Play video from SAMBA share on Android--Any shared volume from Linux or Windows

Solution 1:

An alternative app you can use on android is File Manager HD by Rhythm Software (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rhmsoft.fm.hd&hl=en). I find that it does a better job of actual streaming rather than other alternatives downloading the file to your device.

On Android 4.2, it is working streaming over SMB to VLC for Android (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.videolan.vlc.betav7neon) and MX Player (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mxtech.videoplayer.ad).

You should be able to see all shared files over SMB so long as you set the connection up properly in File Manager HD.

Solution 2:

ES File explorer also solves this and prompts for which app to use if the file type is unknown. Hence ES File explorer is a better solution.

If you are interested, I am using ES File Explorer to connect to an old MS Media Center 2005 (MCE). The files are encoded using an MS variant of MPG with an extension of .dvr-ms MX Player does a great job of playing these files with no errors

Solution 3:

Kodi (previously called XBMC) has an Android port with SMB support.