Receiver as a Samba server for Windows
A Samba server shares receiver files over the network, for example so Windows can access recordings. For the opposite direction – the receiver accessing a NAS – use connect an SMB/CIFS share.
Set up
Section titled “Set up”- In Menu → Setup → Network → Network Services, install Samba Server if needed, start it and save the desired autostart state.
- Open Samba Server Settings in the Network menu.
- Review and save the four options:
| Option | Effect |
|---|---|
Enable automatic shares (config.samba.enableAutoShare) |
Automatically publish detected storage devices as SMB shares. Check which drives become accessible. |
Access mode (config.samba.autoShareAccess) |
Set automatic shares to Read/Write or Read-Only. Playback normally requires only reading. |
| Allow guest access | Allows matching shares to be used without a Samba password. Modern Windows configurations may reject guest access. |
| Workgroup name | For example WORKGROUP. An SMB grouping, not Windows domain membership or a password. |
The test receiver shown permits guest and read/write access. The screenshot records its existing state; it is not a recommendation to expose every drive that way.
- If the service has not adopted the changed configuration, stop/start Samba through Network Services at a suitable time.
- Enter
\\192.168.1.50in the Windows File Explorer address bar, substituting your receiver’s IP. Select an actually offered share. Do not assume identical share names on all receivers.
Authentication instead of guest access
Section titled “Authentication instead of guest access”The Linux password (passwd) and Samba’s user database are separate. For an existing Linux user, smbpasswd -a USERNAME interactively adds or updates the Samba entry. That user must exist, and both the share and file permissions must permit access. Adding a Samba entry alone does not create a restricted share.
Prefer a separate account limited to the required folders. USERNAME is a placeholder, not a literal account name. Do not put passwords in command-line arguments or screenshots. Samba’s documentation explains password administration.
Files and troubleshooting
Section titled “Files and troubleshooting”The inspected dialogue edits workgroup and guest settings in /etc/samba/smb-local.conf. The main file /etc/samba/smb.conf and potentially generated shares also exist. Generated files may later be overwritten. Do not replace the entire configuration with an unrelated example.
- Direct IP access works but the receiver is absent from Network: check Windows network discovery / wsdd2 and Windows’ private network profile. Discovery and file access are separate.
- Login fails: check the username, Samba password, guest rules and cached Windows credentials. Windows may already hold a connection to the same receiver using another account.
- Reading works but writing fails: check share mode, Linux permissions, the storage mount and free space.
- A share disappears: is the drive mounted, automatic sharing enabled and Samba running?
Do not install SMB1 or disable the firewall to make the receiver visible. Use SMB2/3, authentication and suitable sharing rules. The Windows 11 guide covers profiles, firewall and users. SFTP is another way to transfer receiver files.
Source: OpenATV Samba dialogue.
Receiver views
Section titled “Receiver views”