How to play VLC Media Player from a NAS (Synology and QNAP)

If you have a NAS at home (Synology, QNAP, or other) and you connect from outside with a DynDNS domain or services like QuickConnect/myQNAPcloud, it makes sense to open videos directly with VLC without relying on transcoding. The good news is that VLC supports multiple network protocols. to play without downloading, and you can safely configure it to watch 4K without squeezing the NAS CPU.

In real-world scenarios like a Synology DS215j or a home-grade QNAP, the bottleneck is usually transcoding on Plex or web servers. The key is “direct play” using standard protocols (SMB, NFS, FTP/SFTP, WebDAV or HTTP/HTTPS) and, when you want to browse your library from a TV, activate DLNA so that VLC or your TV's app can locate the files on the fly.

What you need to play from a NAS with VLC

To play from VLC without using Plex or download-only web interfaces, enable one or more file services on your NAS: SMB/CIFS (Windows), NFS (Unix/Linux), FTP/FTPS, SFTP or WebDAV. All of them are supported by VLC to open a network URL and play in streaming direct.

If your goal is to watch 4K without transcoding because your NAS is modest, opt for the protocol that best suits your environment and consider connecting via VPN when you're away. DLNA/UPnP is also a convenient option for local networks: on a QNAP, simply enable the DLNA server, and on the TV, use VLC to "Discover Network."

On Synology, although you can view files from your browser when you log in with DynDNS, tapping on a video usually downloads it. To open that same file with VLC you must use a network URL with the protocol you expose (e.g., smb://, sftp:// or https:// via WebDAV), or mount the drive in the operating system and open it from VLC as if it were local.

If you prefer a library experience with metadata, QNAP offers Video Station to categorize videos, create collections, and even send links. However, direct playback without transcoding will depend on the format.; even their documentation reminds us that, without transcoding, MP4 plays best in the browser, and that for DLNA/Chromecast you need the Media Streaming plugin.

Supported protocols and syntax in VLC

VLC allows you to open a “Network Media” with different URLs. These are the practical syntaxes you can use depending on the service exposed on your NAS and your scenario (local or remote):

Sometimes, simply scanning the network automatically detects the NAS. If not, read on…

SMB/CIFS (Windows/Samba)
Recommended for local networks, but also usable over the Internet if you encapsulate it with a VPN. In VLC, use:
smb://usuario:contraseña@dominio-o-IP/compartida/ruta/archivo.mkv
If you have special characters, escapes the Symbols or let VLC ask you for credentials when opening smb://dominio-o-IP/compartida/....

NFS
Very efficient on LANs, typical of Unix/Linux environments and some TVs and media players. In VLC:
nfs://dominio-o-IP/ruta/exportada/archivo.mkv
It requires having the export configured on the NAS and, if it is remote, The ideal is to use VPN.

FTP/FTPS
Easy to enable; for internet security, FTPS (TLS) is preferable. Examples:
ftp://usuario:contraseña@dominio:21/ruta/archivo.mkv
ftps://usuario:contraseña@dominio:990/ruta/archivo.mkv
Note that FTP involves multiple connections; may be affected by NAT if it is not configured correctly.

SFTP (SSH)
Simple and secure for remote access. VLC supports this:
sftp://usuario@dominio:22/ruta/archivo.mkv
If you don't put the password in the URL, VLC will ask for it. It is one of the most robust options for 4K if your bandwidth allows it.

WebDAV/HTTPS
Ideal if you already use a subdomain with TLS (e.g., DynDNS + Let's Encrypt). Syntax:
dav://usuario:contraseña@dominio:puerto/ruta/archivo.mkv
davs://usuario:contraseña@dominio:puerto/ruta/archivo.mkv
With “davs” you travel encrypted. This is the typical method when you publish your NAS via HTTPS. without exposing SMB.

Direct HTTP/HTTPS
If you are serving the video folder over the web, you can point to the file URL:
https://dominio/ruta/archivo.mkv
It's simple, but depending on how the server is configured, some browsers force download while VLC will play the stream.

DLNA/UPnP
It doesn't open with a URL; it's discovered. In VLC, go to "Media > Open Network Location > Local Network", and explore home DLNA servers to select the video. Requires enabling the DLNA server on the NAS.

Folders and credentials with spaces, accents, or symbols may need URL encoding (%20, etc.). If in doubt, just enter the host and let VLC ask for your username/password.. Where possible, prefer SFTP or HTTPS/WebDAV when accessing from the Internet for security reasons.

Secure remote access to the NAS: DynDNS, ports, and VPN

With a DynDNS domain, you can access the NAS's web interface, but that doesn't mean you can open videos in VLC. You must expose a compatible service (SFTP, WebDAV/HTTPS, FTPS…) or connect via VPN to use SMB/NFS as if you were at home.

Best practices for 4K and security:

• VPN of the router or from the NAS (OpenVPN/WireGuard) to map SMB/NFS and pull “direct play”.
• SFTP or WebDAVs if you can't set up VPN.
• Avoid exposing SMB/AFP to the Internet; better to encapsulate it in VPN.
• Check ports on the router with UPnP disabled or specific rules.
• TLS/HTTPS with valid certificates for WebDAV.

Bandwidth is king: a high-bitrate 4K may require 60–100 Mbps of real data. If your connection isn't up to par, consider copies in H.265 with a lower bitrate or play 1080p versions for mobile.

Synology: Practical Options with VLC

On Synology, you can access the website via DynDNS, but when you click on a video, it downloads. For VLC, enable services in Control Panel > File Services: SMB, NFS, FTP/FTPS, SFTP, and WebDAV. With WebDAV + HTTPS, you'll have direct URLs for VLC with encryption.

If your NAS (such as the DS215j) cannot transcode, Avoid Plex when you are away from home if you force transcode and open files in VLC with SFTP/WebDAV or over VPN with SMB/NFS to play without touching the NAS CPU.

QuickConnect allows for sharing without opening ports, but it doesn't always work with VLC. For VLC, remotely, the most stable method is usually: VPN + SMB/NFS, or SFTP/WebDAV with direct URL.

QNAP: DLNA, Plex, and the Video Station ecosystem

If you “don't want to touch many things”, in QNAP you can Activate DLNA and use VLC on TV to navigate through “Discover Network” to your folders. On many TVs and TV Boxes Android, the formats are played without transcoding, which is perfect on LAN.

As an alternative with library and apps On multiple platforms, install Plex Server from the QNAP repository and the Plex client on your TV. If your NAS can't transcode 4K, force direct playback (Direct Play) or limit remote use to lighter content.

QNAP Video Station organizes and shares online videos—movies, TV shows, home videos, and music—with smart collections, tags, ratings, and filters. From Video Station you can play in the browser or “Open with VLC” (with plugin), download, copy to collections, and even batch transcode from 240p to 1080p on x86 models.

To cast to HDMI or Chromecast from Video Station's “Network Media Player”, Install the Media Streaming add-on in App CenterIf you're broadcasting in multiple zones, enable Bonjour in Control Panel > Network Services > Service Discovery > Bonjour.

Limitations to keep in mind: no transcoding, only MP4 plays directly in the browser According to QNAP's documentation, some formats may be problematic for DLNA, Apple TV, or Chromecast; in these cases, it's best to transcode to more universal containers.

Subtitles, playback control, and metadata in Video Station

Although we're focusing on VLC here, it's helpful to know about Video Station's library management options. You can import .srt, .ass, .ssa subtitles saving them in the same folder and with the same base name as the video (e.g. video.eng.srt), or importing them from the player (“CC” > Import) and even searching for them online (OpenSubtitles, etc.).

There are options to adjust the subtitles (font, size, color, background) and synchronization if they are advanced or delayed. The player allows you to change resolution/transcoding when your NAS supports it, and offers quick controls: play/pause, stop, seek bar, volume, full screen and keyboard shortcuts (arrows to move forward/backward, space bar to pause).

To enrich your collections, Video Station downloads online movie information (poster, year, rating, director, cast). If there are errors, you can edit the English title and search again, or upload your own poster from your computer or URL. Please note that the metadata search is designed for English-language keywords.

Want to share? Drag videos to the Sharing panel and send links via email, social media, or generates a direct link (myQNAPcloud domain, LAN/WAN IP, HTML code/forum). For email, please first set up your account in QTS > Options > Email Account.

Organization, collections, and media library on QNAP

Video Station distinguishes between “Shared Videos” (folders on the entire NAS except /home and Qsync), “Private Collection” (your /home, just for you), “Qsync” (synchronized), “Video Collection” (virtual collections), and “Smart Collection” (groups by rules: movies, TV shows, music, home videos). You will also see “Recently” and a trash can to recover or permanently delete.

The menu bar allows you to toggle views (thumbnails, list, timeline, folders), multi-select, thumbnail size, Search by title, date, tags, rating, or color, and configure content filters, folder sorting, subtitle search, and security options (“Require Password” for private/Qsync).

Creating collections is as simple as converting a folder to a collection or dragging videos into “Video Collection.” In collections you can play, download, rename, share and adjust their options. (share with public, validity period, whether other users can edit). Smart Collections are created with a “+” on Smart Collection, setting criteria and content type.

Operations on videos include playing, opening with VLC (if you have installed the plugin), downloading, copy to collection, set as cover, add to transcode, rotate 90°, add to shared list, send to network devices, delete, view information, add tags, rate or assign color tag.

File visibility depends on the permissions of shared folders and folders defined as media in the Media library (shared by Photo/Music/Video Station and DLNA). On x86 models, almost all shared folders are "media" by default (except /recording and /web); on ARM models, they are /multimedia and /homes, although you can always add more. Remember that /home is private for each user.

If you upload videos and they don't appear, force a scan in Control Panel > Media Management > Media Library. Changing media folders affects Photo/Music/Video Station and DLNA, because they share the same source.

Performance and compatibility: 4K without the headaches

For 4K without transcoding, the rule of thumb is simple: stable network and appropriate protocol. On a LAN, use an Ethernet cable whenever possible; on Wi-Fi, use at least 5 GHz with good bandwidth. On the internet, the bitrate is key: if you don't reach it, you'll experience buffering even if the NAS has plenty of bandwidth.

Remotely, SFTP and WebDAVs generally handle network hops well; with VPN, SMB, and NFS They give a “home-like” experienceDLNA works brilliantly over LAN with compatible TVs/Boxes, but it can cause issues with containers and subtitles on certain models. If this happens, try direct playback in VLC or consider transcoding to MP4/H.264 + AAC beforehand.

If you use Video Station to cast to Chromecast/HDMI, install the Media Streaming add-on and enable Bonjour for multi-home. CodexPack is required on QNAP NAS with transcodingAnd if your machine lacks muscle, avoid transcoding on the fly and opt for direct play.

Quick setup steps (everything connected and ready to play)

1. Activate the necessary services on your NAS: On Synology, go to File Services and enable SMB/NFS/FTP(S)/SFTP/WebDAV; on QNAP, App Center/Control Panel for DLNA, WebDAV, SFTP, etc.
2. Decide on the method for out of home: VPN to use SMB/NFS; if not possible, SFTP or WebDAV. Configure DynDNS or myQNAPcloud/QuickConnect, TLS certificates, and port forwarding if applicable.
3. Test in VLC: Open Media > Open Network Location and enter the appropriate URL (e.g., sftp://user@yourdomain:22/path/video.mkv or davs://user:password@yourdomain:443/path/video.mp4). Adjust the buffer if necessary.
4. On TVWith DLNA enabled, open VLC on your TV/Box and go to “Discover Network/UPnP” to navigate to your folders. If something isn't showing, try another container or open it via SFTP/WebDAV from a compatible app.

Those who prefer metadata library and link sharing can use Video Station on QNAP: organize collections, download movie information, manage subtitles, and share via email/social media or direct link. Keep in mind the limitations of transcoding and native format support.

With these settings, playing VLC from a NAS is as simple as opening a URL or browsing DLNA on your network. The combination of secure protocol, good network and direct playback It's the formula for enjoying 4K without stuttering and without overloading the NAS's CPU, both at home and on the go.