[Q] View Photos from NAS - Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Can anyone point me in the right direction as to if there is an app available that will link my FTV to my NAS and let me view photos, I know as an Amazon Prime member I could put them all in the cloud but as I have so many it's easier to just view from the NAS, I have tried Vimu but it's more for video and photos are a bit hit and miss.
Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

I use kodi for just about everything media related including viewing pics. All my movies, TV, music and photos originate from an RPI with 2 hdds attached. I'm sure there are better servers but its inexpensive and low powered.
I use samba. If you're interested you should go to the kodi site. They can offer better guides than I can.

KLit75 said:
I use kodi for just about everything media related including viewing pics. All my movies, TV, music and photos originate from an RPI with 2 hdds attached. I'm sure there are better servers but its inexpensive and low powered.
I use samba. If you're interested you should go to the kodi site. They can offer better guides than I can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks for your quick reply, I did try Kodi but for some reason failed to view the photos, I linked the NAS to Kodi, can see the files but when I view a photo I just get a blank screen even though the file names are listed, that's why I thought there may be an App available.

If your NAS supports Plex server installation then this would be ideal although there is a small fee to get the app installed onto your Fire TV.

Aiadi said:
If your NAS supports Plex server installation then this would be ideal although there is a small fee to get the app installed onto your Fire TV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I will check and see if the LaCie D2 supports Plex.

Related

App that downloads covers and descriptions for movies

Hello,
I am looking to get my mom a box for Christmas, plan on buying a hdd and loading it with my movies. I use pled at home, which I love cause it gives me the user interface, with covers and descriptions. Is their a app that will do all that off a hdd, without the server side I could get for firetv? I livve 3 provinces away and won't be around for tech support, would love her to be able to open and plug it in having all the movies and descriptions ready to go. Have tried searching the web, but unsure of what to search.
I have legal copies of hundreds of movies and shows, but assuming if the hdd is plugged in it will just show the movie name, she is older so trying to make this dummy proof
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Brock
XBMC would do that, but as far as I know the problem is unless your box is rootable it can't read from an external HDD.
Your "legal" copies of hundreds of movies and shows dont extend to your mum.
Pony up the cash and get her netflix or prime. Those update the covers and descriptions very nicely.
lol
Not quite sure what a mum is
I don't know if it works on the FireTV, but the Archos Video Player will download artwork and metadata.
On mac, there is a program called vi media manager thst can download all the covers and artwork. Not sure on pc. Also, if ftv is not rooted, as stated you can't access external hdd. You could put the info on a Nas. though
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

HomerunTV - HD Homerun Live TV on Fire TV

Just wanted to share my experience today I bought this app since I own HD Homerun while having it on Kodi with PVR was nice it required a server computer to be running while watching.
Just wanted to let all guys know that the app costs 2.99$ (it's not mine of course I wish I was that skilled) everything works amazingly with fire REMOTE there is only one small issue in order to hit PLAY you must use mouse, I emailed dev asking him about this so it might be fixed soon!
How it works? it uses MX player or VLC media player to play the live channel ( my ISP is Verizon fios ) and channels stream usually around 18 mbps on lan in HD.
My Setup is:
Ethernet Cable
Homerun TV
VLC Media player (newest extracted from playstore) sometimes screen gets black it might be VLC issue (did not try with MX Player)
I'd say it's worth 2.99$ quality over VLC media player is great as well!
Update Feb 06 2015
Small Tips:
In order to play channel you must USE mouse to point it to "play button"
Set VLC media player to "Full hardware accelaration"
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zaren.HomeRunTV&hl=en
Stream live TV from your HDHomeRun device to your phone or tablet. (Unprotected, copy freely channels only)
This application will allow you to stream live TV to your android phone or tablet. It can be streamed to your device in 1 of 2 ways.
1. Directly from the hdhomerun to your device. This requires a strong network connection to your device (wireless N recommended) and a powerful enough device to decode 1080i video.
2. Through the HdhomerunStreamServer. This uses VLC to transcode the video to a lower bandwidth.
you're telling me you can stream HD smoothly with this app? It's been a couple months since I tried it when it first was released for the Fire TV, and any HD channel caused severe stuttering. I'm on a wired GBe LAN as well. That'd be great if an update to the app fixed this.
UPDATE: Nevermind, I was referring to the app released by Silicon Dust themselves.
onlinespending said:
you're telling me you can stream HD smoothly with this app? It's been a couple months since I tried it when it first was released for the Fire TV, and any HD channel caused severe stuttering. I'm on a wired GBe LAN as well. That'd be great if an update to the app fixed this.
UPDATE: Nevermind, I was referring to the app released by Silicon Dust themselves.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea the silicondust app is very laggy.
This one streams without a SINGLE lag because it uses MX Player or VLC.
Make sure to sideload VLC media player.
I asked the dev about placing the play button somwhere else. We'll see what happens.
Streams perfectly.
patt2k said:
Just wanted to share my experience today I bought this app since I own HD Homerun while having it on Kodi with PVR was nice it required a server computer to be running while watching.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't mind me asking, what setup were you using with Kodi (e.g. server OS, server software, HDHomeRun configuration, etc.). I've got the HDHomeRun Plus / Extend and have not had a lot of luck settings things up.
I tried using TVHeadEnd on an Ubuntu server and Kodi running the TVHeadEnd plug-in. It streams fine only some of the time, but I get frequent crashes, especially when changing channels. In addition, I could not get any PVR functionality to work, nor have I been able to get h.264 transcoding from the HDHomeRun to work.
I then tried using MythTV, but could not get the Kodi MythTV plugin to work -- it would show the stations, but not be able to connect to the streams. (I also had trouble getting the MythTV server configured with the HDHomeRun, but that's not really related to the Fire TV.)
Thanks.
wunderdrug said:
If you don't mind me asking, what setup were you using with Kodi (e.g. server OS, server software, HDHomeRun configuration, etc.). I've got the HDHomeRun Plus / Extend and have not had a lot of luck settings things up.
I tried using TVHeadEnd on an Ubuntu server and Kodi running the TVHeadEnd plug-in. It streams fine only some of the time, but I get frequent crashes, especially when changing channels. In addition, I could not get any PVR functionality to work, nor have I been able to get h.264 transcoding from the HDHomeRun to work.
I then tried using MythTV, but could not get the Kodi MythTV plugin to work -- it would show the stations, but not be able to connect to the streams. (I also had trouble getting the MythTV server configured with the HDHomeRun, but that's not really related to the Fire TV.)
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't use any PVR's I simply use Homerun TV and watch it via the app (I added shortcut in Kodi) so it's faster to open it.
I have a HDHomerun plus, adding the dlna server source of the HDHomerun to the files under videos is by far the best quality live streams I have gotten.
Regarding PVR with the Hdhomerun plus, I tried the same things. I finally said forget it and got a simple TV for $100 on woot with lifetime sub. It actually works much better than the reviews led me to believe. I access the recordings through plex.
goodhur said:
I have a HDHomerun plus, adding the dlna server source of the HDHomerun to the files under videos is by far the best quality live streams I have gotten.
Regarding PVR with the Hdhomerun plus, I tried the same things. I finally said forget it and got a simple TV for $100 on woot with lifetime sub. It actually works much better than the reviews led me to believe. I access the recordings through plex.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw it being offered free not to long ago (lifetime sub)
I'm missing something. I have it installed, but how do I play a stream? When I click on the channel it takes me to a stream diagnostics screen (signal strength, etc.) How do I play it? Thanks!
ChaOConnor said:
I'm missing something. I have it installed, but how do I play a stream? When I click on the channel it takes me to a stream diagnostics screen (signal strength, etc.) How do I play it? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is the trick... you must use "mouse" to point it to play button.
I emailed the DEV and asking him if he can somehow in future make it "play-able" via REMOTE.
Every other part of the app works fine with remote.
patt2k said:
Here is the trick... you must use "mouse" to point it to play button.
I emailed the DEV and asking him if he can somehow in future make it "play-able" via REMOTE.
Every other part of the app works fine with remote.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Well that's why I couldn't get it to work. So plug a mouse into the Fire and I should be good then?
ChaOConnor said:
Thanks! Well that's why I couldn't get it to work. So plug a mouse into the Fire and I should be good then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep for now that is what I do. Also in vlc settings turn on full acceleration (hardware) for better playback
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
patt2k said:
Yep for now that is what I do. Also in vlc settings turn on full acceleration (hardware) for better playback
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
I found out a few days ago that you can adjust the quality stream in the actual HDhomerun view app. When the app is open just keep on pressing the menu button rapidly until the settings comes up then you can select the stream quality.
Also I had a Amazon gift card to burn so I actually bought InstaTV Pro. It comes up as a free app but it is by no means a free app. It cost $10 (which bites) because it has to download codecs. However it works very well.

Custom firmware for local files someday?

The first time that I read about FireTV I was excited, so much power in a tiny box and I was hoping to replace my aging WDTV live for good. I'm one of those guys whom prefers local media and some quality so I'm not into the streaming bandwagon also broadband speed still a little expensive and slow in my country.
So with that in mind, I would like to ask you guys, do you believe that someday soon would be able to homebrew the fireTV for a modified OS which allow real local content (without the need for Plex).
I would like to know the possibilities for this in a near future, near future being before this year end for example.
Regards
Nehemoth said:
The first time that I read about FireTV I was excited, so much power in a tiny box and I was hoping to replace my aging WDTV live for good. I'm one of those guys whom prefers local media and some quality so I'm not into the streaming bandwagon also broadband speed still a little expensive and slow in my country.
So with that in mind, I would like to ask you guys, do you believe that someday soon would be able to homebrew the fireTV for a modified OS which allow real local content (without the need for Plex).
I would like to know the possibilities for this in a near future, near future being before this year end for example.
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can do that with Kodi no need for Plex unless you really like plex for example : SMB,DLNA (I use my nas server via SMB) plenty of ways
Oh no, no DLNA please. Tried several times with different options and there's always an issue with subtitles. I really like the WDTV but feels like slow to many times.
Nehemoth said:
Oh no, no DLNA please. Tried several times with different options and there's always an issue with subtitles. I really like the WDTV but feels like slow to many times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try nas server,I use buffalo linkstation. It even has torrent app
I have a Diskstation. It supports SMB, NFS and DLNA.
Thank you guys but still I would like to know something about my main cuestión.
Nehemoth said:
Thank you guys but still I would like to know something about my main cuestión.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think we understand what you meant by "a modified OS which allow real local content (without the need for Plex)." Do you wish to connect a USB hard drive and store your files there? You can do that if your Fire TV is rooted. I believe what others were saying is that you don't need plex at all since Kodi (XBMC) can stream files locally or over a network without the need for transcoding. Usually people need plex because the device doesn't support the right codecs or doesn't have the processing speed. (Roku for example.) The Kodi app can handle pretty much any video format you throw at it, so no need for plex. Just point it to a SMB, NFS, or DLNA server and it just works.
Sorry, my bad English as Always. Image that I could be able to load on a FireTV a custom version of Android or something else, which transforms the firetv in a local media server ala WDTV and also support to apps like Netflix
If I understand you correctly, you're going to want to run a variant of XBMC - either kodi or SPMC.
Side load SPMC and see if it works for you.
Do you have the ability to root? You cannot add external USB HDD directly to the fire TV without root. However, you can add a USB HDD to your computer and share it to your fire TV for playback.
Nehemoth said:
Sorry, my bad English as Always. Image that I could be able to load on a FireTV a custom version of Android or something else, which transforms the firetv in a local media server ala WDTV and also support to apps like Netflix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm thinking you want the fire TV to store local media files via USB HDD and you want it to act as a server as well for your other devices.
The answer is yes, BUT you MUST BE ROOTED. AND rootable fire TVs are getting harder to come by so if you're in the US I'd start looking now at bestbuy and staples.
If you're not in the US you can't get a rootable one in stores. EBay might be your only chance and you will pay a lot more. If craigslist is an option, I've found items to run cheaper there but of course there is less options and more traveling on your part.
Running fire tv as a server is useless it has 8gb of storage.. without root it's even worse.. nas server is best and easiest and most comfortable option. I also have Samsung home sync before I got fire tv it has 1tb drive I also have root on it but it's almost useless no netflix,hulu nothing.
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Plex Media Server on Shield TV

Just announced today *drool*
I've been thinking of upgrading my NAS to a more powerful machine, however, with this, it won't be necessary. Perfect.
https://blog.plex.tv/2016/06/09/nvidia-shield-you-complete-us/
"You read that right: the SHIELD is so powerful that it can not only run our Android TV interface better than just about anything out there, it can also run the full media server, including support for hardware-accelerated video transcoding (H.264, MPEG2 and HEVC)! With multiple simultaneous streams! As for storage, you get up to 500GB right on the SHIELD, and you can easily add more via USB or over the network."
https://shield.nvidia.com/blog/plex-media-server
"With our next software update in a couple of weeks, SHIELD will get a major upgrade that includes Plex Media Server. With this upgrade, SHIELD becomes the first smart TV device to support a more streamlined, mainstream Plex experience - one that combines the Plex media player and the Plex media server into a single, pre-installed, easy to use app. Combined with SHIELD Pro’s 500 GBs of internal storage and 1080p hardware-accelerated transcode, Plex fans will enjoy a seamless, all-in-one experience that enables them to more easily access their media collection."
Right now I am using the Full Android AOSP build, so I hope it can be ported over without too much trouble. I *might* go back to Stock for this though!
This is seriously...big news.
How many simultaneous transcoding streams do you think it can handle?
grievous2004 said:
How many simultaneous transcoding streams do you think it can handle?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can answer that. About 2-3 1080p streams.
Read comments on this page: https://blog.plex.tv/2016/06/09/nvidia-shield-you-complete-us/
Emilio answers:
"Generally speaking about 2-3 1080P stream but it all depends on the files, network, and if there is anything else going on at the same time, whether it can use the hardware decoder or must it use the software (the CPU). It is not an Apples to Apples comparison. a 30BG HD bluray high bitrate rip input file is not going to transcode well as something smaller. Direct Play streams are less intensive than ones that need transcoding obviously"
The apps already been published in the playstore, we just can't install it yet.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.plexapp.mediaserver.smb&hl=en
How can we get a 3.2 ROM beta to try? Can anyone post the APK to apkmirror? com.plexapp.mediaserver.smb?
It's interesting that the beta isn't available here for the developer program. https://developer.nvidia.com/gameworksdownload#?search=SHIELD%20ANDROID%20TV%20Pro%20Developer&tx=$additional,shield
Plex Server Problem
Got the update today but i have a Problem.. If i try to search for data on an Extertal sd Nothing happens.. The korrekt fordert are just on the intern sd but can that be? I just have one Extertal sd and i dort Want to Mount it to add it to the internat sd. If i try to create a movies Folder on the Extertal sd Nothing happens.. Can i Chance the pad plex Server is Looping for?
Is it possible to uninstall the Plex Server crap through normal means, or is the code baked into the system and not possible to remove?
EDIT: OK it can be disabled like any normal app.
Has anyone figured out how to get the HDHomeRun stuff working? Plex server is amazing, and the HDHomeRun PRIME is amazing.
So far, I have rooted my 3.2 shield TV, and I've installed the HDHRViewerV2-beta-0.07c from http://hdhrviewer.zynine.net/download/ into the folder /data/data/com.plexapp.mediaserver.smb/Plex Media Server/Plug-ins/HDHRViewerV2.bundle
in that folder is "Contents", so I have
Code:
[email protected]:/data/data/com.plexapp.mediaserver.smb[/email]/Plex Media Server/Plug-ins/HDHRViewerV2.bundle/Contents # ls -l
ls -l
drwxrwxrwx root root 2016-07-01 03:08 Code
-rwxrwxrwx root root 6458 2016-07-01 19:03 DefaultPrefs.json
-rwxrwxrwx root root 690 2016-07-01 19:03 Info.plist
drwxrwxrwx root root 2016-07-01 03:08 Resources
drwxrwxrwx root root 2013-09-27 22:14 Strings
Does this look right? I'm new to plex server, and I don't see anything for this in the web interface.
Thanks, and I hope we can crack it! Imagine, you get all the cable provider channels DVR unlimited, watch anywhere, and on any device!
Is plex really free? I am trying stream movies on my phone from the shield TV but every 1 minutes or so it stops. I read online saying that there is a monthly fee or a one time fee for life
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Plex media server software is free but the dedicated app for playback usually cost a one time fee like many Android apps. If you do the Plex Pass subscription or one time Plex pass for life payment, then the app is free. I can't remember if the app has a playback limitation because I purchased it the very first day it became available.
Look at the release notes in Google play store to see if it mentions any limitations on the trial version your using. Maybe the information is there.
Sent from my SM-T700 using Tapatalk
The Plex app for Android is a demo version with a $5 upgrade to the full version. (No idea if that's per household or per device, and if it's the latter, if it's possible to transfer between devices.) Some free alternatives to try are PleXBMC and PlexKodiConnect.
Anyone here know how to change where PMS keeps its appdata? I have a 16gb shield and a 128gb SD that I want to keep the metadata on. I have a NAS with a TON of data, the metadata gets really large. If someone could point me in the right direction I would be willing to make a guide, as I'm sure I'm not gonna be the only one looking for this info.
What's plex do that kodi can't?
Neo3D said:
What's plex do that kodi can't?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With plex server now on my shield tv at home, I can load up plex.tv at work, and watch all my movies/tv shows when the boss is not in
Neo3D said:
What's plex do that kodi can't?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With nas, you are your own personal Netflix.
With an hd homerun prime, you can rebroadcast a cable provider channel set to anywhere.
And... You can cast it so you can remove any unused cable equipment and with a Chromecast, any tv becomes hd live capable.
gffmac said:
With plex server now on my shield tv at home, I can load up plex.tv at work, and watch all my movies/tv shows when the boss is not in
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm trying to do that but it's not available in the other end do you have any tutorials on how to achieve this? Thanks in advance!
pmgnet said:
With nas, you are your own personal Netflix.
With an hd homerun prime, you can rebroadcast a cable provider channel set to anywhere.
And... You can cast it so you can remove any unused cable equipment and with a Chromecast, any tv becomes hd live capable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can You send Sling Tv or Xfinity Go App channels to other connected tvs?
Manster3354 said:
Can You send Sling Tv or Xfinity Go App channels to other connected tvs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't use sling. The xfinity app doesn't cast.
I use Plex and I'm attempting to get the hd homerun prime plugin working.
I just tried to set it up but can't figure out how to get it to see my NAS.

How to best send youtube videos from multiple smartphones to fire tv?

Hi,
I'm having a FireTV1. My main goal is to install something with that multiple smartphones can be used to control youtube streaming on the firetv.
Important is that it should work without having to login to a youtube account on the firetv. Because eg my wife and me having different youtube accounts, both active on the smartphone.
As both of us should be able to stream youtube content to firetv directly, it would be bad if the firetv has to be logged in to one of the accounts. As in this case only one of our smartphones could take control of the firetv.
If there is some app, but that requires installing custom systems like kodi, that would be fine.
I'm a bit lost in the possibilities and would be happy for any advise how to achieve that.
Thanks!
membersound said:
Hi,
I'm having a FireTV1. My main goal is to install something with that multiple smartphones can be used to control youtube streaming on the firetv.
Important is that it should work without having to login to a youtube account on the firetv. Because eg my wife and me having different youtube accounts, both active on the smartphone.
As both of us should be able to stream youtube content to firetv directly, it would be bad if the firetv has to be logged in to one of the accounts. As in this case only one of our smartphones could take control of the firetv.
If there is some app, but that requires installing custom systems like kodi, that would be fine.
I'm a bit lost in the possibilities and would be happy for any advise how to achieve that.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your first issue is there is no YouTube app for FireTV. You can thank the Amazon vs Google war for that. You can only screen mirror Amazon devices to Fire TV devices.
Secondly, what you’re describing would function best using a Google Chromecast, that way anyone on your WiFi, can cast YouTube and many other apps, from their phone to the Chromecast device.
Ok I see. Though our primary use is amazon prime video. So I hoped for having just one player...
So there is no way throwing videos on firetv in any case?
(I'd like to avoid screen mirroring. I tried that multiple times without satisfying results).
membersound said:
Ok I see. Though our primary use is amazon prime video. So I hoped for having just one player...
So there is no way throwing videos on firetv in any case?
(I'd like to avoid screen mirroring. I tried that multiple times without satisfying results).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can have just one player, but the Fire tv devices are cheaply made. I’ve not had great success with them.
Now I’m using Roku, which still will let me do Amazon video. Not sure on screen mirroring but it does have a YouTube app. I’ll have to check if it will support multiple accounts in the app.
Without doing mirroring, I’m not sure what you mean by “throwing” videos on the screen.
You can cast YouTube to the fire stick pretty easily. I followed this guide to set it up. https://youtu.be/Fpjaqw7CAMg
@Jeffro2700 great, thanks! that worked.
so the only tradeoff is that I first have to start the youtube firefox/silk browser page before I can send videos from my phone to firetv, correct?
If you're a Kodi user with an Android phone, I highly recommend installing the youtube addon for kodi, and installing the yatse remote for kodi app. Once you've done that you can use Share > Play on Media Server (an option enabled with a Yatse installation), and it will cast it to the Kodi system the yatse app is currently controlling. Those are the broad strokes. If you want more info, like how to enable youtube videos > 720P/30 in Kodi, let me know.
Alternatively, you could try sideloading the Smart YouTube TV app from here: https://smartyoutubetv.github.io

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