The WDTV is a fantastic Video Streamer

I have a Readynas Pro 6, Virgin TIVO box and 2 Apple TV's and 3 Logitech Squeezeboxes

I have loads of movies and music stored on my ReadyNas Pro.

I have all my music stored in iTunes with the actual music files stored on my ReadyNas. I have 2 libraries, one for mp3 and the other for LossLess files. I use iTunes so that I can synchronise my music to my iPad, iPhone and iPod. iTunes also allows my to set the tags etc. I have the Logitech Music Server on my ReadyNas which allows me to access the music from my Logitech Boom boxes etc. I can even synchronise the music on all 3 Squeezeboxes. This is a wonderful solution and works really well for me.

I have been trying to do the same with my Video files for some time but have not been able to find an ideal solution. I bought 2 Apple TV's which allowed me to access my video files, but unfortunately I had to do it through iTunes. I also had to convert all my video files to be compatible with iTunes. It worked but was a real pain and not an ideal solution.

I then installed the Plex server on my ReadyNas but unfortunately you cannot install a Plex client on the Apple TV's unless you jailbreak them of course. I then installed the Plex client on my iPad which allowed me to play videos via the Apple TV using Airplay from the iPad. Again it worked, was better than the previous method but was not ideal.

A few days ago I bought a Western Digital TV Live box from Dabs.com for £80.00 inclusive. It arrived within 2 days and took me about 5 minutes to set up and get working. I have it connected to my network via ethernet. I have activated the DNLA server on my ReadyNas which allows me to access all my video, movies, music, photos etc on the WDTV box. I have it connected to my TV via HDMI and use the optical output to give 5.1 sound. It actually plays at 1080P compared to 720P on the Apple TV boxes.

The user interface is not quite as slick as the Apple TV or Plex, but the functionality is fantastic. Unfortunately when I view the list of films on the WDTV it does not give a synopsis of each film which you get when using Plex. I believe this is possible but at the moment I've not found out how to do it.

So for anyone who wants to keep all their movies on the ReadyNas and view them on their TV get a WDTV box unless of course you have some other DNLA client.

If Apple eventually introduce an App store for the Apple TV then I would imagine a Plex client would be quickly available. Again that would be a wonderful solution especially if it is upgraded to 1080P. There are rumours of a 3rd generation Apple TV and perhaps thats what Apple have in mind. Watch this space....

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Streaming Video & Audio

30 Replies

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CrA_G
Aspirant
Jan 06, 2012
Hi singularity.

Thank you for this post!

I setup my new readynas duo this week and to be honest was only excited to do it due to thinking I could have my media all on it so that I could play it through my apple TV that I received for Christmas. It's the perfect idea and I'm very disappointed that the apple TV cannot see the Duo as a computer or even a cloud to stream music through let alone video.

I have therefore got audio running through my PS3 using the DNLA but this isn't ideal as you don't have Playlists etc :( also the video isn't supported through the PS3 (I'm assuming it is due to it being MP4?)

Do you think it would be worth my while getting the WD box? I do like their products, just very disappointed in apple (seems to always be the case!)

Are you able to see all files on your iPhone? If so - how? I cannot get readynas remote to work, some rubbish about FTP not being on which I'm sure it is! Wouldn't mind airplaying it over for a while.

Craig
Singularity
Tutor
Jan 06, 2012
Hi Craig

All my products are Apple. I've previously had a Duo like you but recently upgraded to a ReadyNas Pro. This is definitely the way to go when or should you consider upgrading. I'm heavily into music and video and like to have access to all my files throughout the house. That is the very reason I bought a NAS in the first place.

You can play all your music and video files through your Apple TV but you need to have iTunes running on your Computer at all times. You can keep the files on your NAS but your computer must be on and iTunes running. I have previously used the FireFly server, which is an iTunes server, for the music files but it doesn't work with video. Also the Firefly server isn't supported any longer and in my opinion is best avoided.

You will need to convert your video files to a suitable format in order to load them into iTunes. I use HandBrake on the Apple. With your music and video in iTunes you will be able to access and control them from your apple devices.

I have used ReadyNas Remote on both platforms and I believe it can sometimes be temperamental. If you can use the PS3 as a DNLA client then you should be to use it for your video files. Have you done this? From memory the Duo has a DNLA server.

Cheers
CrA_G
Aspirant
Jan 07, 2012
Unfortunately I've only just got the duo so wont be upgrading for a while :( what's the benefit of the pro?

I use PCs at home so would I be able to rip my DVDs and convert them with software?

Yeh one thing I don't want to have to do is boot up my laptop everytime I want to access my library, I thought the nas was the answer to that :(

Yes the DNLA is all working on the nas so no issue there. Going to have to look into the FTP error I get given on the iPhone!

So I should be able to rip my DVDs, convert them to a suitable format and then place them on the nas, stream them through my iPhone and then AirPlay that to the apple tv? Sounds long winded but I think that would be a pretty easy method to control :)

Is it possible?

Thanks for the speedy reply!
StephenB
Guru - Experienced User
Jan 07, 2012
CrA!G wrote:
...Do you think it would be worth my while getting the WD box? I do like their products, just very disappointed in apple (seems to always be the case!)...
The WDTV and the Netgear streamers (ntv550, eva9150) work very nicely with the Duo. They access the file shares directly (WDTV using CIFS, the netgear products can access via both NFS or CIFS). Neither needs to use DLNA.
Singularity
Tutor
Jan 07, 2012
Hi Craig

If you are going to rip your CD's then rip them to a suitable format to avoid converting a second time. DNLA can handle a wide variety of formats but avi seems to be one that's used frequently.

I can understand you not wanting to boot up your laptop to access your files and yes the NAS should be the answer to that. You just need to find what works for you. What is the issue with your iPhone. I just connect to my Home network with my iPad with wi-fi to access all my files. You don't need ReadyNas Remote.

Are you trying to play your music and video files remotely on your iPhone. Have you looked at Plex?

"So I should be able to rip my DVDs, convert them to a suitable format and then place them on the nas, stream them through my iPhone and then AirPlay that to the apple tv? Sounds long winded but I think that would be a pretty easy method to control"

I installed the Plex server on my NAS with the Plex client on my iPhone/iPad. I then played them on the Apple TV using Airplay. You will need to check if there is a Plex server for the Duo though. If there is then problem sorted. By the way, the Plex interface is superb.

I'll be up for another hour if you have any more questions.

Cheers
CrA_G
Aspirant
Jan 07, 2012
Thanks for the responses guys.

Yes I'm just looking to access media on the nas with my iPhone. How do you see them on your iPad? I was under the impression I needed to have an app to see the files? If not that would be useful!

I shall look into plex tomorrow, it sounds pretty cool!

Thanks again for all the info!
CrA_G
Aspirant
Jan 07, 2012
Oh and any advice on software to use to rip DVDs and Blu-rays?
Singularity
Tutor
Jan 07, 2012
I use Plex on the iPad to access my files on the NAS
Singularity
Tutor
Jan 07, 2012
Stephen

The WDTV and the Netgear streamers (ntv550, eva9150) work very nicely with the Duo. They access the file shares directly (WDTV using CIFS, the netgear products can access via both NFS or CIFS). Neither needs to use DLNA.

Hi

I just disabled the DNLA server on my NAS and lost the connection to my WDTV. I tried to connect using the shares option but didn't get very far. How are you suggesting that I actually connect to the NAS from my WDTV without using DNLA.

Cheers
CrA_G
Aspirant
Jan 07, 2012
Brill, I shall look into plex.

Just tried the 192. Etc URL in my browser and can login to my nas shares but nothing is contained. Do I need to enable something to see files in here?

Thanks in advance!