Learning path · 20 tutorials
iCouldPlay video and media library learning path
Start with a local video, connect NAS folders and media servers, organise films and series, then check subtitles, audio tracks and playback compatibility.
You provide the videos and servers. First use a familiar local file to check picture and sound, then add a remote source. This gives you a clear comparison if something fails.
Posters and categories describe media; downloads and playback access the content itself. These tutorials check them separately and do not treat a completed scan as proof that every file plays offline.
Local files & sources
Play a local video first, then add SMB, WebDAV or FTP as needed.
iCouldPlay getting started: add a local video to your media library
Import your own video from Files, check the local source, picture, sound and viewing progress, and understand the relationship between the library and original file.
Import Photos videos into iCouldPlay: organise travel clips and check orientation
Import a few travel videos through Photos, checking complete downloads, orientation, duration and duplicates to build a repeatable personal-video workflow.
Connect iCouldPlay to SMB: play home videos from a NAS share
Distinguish the SMB host, share name and base path, connect a home NAS and use a small folder to check permissions, scanning and actual playback.
Connect iCouldPlay to WebDAV: enter the address, folder and account correctly
Distinguish a WebDAV service address, webpage sharing link and base path, then verify login, directory access and playback of the same file.
iCouldPlay FTP sources: test connections and playback with a small folder
Add an FTP source and check login, base directory, subfolders and actual video access separately, understanding the differences and limits of FTP, FTPS and SFTP.
Servers & library setup
Connect your own media server and use a small folder to check the account, content and scan results.
Connect iCouldPlay to Emby: sign in and choose your media library
Use the Emby server address and account permissions to sign in, browse libraries and check movie details and playback, distinguishing server accounts from file-share accounts.
Connect iCouldPlay to Jellyfin: find films and series from your server
Connect an existing Jellyfin service, check the actual port, user-library scope, seasons and episodes, and distinguish empty lists, missing metadata and playback failures.
Connect iCouldPlay to Plex: authorise, select a server and check empty libraries
Authorise the Plex account, enter the real server address and separately check the account, server reachability, library permissions and video playback.
Connect iCouldPlay to UGREEN video: check service addresses and media access
Follow UGREEN video support in iCouldPlay 1.1.0, distinguish NAS administration and video-service addresses, then verify login, libraries and playback in order.
iCouldPlay folder scans: turn a file source into a browsable library
Begin with one clear source folder, choose the scan scope and verify items and categories, then handle missed files, matching names and rescan limits.
Matching & finding media
Check titles, years and episode numbers, organise metadata, then practise search and resume.
iCouldPlay movie matching: use titles and years to reduce poster mistakes
Organise film titles, years and edition details before scanning, check posters and descriptions with a small sample, and retain original files and viewing records.
Correct iCouldPlay metadata: distinguish same-title films and editions
Before changing a wrong poster or description, identify its file and metadata source, then check title, year, film-versus-series type and server metadata without deleting the video by mistake.
Organise series in iCouldPlay: check seasons, episodes and filenames
Use a consistent series name and S01E01 numbering, then verify seasons, episode numbers and playback order, including the limits of specials, compilations and multiple editions.
iCouldPlay search and resume: return to your last viewing position
Confirm the media source and search scope, find your videos with short keywords, then verify how progress, Continue Watching and Play From Beginning relate.
Browse iCouldPlay libraries: categories and card density for a viewing list
Organise browsing by source, film-or-series category and library column count, checking empty filters, duplicate cards and readable titles across devices.
Subtitles & playback checks
Use the same file to isolate subtitle, audio-track and playback-engine issues one at a time.
iCouldPlay external subtitles: import SRT and check the video edition
Load an SRT for your video and check language, timing and edition, distinguishing a fixed offset, gradual drift and subtitles already burned into the picture.
iCouldPlay subtitle layout: adjust size, outline and position
Start with matching ordinary subtitles and compare type size, contrast, outline and placement, checking portrait, landscape, long lines and light scenes.
iCouldPlay audio tracks: select a language and troubleshoot silent video
Distinguish audio tracks from subtitle languages, check available sound, system output and file details, and locate issues affecting only some videos.
Troubleshoot iCouldPlay compatibility: playback engines and video formats
Distinguish containers, video codecs, audio tracks and subtitles, understand automatic selection between the two engines, and compare the same file locally and remotely to locate failures.
Troubleshoot iCouldPlay streaming stalls: files, networks and servers
Compare local and remote playback of one video to locate buffering, failed seeking and disconnections, checking local and remote networks, server transcoding and file bitrate.