Best way to network iOS devices

[r3dm4lcz]

I've had a quick search but can't find what I'm looking for.

Having moved house in recent times, I'm in the middle of specifying my home network. Having identified the routers, server, storage and media components, I'm considering my iOS devices. We have two iPhones and an iPad within the house.

End Goal: Network my iOS devices to my storage or server in order to view and play media content e.g. photographs or videos.

Without posting a network diagram, the main bulk of storage is via a Mac Mini which is networked to a dedicated router within the house.

Does anyone know the best practice for sharing content to iOS devices? How would you do it with the given scenario? Many thanks.

 

[aarond12]

From what I've found, you have to stick some sort of UPnP client and/or server software to accomplish what you want.

I use the free Plex server software and the $5 Plex iOS software to play the media. The benefit of Plex is what you're not limited to playing media within your local network -- you can play it anywhere you have an Internet connection.

The other possibility is to use an application that can read Samba (Windows file system) shares. It's not nearly as elegant but does work. I have the (now deprecated) ezShare software that can do just that.

 

[r3dm4lcz]

From what I've found, you have to stick some sort of UPnP client and/or server software to accomplish what you want.

I use the free Plex server software and the $5 Plex iOS software to play the media. The benefit of Plex is what you're not limited to playing media within your local network -- you can play it anywhere you have an Internet connection.

The other possibility is to use an application that can read Samba (Windows file system) shares. It's not nearly as elegant but does work. I have the (now deprecated) ezShare software that can do just that.

I shall investigate into this more, aarond. Thanks for that.

That's an excellent suggestion actually. I've not considered using a Samba-type solution before and yet it certainly makes sense. My only worry is being able to properly organise and use the media on the share after having created it.

 

[Alrescha]

Does anyone know the best practice for sharing content to iOS devices?

If you're sharing Apple-compatible content, the iOS Videos app knows how to talk to iTunes to share video.

A.

 

[r3dm4lcz]

If you're sharing Apple-compatible content, the iOS Videos app knows how to talk to iTunes to share video.

A.

Is this standard behaviour with iTunes? Just load all of the content, press some button and iOS devices should see it?

 

[Alrescha]

Is this standard behaviour with iTunes?

Turn on Home Sharing in iTunes, and when you load the Videos app the first thing you see is the 'Shared' button. This also works in the Music app, but the Shared button is hiding under 'More'. Alas, no such feature for Photos.

A.