Streaming from Windows Share to iPad

[Pho3nix]

Hi

How would I stream a .mkv for example over WiFi from a shared drive?
On Android vPlayer does a great job so wondering if there is an alternative that does the same for iOS.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

One word.

Plex.

Actually three words...

Plex Media Server.

 

[Pho3nix]

Was looking NOT to use Plex if at all possible.
Anime is hosted on a share and Plex sucks at indexing and sorting anime.

 

[DJ...]

XBMC? Send the file via Airplay using whatever programme you like and set XBMC to receive content via Airplay?

 

[Fudzy]

GoodPlayer does SMB links perfectly.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

You could take a look at similar discussions regarding Anime scraping for Plex, here is one: http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/topic/1211-anime-library/

Otherwise if you don't want to use Plex I would suggest VLC. It is the only other player that actually works imo although you will have issues trying to stream higher bitrate files due to the wifi speed limitations.

 

[Fudzy]

Both Plex and VLC require software running on another box though. It's much easier if you can just access a Windows share.

 

[Pho3nix]

XBMC? Send the file via Airplay using whatever programme you like and set XBMC to receive content via Airplay?

Looking into this, thanks.

GoodPlayer does SMB links perfectly.

Checking it out.

Both Plex and VLC require software running on another box though. It's much easier if you can just access a Windows share.

This is what I'd really prefer

 

[DJ...]

Looking into this, thanks.

Don't bother. I just remembered that it only streams audio...

 

[Pho3nix]

You could take a look at similar discussions regarding Anime scraping for Plex, here is one: http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/topic/1211-anime-library/

Otherwise if you don't want to use Plex I would suggest VLC. It is the only other player that actually works imo although you will have issues trying to stream higher bitrate files due to the wifi speed limitations.

Thanks, hadn't seen this.

 

[Pho3nix]

Don't bother. I just remembered that it only streams audio...

 

[Fudzy]

Looking into this, thanks.

Checking it out.

This is what I'd really prefer

The ONLY downside is that it's a paid for app but I'm yet to come across an app that offers the same for free.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Both Plex and VLC require software running on another box though. It's much easier if you can just access a Windows share.

I've tried many an app that promises to do this. They all sucked.

One of the major issues is AC-3 audio. If you have files with AC-3 audio tracks they are going to have to be re-encoded somewhere in the chain. Most apps have had to remove support for AC-3 decoding due to licensing issues. If they have not already it is just a matter of time.

 

[SauRoNZA]

XBMC? Send the file via Airplay using whatever programme you like and set XBMC to receive content via Airplay?

He wants to do it the other way around.


XBMC is working on transcoding...once they've got that sorted we can hopefully play it with just about anything.


There are a million Apps on iOS right now, problem is they all fall over when you throw HD content at them.


XBMC for iOS solves that...but needs Jailbreak.

 

[Nimz]

Air Video

 

[ebendl]

Air Video

Agreed. Yes it's paid for and you need to install a server-side app (Mac / Windows), but it works great. New version (AirVideo HD) also allows you to transcode and then copy the files over to your iPad for offline viewing later on - all over wireless. Or you can just stream.

I've used a PC to host the files, stream it to AirVideo and then Airplay it to my AppleTV and it works very well (SD, need to try this with HD).