This topic

Accessing local network

Earthling — Sun, 14 May 2023 11:51:41 GMT

When I was with Virgin I was able to display photos stored on my networked PC on the TV and play music - mp3s - stored on the PC too. I can't now remember how this was done but definitely don't have that capability now using BT's SmartHub 2 and Complete Wi-Fi. Is there any way to do this with BT's Complete Wi-Fi? Direct cable connections between router, PC and TV are not feasible.

Re: Accessing local network

Crimliar — Sun, 14 May 2023 13:24:50 GMT

It's not the router but an innocuous little popup that you'll have answered incorrectly. When you switched suppliers, it's likely that Windows detected this as a network change and asked if you wanted to share content with other devices on the network. Saying no at this time will have stopped your music, photos, and videos from being available!

Fix: Taskbar: Network or Wifi icon > Current connection Properties > Change the network profile to Private

Hopefully, that's all you need! 🙂

Re: Accessing local network

countrypaul — Sun, 14 May 2023 13:28:50 GMT

This doesn't sound like a router problem (but may be), but more a software issue on your PC. Wired or WiFi should make little difference as it is just the connection between PC and TV from end to end.

What version of OS are you using on your PC W10 Home? What software did you normally use, for example you could try Media Player and casting to the (Start Menu, Apps, Media Player, the select the 3 dots at the bottom right and "Cast to device" - the TV will need to be on for a few minutes first and you will have to open some actual media to display.

Re: Accessing local network

Earthling — Sun, 14 May 2023 14:07:46 GMT

OK, thanks for the suggestions, I'll have another play. I was thinking possibly I may need a streaming gadget - Chromecast or whatever - but the OH has enough trouble understanding the existing connections so didn't want to further complicate it.

Re: Accessing local network

Earthling — Sun, 14 May 2023 17:29:42 GMT

This'll teach me to leave well alone! After setting up Win Media Player and enabling casting on the Win 10 PC I found that Teamviewer, which I use from my laptop to control the PC from downstairs, could no longer connect to the PC and all attempts to correct this failed. Eventually, to get my home setup functioning again, I had to restore a system image.

Casting to the TV will have to wait 😨

Re: Accessing local network

gg30340 — Sun, 14 May 2023 17:37:52 GMT

Did you reset your TVs wifi connection to connect to your Smarthub2 rather than the Virgin hub connection?

Re: Accessing local network

Earthling — Sun, 14 May 2023 17:58:24 GMT

Yes, TV connection to my network and the net via SM2 has always worked just fine. Seems there is a conflict between Teamviewer and Media Player casting though.

Re: Accessing local network

gg30340 — Sun, 14 May 2023 18:13:20 GMT

Make sure that the folders that you want to access on the TV from your PC are set to be shared.

When you do that ensure that your network connection is set as a Private network and not Public one also set the file to share with everyone on the network and to save any hassle don't set a password assuming you trust those who have access to your network.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/file-sharing-over-a-network-in-windows-b58704b2-f53a-4b82-7bc1-80f9994725bf#ID0EBD=Windows_10

Re: Accessing local network

Earthling — Sun, 14 May 2023 18:37:16 GMT

Yes, it's a Private network and the pic and music files I would like to cast to the TV are already shared to Everyone. Problem is the Win10 PC is in the office upstairs but the TV is in the lounge downstairs so the only way I can select files to cast is by using a remote desktop connection from my laptop. Teamviewer is perfect for that but as I said, there seems to be a conflict with Media Player. I did try a Windows remote desktop connection but that was blocked too.

Re: Accessing local network

gg30340 — Sun, 14 May 2023 20:57:20 GMT

Why are you casting the files? If they are in network files you can install something like the VLC player app on your TV and use that to directly access any shared files on your network and play/view the files through that.

Re: Accessing local network

Earthling — Sun, 14 May 2023 21:11:15 GMT

It's a six year old TV with a few built-in apps but AFAIK you can't install any more.

Re: Accessing local network

Crimliar — Sun, 14 May 2023 21:24:17 GMT

In your settings the connection is definitely showing as private here:

Re: Accessing local network

Earthling — Sun, 14 May 2023 21:46:21 GMT

Oh My!! I recently had to reinstall Win 10 Pro and everything, including my LAN, has been working just fine. So I was shocked when I checked it after your post to find it's actually Public. Too late tonight to start anything and we're away through most of tomorrow so it will have to wait, but thanks a million for asking me to check it.

Re: Accessing local network

Earthling — Mon, 15 May 2023 21:07:55 GMT

Success! After switching from Teamviewer to Remote Desktop Connection, resetting my network to Private, and setting up Windows Media Player on the Win 10 PC upstairs I was immediately able to use my laptop to cast my music from the PC to the TV in the downstairs lounge and it sounded pretty good through the Bose soundbar. Complete WiFi clearly works pretty good in this largish house.

I had no idea how to achieve any of this before asking here - much thanks to all!

Re: Accessing local network

Crimliar — Mon, 15 May 2023 21:28:40 GMT

The dialogue that flashes up when a Windows PC connects to a new network is poorly thought out, so its VERY common for people to fall foul of this!

Glad we helped to get you sorted 🙂

Re: Accessing local network

PaddyB — Tue, 16 May 2023 07:42:15 GMT

Hi @Earthling,

Thank you for posting back to update the thread. I'm glad you managed to get that sorted 🙂

Thanks,

Paddy