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

  • Plex Hugely overly complex - tries to be an entire media manager for everything in the world

  • 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?

    • HeartyBeast@kbin.socialOP
      4·
      1 year ago

      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.

      • weedwhacking@lemmy.world
        2·
        1 year ago

        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

      • TORFdot0@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        1 year ago

        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

          • TORFdot0@lemmy.worldEnglish
            3·
            1 year ago

            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

    • ANIMATEK@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      1 year ago

      I second this. I have a sizable collection and use Infuse exclusively. It works a lot better than Plex. You can download the shows using the app if you are going leave your house.

    • TORFdot0@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      1 year ago

      Infuse is great. It’s my go to for streaming my media from google drive now that Plex doesn’t allow adding cloud shares. Works on iPad, Apple TV, and iPhone and I don’t have to maintain a VPS/home server to host the front end

    • HeartyBeast@kbin.socialOP
      1·
      1 year ago

      Just had a play with a few things and it looks like the combination of the Jellyfin server and the Jellyfin app is pretty much whaty I’m after. Thanks!

      • weedwhacking@lemmy.world
        1·
        1 year ago

        I’m surprised you mentioned Plex to be too complicated but ended up on jellyfin! I use jellyfin as well, love it. Pairs perfectly with infuse, I found jellyfinios and swiftfin to not have enough polish or features