• First (tested under 10.4.8), enable OS X's Samba server by clicking "Windows Sharing" under Apple Menu > System Preferences... > Sharing. OS X will force you to choose which user account can use Windows Sharing but this won't actually matter to the MX-760HD or MX-780HD - it doesn't send authentication so we'll need to specifically customize our server to allow guests. We'll also want to tweak exactly what directories we're sharing, as opposed to the enabled user's entire Home directory (note: even if that is what you want, you'll still need to configure it as "guests ok", something you'll probably want to reconsider for security reasons).

• Basically, there are two different ways to configure the Samba server: by editing the /etc/smb.conf manually or by using a helper application like the donationware SharePoints. SharePoints has an advantage because it will display the read/write permissions of the directories you're sharing: "everyone" must have "read" access for the files to be shared properly. Before we continue, you may want to disable the default "share the entire home directory" option under SharePoint's SMB Properties > Home Directories. This is entirely optional.


• To share a directory of movies, make sure you're on the "Normal Shares" tab


• Create a "Share Name" and "Browse..." to the right Directory. You'll also want to set the "Windows (SMB) Sharing" dropdown to "Shared (+)". Finally, click the magical circle to the right of "Show File System Properties". This drawer will offer an "Allow Windows Guests", which we'll need to enable for anything we want the MX-760HD to access.


• Under "Permissions", make sure "Everyone" can "r" (read) the directory, otherwise it'll will appear empty when browsed (note: this WILL change the literal permissions on disk - it's not just a Samba thing). If you haven't protected your wireless network with encryption (even if it's simply WEP, as required here), we strongly recommend you to do so now. You'll be asked for your OS X Administrator password to effect any changes you make here. Your final screen should look something like:

• Head back over to the Mvix MX-760HD/MX-780HD and have it "Refresh" its Movie file listing.


• After a small pause as it scans (and caches) the share, all your movie files should be displayed; anything not a recognized movie file is not shown.


• One of the cool things with this media player is its ability to display long file names. You can actually see more than six or eight characters, and pausing on any one title will scroll the rest of the title in place.


• Choose what you'd like to watch, and depending on the size of the video, it'll start streaming to you wirelessly in 10 to 30 seconds.

DISCLAIMER: This Knowledgebase article has been written, edited and provided to us for publication by


Kevin Hemenway.The above procedure isan excerpt of the article published at OREILLYNET.COM.