Modern Samsung Smart TVs are powerful multimedia centers, but their built-in memory is often insufficient to store extensive high-definition movie collections. It's much more convenient to store your video archive on your computer or laptop's hard drive and then stream the content directly to the big screen without the need for unnecessary cables. This allows you to enjoy high-quality images while utilizing your PC's resources for decoding and storing data.
There are several proven ways to organize such a connection: from standard DLNA protocols to specialized streaming software. Wireless connection Eliminates the need to run long HDMI cables across the room, while maintaining a pleasing aesthetic. In this guide, we'll cover all the current methods that will ensure stable video streaming between your devices.
To get started, make sure your TV and computer are on the same local network. This is a basic requirement for most data transfer methods. If the router shares internet with both devices, the foundation for setup is already laid, and you can move on to choosing the optimal connection method.
Basic home network and equipment requirements
Before you begin configuring the software, you need to ensure the physical infrastructure is ready. The key element here is the router, which must correctly distribute traffic between client devices. If your router operates within the range 2.4 GHz, the transfer speed of large files may be limited, which will lead to slowdowns in high-definition video.
The ideal option is to use a dual-band router that supports the standard 802.11ac or newer. In this case, both devicesβthe PC and the TVβmust be connected to the network. 5 GHzThis will provide the necessary bandwidth for streaming 4K content without buffering.
It's also worth paying attention to the TV's operating system version. Models with the platform Tizen OS have built-in mechanisms for detecting media servers, but sometimes require activating certain permissions in the security menu.
β οΈ Warning: If your router is installed in a far corner of your apartment or behind thick concrete walls, the signal may be unstable. In such cases, even a powerful computer won't be able to transmit the video stream without lag, and the image will disintegrate into artifacts.
DLNA Method: Classic Media Streaming
Technology DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) remains the most widespread and universal method for sharing multimedia content on a local network. The method involves a computer acting as a server, providing access to folders containing files, while a Samsung TV acts as a renderer, playing the stream.
This feature is built into the Windows operating system by default and doesn't require any third-party software. Simply enable streaming in your media player settings. Once enabled, the system will automatically index the default "Videos," "Music," and "Pictures" folders.
On your Samsung TV, go to the signal sources menu and select the option related to connecting to a PC. Depending on the model and year, it may be called Connecting to a phone, PC on TV or simply appear as your computer's name in the list of devices.
To fine-tune access to specific files, use the built-in device management menu. Here you can see a list of all connected devices and change their status from "Forbidden" to "Allowed." This is an important aspect. local security, which allows you to control who has access to your media library.
βοΈ Check DLNA settings
Using the Samsung Smart View app
Samsung has developed its own software called Smart View, which significantly simplifies screen mirroring and file sharing. Although the app was originally designed for mobile devices, there are also desktop solutions that allow you to integrate your PC into the Samsung ecosystem.
The main advantage of this method is its support for interactive features. You can not only start a movie, but also control playback from your phone or tablet, using the device as a remote control. For a computer, built-in Windows tools are often sufficient, such as "Project to This PC," if the TV supports the technology. Miracast.
To start the broadcast, press the combination on your PC keyboard Win + KIn the side menu that opens, the system will begin searching for available wireless displays. Select your Samsung TV from the list, and an image of your desktop or a separate browser window will appear on the TV screen.
This method is especially convenient for showing presentations or watching videos from websites without built-in Smart TV support. However, it's important to keep in mind that mirroring increases the load on the computer's processor, as it encodes the video stream in real time.
β οΈ Please note: When using the "Projection" (Miracast) function, the image quality may be lower than when playing a file directly via DLNA, due to additional on-the-fly compression of the video stream.
Third-party media servers: Plex and Kodi
If standard Windows tools are insufficient or you require more advanced navigation through your movie collection with posters and descriptions, you should consider specialized software. The leaders in this field are Plex And Kodi (formerly XBMC). They transform a regular computer into a full-fledged media center.
Plex operates on a client-server architecture. You install Plex Media Server on your computer, specify the paths to your movie folders, and the program automatically downloads cover art, plot synopsis, cast and director information. On a Samsung TV, you can find it in the app store. Smart Hub You need to download the Plex client application.
After logging in to the same account on both devices, your media library becomes accessible in a beautiful interface. The main advantage is the ability to stream content outside your home network via the internet, as long as the server is enabled. This requires setting up port forwarding or using Plex Relay.
What is the difference between DLNA and Plex?
DLNA simply streams the file, and the TV decodes it, which can lead to format errors. Plex streams the file in the correct format (if transcoding is configured), guaranteeing compatibility but requiring more resources from the PC.
Kodi offers a different approach: it's a powerful shell that can be installed directly on the TV (if the model supports it) or used as a server for remote control. Samsung TVs running Tizen may not have a native Kodi client, so a combination of a Kodi/UPnP server on the PC and a universal player on the TV is often used.
| Characteristic | Built-in player (DLNA) | Plex Server | Smart View (Miracast) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interface | Simple, file list | Beautiful, with posters | PC screen clone |
| PC resources | Minimum | Medium/High | Tall |
| Subtitles | Partial support | Full support | As part of the image |
| Access from outside | No | Yes (with settings) | No |
Setting up Windows folder sharing
For any of the above methods to work correctly, it's crucial to correctly configure access rights in the operating system. Users often encounter a situation where the TV recognizes the computer, but when attempting to log in, it prompts for a password or simply won't open folders.
The solution lies in the shared folder settings. Right-click the movie directory, select "Properties," and go to the "Sharing" tab. Here, click the button Advanced settings and make sure that the "Share this folder" box is checked.
Next, it's important to set up permissions. Click the button Permissions and add a group All (or a specific user), granting it "Read" and "Execute" permissions. Without this step, the Samsung TV will not be able to read data from the drive.
Also check your network profile in Windows. If the network is marked as "Public," the system is blocking device discovery. Switch the network type to "Private" via Wi-Fi or Ethernet settings to allow local data exchange.
Problems with formats and codecs
Even with a perfect network setup, you may encounter the "Unsupported format" message. This means the TV is unable to decode the video file on its own. Built-in codecs Samsung They usually support MP4, MKV, AVI, but may not cope with modern audio codecs like DTS or specific HEVC compression profiles.
In such cases, transcoding comes to the rescue. If you're using Plex or another smart server, it can transcode the stream on the fly into a format compatible with TV. If you're using standard DLNA, you'll either have to convert the files in advance or install a third-party UPnP server with transcoding functionality on your PC, such as Universal Media Server.
Audio issues are often resolved by installing player apps on your TV, such as VLC for Android (if the platform supports it) or MX Player, which have a built-in set of codecs. For Tizen systems, the choice of third-party players is limited, so relying on server-side transcoding becomes the primary solution.
β οΈ Please note: Container formats and codecs are constantly being updated. Older TV models (2015-2018) may not physically support video playback with a bitrate higher than 20 Mbps or 10-bit color, regardless of your Wi-Fi speed.
Optimizing speed and eliminating lag
Watching 4K HDR movies requires a stable data transfer rate of at least 25-30 Mbps. If you experience constant buffering, your connection is overloaded. The first step is to eliminate other active traffic consumers on the network.
Try changing the Wi-Fi channel in your router settings to a less crowded one. Use Wi-Fi analyzer apps on your smartphone to find a free frequency. Disabling the channel function also helps. QoS (Quality of Service) on the router if it incorrectly prioritizes traffic, although sometimes turning it on, on the contrary, improves the situation.
If your wireless connection remains unstable, consider using technology Powerline (adapters that transmit internet through electrical wiring) or, ideally, run an Ethernet cable from the router to the TV. A wired connection always provides better stability and speed than any Wi-Fi.
Why can't the TV see the computer on the network?
Most often, the issue lies with Windows Firewall settings or your network profile. Make sure the network is marked as "Private" and the "Streaming Media" app is allowed in the firewall. Also, check that the SSDP Discovery service is enabled in Windows.
Is it possible to transmit sound to external speakers via a PC?
Yes, if you use mirroring mode (Miracast/Smart View), the audio will be transmitted along with the video. When using DLNA, the TV decodes the audio stream itself, and outputting it to your PC speakers won't work without complex software emulation.
Do all Samsung TVs support Wi-Fi Direct?
Wi-Fi Direct is available on most Smart TV models released after 2014. However, its implementation may vary: in some models, it's only used for connecting keyboards and smartphones, and not for directly transferring large video files from a PC without a router.