Media File Plays Locally, But Another PC on the LAN Cannot Play the Fi

M A Weiss · 05 Apr 2022

I'm troubleshooting why streaming isn't working on my server and I've discovered something tonight that might be the cause:

I have a folder that has m3u8 and .ts files. These files play on the server with a local copy of VLC Media Player.
However, a separate computer on the LAN can access those files too (the folder is shared) but cannot play the files.

I am trying to figure out if this is a policy editor thing, or something else. Why wouldn't media files be playable over the network?

Windows 10 Pro 21H2

Try3 · 05 Apr 2022

I suggest you narrow down the potential cause by copying the files you've tested as OK on the server to the separate computer and play them directly on that computer.

This test will identify the problem as being file-related, computer-related or network-related.

Best of luck,
Denis

sygnus21 · 06 Apr 2022

Just a thought, but do both PCs have a copy of VLC media player installed? Does VLC allow streaming?

BTW, I assume those m3u8 files are playlist files? Not sure what .ts files are?

Try3 · 06 Apr 2022

I also use .ts files for audio-video recordings. I play them in WMP.
- .ts files are self-contained "containers", generally for a combination such as .mpg & .mp2/.ac2 for the video & audio components respectively.
- I think WMP had to download an additional codec the first time I played a .ts file.

If the m3u8 files are playlists then you'll need to check that your chosen streaming application allows remote computers to play playlists.
- A playlist generally contains a list of files to play using local references such as V:\VideoRecordings\BahBahBlackSheep.wpl
- Unless the application itself does something special, a remote computer will read the playlist, realise that it does not have a file in the local path V:\VideoRecordings\BahBahBlackSheep.wpl and refuse to play.

All the best,
Denis

M A Weiss · 06 Apr 2022

The m3u8 are playlist files and the .ts are transport stream files that are being created by the server's RTMP server of a live stream coming in from OBS.

The interesting thing is I was able to copy some MP3 files to that folder on the server and play them with VLC on my PC over the LAN. So the folder's permissions seem to allow it.

But the transport stream files can only be played by the local copy of VLC on the server. If I copy those files across the network and put them on a local drive on my PC, my local copy of VLC can play them.

So my PC's VLC player can play MP3 that are on the server, but not .ts files on that same folder on the server.
But it can play either file if I copy them to my PC first and then play them.

The big mystery is why the .ts files will only play locally and not across the LAN.

PiKo · 08 Apr 2022

I do not understand either. In principle it should work (no problem here). Have you tried to assign a drive letter to that folder? It should not be needed, but maybe it helps.

M A Weiss · 09 Apr 2022

PiKo said:

I do not understand either. In principle it should work (no problem here). Have you tried to assign a drive letter to that folder? It should not be needed, but maybe it helps.

No, I'm just trying to play the files in the folder as opened in the network explorer window.
If I copy some MP3 files to that folder, those DO play. But no the transport stream files--they only play if I drag them to the local HD.

PiKo · 10 Apr 2022

Just a guess:
Windows Security>Ransomware Protection>Controlled folder access>when on, try off

M A Weiss · 21 Apr 2022

PiKo said:

Just a guess:
Windows Security>Ransomware Protection>Controlled folder access>when on, try off

I just checked and controlled folder access is turned off.