USB HDD+WiFi, what do i need?

[Borealis7]

Hi,
i'm looking for a solution for my living room TV. currently, i'm copying files onto a USB stick and plugging it into the TV and watch them.
i was thinking, could i get an external HDD which has WiFi so i could keep it plugged in to the TV and send files from my computer straight to it? do those the Western Digital "Cloud" HDDs do the trick?

i tried WiFi streaming, SMART TV features, media center but nothing fit my needs like playing the file straight off a PC/USB stick (mainly, subtitles rarely work and my wife doesn't have the technical knowledge to fix them).

i guess the most important feature would be WiFi and the HDD must be Windows browse-able over WiFi.

 

[Elixer]

What TV is this ? What capabilities does it have ?
If you tried wifi streaming before, and it didn't work, what makes you think it will work with a new wifi enabled storage solution ?

Also, just what didn't work with the streaming that you had before ?

I also think this is the wrong section, should be networking, since, that seems to be your main issue...

 

[Jembo]

Maybe give Chromecast a shot. It seems there are some workarounds to get local media playing. I've never tried it but for $35, why not. I was looking into this page.
http://allaboutchromecast.com/chromecast-how-to-guide/how-to-stream-local-video-to-chromecast/

 

[greybaby]

second the chromecast solution, it is low cost compared to anything else you've mentioned.

 

[Elixer]

This seems to be much better than chromecast...
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/matchstick/matchstick-the-streaming-stick-built-on-firefox-os

While matchstick isn't out yet, it is much more powerful than chromecast.

OP hasn't said what the exact issue is, so these options might not work.

 

[Borealis7]

sorry for disappearing, my timezone is completely opposite of US.

it's a Samsung H6400 Smart TV. i managed to connect it to my computer via WiFi but i had to "share" my videos with the TV via the Samsung app which sucks. it has no support for subtitles in SRT format (or any other format from what i've seen) and can only play AVI files (no MKV but if i rename the files to AVI it "fools" the app).

playing videos off a USB stick works best just like playing it on a PC. fully supports all formats and no hickups. i don't want to build an HTPC and my wife doesn't want a PC case in the living room.

i don't like streamers and "Android dongles" because from my experience in recent years they sometimes have trouble keeping up when playing HD content, and if i have downloads running on the PC then it would interfere with the streaming causing hickups. i would prefer the files to be physically connected to the TV. i don't know about Chromecast but i'll look into it.

i think this is a Storage related question, i was considering getting an external HDD anyhow, and if i can solve 2 problems with 1 device it would be nice.

WD has the "My Passport Wireless" in 1TB/2TB capacities which from my understanding does what i want, 1TB would be enough for all my backup needs. in case it is not available in my country, does anyone know of similar products from other companies?

 

[guidinggod]

As alternatives to the WD MyPassport Wireless, Corsair has the Voyager 2 wireless http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Voyager-Wireless-Storage-CMFAIR-VA2-1000-NA/dp/B00KKKOAAG and there's the Seagate Wireless Plus http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Wireless-Portable-Built-STCK1000100/dp/B00AQRUW4Q

Can't say which works better but they all seem similarly priced for the 1TB models

 

[bbhaag]

Do you have a router/modem with a usb connection on it? If the wireless usb HDD doesn't work(it should though)you might give that try. That's how I access my 4tb drive from the different computers/tv's/bluray players in the house.

 

[Borealis7]

ok thanks for all the comments, i'll get right on it.

 

[Borealis7]

quick update:
plugging a USB stick to the router did not help. i managed to move files from the PC to it, but the TV won't see the files because they are not "shared" using the Samsung app.

and i don't think Chromecast is the right solution for me, as it shows what is on the computer and i want to be able to play games for instance while my wife watches something on the TV.