Stream HD and 4K video from RN424 to Android devices

Question

Greetings.&nbsp; In the past, I have used a Minix box to stream via SMB shares from my RN424 and that usually works fine for 4K and HD videos. However I now have a Note 20 Ultra android phone and a S7 Plus Android tablet which is a pretty powerful android tablet and would like to use those to control the streaming.&nbsp;Samsung Android "My Files" now can browse network SMB shares and I can see and download files from my NAS. But if I click on a file to play on the tablet or phone, it just wants to download it first.&nbsp; What I really want to do is stream the HD or 4K video from my NAS to my tablet or phone and cast to my TV via Roku.&nbsp; And sometimes just view on my tablet, that would be ideal.&nbsp;I have seen that I can use a Roku app that uses DNLA to play videos from the NAS directly on my Roku Ultra. I do not currently have DNLA turned on for my NAS but I certainly could do that.&nbsp; And that would have the advantage of using a wired gigabit network.&nbsp; Any complexities or downsides to using DNLA on the NAS?&nbsp; I would just want it to scan one folder that has videos and I would NOT want that device to be able to delete or modify the original files.&nbsp;But is there a way to access these files and play them on an android device on my local network? I see the Readynas android cloud app but I don't really want to do that via the cloud....i just want to stream locally.&nbsp;Note these are videos I have taken with HD and 4K cameras myself.&nbsp;Thanks,BJB&nbsp;

StephenB · Answer

Enabling DLNA for the media share(s) would work.&nbsp; You would need to put a DLNA client app on the Android Devices - there are several available in the google playstore.&nbsp; This will work on your local network, but not when you are away from home.&nbsp; You wouldn't be able to delete media using the DLNA client.
&nbsp;
Plex is another option - if you want to try that, then get it directly from plex.tv/downloads.&nbsp; Don't use the version advertised in "available apps" as it is out of date.&nbsp; You'd then install the plex client on the Android devices.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Plex is likely overkill if all you want to do is play a few videos when you are home, but if you also want to play music from a music library, or play other media it is worth a look.&nbsp; Also, it would let you watch the videos when you aren't at home.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Sandshark · Answer

VLC or Kodi should be able to access your NAS and play the files without downloading them, assuming the device has the proper resolution and the connection is fast enough.&nbsp; But you have to play them directly in the app, not use "my files" to load them. which is intended to work just as you say it does.&nbsp; I personally use Kodi on an Android box directly attached to my TV for my main video file viewing.&nbsp; And while I use NFS for access because it's a native Linux file system, the box sees SMB shares as well.&nbsp; It will see DLNA also, but I don't have that turned on on my NAS.&nbsp; I have VLC on my phone and it shows me the SMB shares and not the NFS ones in it's browsing interface.&nbsp; It will even find them via ZeroTier for use if I'm remote, though my remote connection won't support HD content well.&nbsp; Kodi should also work via ZeroTier, but I've not installed it on my phone.

BJB · Answer

StephenB&nbsp;wrote:Enabling DLNA for the media share(s) would work.&nbsp; You would need to put a DLNA client app on the Android Devices - there are several available in the google playstore.&nbsp; This will work on your local network, but not when you are away from home.&nbsp; You wouldn't be able to delete media using the DLNA client.&nbsp;Plex is another option - if you want to try that, then get it directly from plex.tv/downloads.&nbsp; Don't use the version advertised in "available apps" as it is out of date.&nbsp; You'd then install the plex client on the Android devices.&nbsp;&nbsp;Plex is likely overkill if all you want to do is play a few videos when you are home, but if you also want to play music from a music library, or play other media it is worth a look.&nbsp; Also, it would let you watch the videos when you aren't at home.&nbsp;StephenB&nbsp;Thanks.&nbsp; I will try the DNLA option and checkout a few android clients. I have not really looked into any of those before. If you know a good one let me know.I believe I read that I can only turnnon DNLA on shares that need it correct? And it in no way alters the files or their Metadata etc?&nbsp;I am familiar with Plex but as you said may be overkill. But seems like once I start playing with this stuff I sometimes end up there!&nbsp; 😀&nbsp;BJB&nbsp;&nbsp;

BJB · Answer

Sandshark&nbsp;wrote:VLC or Kodi should be able to access your NAS and play the files without downloading them, assuming the device has the proper resolution and the connection is fast enough.&nbsp; But you have to play them directly in the app, not use "my files" to load them. which is intended to work just as you say it does.&nbsp; I personally use Kodi on an Android box directly attached to my TV for my main video file viewing.&nbsp; And while I use NFS for access because it's a native Linux file system, the box sees SMB shares as well.&nbsp; It will see DLNA also, but I don't have that turned on on my NAS.&nbsp; I have VLC on my phone and it shows me the SMB shares and not the NFS ones in it's browsing interface.&nbsp; It will even find them via ZeroTier for use if I'm remote, though my remote connection won't support HD content well.&nbsp; Kodi should also work via ZeroTier, but I've not installed it on my phone.Sandshark&nbsp;Thanks.&nbsp; I use the&nbsp; Minix android box I mentioned the same way as you use your android box.&nbsp; It uses a Kodi fork and works pretty well playing back files although chokes sometimes on 4k.&nbsp; I know my tablet and phone have way more power than that box. Reads SMB shares and plays my files back. Not updated in long time though.&nbsp;For convenience though&nbsp;I was looking for an android tablet or phone solution.&nbsp; I guess I could install Kodi on my tablet but is that too much?&nbsp; I remember the VLC player from my past. If that reads SMB shares directly maybe I should try that?&nbsp; I can view on tablet when I want and cast to my roku for big screen viewing?&nbsp; Or just plugin my usb-c to hdmi adapter for better video and cutout the wireless for video.&nbsp;Or I can drag myself away from my tablet and just fire up the minix 😀.&nbsp;O yes,&nbsp;Usually clicking "myfiles" asks which app you want to use and that is what I was expecting&nbsp;Seems like a few options here.&nbsp;Thanks for any additional thoughts.BJB&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

BJB · Answer

I tried VLC and it allowed me to quickly browse my NAS and it did play 4k video smoothly to the tablet, although of course at the tablets screen resolution.&nbsp; Then with an hdmi adapter and hdmi cable, it passed 1080p to the TV.&nbsp; I need to figure out if I can get it to pass 4k through HDMI to the TV.&nbsp; Not sure if that's a tablet or VLC limitation. They do advertise those hdmi adapters as 4k/60 though.&nbsp;Might be best to just get an updated android box or try the plex or&nbsp; roku player maybe with DNLA.Thanks,BJB&nbsp;

Forum Discussion

Stream HD and 4K video from RN424 to Android devices

5 Replies

Related Content

Generic streaming device

NETGEAR Mobile Applications and Android/Apple/Windows Devices FAQ

NETGEAR Mobile Applications and Android/Apple/Windows Devices FAQ

5ghz not visible for android devices

Android App takes much time to load connected devices

NETGEAR Academy

ProSupport for Business