Bunch of questions vlc and Itunesetc

[surfer369]

1. I have Plex server running on my MacBook and I have my external HDD connected to the MacBook. I also downloaded the VLC app on the ATV. How can I play the files on my external HDD connected to my MacBook.

I tried Plex, but it transcodes and every 1-2 min, I get the message saying its too slow or something to play the file.

I bought a bunch of movies through iTunes and they all show up under purchased section of the movies app. is there is away to organize the purchased movies? I mean when I go into the purchased tab, it shows all the movies and I want to limit some of the movies from my kids. I want that section to show only kids movies that I have, can this be done? if not what is the alternative?

 

[archer75]

connect the macbook to the same router the ATV is connected to. Assuming you have that on a wired connection. If both your ATV and your macbook are both streaming wirelessly you get the issues you see. I can run one wireless and not have issues but not both. You could try lower the bandwidth of your streams on the plex server to compensate.
Personally I love plex.

 

[surfer369]

I have my MacBook on wi-fi and the ATV 4k is connected to Ethernet. I just get the Empty folder and cannot connect to server message. I have set plex to play in original quality and that's the reason I think I am not getting a smooth playback.

As far as my iTunes question, I am surprised that no one has any issue with this, those of you who have kids, how do you get around this? restrictions?

Also, another question, if I decide to buy another ATV 4k to be used in another room and want to set up iTunes under my wife's login, can that ATV 4k still show movies and TV's purchased under my account. we both have spate apple ID but use my Apple ID for app/ movie purchase.

 

[niteflyr]

1. Try the Infuse app. No transcoding.

As far as my iTunes question, I am surprised that no one has any issue with this, those of you who have kids, how do you get around this? restrictions?

2. Restrictions settings will stop playback of undesired content without proper code, but I'm not aware of any way to prevent them from showing in the library.

 

[surfer369]

Is Infuse app free?

 

[archer75]

Is Infuse app free?

No, you either buy it or subscribe to it. But it has a trial.

 

[Hermes Monster]

I'm assuming you have an Apple TV 4/4K? You haven't actually mentioned it. If so, I second the use of Infuse or even VLC, once you connect the HDD to your router.

Regarding iTunes movies, once you're on the Apple TV, there's Kids and Family section on the Movies App - I just keep mine on that section so my son only sees "his" movies - leave the macbook out of it.

 

[surfer369]

I just subscribed to the infuse app, but I need some help. Yes I do have ATV 4k.
My external HDD is connected to my MacBook and I enabled home sharing of the external drive so I can give Infuse access to it. However, I don't want my external HDD to be always connected to my MacBook fo rme to be able to use infuse. I have fios router, not sure if I can connect my external HDD to my router.

I am open to suggestions.

Regarding iTunes movies kids and family section. Once you come to the home screen, it shows your most recent movie or tv shows played on top right? I also meant in my purchase section, it would have been nice if it would have allowed us to display only kids and family titles.

 

[archer75]

infuse can also access your plex media server and play that. Though it tends to mess up play counts. Does your router have a USB port?
Do you not have a desktop computer you can leave on with your media?

 

[surfer369]

I will check my router and if has USB port, I doubt it though. I don't have a desktop computer else that would have been ideal plugging in the external HDD.

Also, Would infuse pro let me access my files through my iphone and ipad?

 

[archer75]

And the ATV 4k doesn't have a USB port anymore. I think to accomplish what you want you're going to end up spending some money. If you had an nvidia shield you'd just plug that external in to it. Or you buy some sort of a NAS.

 

[Hermes Monster]

I will check my router and if has USB port, I doubt it though. I don't have a desktop computer else that would have been ideal plugging in the external HDD.

Also, Would infuse pro let me access my files through my iphone and ipad?

No, Infuse will only let you view the files on your HDD like the Apple TV does. It does however let you you download the files to your iOS device.

 

[sofila]

Let Plex scan your specified media folder on external HDD. Only after this step everything will be reachable and playable by your VLC app on Apple TV. No more "empty folder" problem. Plex UPnp Server will appear on your VLC remote play tab. Reach for your desired file, play it directly from the source. No transcoding, no cpu working, plays almost everything you'll throw at it

1. I have Plex server running on my MacBook and I have my external HDD connected to the MacBook. I also downloaded the VLC app on the ATV. How can I play the files on my external HDD connected to my MacBook.

I tried Plex, but it transcodes and every 1-2 min, I get the message saying its too slow or something to play the file.

 

[priitv8]

...No transcoding, no cpu working, plays almost everything you'll throw at it

Plex transcodes more often than you might think.
Only if source has tvOS compatible streams (that means video, audio and eventually subtitles) and you've set the playback bitrate to Original, can you expect a direct play.

 

[sofila]

Plex transcodes more often than you might think.
Only if source has tvOS compatible streams (that means video, audio and eventually subtitles) and you've set the playback bitrate to Original, can you expect a direct play.

VLC is the player, not Plex. Plex Server purpose (in this case) is to easily allow VLC app on Apple TV to reach the files you want to play. Pardon me for the very crap quality of pics but...

Like I wrote: set and scan media folder with Plex on your PC/Mac whatever

Open VLC app on Apple TV and look for Remote Play, you'll get Plex Server available

Browse and get to play files on external HDD linked to your PC/Mac or whatever

VLC just reads and play through your local network. Plex stands idle. No transcoding, no cpu working...

 

[priitv8]

VLC is the player, not Plex. Plex Server purpose (in this case) is to easily allow VLC app on Apple TV to reach the files you want to play.

Oh, I see. You use it only as a DLNA server to play back files.
I might take a look how does Plex server handle this in reality. On the Server there is a playback status window somewhere that can tell if anything is happening server-side.

 

[surfer369]

Thanks all for giving me the direction on how to make this work. I have since bought a WD mycloud NAS and connecte dto my network and have been able to access my flies through the Plex and the Infuse app. I think Infuse is instant and I like the ability to download the Subtitles, however I have seen some lip sync and delayed subtitles issues atleast with one of the files playing through infuse.

I now need to find out how I can access my NAS through the Infuse iphone or ipad app outside my network either through cellular or wifi?

 

[priitv8]

I now need to find out how I can access my NAS through the Infuse iphone or ipad app outside my network either through cellular or wifi?

You need to make sure that:
- your ISP has ports open on your connection
- your router has been set to port forward the SMB port (TCP, 445) to your NAS device on your LAN
- you have some sort of DNS that can resolve a hostname into your public IP address. If your ISP only allocates you a dynamic IP, then you will need a DDNS account that keeps your hostname in sync with your (possibly) changing IP address. Your NAS should actually have a DDNS updater service built in.

 

[archer75]

Plex transcodes more often than you might think.
Only if source has tvOS compatible streams (that means video, audio and eventually subtitles) and you've set the playback bitrate to Original, can you expect a direct play.

Sort of. Transcoding in plex isn't all or northing. On the ATV it does some transcoding depending on what you use. My container and audio are not supported so that will transcode. But the video is so it direct plays. Thus using hardly any resources. If video does transcode it uses more power. But I doubt anyone would see a difference.

As far as subs go I always burn them in so there's never a sub file in my rips. Talking about the forced subs you need to have. Hard code them and you'll never have compatibility issues with subs on any device.
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No, Infuse will only let you view the files on your HDD like the Apple TV does. It does however let you you download the files to your iOS device.

Plex can do that as well. And coverts for the device. Or it can use the optimize function within plex server to pre-setup a file to play with no transcoding.

 

[surfer369]

You need to make sure that:
- your ISP has ports open on your connection
- your router has been set to port forward the SMB port (TCP, 445) to your NAS device on your LAN
- you have some sort of DNS that can resolve a hostname into your public IP address. If your ISP only allocates you a dynamic IP, then you will need a DDNS account that keeps your hostname in sync with your (possibly) changing IP address. Your NAS should actually have a DDNS updater service built in.

So I need on the router and MAS side right? nothing on the infuse app?

 

[Rigby]

- your router has been set to port forward the SMB port (TCP, 445) to your NAS device on your LAN

I would strongly discourage directly exposing an SMB server to the Internet. SMB is not a very secure protocol (see e.g. here and here). If possible, it's much safer to set up a VPN server on your local network (many routers support this) and use that to connect when out and about. I use OpenVPN, which has easy to configure clients on all platforms including mobile devices.

 

[surfer369]

I would strongly discourage directly exposing an SMB server to the Internet. SMB is not a very secure protocol (see e.g. here and here). If possible, it's much safer to set up a VPN server on your local network (many routers support this) and use that to connect when out and about. I use OpenVPN, which has easy to configure clients on all platforms including mobile devices.

I also read somewhere that SMB is not very secure as you mentioned, but I have no clue on how I would set up a VPN server either on my local network. I have Verizon fios router, do you have step by step instructions that I can follow?

Also, I have a port forward for my Plex set up, is it the same as SMB?

 

[Rigby]

I also read somewhere that SMB is not very secure as you mentioned, but I have no clue on how I would set up a VPN server either on my local network. I have Verizon fios router, do you have step by step instructions that I can follow?

I don't know if this particular router has a VPN server feature. What kind of machine are you using to host the Plex server? If it's Windows, it's fairly easy to set up an OpenVPN server. On the Mac it's more involved (unless you have MacOS Server which can act as an L2TP/IPSec VPN server).

Also, I have a port forward for my Plex set up, is it the same as SMB?

I have no idea how secure the Plex server is, which means I personally would not expose it to the Internet from my main local network.

 

[surfer369]

any recommendation for a good VPN service?

 

[Rigby]

any recommendation for a good VPN service?

For what purpose? If you want to be able to securely connect into your home network from outside, you'll need to set up your own VPN service.