Apps Streaming NAS content on ATV4

[Giuanniello]

I upgraded from ATV3 to ATV4 which should allow more format to play without to convert it all to .mp4 or m4v (does it play avi and mov straight away???), my concern now is how to stream content from a Q-NAP NAS directly to it through some app, I installed Plex but for some strange reason (maybe disk space almost gone on the NAS) it won't start, any other App to allow such service from NAS to ATV4?

Thank you

 

[Lappen71]

InFuse,VLC and other more

Plex is depended on Plex Media Server and maybe your Nas is to weak for transcoding

 

[PhiLLoW]

File Explorer works pretty well for me.

AppleTV is not perfect at playing those sweet 15gb 1080p mkvs though. Sometimes it lags even if I use wired 1gbit connection.

 

[Rigby]

The main choices are Infuse, MrMC and Plex. Plex requires installing server software, which can be a bit tricky on QNAP since they usually don't have the latest version in their store (but you can download the latest packages elsewhere). Also, most NAS models don't have enough CPU power to transcode high-bitrate files on the fly. Infuse and MrMC don't require server software (they can stream directly from network volumes and play most formats without transcoding on the server side). So I'd recommend one of those two if you don't want to install Plex on a separate computer.

 

[Ideanj]

I use Infuse with an 8TB external hard drive connected to my Time Capsule via USB and it works great! I rip full quality 1080P blu-rays (using MakeMKV) which results in file sizes anywhere from 20-40 GB's per movie and I've had little to no issues streaming these to my Apple TV. The Infuse app is the most beautiful, requires no additional hardware or software and plays files magically (even in MKV format). Highly recommend!

 

[charlenee]

I use Infuse with an 8TB external hard drive connected to my Time Capsule via USB and it works great! I rip full quality 1080P blu-rays (using MakeMKV) which results in file sizes anywhere from 20-40 GB's per movie and I've had little to no issues streaming these to my Apple TV. The Infuse app is the most beautiful, requires no additional hardware or software and plays files magically (even in MKV format). Highly recommend!

I have a similar setup. I use Infuse with external hard drive connected to Airport Extreme. And it works great when I'm in the same room with AE. But if I go to other room, the initial connection of Infuse takes a while. Are you having this kind of issue with your setup?

 

[John_Hagan]

Infuse is outstanding. Setup is easier than Plex and no need for transcoding. I've not had any problems with lag. The nice part is you don't have to install it on the server.

 

[d21mike]

Infuse is outstanding. Setup is easier than Plex and no need for transcoding. I've not had any problems with lag. The nice part is you don't have to install it on the server.

I recently started using PLEX for a number of reasons. I still have InFuse but I prefer PLEX. Of course the problem with PLEX is needing a PLEX Server.
1. Do you know if InFuse has anyway to FLATTEN folders? I have my movies grouped in folders when multiple movies are together. Like Spider Man. PLEX will ignore the folders and just show the movies. But Infuse shows the folders first without an ICON and I have to go into the folder. I believe I can put in a folder icon but prefer not to have to do that. I think MrMc mentioned they do this in the last release. And option to support both would be nice. Maybe have a default icon based on folder name would also be nice.
2. PLEX Multiple User support is a big part of my PLEX usage mainly for TV Shows. My wife I have a different set of Shows that we see. I actually use Labels for this purpose.
3. PLEX Library where you can group multiple folders in a Library from different locations. Not using this that much lately since switching to use Show Labels but it was a nice feature.
4. Lastly, access to PLEX remote is a nice feature.
5. I like the option of Transcoding but I pretty much never transcode since all my clients support all of my media. But nice option to have outside the local network. But I do limit it as much as possible.
[doublepost=1496949911][/doublepost]

I recently started using PLEX for a number of reasons. I still have InFuse but I prefer PLEX. Of course the problem with PLEX is needing a PLEX Server.
1. Do you know if InFuse has anyway to FLATTEN folders? I have my movies grouped in folders when multiple movies are together. Like Spider Man. PLEX will ignore the folders and just show the movies. But Infuse shows the folders first without an ICON and I have to go into the folder. I believe I can put in a folder icon but prefer not to have to do that. I think MrMc mentioned they do this in the last release. And option to support both would be nice. Maybe have a default icon based on folder name would also be nice.
2. PLEX Multiple User support is a big part of my PLEX usage mainly for TV Shows. My wife I have a different set of Shows that we see. I actually use Labels for this purpose.
3. PLEX Library where you can group multiple folders in a Library from different locations. Not using this that much lately since switching to use Show Labels but it was a nice feature.
4. Lastly, access to PLEX remote is a nice feature.
5. I like the option of Transcoding but I pretty much never transcode since all my clients support all of my media. But nice option to have outside the local network. But I do limit it as much as possible.

Actually I was wrong about #1. It appears to happen only when in Library Other but not complete sure because I am now getting an "indexing error for SHARE". Any idea what would cause a Indexing error. Also, on the Home Page the Movie and TV Shows just spin. Maybe because of the Indexing error. Also, when it was working maybe it was where I was seeing the folders. But anyway, the Library views of Movies and TV Shows look good. The Other is a problem. My guess is that the shows just do not match the database. One is the Late Show which is under the hosts name. I probably have a problem.

 

[fhall1]

I use MrMC and Infuse to grab stuff off my NAS - I don't use Plex because I don't want to have another server running all the time.

 

[mrex]

i use VLC - it works, easy to use and free with codecs.

I (even in MKV format).

mkv is just a container. vlc plays it too - as probably every decent movie apps do..

 

[1984Editor]

VLC all the way.

 

[lemonkid]

Infuse is great for all kinds of movies, VLC will even play Blue Ray iso, MrMc is sitting on the drive but not used so much by me.
However until now the ATV4 has limited audio capabilities. It transforms everything to 48Khz samples. And the samplerate is not synced with your other equipment. But maybe in a movie using dolby or other containers that may not be a problem.

 

[oizoi0j]

?

 

[rhett7660]

I upgraded from ATV3 to ATV4 which should allow more format to play without to convert it all to .mp4 or m4v (does it play avi and mov straight away???), my concern now is how to stream content from a Q-NAP NAS directly to it through some app, I installed Plex but for some strange reason (maybe disk space almost gone on the NAS) it won't start, any other App to allow such service from NAS to ATV4?

Thank you

Plex on my QNAP is pretty weak. I gave up on using the server software on my QNAP. I actually installed the server software on a Mac Mini and have no issues. I like Plex, but I wish I didn't have to have the server software running.

I am looking at Infuse as an alternative though. Might migrate over to it in the future.

 

[d21mike]

Plex on QNAP is pretty weak. I gave up on using the server software on Plex. I actually installed the server software on a Mac Mini and have no issues. I like Plex, but I wish I didn't have to have the server software running.

I am looking at Infuse as an alternative though. Might migrate over to it in the future.

I think you mean PLEX on QNAP with small CPU is pretty weak. Some of the QNAP's running on INTEL QUAD CPU's should be a good experience. Especially if you use DIRECT PLAY whenever possible. Also, you can also point InFuse to the QNAP NAS Device. You can of course do both. In my case I use a MAC Mini for the PLEX Server and works great. I also use InFuse and much prefer PLEX. But I also use PLEX DIRECT PLAY. Almost NEVER use Transcoding.

 

[rhett7660]

I think you mean PLEX on QNAP with small CPU is pretty weak. Some of the QNAP's running on INTEL QUAD CPU's should be a good experience. Especially if you use DIRECT PLAY whenever possible. Also, you can also point InFuse to the QNAP NAS Device. You can of course do both. In my case I use a MAC Mini for the PLEX Server and works great. I also use InFuse and much prefer PLEX. But I also use PLEX DIRECT PLAY. Almost NEVER use Transcoding.

Yes, sorry was typing that in a rush.... Updated......

Yes, I gave up on using the Plex software on my QNAP, now granted it wasn't an Intel based system. It does work ok for non-blu-ray or very high dvd rips. I also tried the software on my new Synology box. It worked better, but I was still getting some glitches with some of my Blu-Ray rips. So I switched that one back to the Mac Mini and have been running smooth since.

I do the same re: direct play, now. I am running the same, Mac Mini as the head and my Synology as the backend media storage.

 

[IGI2]

InFuse all the way man!

 

[KUKitch]

I use Beamer for playing "local" content from my MBP to my ATV - although I guess that's not a direct solution - however it does work fantastically well

 

[pgolik]

File Explorer works pretty well for me.

AppleTV is not perfect at playing those sweet 15gb 1080p mkvs though. Sometimes it lags even if I use wired 1gbit connection.

ATV4 wired Ethernet port is 100Mbit only, a good 5GHz ac WiFi Router will give you better speed.

 

[fhall1]

You only need 10Mbps MAX to stream 1080p - less than 25Mbps for 4K content - ATV4 wired connection is more than sufficient at 100Mbps (even with losses for overhead) for 1080p files.

 

[IGI2]

You only need 10Mbps MAX to stream 1080p - less than 25Mbps for 4K content - ATV4 wired connection is more than sufficient at 100Mbps (even with losses for overhead) for 1080p files.

Actually, resolution itself is not a good measurement.

You actually definitely need more than 10 Mbps.

For example:

You need almost 30 Mbps for video itself here. Then you need additional 3 Mbps for DTS-HD sound.


(Those are tracks from BluRay discs)
[doublepost=1504883978][/doublepost]

ATV4 wired Ethernet port is 100Mbit only, a good 5GHz ac WiFi Router will give you better speed.

Yup!

It's a strange strategy from Apple but that is the truth. Wireless communication is faster than wired in Apple TV (4th gen).

 

[Lappen71]

Actually, resolution itself is not a good measurement.

You actually definitely need more than 10 Mbps.

For example:
View attachment 716374

You need almost 30 Mbps for video itself here. Then you need additional 3 Mbps for DTS-HD sound.


(Those are tracks from BluRay discs)
[doublepost=1504883978][/doublepost]
Yup!

It's a strange strategy from Apple but that is the truth. Wireless communication is faster than wired in Apple TV (4th gen).

100Mbit is still enough.
This file is no problem to stream.

 

[IGI2]

100Mbit is still enough.
This file is no problem to stream.

View attachment 716404

Ahhhh, MacRumors and its thorough readers.

I said nothing about 100 Mbps not being sufficient.

I just said that this statement above "10 Mbps MAX" is basically a blatant LIE.

 

[Lappen71]

Ahhhh, MacRumors and its thorough readers.

I said nothing about 100 Mbps not being sufficient.

I just said that this statement above "10 Mbps MAX" is basically a blatant LIE.

Back at you. I wrote "still" so nobody think that 100Mbit isn't enough

 

[fhall1]

Ahhhh, MacRumors and its thorough readers.

I said nothing about 100 Mbps not being sufficient.

I just said that this statement above "10 Mbps MAX" is basically a blatant LIE.

I take offense that you are calling me a blatant liar...do a basic Google search for "bandwidth required to stream 4K video" and check the results that come back. Name calling has no place here.