hello
i saved a lot of video files in NAS (mycloudex2 ultra), i recently bought a samsung smart tv,
what is the best way of playing video directly from the NAS ? i know there are apps like PLEX and Twonky which i have both installed in the mycloud but still they couldnt access the video files from NAS.
Am i missing some steps? I previously using apple TV streaming device (access from Computer app) but with the samsung smart tv i think i can access it directly without using the apple tv device
You need an app that can access media via DLNA. Seems the most popular is VLC. I use it but also use Nova on my aging LG with a Firestick. Just verify whatever app your choose can play the formats you use for your media.
Getting media from a file to analogue speakers or a TV is a technical challenge, for which the landscape seems to change every few years.
For Video - - been a few years. I played with Twonky (unsuccessfully), but have had success with Plex in the past.
The key is recognizing that Plex, like most applications requires a server and a client. The server software runs on the NAS, and the client runs on the thing playing the video (in this case the TV). These are two pieces of software. I long ago gave up trying to figure out software on smart TV’s - - -I now use a Roku stick on every TV. This provides a consistent interface across all TV’s. And yes, Roku supports the Plex client.
I believe WD NAS’s still support Plex Server. The CATCH is that the hardware in WD NAS units (all of them) cannot successfully transcode video files at any reasonable resolution. You need to use direct play on the files (which means that the native file you are playing has to match the bit rate and resolution you expect to watch).
Full disclosure: I have not played this came in a few years. I have become a lazy streaming guy. When I do need (or want) to play a video file on a TV (every few months), I hook a laptop via HDMI to the TV (or home theater).
Playing music files on a home theater system (where the quality amps and speakers live) is a similar challenge. Mulitple answers on that one - - > My current solution is Foobar2000 software and an iFi A/D converter (USB in, RCA out)
Do you have a home network with a modem and router? Have you set up Plex for use with your My Cloud and also placed the Plex app on your TV? Are all your devices showing on your home network?
My daughter set up an account for me to be able to watch the movies etc. that she has on her EX2 Ultra. I placed the Plex app on my TV and open it then I click on the account she set up for me and entered my password and then I can watch what’s on her My Cloud EX2.
Thanks. That’s exactly what I have done after having no luck with twonky.
I use plex now. Using the desktop version. Videos are working fine. Oddly the picture and image files too way longer for rendering even though file size is way smaller.
Thanks
Thanks for your detailed explanation. I used plex after having difficulty with twonky server and is now working.
Yes, you should be able to access it directly. Make sure DLNA/media sharing is enabled on the My Cloud and your TV and NAS are on the same network. Then check the TV’s media/source app for the NAS.
