Windows 7 Server Setup with Shield TV

[throwitallaway 0]

I have a Shield TV on the way from Amazon and will be setting up an Emby server to be used with a Windows 7 HTPC and the Shield TV.  The Windows 7 HTPC will also double as the Emby server.  I will be using Kodi along with the Emby add-on on both the HTPC and Shield TV.  I have read a few guides and setting up the server seems straight forward, but I am left with one question about the setup process. 

 

I understand that I choose the source folders for my media during the setup.  However, what is unclear to me is if these folders must also be shared in Windows 7?  I believe the answer is yes, so I right-hand clicked on all my media folders and shared them with everyone on the network, as well as turned off password protected sharing.  Is this all I need to do to allow these folders to be accessible when added to Emby and played in Kodi?

 

Also, because the Shield TV runs Android instead of Windows 7, are there any extra steps I need to take to make sure it can access the Windows 7 Emby server?  I appreciate any clarification that can be offered.  Thank you. 

[Luke 42078]

Hi, welcome. No, you should be fine. Install the Emby app on your Shield and it should have no trouble connecting to your Emby Server. Let us know how it goes.

[rarefc3s 1]

I run the same setup and I have my media folder on the Windows 7 PC set to share on my network. On another Windows 7 computer I have mapped a network drive to the media folder on the HTPC. I did that to confirm I could access it. Kodi on both my Nexus Player and Shield can browse to the shared media folder on the HTPC machine and play the movie files. If you just use the Emby app none of that is needed and is extra steps.

 

After messing around with both the Shield and Nexus Player, as well as my HTPC with Windows 7 and MCE, I can say I prefer the simplicity of only using Emby and not Kodi (and not even Emby for Kodi). I paid for the Emby app on the Shield and it was worth the $5 to play my movies from there. Kodi does it well too but, there is just to much fiddling and setting up Kodi, to make it look good, to make it my favorite player. If Emby could do DRM tv channels I'd never switch my TV input to the Windows 7/MCE box.