Stream Videos from External Drive to ATV

[edtorious]

Hi, I'm delving into this alternative streaming videos to ATV from various devices for the first time and having trouble finding guides on how to go about it. I have videos on an external drive connected to my mac mini, is it possible for me to access and play those videos thru ATV? If so, how? Any suggestions or advise will be greatly appreciated. A step by step guide and app suggestions would be appreciated too for I'm not really an expert on Macs.😳

 

[Longkeg]

Here’s some homework for you: Google and research the following: VLC, Plex and Infuse. All are software available for the ATV that will do exactly what you are describing. All have pros and cons so be prepared to compare and contrast after a lot of reading. VLC and Plex are free. Infuse will cost you. None will stream/play DRM protected items.

 

[edtorious]

Here’s some homework for you: Google and research the following: VLC, Plex and Infuse. All are software available for the ATV that will do exactly what you are describing. All have pros and cons so be prepared to compare and contrast after a lot of reading. VLC and Plex are free. Infuse will cost you. None will stream/play DRM protected items.

ok so I installed VLC, Plex and Infuse but my external hard drive that is connected to my Mac is not showing. How do i get the apps to show my external HD?

 

[Longkeg]

You installed all three? You only need one. Which will you use? How you connect depends on what app you’re using.

 

[edtorious]

You installed all three? You only need one. Which will you use? How you connect depends on what app you’re using.

Yes, I wanted to give all of them a try but let's say my videos has Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos and wanted that to play with my ATV, which app would you recommend? And with the app you recommend, how do I get the external hard drive to show?

 

[Longkeg]

Make sure the ATV and Mac are on your home network. Open VLC on the ATV. Select “Local Network.” Does your Mini show up? Click on it. Your external drive should appear. If you’re running Catalina you may need to change some settings in System Preferences on your computer but let’s see if you can get to the computer before we get ahead of ourselves.

 

[edtorious]

I opened VLC on the ATV and selected Local Network but my Mac Mini does not show up and nothing else showing up. How do I get to show the Mac Mini to show on VLC local network? I do have OS Catalina.
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Make sure the ATV and Mac are on your home network. Open VLC on the ATV. Select “Local Network.” Does your Mini show up? Click on it. Your external drive should appear. If you’re running Catalina you may need to change some settings in System Preferences on your computer but let’s see if you can get to the computer before we get ahead of ourselves.

I opened VLC on the ATV and selected Local Network but my Mac Mini does not show up and nothing else showing up. How do I get to show the Mac Mini to show on VLC local network? I do have OS Catalina.

 

[Longkeg]

On the Mini open System Preferences-> Sharing. Make sure File Sharing is enabled (box is checked)