Play videos from a QNAP NAS on Apple TV

Enable Microsoft Networking on QTS, set the SMB version range, then open the share in Samba Oelek.

1. Enable SMB on the NAS

In QTS open Control Panel, Network & File Services, then Win/Mac/NFS/WebDAV. On the Microsoft Networking tab enable the file service for Microsoft networking. In Advanced Options set the highest SMB version to SMB 3 and the lowest to SMB 2 or higher. Samba Oelek does not speak SMB 1.

QNAP has published a FAQ about media files that do not play on Apple TV. The usual answer there is a media server app. You do not need one for Samba Oelek: the app reads the files directly over SMB.

2. Check permissions

Under Privilege, Shared Folders, edit the permissions of the folder that holds your videos. The user you enter on the Apple TV needs read access. Guest access works only if the folder explicitly allows guests.

3. Connect from the Apple TV

1. Open Samba Oelek. If the NAS advertises itself via Bonjour, it appears on the network screen. Otherwise choose Add Server and enter the IP address or hostname.
2. Enter user name and password. They are saved in the Apple TV keychain.
3. Open the share and the folder, then play.

If the share is empty or missing

• Some QNAP configurations deny share listing for guests. Add the server with a user account, or enter the share name directly when adding the server. Direct access to a share that cannot be listed was tested.
• Hidden shares (names ending in $) do not show up in the list but can be entered directly.

Checked against: QNAP QTS documentation for Microsoft Networking, Samba Oelek README and SMB test matrix, 1.0.1. Last checked 2026-09-26.