Ext HDD for steaming content via modem??

[goughy]

Just wondering if I need to look for anything in particular with regards to an ext hdd that will stay connected to a modem for streaming content?
My parents are moving up here and now have an android smart tv and a ccwgtv for their other tv, and I'm digitising all their concert dvds so they can just watch them through apps, I'm assuming it'll be via vlc. The modem will be from iinet, I think they're some kind of tp-link with wifi 6. They won't have a desktop pc anymore, just a chromebook and a laptop (or another chromebook), so I won't be setting up a plex server or anything.

[BobsYourUncle]

If it's an android TV, you could probably do something with a fileserver that is an external HDD hanging off a router with Kodi running on the TV? I do something similar, although have a dedicated server rather than the simple option.

[goughy]

Want to keep it as simple and basic as I can. Otherwise I'd look at Nas solutions running Plex. But I figured vlc plays about anything, and they can navigate a folder structure, so thought this might be the go?

[BobsYourUncle]

Want to keep it as simple and basic as I can. Otherwise I'd look at Nas solutions running Plex. But I figured vlc plays about anything, and they can navigate a folder structure, so thought this might be the go?

Yeah, that should work. I think my parents would go better navigating Kodi than VLC, but I guess once they learn it it'd be fine.

[thecollective]

Most smart tvs have an onboard usb you can plug a hd into, either that or like Bob suggested create a shortcut to access a hd plugged into your router; provided it’s compatible (most are but some routers have the usb for decoration)


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[goughy]

Yeah, if they only had the one TV, I'd have plugged into it. But it'll be accessed from two different ones. I'm sure the manual for their modem I read said it can take up to 5 hdd's via a hub, if needed.

[virge666]

Plex or Kodi.. loaded on TV and pointing to the External HDD.
If you can get the external HDD to be networked - then you can run both TV's off it.

But Plex and Kodi by far easiest way - especially to use and setup.

[goughy]

I didn't think Plex could work off just an external hdd plugged into a router/modem?
I use plex at home for my htpc. If it can, I would absolutely use plex for it!

[goughy]

Hey @virge666 , with regards to using an ext hdd for plex and using the apps, are we talking either a NAS or WD MyCloud, or can any ext hdd do it? As they won't have a pc, don't they still need the server software running on something, hence the NAS or WD options?

[virge666]

Hey @virge666 , with regards to using an ext hdd for plex and using the apps, are we talking either a NAS or WD MyCloud, or can any ext hdd do it? As they won't have a pc, don't they still need the server software running on something, hence the NAS or WD options?

So most routers will allow an external in the USB as some kind of sharable media. Sort of Pseudo NAS. All Netgear do since the last 5 years

If you can get an IP address or some kind of drive map address.. PLEX, KODI and similar will all access it. It just needs some kind of drive map to talk to.

Alternatively.. EX HDD in back on TV - an Android may be able to do it.. but what you want is an external with a Network port.. plug into LAN port and job done.

[goughy]

Thanks Virge, I got that. But along the chain doesn't there have to be a Plex server involved? I know they have a server for NAS, but as this is just an ext hdd, will the TV Plex apps read it still? That's all I'm wondering.
I'd have just plugged it into the TV, as they only had the one. But they're going to have certainly two, maybe 3, which will all need access.

[virge666]

Thanks Virge, I got that. But along the chain doesn't there have to be a Plex server involved? I know they have a server for NAS, but as this is just an ext hdd, will the TV Plex apps read it still? That's all I'm wondering.
I'd have just plugged it into the TV, as they only had the one. But they're going to have certainly two, maybe 3, which will all need access.

think some of the tv's now have it included... could be wrong though

[goughy]

Yeah, won't be any issues with a Plex app on the tv's. I just wasn't sure if the app can act as a server or can an ext hdd be set as the server, or does it have to be something like a NAS.

[coalesce]

Goughy, Plex only do player apps for TVs so if you’re set on Plex you’ll need a separate server.

https://support.plex.tv/articles/204...are-supported/

A lot of TVs can read files off an external hdd but it will be their own app which will likely just be fairly basic file browsing