Simple Home NAS???

[Tarun10]

I don't know much about NAS but I just want to be able to access certain files especially music and shows I have downloaded on all my devices without copying them since they are nearly 300GB. How I would I do this??? I have an external HDD so I could use that. My router is a TP-LINK Archer C50 V3 1200. Is there any way to attach my HDD tp this and access the contents via the WiFi network??

[Dedayog]

I went thru this last year and ended up just going Plex server.  Free or cheap, you decide.

[Tarun10]

1 minute ago, jstudrawa said:

I went thru this last year and ended up just going Plex server.  Free or cheap, you decide.

I don't know if Plex is available in India and besides I don't have much content just two or three of my favorite shows that aren't available on Prime Video or Netflix India.

[Dedayog]

No idea if it works or not in India...

 

https://www.plex.tv/

 

Try it and see, it's F R double E.

[Tarun10]

It recognizes India and it procedes to payment but I don't what shows I might get and whether it will work. Let me do a little more research.

I am trying the free version. Get back soon.

[Dedayog]

6 minutes ago, Tarun10 said:

It recognizes India and it procedes to payment but I don't what shows I might get and whether it will work. Let me do a little more research.

Nm, I got educated below...

[Tarun10]

1 minute ago, jstudrawa said:

I am confused.  Plex simply takes movies and TV shows you have on your PC and streams then to other devices via your network.

 

It doesn't give you access to TV shows at all. What do you mean by "I don't get what shows I might get"?

It says stuff about recording live TV shows and stuff. Never mind I think I got it. Just setting up.

[Dedayog]

Just now, Tarun10 said:

It says stuff about recording live TV shows and stuff. Never mind I think I got it. Just setting up.

Oh, I didn't even notice that.  Sorry!  You're right, it can do that.  I only use it for accessing my own media, but now that you've made me aware... hmmm,

[Tarun10]

So how does it work?? I download the app on all devices I want and on the device I have the files I add them into a library and that's it??

[Dedayog]

Just now, Tarun10 said:

So how does it work?? I download the app on all devices I want and on the device I have the files I add them into a library and that's it??

Download the Plex Server setup to the main host device (your PC I assume).  Make directories for each Movies, TV, etc.  Then put your files in their respective spots.  Now "Update Libraries" when done.  Should be that easy.  Log in from each device to watch.

 

[Tarun10]

Just now, jstudrawa said:

Download the Plex Server setup to the main host device (your PC I assume).  Make directories for each Movies, TV, etc.  Then put your files in their respective spots.  Now "Update Libraries" when done.  Should be that easy.  Log in from each device to watch.

 

But my PC has to be turned on always?? I use a laptop that's why but could I do this with a router and HDD??

[Dedayog]

Yeah, PC has to be on.  Not sure on router and HDD, but my PC is always on and if you're watching TV you can keep your laptop powered on the coffee table or desk?

 

 

[Tarun10]

3 minutes ago, jstudrawa said:

Yeah, PC has to be on.  Not sure on router and HDD, but my PC is always on and if you're watching TV you can keep your laptop powered on the coffee table or desk?

 

 

I guess so. Thanks for the help.

[Dedayog]

11 minutes ago, Tarun10 said:

I guess so. Thanks for the help.

I'm not saying DON'T build a NAS.  This is just free basically.

 

If you build a NAS, it will need to be on all the time too.  It will also serve more functions as well so there are benefits.

 

Others will have to chime in, I gave up on building one.  

[AngryBeaver]

Just get a different router like a https://www.tp-link.com/au/products/details/cat-9_Archer-C9.html

 

Or any one with usb 3.0 and media sharing support. Then your router will have everything it needs on it to serve up the media. It just won't have the ability to transcode if a format isn't supported so you will need to make sure you have them all in a format your devices can view.

[Tarun10]

12 hours ago, AngryBeaver said:

Just get a different router like a https://www.tp-link.com/au/products/details/cat-9_Archer-C9.html

 

Or any one with usb 3.0 and media sharing support. Then your router will have everything it needs on it to serve up the media. It just won't have the ability to transcode if a format isn't supported so you will need to make sure you have them all in a format your devices can view.

Okay that's useful. My current router has that as well and when I go to the settings page I can find media sharing and USB storage menus.

[NelizMastr]

7 minutes ago, Tarun10 said:

Okay that's useful. My current router has that as well and when I go to the settings page I can find media sharing and USB storage menus.

The Archer C50 doesn't have USB  

[Tarun10]

4 minutes ago, NelizMastr said:

The Archer C50 doesn't have USB  

Maybe I misquoted the model. Let me check.

[Tarun10]

Oh I have the Archer C5 and Archer C50 and I guess the C5 has USB.

[Tarun10]

How do I access files from the router (8GB Pen Drive) on another device connected to that network???

[NelizMastr]

58 minutes ago, Tarun10 said:

How do I access files from the router (8GB Pen Drive) on another device connected to that network???

You need to map the drive (in Windows go to my computer, click the computer tab and click map network drive or add network location. Then type \\hostname\share

and hit enter). Of course substitute hostname and share with your router's hostname and share name.

[Tarun10]

A pop up says this file share uses SMB1 protocol and your device supports only SMB2 protocol. Also in settings should I toggle authentication and share all??

VLC Media Player is able to recognize the individual folder I shared under Media(name of server) with upnp written next to it and playback the videos however it also shows another server with the name MEDIA and SMB written underneath it and it can't recognize any elements. Any reason for this??