a serial or parallel. You drag them onto a device attached to a USB interface. What type of device are you using? How are the files being displayed on the TV? Are you using a USB memory stick? How is it formatted. If you are using a USB stick, how would you expect to delete the files without using a computer?

Member Avatar for rproffitt

I know a little about TVs in regards to USB sticks and drives.

First you have to dismiss the notion a Smart TV is anywhere near the capability of say Windows 3.0 from 1990. Many of these TVs are downright horrible and have issues like yours.

As to invisible files. Some may be the TV writing out where you paused or stopped viewing a video file so it can resume later.

It's possible you are using some Apple OS to do this click and drag. On FAT32 volumes you will indeed have a few extra files but if the TV maker did their job right these files should not show or interfere with playing video files.

Edited by rproffitt because: Grammar fix.
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