colors6
Explorer
You have 4 options - Attach a USB HDD to your router and share it, Setup a SBC (like RPi) with a USB HDD, Buy a NAS and install one or more HDDs or setup a desktop for the same.
I would suggest the router only if you want to spend nothing. The limitations are with the router itself so YMMV.
On a budget, I would suggest the RPi with the USB HDD - this should do a good job as long as you are not going to 1. watch 4K rips with high bitrates AND 2. Multiple clients at the same time. Ensure you get one of the newer RPi's with more RAM, setup the same.
If you want to watch high bit rate 4K rips you should go for either NAS or (ideally) I would suggest a desktop which has multiple SATA ports so that its more future proof.
This should be a Pentium class or above (with integrated graphics) which has the transcoding capabilities needed if you need to stream to devices which do not support 4K.
Install Windows or Linux or whatever is to your liking and share the same for a simple setup. For a more better way, for ex. If you want to do transcoding and want an easy way to manage the same, setup Plex. The free account should be more than enough for your needs, as long as the TV is acting as a Cast target.
TL;DR - depends on what you are - simple and tight budget use - router with USB HDD, simple and money to spend - NAS, complex on a budget - Raspberry Pi, complex with money and you want the best of everything - PC as NAS. If you find the write up complicated, please feel free to ask.
I have a RPi3 but it is underpowered and not good for high end 4K. Same for router option. I have a Dlink dir-825 which has usb HDD option but it’s not good for 4K steaming.
Currently using a dell mini laptop with with external HDD as storage. It’s a bit underpowered and 4K stuff requires a bit of buffering with Plex client on android tv. If I use VLC on android tv, 4K plays just fine on the android tv.
I think NAS is the one. Ds218j it is going to be I guess with 4K transcoding being not done as i will be using it on local network on the fairly new 4K capable android tv.
As for Plex, I have a lifetime Plex pass, so that’s not an issue.