Why is the iPad so restrictive? - Page 2

DaleDe · 07-13-2012, 12:00 PM

In addition the AVI my not have the same internal format that other AVI's have. AVI is a container that can have different formats inside. See our wiki for AVI for more details. It can have MPEG4, ASP, XVID, DIVX codecs.

Iznogood · 07-13-2012, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleDe

In addition the AVI my not have the same internal format that other AVI's have. AVI is a container that can have different formats inside. See our wiki for AVI for more details. It can have MPEG4, ASP, XVID, DIVX codecs.

Good point. And same for MKV; That's just a container also

david_e · 07-13-2012, 02:09 PM

.....

louwin · 07-15-2012, 08:30 AM

I take your point about containers etc but why don't the programs concerned even show in the "Open In" selection?

Is it because the Wi-Drive App isn't doing something right or are the programs concerned not telling the Wi-Drive App they are available for selection or what?

Yes, I can convert them but I am trying to avoid doing so if possible. Even the fastest convertor takes a considerable time to convert even on an i7 Windows 7 64bit system.

Both of the Apps are supposed to play AVIs but neither is offered....

Any educated guesses?

HarryT · 07-15-2012, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louwin

I take your point about containers etc but why don't the programs concerned even show in the "Open In" selection?

"Open In" is a feature that the app developer has to specifically provide support for. Perhaps the developer of your app hasn't done so.

Why not ask the app developer for support? They're the ones in the best position to be able to help you.

ApK · 07-15-2012, 02:22 PM

I think I've noticed when browsing my network from my Fire with File Expert that files on network drives don't show those "Open with" options, but if I first copy the file locally to the device, then they do.

Could it be something similar for you?

kyteflyer · 07-15-2012, 04:59 PM

I'd never heard of wi-drive so I googled it and found it to be a Kingston product which bodes well. The application which allows sharing seems to look good but when you read the information you find that its extremely limited... eg; "Open in" only works with documents. The reviews also suggest that its not quite what its cracked up to be. So the drive... excellent stuff... but the app seems crap. No idea what an alternative would be

I use Plex server on my computer to stream video to the iPad or iPhone as I need it, but thats at home. If I want to go on a trip and watch a vid or two, I drop them into CineXplayer. To use a portable wireless drive would be great but without good applications, it seems a bit fraught. The reviewers generally thought so too, one of them even returned the drive as being unfit for use.

murraypaul · 07-16-2012, 06:18 AM

What I would suggest is this:
Download a free/lite video application which supports streaming/downloading videos from a network drive. I think OPlayerHD Lite is an example.
Browse to the IP address of your WiDrive using either FTP or SAMBA, whichever it supports.
Try streaming a video, try downloading a video.
If those work, then you know that the setup is working fine, and it is likely that the limitation is in either the video players you have installed, or in the WiDrive application. If downloading works but streaming doesn't, or performance is poor, it suggests that the WiDrive can't provide a fast enough rate for useable streaming.

Edit: In order to Open In... an application, the file would have to be fully downloaded to the iPad and transferred to the working space of that application. You cannot Open In... a streaming location of a file. Perhaps that is why the WiDrive application only offers that option for small files. (If that is the case.)

HarryT · 07-16-2012, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murraypaul

Edit: In order to Open In... an application, the file would have to be fully downloaded to the iPad and transferred to the working space of that application. You cannot Open In... a streaming location of a file.

A very good point, and obvious now that you point it out!

ApK · 07-16-2012, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

A very good point, and obvious now that you point it out!

Yeah, that's the same behavior I observed in Android.

louwin · 07-21-2012, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murraypaul

What I would suggest is this:
Download a free/lite video application which supports streaming/downloading videos from a network drive. I think OPlayerHD Lite is an example.
....
Edit: In order to Open In... an application, the file would have to be fully downloaded to the iPad and transferred to the working space of that application. You cannot Open In... a streaming location of a file. Perhaps that is why the WiDrive application only offers that option for small files. (If that is the case.)

You are "spot on"

I downloaded the App you suggested and it was perfect

Still didn't do as I hoped but did as you suggested and I expected, "Open In" did offer the App for selection but didn't work but using the IP address of the Wi-Drive worked perfectly.

When I tapped on the AVI it asked me if I wanted to "Play It" or download it. I tried both. The movie I downloaded was in the App and could be replayed (as expected) "offline"....

The movie I "Played" played perfectly with no hesitations. They do claim that 3 different devices can stream from the Wi-Drive at the same time but I'm happy with one streaming perfectly.

And being able to copy movies to my iPad without iTunes is marvellous

I contacted the App writers (3) and got one stereotyped response.

I have uninstalled the other 2 media player Apps and will stick (for now?) with OplayerHD Lite

Now I have to try with my Seagate Goflex Satellite (yes a bit of a gadget freak I'm afraid)

to all my responders

Jyster · 07-30-2012, 11:08 PM

Its interesting device, I havent used it as much as I thought I would.

There are 2 ways to connect, URL offline webpage, and going to the wi-fi setting for the ipad and make sure its set up for auto connect.

Make sure you have the correct app,GoFlex media

louwin · 08-03-2012, 02:15 AM

I don't have any problems connecting with the Goflex or the Wi-Drive, just accessing AVIs and MKVs etc.

I think the secret is turning the device on and leaving it to establish itself for a couple of minutes and THEN connecting.

Once connected I can't get it to play AVIs and MKVs even though associated Apps ARE loaded.

HistoryWes · 08-03-2012, 01:38 PM

The problem i don't think it's with the video format. The wi-drive is streaming files from its drive and sending the by wifi. It seems kind of silly to use an "open in" feature. The whole point is not to use space on your iPad. I keep mine full of extra music and movies and only use it when I go vacation.

louwin · 08-04-2012, 04:51 AM

See what I mean?

One person says it can't be done and three others say it can and have done it

I installed NetPortal Lite and got access to my "shares" on my desktop.

Exactly what I wanted.

The Lite version only does PDFs and image files

Hopefully this will put an end to the need to iTunes

Will have to try Filebrowser, wonder if there is a Lite version to try?

Then have to decide which to go with

07-13-2012, 12:00 PM	#16
DaleDe Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,710 Karma: 3644259 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Grass Valley, CA Device: EB 1150, EZ Reader, Literati, iPad 2	In addition the AVI my not have the same internal format that other AVI's have. AVI is a container that can have different formats inside. See our wiki for AVI for more details. It can have MPEG4, ASP, XVID, DIVX codecs. __________________ Dale DePriest http://pages.suddenlink.net/dalede or http://daledepriest.wikispaces.com currently using an EZ Reader or a Literati or my iPad.

07-13-2012, 02:09 PM	#18
david_e Seriously? Posts: 518 Karma: 2967556 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kobo Mini, iWhatever	..... __________________ I am unanimous in this. Last edited by david_e; 09-05-2012 at 05:09 PM.

07-15-2012, 02:22 PM	#21
ApK What did you call me? Posts: 3,175 Karma: 16000009 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ, USA Device: Kindle	I think I've noticed when browsing my network from my Fire with File Expert that files on network drives don't show those "Open with" options, but if I first copy the file locally to the device, then they do. Could it be something similar for you? __________________ Join me in getting money for nothing: Join Ebates. Use my referral link, and we both get free money! Last edited by ApK; 07-15-2012 at 02:38 PM.

07-15-2012, 04:59 PM	#22
kyteflyer Guru Posts: 742 Karma: 1783940 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Newcastle, Australia Device: iPhone, iPad3, PRS-650, Kobo Glo	I'd never heard of wi-drive so I googled it and found it to be a Kingston product which bodes well. The application which allows sharing seems to look good but when you read the information you find that its extremely limited... eg; "Open in" only works with documents. The reviews also suggest that its not quite what its cracked up to be. So the drive... excellent stuff... but the app seems crap. No idea what an alternative would be I use Plex server on my computer to stream video to the iPad or iPhone as I need it, but thats at home. If I want to go on a trip and watch a vid or two, I drop them into CineXplayer. To use a portable wireless drive would be great but without good applications, it seems a bit fraught. The reviewers generally thought so too, one of them even returned the drive as being unfit for use. __________________ Dropbox is brilliant. Your stuff, when and where you want it, and if you need more space than Dropbox provides, Sugarsync will do it for you: start with 5GB and earn up to 32GB... all FREE.

07-30-2012, 11:08 PM	#27
Jyster Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 535756 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: None	I have the Goflex Its interesting device, I havent used it as much as I thought I would. There are 2 ways to connect, URL offline webpage, and going to the wi-fi setting for the ipad and make sure its set up for auto connect. Make sure you have the correct app,GoFlex media

07-15-2012, 08:30 AM	#19
louwin Newbie Nerd Posts: 114 Karma: 1000354 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Perth, Western Australia Device: iPad 3 64Gb Black	I take your point about containers etc but why don't the programs concerned even show in the "Open In" selection? Is it because the Wi-Drive App isn't doing something right or are the programs concerned not telling the Wi-Drive App they are available for selection or what? Yes, I can convert them but I am trying to avoid doing so if possible. Even the fastest convertor takes a considerable time to convert even on an i7 Windows 7 64bit system. Both of the Apps are supposed to play AVIs but neither is offered.... Any educated guesses?

07-16-2012, 06:18 AM	#23
murraypaul Interested Bystander Posts: 3,093 Karma: 7357565 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: Sony PRS505, Nook Color(CM7), iPad3	What I would suggest is this: Download a free/lite video application which supports streaming/downloading videos from a network drive. I think OPlayerHD Lite is an example. Browse to the IP address of your WiDrive using either FTP or SAMBA, whichever it supports. Try streaming a video, try downloading a video. If those work, then you know that the setup is working fine, and it is likely that the limitation is in either the video players you have installed, or in the WiDrive application. If downloading works but streaming doesn't, or performance is poor, it suggests that the WiDrive can't provide a fast enough rate for useable streaming. Edit: In order to Open In... an application, the file would have to be fully downloaded to the iPad and transferred to the working space of that application. You cannot Open In... a streaming location of a file. Perhaps that is why the WiDrive application only offers that option for small files. (If that is the case.)

08-03-2012, 02:15 AM	#28
louwin Newbie Nerd Posts: 114 Karma: 1000354 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Perth, Western Australia Device: iPad 3 64Gb Black	I don't have any problems connecting with the Goflex or the Wi-Drive, just accessing AVIs and MKVs etc. I think the secret is turning the device on and leaving it to establish itself for a couple of minutes and THEN connecting. Once connected I can't get it to play AVIs and MKVs even though associated Apps ARE loaded.

08-03-2012, 01:38 PM	#29
HistoryWes Teacher/Novelist Posts: 625 Karma: 2274466 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nevada Device: Nook STR, iPad	The problem i don't think it's with the video format. The wi-drive is streaming files from its drive and sending the by wifi. It seems kind of silly to use an "open in" feature. The whole point is not to use space on your iPad. I keep mine full of extra music and movies and only use it when I go vacation. __________________ His Robot Wife-- The long awaited sequel to His Robot Girlfriend. 99 cents at Smashwords: Click Here. 99 cents at the Kindle Store: Click Here.

08-04-2012, 04:51 AM	#30
louwin Newbie Nerd Posts: 114 Karma: 1000354 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Perth, Western Australia Device: iPad 3 64Gb Black	See what I mean? One person says it can't be done and three others say it can and have done it I installed NetPortal Lite and got access to my "shares" on my desktop. Exactly what I wanted. The Lite version only does PDFs and image files Hopefully this will put an end to the need to iTunes Will have to try Filebrowser, wonder if there is a Lite version to try? Then have to decide which to go with

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