What matters
- Best for local video files, family photos, and music libraries.
- Your Mac and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi or wired network.
- VPNs and router client isolation can prevent discovery.
Samsung setup
- Start Media Server Pro on your Mac.
- On the Samsung TV, open the built-in media player, Source, or Connected Devices area.
- Look for Media Server Pro in the network or media server list.
- Open it, choose Videos, Music, or Photos, then play a file.
FAQ
Why does my Samsung TV not see the Mac?
Check that both devices are on the same network, disable VPN local-network blocking, allow incoming connections in macOS Firewall, and restart the server.
Do I need AirPlay?
No. AirPlay is useful for Apple-to-Apple or screen mirroring flows. A local media server lets many Smart TVs browse media directly from your Mac.
Will every file play?
The TV or receiving app decides which formats it can decode. If one file fails, test with a common MP4 file to confirm discovery and playback are working. If the media player bundled with your TV fails, try another compatible TV media app or a streaming device that can run a known-good app such as VLC or Kodi.