Samsung Smart TV Apps (to stream home media)

Clipsey · 19 Jan 2015 at 17:09

Hello,

So trying to use my TV for what it can do, but more efficiently.
Store videos on my network on server of sorts. I can navigate on the Samsung TV to get there, however it is slow and tedious and doesn't show a great deal.
I had (or still have) an HTPC, but feel it should have been made redundant with Smart Tvs, but with the software programs to run and display content, just looks so much better and easier.
Tried to explain to my wife where I stored Mickey Mouse Club house episodes for a our little one, and I just thought, this is kind of ridiculous.

So, sorry for the long story, but are there any apps, or at least shortcuts to where you can easily find your video content stored on separate servers etc?
Be cool if they could integrate something.
Or, dies HTPC still reign supreme?

fish · 19 Jan 2015 at 17:13

plex media server on pc and samsung plex app on tv. This is what i use to stream all over the house.

chroniclard · 19 Jan 2015 at 17:17

I also use plex media server, all my content on that box, streamed to various devices, chromecast, android tablets/phones, laptops, PC, iPad.

dbmzk1 · 19 Jan 2015 at 17:42

Another vote for Plex

Clipsey · 19 Jan 2015 at 17:45

Ah awesome, was hoping there was something like that!
Only trouble is, my 'server' is a USB storage device plugged directly into my router. Can you still set plex up to work that way, or does the PC have to be on and running to point everything to the right direction?

fish · 19 Jan 2015 at 17:54

I believe that the sever must be running, however on the latest version of the software for my asus router there is an option to set up a media server via DLNA, this could then be accessed by the samsung tv but not with the plex front end and as far as front ends go plex is one of the better ones so it may be worth considering running the server from the htpc and leaving it on.

Clipsey · 19 Jan 2015 at 17:56

Was just thinking that. Kind of want to get a real cheap and efficient server or PC I can just leave on and running in a separate room.
I'm sure they can be had for pennies these days.

Captain · 19 Jan 2015 at 18:07

This is how my Smart TV is setup, If you have DLNA support you can access your media by pressing the Source button, this then gives you quick access to all your media stored on your server/NAS.

Sorry for the poor pic

Is that how yours is setup now?

Clipsey · 19 Jan 2015 at 18:41

Thanks for the pic.
No, mine is setup on one of the main 4 screens. (app screen, TV guide screen, Movie screen, and then local content).
But you have to click, local content, then a bunch of sub directories to get to where you need. Just a pain and doesn't look very good.
I will see if I have the above option when I get home later.

fish · 19 Jan 2015 at 21:41

Clipsey said:
Was just thinking that. Kind of want to get a real cheap and efficient server or PC I can just leave on and running in a separate room.
I'm sure they can be had for pennies these days.

Until I recently upgraded I was running a hp proliant n36l for around 3 years. As the samsung tvs I have were pretty good and can handle a lot of files that was a pretty good low power solution. Although i have only recently moved over to plex (around a year ago) and used DLNA before that. I am sure now you could pick up a very cheap low power i3 set-up or an n54l that would do something similar. The added bonus of having a very small low power file server was i could dump my music and photos on there also and just had smaller ssds for household pc's

ViRuS2k · 20 Jan 2015 at 02:16

i use a 4tb drive called WD cloud

it has DLNA integrated and all i have to do is drag a file to the folder on my pc and then access the file on my tv via that exact same picture that is posted above

or i can play the file directly with jrmedia center drop the file into the tv within the pc program and it will stream and change channel on the tv automatic and start playing what ever i drag and drop in

bluntslide · 21 Jan 2015 at 21:14

I use plex on my Samsung and other devices. Just fire up the PC then away they go!
I like the way it looks on the TV, the library is good looking and it remembers around four different file start points. Oh and automatically lines up the next episode for TV series stuff.
Maybe I'm easily impressed but for free(for Samsung and PC I think) Its worth a try.