For many years, I’ve used the excellent https://airvideo.app - it has a free little server component that runs on a Mac and a paid for iOS app that lets you watch on the device or stream to Chromecast or Apple TV.
I wanted to give my kids access to my ripped movie collection, but the app seems to have gone missing from the (UK) Appstore - and the developers aren’t answering e-mail.
So. Here’s what I’d like.
Something that will show me the contents of my folder of video files on my Mac and let me stream to my TV.
I’ve had a look at
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Plex Hugely overly complex - tries to be an entire media manager for everything in the world
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VLC Streamer By HobbyistSoftware. Kinda OK, but seems to take up about 300% of my M1 iMac CPU and is a bit clunky.
Any other recommendations?
Looks good, but I’m not going to pay a subscription simply to send my own media to Chromecast. No problem at all with paying a lump sum. But not subscription.
I don’t have the “pro”, I use the free functions of the app. Haven’t run into an issue yet! Been using it for years, no subscription needed. The app runs great on Apple TV so no need for AirPlay, and when I travel I plug into HDMI
Infuse has a lifetime purchase option for $95. Don’t know whether you consider that in your price range but you don’t need a subscription
Pretty hefty if you have 4 devices in the family.
To be clear the lifetime subscription is eligible for family sharing so you only have to purchase it once to have access to it on all of the devices is your family group