Help/suggestions |Portable Media Server | Accessed via Apple TV + VLC

[JeffJK]

Hi!

A family member uses an external HDD they carry around with them with a bunch of movies. 
When they connect directly to a TV, some movies are playable and some are not. 

I have a spare Apple TV and was thinking about getting them to play it through the VLC App, but of course Apple TV doesn't support external USB storage. So the only way to access local content would probably be through a network. 
I have an Opal GL-SFT1200 portable router, which has a USB port, but it doesn't support DLNA. (apparently).
 

Things to note:
- This will be completely OFFLINE
- We want it to be able to easily press the Turn Off button, without safely shutting things down.
I was looking into Media/PC sticks (not too user friendly and some take too long to boot/shutdown),

Nvidea Shield TV (costs an arm and a leg).

All the android TV boxes also too slow, have crap UI and remote.

 

Tried to tinker around with the Opal, ATV picks it up no problem. VLC player picks up the Opal in SMB. But doesn't detect any file share.
The File Sharing option is missing from Opal. But does have "Network Storage". (detects the USB drive connected)

- Enable Samba: Enabled
- Shared Folder: Enabled with Path: \sda1\ <folder name of content>

- Visibility: Useable

 

Spent a good minute installing several packages on Opal  miniDLNA etc but no success

------------
So yeah, looking for a solution or suggestion with an offline portal media device/player which can play most content from VLC, but also having a user friendly swift interface comparable to Apple TV, without sacrificing limbs. 

 

 

[seanondemand]

Buy the shield tv or else you’ll be there providing tech support every other day. 

[DraconisMaximus]

On 5/18/2025 at 2:06 AM, JeffJK said:

A family member uses an external HDD they carry around with them with a bunch of movies.

This line indicates that network based storage is likely not an option for you. Network sharing generally requires the drive to be connected 24/7 "safe disconnects" are a must and reactivating the share after reconnecting the drive will usually require reentering the web portal.

 

If the intention is to store the data on a device that is regularly moved, then your only really viable option is to get a device that can handle portable media.

The shield is a great option. Some of the higher end Roku systems can do this too and may be more user friendly for a less than tech savvy family member. Rokus do tend to have worse format compatibility though. An older game console may be a more affordable option too. The PS3 / PS4 come to mind.