@mkst - Is there anything you need to set up to access the files directly from external storage. I know you have to format the drive to FAT32. Is there anything else to set up or any specific software on the Oculus required?
You'll either need Virtual Desktop or Skybox software on the headset. I prefer Virtual Desktop, since I can fully control my PC from within the headset and now it has a Video/VR player. I can easily switch from viewing VR videos, iStripper, 2D videos, VRParadise, other PCVR games, all from within the headset using Virtual Desktop. Virtual Desktop has a small piece of software (Virtual Desktop Streamer) on the PC side, which is used for PC to communicate with Virtual Desktop on the headset.
To use Skybox, you'd also need to setup a DLNA software on the PC, like Jellyfin. I prefer Jellyfin over Plex, because it has a music video category that prevents the software from searching for movie artwork.