NPR

I was wondering what the best (cost effective) solution is in order to play dvds on iPad tablet over local Wi-Fi network.

Just want an app which can see the device and be able to stream from it to iPad, using an app, or available as internal website.

Ideally be able to have multiple dvds available. Happy to transfer the dvds contents to another device (if legal), so can keep catalogue handy (but not some stupid bulky duke box type device)

For what it is, wouldn’t want to spend over a £100. Ideally half of that.

Plex

Yep, agree Homer. Plex. It’s so good. And free.

I have an Apple Time Capsule with a couple of TB of films and TV. Streams wirelessly through my MacBook Pro to all iOS devices including Apple TV’s.

Thanks. Is this it?

https://www.plex.tv/register/

How does it work? Do you need to run it on a home server then??

In terms of dvds do you need to extract them as say .iso files with something?

Do they stream directly from your server, or via some plex kit?

Yes, you could use an external hard drive if you don’t have enough hard drive space to rip your DVDs to, download Plex. Point it to your external drive and the various folders you may have (films / kids films / tv) and it will automatically upload the metadata. It’s great and easy to set up.

I just wanted a wireless solution (server on MacBook to hard drive) so went with a time capsule.

This may be useful for dvd formats https://www.winxdvd.com/resource/dvd-to-plex-free.htm

Excellent, thanks guys.

I have myself a project.

Just wondering what device I could use which is very small computer, attached to a usb external drive.

Don’t want a chunky desktop.

What is your home computing setup?

Do you have a laptop but want to run Plex via a small pc and ext HD?

Ymx wrote: Sat Jan 22, 2022 8:01 am Excellent, thanks guys.

I have myself a project.

Just wondering what device I could use which is very small computer, attached to a usb external drive.

Don’t want a chunky desktop.

Plex will run on a basic PC pretty well but it will some processing power if you're transcoding the video on the fly from the PC to the end device (changing resolution from what's been stored natively in the video to another resolution on the iPad).
If you have a PC already that will do fine. I really wouldn't buy a device just to do this.

You could do it with a Raspberry Pi but it's won't be a point & click install as with windows PC.

The Nvidia Shield TV Pro could be a good inexpensive solution. Connect an Ext HD to it and you’re away laughing.

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/best-pre ... ex-server/

Insane_Homer wrote: Sat Jan 22, 2022 8:07 am

Ymx wrote: Sat Jan 22, 2022 8:01 am Excellent, thanks guys.

I have myself a project.

Just wondering what device I could use which is very small computer, attached to a usb external drive.

Don’t want a chunky desktop.

Plex will run on a basic PC pretty well but it will some processing power if you're transcoding the video on the fly from the PC to the end device (changing resolution from what's been stored natively in the video to another resolution on the iPad).
If you have a PC already that will do fine. I really wouldn't buy a device just to do this.

You could do it with a Raspberry Pi but it's won't be a point & click install as with windows PC.

I’ve always wanted to play with a raspberry pi.

What spec would I need?

Ymx wrote: Sat Jan 22, 2022 8:23 am I’ve always wanted to play with a raspberry pi.

What spec would I need?

Pi 3 or 4 would do just fine.

pi4 with 4 GB would be great, 8 GB probably overkill unless you plan to do more than just plex with it.
I'd go with a starter kit, so you get power and an HDMI cable to plugin to TV/Screen for initial setup.

Im struggling on Amazon.

Pro Signal Official Raspberry Pi 3 Model B Quad Core With Case

Seems very cheap, but at same time I can’t tell the ram. Assume mem stick for HD?

Or am I looking at the wrong thing here.

It looks like the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B only has a 1 GB ram, so probably not a good idea.

Pi 4 4GB & 8GB seem to be out of stock :/

for HDD with decent capacity I'd get one of these, as an alternative to a USB slick.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/USB-SATA-Adapt ... 245&sr=8-5
or
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Enclosure-Meof ... NrPXRydWU=

You can then use laptop SATA HDD (2.5") - a 500 GB is cheap as chips

Actually, we might have a bunch of NUCs at the old office going, instead of the pi.

Mr Bungle wrote: Sat Jan 22, 2022 8:09 am The Nvidia Shield TV Pro could be a good inexpensive solution. Connect an Ext HD to it and you’re away laughing.

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/best-pre ... ex-server/

I have one of these.

they are very good but be warned the latest update seems to have broken plex working with it.

I use Kodi so it doesnt matter to me.

Ymx wrote: Sat Jan 22, 2022 9:54 am Actually, we might have a bunch of NUCs at the old office going, instead of the pi.

NUCs are perfect for this; the Pi's don't have the juice to power HDDs from USB, but the NUC can; & that cuts down on cables.

fishfoodie wrote: Sat Jan 22, 2022 11:37 am

Ymx wrote: Sat Jan 22, 2022 9:54 am Actually, we might have a bunch of NUCs at the old office going, instead of the pi.

NUCs are perfect for this; the Pi's don't have the juice to power HDDs from USB, but the NUC can; & that cuts down on cables.

Main thing i hate about the Pi (well 2 things actually) the noise from the fan and the fact they do run very hot.

Pie...