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Resolved Question

Can Roku connect to network shared drive?

Nov 9, 2011 3:38AM PST

Hello,
I'm interested in the Roku but I want to make sure it can wirelessly connect to a hard drive that is currently connected to my router. Basically, I want the Roku in the living room, my router and shared hard drive in the kitchen, and my computer off and in the bedroom. Is the Roku capable?
Thanks!

Discussion is locked

alleyezonlou has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Roku CAN connect to a network drive ...
Nov 11, 2011 10:37AM PST

Technically MY Roku (XDS) can connect to a wireless drive. However it involves using third party software and your personal computer. Basically you have to run software on your computer to read the content and stream it to the Roku. There are a few software titles to do this. Wha it five times easier though is to just put your content on a thumb drive and plug the thumb drive into the Roku.

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not for some.
Nov 12, 2011 3:01AM PST

Unless you have your entire video collection, terabytes worth, on a shared drive.

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laziness
Nov 13, 2011 2:48AM PST

thanks. i actually hate transferring data to a usb drive. i want everything to be connected and to my home network and always be readily accessible. i also dont want to have to turn on my computer every time i need to access the files. laziness.... =)

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Answer
Local streaming to Roku looks tricky...
Nov 12, 2011 1:01PM PST

I've researched this on the Rokuy forums and elsewhere & found a dozen or so private channels that can be used. But then it looks like you also need a web server or a media server and the stuff I've read mentions lots of those too. it's kind of confusing. Wish someone would wrtite a clear step-by-step 'how -to' for this. In the meantime, I'm using a flash drive (later Roku models have a USB port.) But I'll gladly set it up if i can find good instructions! BTW, I have WIN XP Media Server Edition, but I can't tell if that helps me at all.

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Correction to my post
Nov 12, 2011 1:49PM PST

I meant to say I have WIN XP Media Center Edition. A related issue is that my Roku XDS doesn't show up as a device that can share my Windows Media Player (vers. 11) MP3 files. That may be due to my security settings, but I hate to mess with the network. I created it last year & that's the extent of my experience with WI-FI. The good news is that Media Player 12 does stream local files but you must use Windows 7. Sigh...

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Answer
Are you only considering Roku?
Nov 13, 2011 5:29AM PST

I have a Seagate Freeagent Theater+ media player. I haven't really begun to explore all of its potential, but I've been pretty happy with it. You can stream some stuff from the internet, but the Roku may have more options for getting "channels". The Seagate (and other media players) might be better suited for accessing media on your own network.

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not really
Nov 13, 2011 7:50AM PST

i'm also considering apple tv, and, if it fits my needs, google tv. thanks for the suggestion on the seagate. i am interested in all of the additional channels roku offers but i'll definitely look into the seagate solution