Streaming own content video to TV

[Markymark]

I want a better way to do this. I have content on external storage and currently use WDTV but it's crappy, slow, keeps crashing and is soon to be discontinued. My TV can play certain video formats but the interface is crappy (poor layout, not resume function etc).

My current favourite is upgrading my storage to a proper NAS and running Plex, then using Amazon TV or Apple TV to stream from it. However there's plenty of people saying Plex on a NAS is not ideal. I don't want it run from a computer.

Has anyone got a nice working system?

 

[Markymark]

Will a Google Chromecast do it?

It does in the same way the others do...require Plex on the server as far as I can tell. The don't stream directly from the files.

 

[Markymark]

"own content video.."

One shudders to think.

Like you wouldn't pay £19.99 a month to watch what I'm up to.

 

[Markymark]

[QUOTE 4504851, member: 259"]I use a QNap NAS.
It can be connected to the TV with a long HDMI cable. I can run Kodi and PLEX on the NAS and both work fine.
The NAS can also stream video direct to the Apple TV with Airplay, using Qnap's proprietary video player.
But out of all of them, I tend to stick everything in iTunes, with the iTunes library on the NAS, and use the Apple TV to access it in iTunes.[/QUOTE]
Ah, ok. So, no plex required? I never use iTunes - is it easy enough to add/remove content? What's the benefit of using iTunes rather than streaming direct to Apple TV?

 

[Markymark]

By the way, that pampas grass in your front garden could do with a trim.

Is that some kind of euphemism?

 

[Crackle]

None of the interfaces I've used work that well, so I'll be interested if there is one that does. My TV is allegedly a media server and will see stuff on the NAS. It's poor though. Likewise Android media server apps are a bit clunky with the NAS too. Laptop, using a Chromecast is OK.

 

[EnPassant]

I don't want it run from a computer.

Has anyone got a nice working system?

May one ask why not? Ok, my computer is in the same room, but it's one hdmi cable out. Add a multimedia remote keyboard for when ones bum is on the sofa.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Synology NAS, with an Android box running KODI (XBMC)

 

[Markymark]

May one ask why not? Ok, my computer is in the same room, but it's one hdmi cable out. Add a multimedia remote keyboard for when ones bum is on the sofa.

Just seems like a waste running a PC at the same time. I have my external hardrive hidden away for security and permanently on. Like the idea of that storing videos to access at will. Not really a sensible reason but one that feels right.

 

[Markymark]

[QUOTE 4504876, member: 259"]Plex is fine, it's installed on the NAS, but I don't tend to use it, as I just prefer using iTunes on the Apple TV. The interface is really nice.

I just encode everything that is ripped, recorded off the satellite, or (cough) found on the web for iTunes.

It's easy to add or delete stuff, but re-encoding can take a while.

Having said this, I do use a Mac, not Windows, so my needs and prefernces are probably different from most![/QUOTE]
You should take some strepsils for that cough

So, I assume everything has to be converted to MP4 for itunes to accept? I have a number of MKV I made from DVD's.

 

[EnPassant]

Just seems like a waste running a PC at the same time. I have my external hardrive hidden away for security and permanently on. Like the idea of that storing videos to access at will. Not really a sensible reason but one that feels right.

Ok, but check out what you actually need to run, A modern pc does not sound like concorde taking off, the cpu can use minimal power, a decent gpu won't be stressed by 1080p (even the cpu can do it, if perhaps not as efficiently). You can plug in any HD as needed, (even hot swap to sata bus on recent mobos).

Once you have the tv set up as an alternative monitor, you can watch anything you like and post here in another window all from the comfort of your sofa. I accept that you think it might not 'feel right' but would urge you don't totally dismiss the idea I doubt you would be wasting much to run a pc over a permanently running hard drive.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

I use a NAS + a RaspberryPi running XBMC.

Remote control app on phone gives me control of it without a mouse and keyboard. Runs fine, no lag running 1080p movies. It also plays MKV too, as most of my DVD's are ripped to MKV and placed on the NAS.

 

[Markymark]

[QUOTE 4504876, member: 259"]Plex is fine, it's installed on the NAS, but I don't tend to use it, as I just prefer using iTunes on the Apple TV. The interface is really nice.

I just encode everything that is ripped, recorded off the satellite, or (cough) found on the web for iTunes.

It's easy to add or delete stuff, but re-encoding can take a while.

Having said this, I do use a Mac, not Windows, so my needs and prefernces are probably different from most![/QUOTE]
Just to check, you are using itunes on the NAS and the Mac does not get involved in the playback?

 

[Markymark]

[QUOTE 4504922, member: 259"]I use iTunes on the Apple TV, which talks to iTunes on the Mac, which points it to the library on the NAS. So the Mac's CPU is involved, but not the display, or the hard disk.[/QUOTE]
Ah, I am trying to avoid this. I want a NAS and a device attached to the TV only.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

Ah, I am trying to avoid this. I want a NAS and a device attached to the TV only.

NAS + rPi

Simple as pointing the rPi to the folder on the NAS