Setting up a network-attached storage server is a great way to access your files remotely without paying cloud storage fees. Among the most popular are Ugreen NAS units, which include an HDMI port that some users have found a bit baffling. Since the whole point of a NAS is to connect to them through the internet, it might seem a little strange to set one up and discover an HDMI port on the back, but it actually serves a few helpful functions.

While any NAS server with an HDMI port offers broadly the same functions, the specifics for how to use them might be a little different. Ugreen NAS servers come with a few quirks of their own that can make using their HDMI ports a bit confusing, but they’re easy to navigate once you know what you’re doing. Getting to know the tricks for how to use your NAS’ HDMI port before you need them is a good idea because it’s useful for more than just accessing your files.

The most straightforward use of a Ugreen NAS’ HDMI port is to watch media files stored on the device. It’s more common to stream from a NAS to a smart TV or a device like a Roku Streaming Stick, but using the HDMI port means you can get by without either of those options, or even connect the NAS to a PC monitor or projector. Unfortunately, it’s not quite as easy as connecting the NAS like you would any other device.

When you connect a Ugreen NAS to your screen via HDMI, it should display a notice telling you that you need to use the Ugreen phone app to actually play your media. On the app, you’ll see an option to cast your media to the screen using the HDMI cable. At this point, you can use the app as a remote to control playback. It’s a bit of a hassle to have to use an app when you’re already connected via HDMI, but since there’s no physical remote for your NAS, it’s the only way to actually navigate and play from your library.

The HDMI port also enables a few more advanced features. If you have both a screen and a keyboard connected, you’ll be able to access both the device’s BIOS and a terminal. You might never have to mess with either of these options, but they’re necessary if you want to replace the server’s operating system, troubleshoot boot issues or change advanced settings without a remote SSH connection.

To access the BIOS, boot up your NAS with a screen connected. As soon as startup begins, repeatedly press the Ctrl and F12 keys together and you should enter the BIOS setup screen. From here, you can navigate the BIOS screen using the keyboard. If you plan to change BIOS settings, you should start by searching for an option under the Advanced tab called Watchdog Settings and disable Watch Dog Control. With this enabled, the NAS will reboot after a set amount of time.

While it’s not officially documented, Ugreen NAS users online have reported that it’s possible to access the server’s terminal via HDMI as well. With a screen and keyboard connected, press Ctrl Alt F1, which should bring up the terminal, though different models of NAS may use different function keys. By default, the way to access a Ugreen NAS terminal is through an SSH client on another computer connected to your local network, so accessing the terminal directly from the NAS can be a simpler option. Either way you access it, you should only change settings in the terminal if you’re sure you know what you’re doing, as the advanced settings there can cause a lot of hard-to-fix problems if you’re not careful.