Is it currently possible for me to use my tablet, or phone to stream content from my NAS or server in my home network?
Ruzzah said:
Is it currently possible for me to use my tablet, or phone to stream content from my NAS or server in my home network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes...(and I'm going to assume you mean to the Chromecast).
Only two options available now...
Plex Player and aVia....
Option 1 - aVia Player should work with any DLNA server provided the files on the server/NAS are already compatible with Chromecast.
Option 2 - Plex has a Server AND a Player component. The server will transcode any file to be compatible with Chromecast. But the Plex Player only works with the Plex Server. And currently (temporarily actually) in order to stream content to Chromecast with Plex requires a PlexPass account. The server software is free, There are two players available one that requires a PlexPass account and another (Plex for Android) that does not (exception being that it won't work with Chromecast for now but will soon).
Plex Server will work with both aVia and obviously Plex Players. And will probably work with any future DLNA players that have Chromecast support in the future such as Bubble or Twonky.
Most NAS systems available today HAVE some sort of Media/DLNA server built into it! SO you should check your NAS to see if it already has that capability.
WD My Book has Twonky Server built in
NetGear has Plex built into it
Seagate has some proprietary thing that does not work at all! Unfortunately I have one of those and had to set up a server on another machine just to get that capability.
If money isn't an issue for you and you don't mind paying for the PlexPass account (you can get a lifetime account for $75) then I recommend Plex as it does transcoding and works much better with Chromecast than aVia does presently.
Also note that some issues with aVia have been encountered with people on JB 4.1.2 but not 4.1.1, Not sure if that means everything above 4.1.1 has issues though....Expect aVia to fix that at some point.
I currently have 4.3.1 on my phone and 4.4.2 on my tablet. Also what type of movies are compatible, and would I need a transcoder for the chromecast to work with the files?
Ruzzah said:
I currently have 4.3.1 on my phone and 4.4.2 on my tablet. Also what type of movies are compatible, and would I need a transcoder for the chromecast to work with the files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll need Plex Media Server or upload to RealPlayer Cloud for real-time transcoding of anything that is not in a Chromecast-compatible format.
See 2.b, 2.c and 2.d in the FAQ.
Ruzzah said:
Is it currently possible for me to use my tablet, or phone to stream content from my NAS or server in my home network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could also use the modified AllCast with BubbleUPNP on a rooted Chromecast. Using this method I haven't had issues with MKV files and MP4 files.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=47503538&postcount=98
Is it possible to cast movies in a non compatible chromecast format (avi, divx, etc) via Avia using a Plex media server?
I havent had any luck doing so. I thought the plex media server would transcode the movie to a compatible format on the go?
What about using the plex app for android with the plex pass? Would that work ? Would it do the transcoding on the go ?
burdo said:
Is it possible to cast movies in a non compatible chromecast format (avi, divx, etc) via Avia using a Plex media server?
I havent had any luck doing so. I thought the plex media server would transcode the movie to a compatible format on the go?
What about using the plex app for android with the plex pass? Would that work ? Would it do the transcoding on the go ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Plex server should be transcoding the media on the fly for you. What are the specs of the machine that's the Plex server?
I don't believe the Android app can transcode as it's just a client.
Sent from a device with no keyboard. Please forgive typos, they may not be my own.
I'll try and paste the answer from our PM so the rest of the folks can benefit...
burdo said:
Is it possible to cast movies in a non compatible chromecast format (avi, divx, etc) via Avia using a Plex media server?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hit or Miss (depending on the video format) but the answer is probably not. When using aVia the Plex server can't transcode for CCast as it doesn't even know it exists.What Transcoding Plex might use (if any) when aVia requests a stream is unclear since there is no profile specifically for the aVia (profiles are usually for devices not software and it is up to the software to identify what it needs which may not be the case with aVia).
burdo said:
I havent had any luck doing so. I thought the plex media server would transcode the movie to a compatible format on the go?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Transcoding may or may not happen and even when it does happen what it transcodes to varies from device to device. Only when the App making the request identifies itself as THIS TYPE OF DEVICE (or Profile) will Plex know how to transcode for it and do so. aVia Devs could probably solve this problem at some point so all of what I'm saying could change if they wanted it to.
burdo said:
What about using the plex app for android with the plex pass? Would that work ? Would it do the transcoding on the go ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YES! Plex for Android and Plex for PlexPass will both play files that are not chromecast compatible and transcode them for playback on the CCast, but there will probably be some exception to that from time to time where a file doesn't transcode so easily, or the Plex Transcoder itself doesn't like the file.
The difference is in how the two methods approach playback on the CCast.
Plex treats the CCast like a DLNA player and the Plex Apps don't ever actually play the video itself they merely tell the CCast to get it directly from the Server which makes the Server use the CCast Transcoding profile and rules.
aVia acts as a sort of Middleman where it gets the data and then forwards it to the CCast.(Note this is best Guess not CERTAIN by any means only aVia devs know for sure!) This means the server has no idea the CCast is being used and sends what stream it thinks the aVia can handle (which may not be compatible with CCast.)
Method 1 (Plex) - You pick a file in PlexApp and tell it to cast it, Plex app sends a command to CCast to go get the file from the server. Server transcodes for CCast and the file plays directly on CCast
Method 2 (aVia) - You pick a file in aVia and tell it to cast it, aVia tells the server to send it to aVia then aVia sends the data to the CCast.
Best combination right now for streaming Plex Server (and incompatible) content to CCast are the Plex apps...If Plex Server can recognize the file it should transcode properly for CCast.
Unfortunately (as we speak) to use the Plex apps with CCast requires a PlexPass account (Not free). This is only temporary and it will not be required in the near future.
So if money is not a big issue I suggest trying it for a month by getting a month of PlexPass and giving it a good test run. Hopefully by the time that Month is done PlexPass will no longer be required to stream to CCast after that.
Just to be a little clearer on when and how transcoding happens...
The PLAYER is the key to transcode/Not Transcode and is the one responsible for communicating to the Plex Server what it requires as far as transcoding is concerned. It is the player communicating with the server that tells Plex Server which profile to use when the player makes a request to get the file.
In the Plex System the Player resides on and is written FOR the CCast and it tells the Plex server it is a CCast.
In aVia it is unclear what the aVia player tells the Plex server or that it gives PlexServer any information about itself or it's intentions of what it plans to do with the file at all.
Without any information about it's target Plex server may not do any transcoding or if minimal information is given during the file request it may use a generic profile which may not be as compatible with CCast as lets say a Android profile might be.
And let me be clear (and Fair to the aVia Devs). We are just GUESSING based on observations on how aVia seems to be working in conjunction with CCast. The best place to get answers (and solutions as well) is to ask these questions regarding aVia on their support site (if they have one).
Not only will they be much more informed at how their app works but your Question may even lead them to change or update their code to work much better in a transcoding environment where casting to CCast is concerned.
They may already be working on these things, or we could be totally off base in how aVia is doing what it does.
And I don't want to give the impression that aVia is doing something wrong or that Plex is better for anything other than streaming from PlexServer at the moment.
aVia does many things the Plex Apps will NOT DO such as casting Local ON UNIT files that PlexApps simply doesn't do.
And other than the temporary requirement of needing a PlexPass to cast to CCast with Plex, In the end having BOTH APPS (aVia and Plex) will make a very Versatile and Complementary tandem to stream any kind of local content (be it Plex Server or ON UNIT) to the CCast.
I'm currently using Plex Media Server on my desktop to host my music (app is free for the PC) and then use Avia on my phone or tablet to access the Plex Media Server and stream to my chromecast on my home theater. Its a good work around until chromcast features are free on Plex.
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mpgwrx said:
I'm currently using Plex Media Server on my desktop to host my music (app is free for the PC) and then use Avia on my phone or tablet to access the Plex Media Server and stream to my chromecast on my home theater. Its a good work around until chromcast features are free on Plex.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To add to that there is a temporary workaround (that always worked) if your on a PC.
Just load up the Media Manager of Plex Server (it is browser based) and use the the GoogleCast extension in Chrome to send the stream to the CCast no PlexPass is needed.
This is similar to the way aVia works except for the fact that because your on a PC and have the power and buffer space to Transcode, The GoogleCast extension will make a CCast compatible stream out of it.
Probably won't get any surround sound goodness doing it that way but it is a good stopgap method until PlexPass is no longer required.
Good to know!!!
I wanted to let you know guys that plex just added native streaming to chromecast via browser, just as youtube or netflix. No need to use the cast extension anymore. Works perfect for every format I tried and every codec. AVI, MPG, MP4, MKV,etc
You need to have your plex server setup and published (so it can be access externally). Check if it is in settings/plex media server/ myplex. If it is not you will need to forward the port to your server on your router. Once its published, access www.plex.tv (from any pc anywhere). Login to the same account you use on your server. Click on servers. You should see yours now. At the top right corner you should see the cast button to play the file locally or to your chromecast (it should be on the same newtork as the server).
Thats it. Stream it!
burdo said:
I wanted to let you know guys that plex just added native streaming to chromecast via browser, just as youtube or netflix. No need to use the cast extension anymore. Works perfect for every format I tried and every codec. AVI, MPG, MP4, MKV,etc
You need to have your plex server setup and published (so it can be access externally). Check if it is in settings/plex media server/ myplex. If it is not you will need to forward the port to your server on your router. Once its published, access www.plex.tv (from any pc anywhere). Login to the same account you use on your server. Click on servers. You should see yours now. At the top right corner you should see the cast button to play the file locally or to your chromecast (it should be on the same newtork as the server).
Thats it. Stream it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome find!
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burdo said:
I wanted to let you know guys that plex just added native streaming to chromecast via browser, just as youtube or netflix. No need to use the cast extension anymore. Works perfect for every format I tried and every codec. AVI, MPG, MP4, MKV,etc
You need to have your plex server setup and published (so it can be access externally). Check if it is in settings/plex media server/ myplex. If it is not you will need to forward the port to your server on your router. Once its published, access www.plex.tv (from any pc anywhere). Login to the same account you use on your server. Click on servers. You should see yours now. At the top right corner you should see the cast button to play the file locally or to your chromecast (it should be on the same newtork as the server).
Thats it. Stream it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They haven't added it to the Plexweb side of the server yet..It is only on the Plex.tv site right now something I expect will be updated pretty soon.
I was hoping they added this functionality to the PlexWeb.
Anyone with a ASUS Black Diamond Router rt-n65u? It is supposed to be able to share dlna media but I cannot get avia to see it.
I was hoping to stream all my MP4 movies that are on the routers usb3 external hard drive to the Chromecast with Avia.
All my phones/tablets can stream all the movies from it perfectly. ANY IDEAS how to get it to work from anyone that has the same router?
Sent from my Work Phone
RockRatt said:
Anyone with a ASUS Black Diamond Router rt-n65u? It is supposed to be able to share dlna media but I cannot get avia to see it.
I was hoping to stream all my MP4 movies that are on the routers usb3 external hard drive to the Chromecast with Avia.
All my phones/tablets can stream all the movies from it perfectly. ANY IDEAS how to get it to work from anyone that has the same router?
Sent from my Work Phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I can see from the product page for that router it isn't a DLNA server just some proprietary Media Server.
Probably only works with their App.
Asphyx said:
From what I can see from the product page for that router it isn't a DLNA server just some proprietary Media Server.
Probably only works with their App.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed, page 32 of the manual says it is a UPnP server, but not specifically DLNA.
BubbleUPnP should be able to access it, so you might be able to browse via BubbleUPnP and share to Avia for casting, assuming your media is in a format Chromecast can play.
bhiga said:
Indeed, page 32 of the manual says it is a UPnP server, but not specifically DLNA.
BubbleUPnP should be able to access it, so you might be able to browse via BubbleUPnP and share to Avia for casting, assuming your media is in a format Chromecast can play.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I forget but it may also be possible aVia would be able to see it via Samba if he used one of the many Samba Mapping apps out there so they showed up as local files on his device.
Router is definitely not going to do any transcoding so it had better at least be compatible with aVia and that still doesn't guarantee CCast will work.
Asphyx said:
I forget but it may also be possible aVia would be able to see it via Samba if he used one of the many Samba Mapping apps out there so they showed up as local files on his device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good idea - cifsmanager or something like it might work. I've been toying with the idea to map some ISO folders so WonderShare can play them but haven't reached that point on my ToDo list yet.
Thanks all for the ideas. I will play with the ideas and see what works. Just had a thought about it as well now.
The Asus router has a app for it and I use it all the time. I "THINK" I chose the mxplayer as the default player. So MAYBE once I clear the default player then "Hopefully" it will ask again and I can choose A via as the player (as this is how I have setup ShoBox to use A via as the player). Do not know why I didn't think of it previously. I will reply here once I get home tonight to see if it will work.
If not I will try some of the other ideas. Thanks again
EDIT: I cleared defaults for MX player, opened up the AiCloud App (that I can access my hard drive connected to my home Asus Router from my phone over WiFi or cell signal), went to my movie folder, chose a movie, the AiCloud app which app to play with, I chose A via and it tried to play the movie. Now I WILL HAVE TO TEST once I get home because the upload from the router over my cell signal is too slow to play the movie. I REALLY HOPE this works like it looks like it will I will update further once I test over my WiFi at home...
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Hi all,
I really like the plex app. Nicely detects and presents all my media collection. I do find it irritating that music casting is still unsupported, although they demand me to pay to cast. If you ask me to pay for casting - allow me to cast my media. If you cant support full media casting - dont ask for my money. That's how I see it.
Anyway, Does anyone knows when will casting music be supported?
edoson said:
Hi all,
I really like the plex app. Nicely detects and presents all my media collection. I do find it irritating that music casting is still unsupported, although they demand me to pay to cast. If you ask me to pay for casting - allow me to cast my media. If you cant support full media casting - dont ask for my money. That's how I see it.
Anyway, Does anyone knows when will casting music be supported?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one knows when but yes it will support music and pictures eventually.
It actually requires a more sophisticated player app than required for just movies. A Movie is play one file and done.
Music and pictures to be done correctly requires playlist functionality which means there needs to be a way to put a playlist on the CCast and update it during playback since it is the CCast that makes the request for media. not the other way around.
So they either have to add a Queue to the control protocol that the CCast can use to request the next file or do some trickery on the Server side to build a playlist that the CCast checks at the end of each file to see if there is more to play.
Hi all
I'd like to be able to stream videos which are on my desktop PC to my phone possibly via some server/client set-up and the wireless network. To my surprise I haven't been able to find anything in the marketplace which advertises this ability. I'd like to find a program that play stream or m3u8 files.
Thanks
morpheusmor said:
Hi all
I'd like to be able to stream videos which are on my desktop PC to my phone possibly via some server/client set-up and the wireless network. To my surprise I haven't been able to find anything in the marketplace which advertises this ability. I'd like to find a program that play stream or m3u8 files.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The by far best solution (in my opinion) is Plex, it automatically tags your complete library and streams to devices via local OR remote network. If you for some reason don't want it just set up a UPNP server on your pc and get some client for your phone, there are lots of them..
So I tried to stream local mp4 480p video via browser to chromecast.
It lags really bad, I heard sound, but mostly stuttering/stuck picture.
30mbs internet.
I don't have an android phone.....
Also pretty sure the Plex app for WP8,does not support casting.
Don't want to waste $5 on the app.
So I install plex media server on PC,install $5 app on phone, and use phone to cast video?
Not sure if I understand right....
Can't I just cast from my pc/plex server? Seems that they just want money,so i'm forced to use the app even though it's extra steps.
jms_209 said:
So I tried to stream local mp4 480p video via browser to chromecast.
It lags really bad, I heard sound, but mostly stuttering/stuck picture.
30mbs internet.
I don't have an android phone.....
Also pretty sure the Plex app for WP8,does not support casting.
Don't want to waste $5 on the app.
So I install plex media server on PC,install $5 app on phone, and use phone to cast video?
Not sure if I understand right....
Can't I just cast from my pc/plex server? Seems that they just want money,so i'm forced to use the app even though it's extra steps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can but you need to use the Plex.tv website to send to the CCast.
The Local version you see from Media Manager does not support casting to CCast. They Claim google won't allow it but I can't see any real reason for that to be true...
Asphyx said:
You can but you need to use the Plex.tv website to send to the CCast.
The Local version you see from Media Manager does not support casting to CCast. They Claim google won't allow it but I can't see any real reason for that to be true...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried Chromecast video. That works.
Tried a 720p video and it played, but buffered a bit. no skipping.
lower bitrate video should be better.
I'll try some other videos.
Hello
How can I stream videos/TV shows from a WD My Cloud to my chromecast ?
Open the cloud drive on a desktop computer. Select the Shared folder you want to access... right click on it and then choose Map to Drive. This will give it a location on the laptop that anything that can access its file system can see.
Next, get a Plex account, download the Plex Media Server, and connect it to your account online (it is free with a few small limitations). Specifically, you will be asked to provide different folders for where your media is.... this is where you choose the drive that you mapped your WD cloud to.
From there, you can log in to Plex.tv and Cast your movies.
So to recap, they go from your Cloud drive to your laptop which is read by Plex and showed on their website despite being locally read by Plex Server from that hard drive letter which maps to that virtual drive, and then Plex servers get permission from Google servers to put up an https url on your Chromecast which is told by plex.tv to load a url from your local server which transcodes the file you want to see.
Tib44 said:
Hello
How can I stream videos/TV shows from a WD My Cloud to my chromecast ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All you need is any DLNA and CCast capable player app.
WD Cloud has a DLNA server built in.
Not sure what they are using these days but they used to run Twonky Server on their NAS units so you can start there.
But most DLNA servers on a NAS do not transcode due to lack of power so you might want to look into what @primetechv2 said and have a PC run either Plex or BubbleuPnP server so you never have to worry if your files are CCast compatible.
Tib44 said:
Hello
How can I stream videos/TV shows from a WD My Cloud to my chromecast ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a WD My Book LIve and I use AVIA app (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.videon.android.mediaplayer) to stream directly, using Nexus 10, to my chromecast without having to use PC. It can see all the folders on my drive that I have shared over my network.
Only other thing I had to do was upgrade Twonky software to newer version as version 5 that came on drive was out of date and wouldn't play .mp4 files. Instructions I got to do this was here
http://mybookworld.wikidot.com/foru...to-upgrade-to-twonky-7-version-my-book-live-o
I'm not sure exactly what software will be on your newer model drive but if you have Twonky 7 or other similar software this should work for you. Perhaps try the Avia app first and see if it works before changing anything on your drive.
dpjohnston said:
I have a WD My Book LIve and I use AVIA app (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.videon.android.mediaplayer) to stream directly, using Nexus 10, to my chromecast without having to use PC. It can see all the folders on my drive that I have shared over my network.
Only other thing I had to do was upgrade Twonky software to newer version as version 5 that came on drive was out of date and wouldn't play .mp4 files. Instructions I got to do this was here
http://mybookworld.wikidot.com/foru...to-upgrade-to-twonky-7-version-my-book-live-o
I'm not sure exactly what software will be on your newer model drive but if you have Twonky 7 or other similar software this should work for you. Perhaps try the Avia app first and see if it works before changing anything on your drive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just going to point out that you need to purchase a new license for Twonky 7 to do the above mentioned upgrade from Twonky 5.
If your unit already comes with Twonky 7 then no need to upgrade is likely needed. But even if it is your OEM License should work.
Ok so I hesitated between WD MyCloud and a synology NAS
I think it will be better if I use DS Video on a Synology beetween DLNA,
I already try DLNA (before I have a chromecast) with my usb port on my router and my TV and It didn't works great a lot of video didn't work so I think it will be the same if I use mycloud in DLNA
right ?
Tib44 said:
Ok so I hesitated between WD MyCloud and a synology NAS
I think it will be better if I use DS Video on a Synology beetween DLNA,
I already try DLNA (before I have a chromecast) with my usb port on my router and my TV and It didn't works great a lot of video didn't work so I think it will be the same if I use mycloud in DLNA
right ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It really depends on what DLNA server you are running as they are not all equal.
The reason some files work and others don't is due to container (mp4, mkv, avi) and Codec (H.264, Cinepack, MPEG-4, MJPEG) incompatibilities of the player application or device.
You either need to manually re-encode the incompatible files to a format that is compatible with all your devices and players (Usualt H.264 with AAC Audio) or use a DLNA Server that can Transcode the video on the fly to a compatible format for your target device.
Twonky 7 does the latter when run on a proper computer but may not be available and disabled in a low processing power device such as the WD My Cloud drives.
Plex also does this but again it is probably not available for your unit since it ships with Twonky instead. And again you have the same issue with transcode is not supported on some units due to a lack of power to transcode....
My suggestion is to figure out what files you are having problems playing, and what seems to work well. Re-Encode the non working files to MP4/H.264/AAC (or MKV/H.264/AAC if you can play this container type) in Handbrake (computer required) so that all of your library is compatible without the need to transcode.
You will probably also save yourself some space on the drive in the process and all your files will pretty much play on any device.
ok but I really don't want to have to re encode/ convert my incompotible videos. It takes time and I have to do it manually (I think)
Tib44 said:
ok but I really don't want to have to re encode/ convert my incompotible videos. It takes time and I have to do it manually (I think)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand but you have to realize that the CCast doesn't play some containers or codecs and the only way to get them to work is to either run a server that does the transcoding when needed or to do it manually.
ok so if I understand I have to buy a synology with for exemple a plex server to let it transcode my video automatically. I can't do this with a WD MyCloud
If I buy a MyCloud I will have to re encode my video manually if it doesn't works
that's it ?
Tib44 said:
ok so if I understand I have to buy a synology with for exemple a plex server to let it transcode my video automatically. I can't do this with a WD MyCloud
If I buy a MyCloud I will have to re encode my video manually if it doesn't works
that's it ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You probably can't do it with a synology either....It depends on the power of the unit you buy...
Most NAS units do not have a processor capable of transcoding. Only the high end units do.
And plex will disable transcode on units that they feel are underpowered.
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/200375666-Stand-Alone-Server
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/sections/200286217
Here is a spreadsheet that tells you what is supported by Plex on the various NAS units available.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...5-Ac4oOLPRtCkgUxU0jdj3tmMPc/htmlview?sle=true
But I'll tell you right now...The NAS units that do support transcode are all going to cost upwards of $1K US
So it really comes down to what do you think is worth to you?
Buying a unit that will do the work for you or doing the work once and be able to use those files on any NAS device you can afford?
There are Programs you can get that will do batch conversion for you as well.
Anyone willing to try this... Plex running fine on MyCloud independent of PC / laptop
http://community.wd.com/t5/WD-My-Cloud/Clean-debian-and-OpenMediaVault-on-WDMyCloud/td-p/785505
I'm a little nervous to give it a go as I have no idea about what all the Unix commands do so need to do some background reading before I jump in
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