Roku 3 as a Local Content Player

[Bufamotis]

Hi all,
I'm looking for a way to use a Roku 3 as an offline solution for playing local content at the holiday home off external drives.

In other words, the roku is geared for Internet TV, but is there a channel, app or root method to enable the thing to read something like a 2TB WD my passport and then index the content like xbmc/kodi or the android Archos player app?

Something better that just the Roku Media player file browsing 'channel'

 

[Neoprod]

There's an app called the "Roku USB Media Player" in the channel store that does what you want (lets you browse the portable hard drive connected to the Roku's usb port and play).

 

[SL1v3R]

There's an app called the "Roku USB Media Player" in the channel store that does what you want (lets you browse the portable hard drive connected to the Roku's usb port and play).

This, but Plex is the ultimate way to enjoy local media. You'll need the 2tb linked to a pc running Plex Server and then use the Plex app on the Roku.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

I wouldn't buy a roku for playback using USB. It's not designed for that purpose, it's a streaming player and codec support is limited. Use Plex as mentioned above if you need to playback local content, that setup is not plug n play though and requires some time.

Get yourself a Android player from avsupply, it runs xbmc and is more suited to local playback.

 

[Bufamotis]

I need to make due with what we have at the moment, thanks. I'm already running plex server off my laptop but was hoping there was a channel that would do the local indexing without needing a server. I'll probably try and swap out an android player in April and take the roku home where I have uncapped

 

[Bufamotis]

I actually wish I could find another Proliant Microserver for under R2000 to leave down here..

Which is the best, most hassle free type of player that can read externals and then show info on each show/episode etc like kodi and Archos would?

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Sorry, didn't read properly and see you already have the Roku.

As Neoprod stated, there is an app. It just is a bit limited when it comes to codec support.

 

[Bufamotis]

Thanks, yeah the app/channel thing is rather limited and only shows files almost like a file Explorer.

Wish they had a more versitile app. Guess I'll have to bring a little server down.