Stream video files over WiFi to Oculus Go when traveling

Due to the meager storage capacity of the Oculus Go, being able to stream video files over WiFi using a portable device is a real game-changer when traveling away from home. Historically, my portable streaming device of choice was the RAVPower RP-WD04. However, I found streaming the generally larger VR files to be problematic using this device. Fortunately, RAVPower has a new version, the RP-WD09, which handles them nicely. I’ll refer to the device simply as the FileHub. (Make sure you don’t get the RP-WD07 as some significant improvements were made and it looks nearly identical to the RP-WD09.)

You’ll need a streaming video client app on your Oculus Go and I’ve found two that work well: Pigasus VR Media Player ($3.99) and Skybox VR Player (free). I prefer Pigasus because you can set it up so you don’t have to login every time you connect to the streaming server. The process to store your logon credentials is a bit tedious, but you only have to do it once.

SETTING UP THE FILEHUB

1. Connect your phone to the FileHub’s WiFi connection. The default passphrase is 11111111 (eight ones).

2. Open the FileHub app and tap the gear icon in the top-right to open settings. You should be using the newer RAV FileHub app, not the older FileHub Plus app. (Note that in lieu of using the app, you can also use the web interface by browsing to http://10.10.10.254 using your phone’s web browser.)

3. If you’ve already set up the 5GHz connection, you can skip to step 7.

4. Navigate to WiFi_Disk Settings > WiFi_Disk Settings(5G) > Security. Enter you desired passphrase and tap Save.

5. Go back to the main screen and you should see a dialog that says the device needs to reboot. Tap Ok.

6. After the device reboots, you’ll probably have to reconnect to the FileHub’s Wifi and reopen the app.

7. Tap the gear icon in the top-right to open settings again. Navigate to WiFi_Disk Settings > System Settings > User settings.

8. Enter a password to be used for the admin account. Remember it for later steps. (By default, there is no password.)

9. You can close the app now and change your phone’s WiFi connection back to whatever it is normally.

10. If you haven’t already, put your FileHub in 5GHz mode. Pressing the 2.4G/5G button on the side and holding for a few seconds cycles through 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 2.4/5GHz modes.

Your FileHub is now ready to be connected to your Oculus Go.

ADDING LOGIN CREDENTIALS TO PIGASUS

If you are opting for Skybox, you can skip these steps.

1. On your PC, open a text editor like Notepad and enter “admin” on the first line and your password (set above) on the second line.

2. Save this file somewhere handy, like on your Desktop, as 10.10.10.254.txt

Note that the Pigasus instructions tell you to save the file using the hostname, which is FileHub. However, I have found that Pigasus will not resolve this to the IP address, so naming the file using the actual IP address is the only way to get it to work.

3. Connect your Oculus Go to your computer using a MicroUSB cable.

4. If you are using Windows, the Oculus Go will appear in File Explorer as VR-Headset. A dialog will appear in your Oculus Go asking if you allow the connection. Click Allow.

DEVELOPER MODE ISSUE: I found that if I had Developer Mode enabled and the ADB driver installed, I could no longer access the Go’s internal storage via USB cable. As such, you may have to turn it off and uninstall the ADB driver in Windows Device Manager. (Basically, you find the Go in the Device Manager and uninstall the device.)

5. Using Windows File Explorer, open VR-Headset and double-click Internal shared storage. Drill down to Pigasus > SMB.

6. Copy the 10.10.10.254.txt file and paste into this folder. (Note that once the Go is rebooted and you rerun Pigasus, the .txt file is encrypted and renamed with a .smb file extension.)

7. Disconnect the Go from your PC.

CONNECT TO THE FILEHUB SERVER

First, insert the SD card or connect your USB drive containing your video files to the FileHub. On your Oculus Go, connect to the FileHub’s WiFi. Note that it is not necessary for the FileHub to be connected to the Internet.

Now, if you are using Pigasus, open the app on your GO and click on the Samba icon. Then, click on 10.10.10.254. The storage volume will appear next. Click on it. Finally, a list of the files on the FileHub will appear. Click on a file to play it.

If you are using Skybox, click on Network on the left. A SMB FILEHUB entry will appear. Click on it. Enter “admin” as the username and your password. Don’t bother enabling Save your password. Sadly, it doesn’t work. Click Ok.

 

Well, that is it. As I said, getting the Pigasus login going is a bit of a pain and it costs four bucks. However, after you log into Skybox a few times, you’ll see that Pigasus is totally worth it!

The RAVPower RP-WD09 is quite an amazing device and I’ve only touched on one of it’s features. Besides allowing you to stream files to your Oculus Go, as well as to your phone, tablet, PC, etc., it works as a travel router or bridge. The bridge mode can be particularly handy as it allows you to, say, share a single paid hotspot, like at a hotel or on an airplane, to multiple devices. All devices can save their FileHub WiFi connection settings, so it can be beneficial even if the internet connection is free as each device won’t have to log into the hotspot.

In AP mode, it allows wireless connection to a wired Ethernet connection. They’ve also added the ability to quickly backup an SD card to a hard drive or flash drive which should be great for photographers. Oh, and did I mention, it also sports a 6700mAh battery that can charge other devices?!

The RAVPower RP-WD09 is a Swiss Army knife and a must-have accessory. Incidentally, if you’re looking for a good case for the RP-WD09, this AmazonBasics Hard Carrying Case fits perfectly and has room for extra SD cards and the manual.