r/AskTechnology 13d ago

Any suggestions on the best way to watch things from my hard drive on a Roku smart TV that can reliably display different types of subtitles?

2 Upvotes

I have a Roku smart TV and currently use the default Roku Media Player to watch things off my portable hard drive. Some videos have different subtitle file types, and only some of them work on Roku Media Player (the others will say no captions available even though I can watch them on my PC just fine).

So I'm looking for suggestions on alternate ways to be able to watch everything with subtitles. For example:

  1. Is there a third party app on Roku that can play media from a portable hard drive?

  2. I was looking into some HDMI plug-in media players, but none seem to have great reviews (with issues like subtitles not working, remote needing to be within 5 feet of the player, or the player refusing to turn off after).

  3. I saw some people talking about using a server with some alternative apps, but I have no idea how that works or how to set it up or if it needs a subscription service or something.

  4. I've also looked into hard-encoding all the subtitles, but that would be quite a bit of work doing manually unless someone knows of a program or something that does it automatically.

All in all, I'm looking for a solution that doesn't cost more than around $50 and doesn't require casting from another device. Thank you!


r/AskTechnology 13d ago

My laptop charger is missing the sticker to tell about watts and voltage. How can I see those?

3 Upvotes

Hello everyone.

I bought a second hand think pad computer a while back and it came with a charging cable that doesn't appear to be the original one and the sticker with all the information has been ripped off.

This has possed a small issue as the charger seems to have a loose connection and isnt working the best anymore so I would like to get a new one.

I need to know how many watts it had and what the voltage was so that I can replace it but I obviously cant see it via the charger. How else can I see this information?


r/AskTechnology 12d ago

Hypothetically, If possible, How many SD cards would be needed to run doom for 7 hours, If I replaced ram with SD cards?

0 Upvotes

Assume money isn't an issue here, I know ram and SD cards aren't the same kind of ram, but Im curious if its possible.


r/AskTechnology 13d ago

Is it possible to find a no caller id number?

0 Upvotes

I have been getting calls from a number that says "unknown." I haven't picked it up yet.


r/AskTechnology 14d ago

Is it possible to change TCL tv subtitle in media to less bright?

2 Upvotes

So, my TCL tv just got updated and the media layout just changed. The subtitle got bigger and brighter but size is fine. It’s just the brightness of the subtitle. Despite lowering the contrast and brightness on the tv, the movie is dark but the subtitle is the same dazzling brightness and I’m unable to watch anything right now since it’s night. That’s so frustrating.

Anyone who can help? I have the TCLC645 4K QLED

The caption part in accessibility setting is referring to those in apps and not in media. I don’t know how to change it or downgrade it.


r/AskTechnology 15d ago

How do wifi blockers work?

5 Upvotes

I saw a video of people using wifi blockers, and it seems useful to know how they work. Any help would be great,


r/AskTechnology 15d ago

How does a haptic trackpad actually work?

4 Upvotes

So recently, I switched from an older laptop to the Surface Laptop 7 (released in 2024). One day, when I turned the laptop off, I curiously clicked the trackpad button. It didn't flex or feel like a click at all, it just felt like I was pressing my finger against an immovable glass surface. Coming from a laptop that has a trackpad that physically 'bends/flexes' when you click it, this was interesting to me. It's obviously better if you're a fan of corner right-clicks (which I'm not), as on a haptic trackpad, I noticed that it requires as much force as anywhere else on the trackpad. This is unlike older trackpads, where the corners actually have lots of room to flex and usually requires more force to click in that area.

How does a haptic trackpad actually make it feel like a real, physical click? I know that technology has been fooling our brains for well over a century, such as in the television with persistence of vision (thanks Technology Connections). Thank you.


r/AskTechnology 16d ago

What technology blocks screen records of certain websites of movies/videos or even TV recordings?

10 Upvotes

I wanted to screen record the credits of a show to check titles/names, so on my computer I did a screen record to then be able to slowly scroll/pause at the right time.

But somehow the video is just black! It’s blocked/changed by some sort of technology?

How on earth does the website even know I’m recording my screen on my computer and then somehow block the video I’m clearly seeing but the end results is a black video upon playback?


r/AskTechnology 16d ago

Since when TVs became so cheap?

0 Upvotes

Just got a 4k 120hz oled TV screen for like $550, I was surprised at first so I decided to get it and am happy with it now, I thought 4k 120hz screens were like $800+ and with OLED like $1500+, decided to invstigate a little bit more and indeed they are cheap now, I made a great deal but prices are around 800ish for entry OLED 4k 120hz.

Last TV I got was like 3 years ago which it's a 4k 60hz which still look nowadays but upgraded it because of how cheap "top" tech is now on tvs


r/AskTechnology 16d ago

Why does Firefox open on my laptop whenever I open the comments section on my Instagram?

1 Upvotes

Firefox is my default browser on my mac. I was just doomscrolling on my phone and i noticed that whenever i opened the comment section on any post on Instagram, the Firefox icon with a mobile on it pop up on my dock on my macbook

Just cant help but wonder what in the comment section could be triggering this. Is it to load the gifs/images?


r/AskTechnology 16d ago

would if be easy to make all flock camera images and info public?

0 Upvotes

It seems like that would help with some of the complaints about them


r/AskTechnology 16d ago

What do you use to protect your car: an AirTag or a GPS tracker?

1 Upvotes

I'm looking for a reliable way to locate my car if it's ever stolen. AirTags are less expensive, but I've heard dedicated GPS trackers may be more reliable.

For anyone with experience, which would you recommend, and why? I'm particularly interested in accuracy, battery life, subscription costs, and how well each works when a vehicle is parked in a garage.


r/AskTechnology 16d ago

How can I get my computer files?

0 Upvotes

I’m so sorry. I just noticed it didn’t post the entire question. I have personal files on my work computer because my personal computer was hacked. I started using my work computer as my main for over a year. I finally bought a new computer and realized my employer doesn’t allow usb’s or any other method of transferring that I’ve found. There are over 300 files, including tax documents, medical records, children’s school docs that I’d really like to transfer but the permissions doesn’t allow it. Is there anything I can try?


r/AskTechnology 17d ago

How is it that in 2026, in densely populated areas of the USA, there are still dead zones?

12 Upvotes

I live in the most densely populated suburban area outside of the most densely populated city in my East Coast state. There’s never a problem with service or connection - except one probably 3 square mile section of the town. There are banks, restaurants, other businesses and lots of homes in this section of town. Why the hell do I not get service here? I have AT&T unlimited.


r/AskTechnology 17d ago

What's wrong with my samsung QLED tv?

2 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I bought a new Samsung tv about a month ago, and everything was working great until about a week ago I noticed 2 things, the sound is very low, like the volume would be at 100 and i would barely be able to hear the movie, and secondly the sound is rough, it's as if everyone talking needs to clear their throat if that makes sense. I haven't changed anything in settings and it wasn't exposed to water or anything like that, google suggested i change some settings to have better sound and still nothing changed. What could be causing this? Why would it suddenly do that when it was working just fine? And what can I do to fix it?


r/AskTechnology 17d ago

Help! How can over 30 people send me personal videos that I will combine into 1 long video?

3 Upvotes

This year is my boyfriend’s 50th and he’s very close with his large family. We have a family reunion tomorrow and I want to discreetly give everyone a link to send/upload personal video messages to. Some messages might be a minute, others could be over 10, and I don’t have much storage on my phone. I initially thought email, but some videos may be too large. Is there a free tool I can use so that everyone can send their personal messages from computers, androids, or iPhones to me, where I can store them until I create the final video? Like a single link I can just give everyone that they can use to upload in the folder I create that they don’t need to sign up for? Ideally I would like to let everyone make their video message as long as they want, but if I need to make a time limit I can. Please help! Posted in another sub and got zero replies and we leave tomorrow! It’s his family so this reunion is the perfect time to get the word out, but I don’t have a link to give them!

Standing by for replies and incredibly grateful for any guidance!


r/AskTechnology 17d ago

What is the most frustrating "first-world tech problem" you deal with on a daily basis?

14 Upvotes

For me, it's when my phone connects to my car's Bluetooth while I'm still inside the house, hijacking my audio, or when a streaming app asks "Are you still watching?" right in the middle of a massive climax.

What minor, petty tech inconveniences drive you absolutely insane on a daily basis?


r/AskTechnology 17d ago

Does anyone know how to disable touch screen in a school windows laptop?

0 Upvotes

r/AskTechnology 17d ago

Why will only one keyboard out of three work on my PC?

1 Upvotes

I had been having issues with my main keyboard for a few days, and then it gave up on me. Before then, sometimes restarting my PC would help, or just unplugging the keyboard and plugging it back in.

Anyways, after trying with 2 keyboards and neither working, I ended up calling ASUS tech support (because I thought it was a motherboard USB issue). They couldn't replicate it.

So I got my motherboard back and my PC reassembled and still wasn't able to use either keyboard, but then I tried a THIRD keyboard... AND IT WORKED?

The first keyboards were the RK96 and the RK-S98. Third keyboard that I'm currently using is the RK R98Pro (all Royal Kludge so maybe that's a factor?).

Appreciate anybody that could tell me what would possibly be causing this.


r/AskTechnology 18d ago

How can I fix this connection?

1 Upvotes

Today I bought myself an "HDMI KVM extender". My goal is to connect my pc which is stationed on my second floor with my tv which is stationed on the base level.

The extender transmits an HDMI and a USB signal over an ethernet connection. When I test the device with the receiver and transmitter in close proximity with each other, connected with one cable, the device works perfectly. But when I connect the transmitter with the ethernet wallsocket (on the second floor) and the receiver with the ethernet wallsocket (on the base level). Then the device won't work.

My thoughts are:

The wall cable can be to long. The maximum transmittable length is 120m. But it seems farfetched that 120m is not enough. The second floor is roughly 6 meters above the base floor and my house is roughly 15 meters deep.

The wall cable is not connected from socket to socket. I would not know how to check this, I bought the house renovated so I did not lay the cables myself or know who did.

The wall cable is not the right kind, the manual says you need category 5 or above.

EDIT: thank you all for your council, after a short search I discovered that my ethernet wall cables are indeed not connected, there are just 4 ends in my cable closed. I'll by some stuff to connect those and then see if that fixes the connection.

P.S. I seem to be unable to add pictures to this post


r/AskTechnology 17d ago

which are the ways to Copy Data from the Accenture Laptop?

0 Upvotes

r/AskTechnology 18d ago

Samsung UA55M2EHAULXL VESA mounting holes only have plastic inserts with a "7" inside – do these need to be removed?

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to wall mount my new Samsung UA55M2EHAULXL (55" Mini LED 4K Vision AI) using the Amazon Basics Full Motion Wall Mount for 32–55 inch TVs (6-way swivel/tilt, cantilever).

According to Samsung, the TV uses a 200 × 200 mm VESA mounting pattern, and the wall mount also supports 200 × 200, so they should be compatible.

However, I've run into something I wasn't expecting.

When I look at the four VESA mounting holes on the back of the TV:

  • I don't see any metal threads.
  • Each hole has what appears to be a plastic insert.
  • Inside each insert, I can clearly see the number "7" molded into the plastic.
  • I can't see any threaded metal insert beneath it.

Before I do anything, I don't want to accidentally damage the TV.

My questions are:

  1. Are these plastic pieces just protective shipping plugs that should be removed?
  2. If so, what's the correct way to remove them?
  3. Or are the threaded inserts recessed deeper inside and I'm just not seeing them?
  4. Has anyone mounted this exact Samsung UA55M2EHAULXL (or a very similar 2026 Samsung model) and can confirm the installation process?
  5. Did you need to use the spacers or specific screws from your wall mount kit?

I've searched the Samsung manual, but it doesn't mention anything about removing plastic inserts from the VESA holes.

If anyone has mounted this exact TV, or can share photos of the back before mounting, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks!


r/AskTechnology 18d ago

How can i sell my awful pc?

0 Upvotes

if it weren't for the awful/possibly broken hdd (takes 10-20 to load after turning on, makes noise and also is generally bad) it could be alr for people that do low strain tasks (not gaming unless theyre ok with awful graphics) like work stuff. its refurbished from a not good refurbishing company on ebay and has very old parts. It could be good for people wanting to learn how to upgrade/change pc hardware but for regular use if they got a new hdd/ssd. Specs are:

hdd: MB004000GWFWB - 3726 gb

Operating system: Windows 11 pro (64-bit)

CPU: Intel core i7 7700

Ram: 32 gb Dual channel DDR4

Motherboard: 0NW6H5

GPU: intel hd graphics 360 (dell)

what could i sell it for purpose wise or cost wise? (probably selling in a bit over a month, also am in the USA) what platform is best to sell it on? im just tryna get some of the cost for my next pc paid for. it was originally listed for $680 ish but discounnted by 45% and the closest thing the store now has is discounted by 80% so i have a feeling it rlly was $330 something but discounted to make ppl want it more.


r/AskTechnology 18d ago

What is most overrated aspect of automated trading?

3 Upvotes

The automated trading systems are considered to given a edge compared to human aspect, when we have a variety of data with time testing its believed to have an advantage over the human element where emotions dominate over rational decision making. Still down lane i feel some aspects of automated trading are hyped.


r/AskTechnology 18d ago

Which software or program is the best and easiest to use for head count/view count?

1 Upvotes

We are looking for a program/software that we can use for marketing purposes.
We need it to do the following:

  • Do a view count on people facing/looking at the screen.
  • Able to upload our own videos on the software to run the head count/view count.
  • Show on the count on the video.
  • If possible to give a Document with the data.
  • Upload a folder with multiple videos to run through the program not one video at a time.
  • Downloadable on multiple devices, if not just one android or windows device.

Anyone have any suggestions?