Configure port forwarding
Computers communicate with each other
over networks and the internet via ports – port forwarding ensures the signals
get through.
Once logged in, look for the Port
Forwarding section. Follow the instructions to add two separate port forwarding
rules as instructed by the Remote Potato setup wizard: enter the port or port
range into the appropriate boxes, and enter your computer’s static IP address
too. Make sure the rule is enabled and click ‘Apply’.
Configure port forwarding
Complete wizard
Complete
wizard
Return to Remote Potato and complete
the wizard – leave ‘I will use my external IP address to access Remote Potato’
selected and click ‘Next’. The final screen reveals how to access your media
server via another computer – either over your internal network or over the
wider network. Make a note of these settings and click ‘Close’.
Choose what to share
Click ‘No’ when prompted about the
iPhone app. Click the ‘Settings’ button to reveal a selection of options:
choose what media to share on the General tab, then tweak your television
channel settings through the TV Guide and Channel tabs. Once done, click the
‘Play’ button to start the server, which is now ready for action.
Choose
what to share
Access from another computer
Access
from another computer
Open a web browser on the
other computer and type in http://0.0.0.0:9080, replace
0.0.0.0 with
the IP address you made a note of in step five. Press [Enter] and if necessary
install Microsoft Silverlight, following the instructions to ensure the best
quality access to your media. Enter your username and password to log on.
Access your media library
Access
your media library
Click ‘Yes’ if prompted by Silverlight
to increase storage. Select what type of content to access from the main menu –
music, pictures, recorder TV programmes, video and movies – then browse the
folders to locate individual files. View or listen to single files, or use the
controls to set up playlists or watch picture slideshows.
Configure TV recordings
Configure
TV recordings
If you record TV on your PC, you can
schedule new recordings as well as configure existing ones directly from your
web browser – perfect if you’ve forgotten to record a favourite show for
example. Select ‘TV Guide’ from the menu to browse for shows to record, or
click ‘Scheduled Recordings’ to manage recordings set up previously.
Mobile access
Mobile
access
You can access your media through your
smart mobile device via its web browser (use the basic HTML link) or a
dedicated app (search its app store). There’s Smart Potato for Windows 7 phones
($2.985), Remote Media Center (free) for Android and Remote Potato/Remote Potato
HD ($7.485) for iPhone and iPad.
