How to remove a home media server. Installation and initial setup of DLNA Home Media Server (HMS) on Windows

• DLNA - what is it and who needs it
• Windows media server dlna,
• A short overview of dlna server programs
• Home media server - the best among equals, or a headache for the user
• Setting up the server part
• Alternative and development

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance)– a set of technologies for displaying various types of media content in real time by devices united in one local network. Initially, several companies (Sony, Intel, Microsoft, Samsung Nokia, Matsushita, Philips, Hewlett-Packard) developed this standard and also united into a group to create devices compatible with this technology. At the moment, there are more than 200 manufacturers producing compatible equipment.

home media server setup

In simple terms, this is a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, TV and other “smart” equipment for viewing photos and video files, listening to music. Media content becomes common to every device on the local network. All gadgets must be on the same IP network and connected to each other either wired (Ethernet) or wirelessly (Wi-Fi).

How to set up dlna

All devices with dlna support are conventionally divided into two types: servers and media players. The former mainly store and provide others with access to content. The latter, for the most part, only reproduce the files the user needs. For example: a personal computer contains photographs; it can store and reproduce them both on its monitor and on the screen of a networked TV, tablet, or phone.

The division is conditional because now many mobile electronics can both store and display content. For example, smartphones with special software installed may well act as a server.
This technology is very useful for users with a large number of “smart” devices at home, as it allows you to store multimedia content in one place, rather than in the memory of each device. A very relevant feature for mobile devices that are significantly deprived of memory.

Windows and dlna

In the operating system from Microsoft, this technology appeared starting from version 7. However, it is hidden so deeply that it was quite difficult for the average user to find and configure it. In Windows 8, it became possible to use it to play video files on devices connected to the local network.

This is done by right-clicking on the file and selecting Transfer to... from the menu.

But before that, you still need to configure your home media server. In the “Control Panel” we find the “Home Group” item, in the window that appears, select “Create a home group”. Next, we will be asked to choose what type of file the homegroup can access.

In the next window we need the item “Allow all devices on this network, such as TVs and game consoles, to play shared content”, after clicking on which you will need to come up with the name of the media server and enter it in the proposed window.

At this point, the setup is almost complete and you can now play authorized files with dlna devices on your computer. To do this, each of them has certain points (AllShare, SmartShare...).

A description of how to use them is included in the instructions for use.
The software built into the system is easy to use and consumes less hardware resources. However, there is a high probability that the format of various types of multimedia files may not be understood by the player, since Windows transfers them as is. Third party programs have been created to solve this problem.

Overview of dlna server programs

Of the many dlna media server programs, several stand out. They are all free, but provide additional features for a fee. All others are either highly specialized or simply provide information transfer on the local network and are an add-on to the Windows server. The programs listed below create a home non-Windows dlna server.

Codi– a project that grew out of XMBS. Due to its cross-platform, it works on Windows, IOS, Linux, Android.

It is a huge “media combine” that can search the network, transcode, download, and play a huge number of formats. For this we are very much appreciated by users of TV set-top boxes.

A very bulky home media server, initially difficult to configure, it has a minimal number of add-ons. Different elements are downloaded and installed for different functions. In this regard, it is quite difficult to set up, but it has large support and Russian-language support too.

Plex– another multi-platform home media server. It has high-quality localization and a huge number of possibilities. But in this regard, it consumes a lot of system resources and is usually used for individual devices used as multimedia set-top boxes.

H.M.S.– a program with a huge number of functions, absolutely free. The main difference is the transcoding of files on the fly for playback even by outdated devices. It works only in the Windows environment, consumes significantly less resources, and therefore can be installed on a regular home computer. We will consider setting up this program below.

Server part of HMS (home media server)

The program interface is simple and setting up the first launch takes place in a few clicks. Before setting up your TV, first click the “Settings” icon, and on the “Media Resources” tab, add folders that can be viewed by connected devices. Adding occurs by clicking on “+” on the right side. For each folder, you can select a file type, which later helps when searching for them. =>

On the next tab “Devices” we add devices that are allowed to access files. It is very convenient to select the type of gadget from a variety of presets at the top of the window. This includes a large number of game consoles, TVs from different manufacturers, smartphones and routers. As a result, the settings will change for each selected device. If you check the box Add devices automatically, the program itself will determine the type of device and adapt to it.

In the “Server” tab we only need to enter a name for the created server. The rest can be left empty, unless of course there are several networks and connections at home.
The “Transcoder” item allows you to configure data transcoding so that any connected device reproduces the data, regardless of whether it supports it or not. The configured HMS processes the file in real time into a format supported by the TV.

The remaining tabs will allow you to fine-tune the program, which most users will not need at the initial stage. Therefore, close the settings and click the “Launch” button at the top of the window. After which the media server will begin scanning accessible folders and create lists of files that the connected dlna device will see.

In the main window of the program, you can also select the resource we need and use the right-click menu to transfer it to the player within the network. This is very convenient and there is no need to search for data using the dlna device itself.
The program has great user support. On the official forum, problems in the operation of the software with various devices are thoroughly understood, which helps to configure any equipment.

Setting up a client device

The process of setting up equipment for playing multimedia files varies for each device and is usually indicated in the instructions for use. The same point on any device is to select a server, the name of which we came up with during setup. And a request to connect to the network, a positive response to which needs to be made only once, will be considered allowed by the server in the future.

Alternative

Recently, there has been rapid development of cloud technologies. There are more and more devices that have access to the Internet. And storing data on physical media is no longer so relevant. Of course, a collection of films of several hundred copies is difficult to fit into any cloud service. And to increase the amount of allocated space you will have to pay. This requires an unlimited Internet channel with high speed.

Media resources are stored in the cloud, and access to it is provided to any device connected to the account. The advantage is that there is no need for a dlna server as a separate device. Simply put, you don’t need a constantly running hard drive with a large number of files. Access to files is available not only within the radius of the home local network, but also throughout the entire territory where there is access to the Internet.

With the development of Internet technologies, the home dlna server, dlna is giving way to “cloud” data storage, leaving the former the opportunity for the time being to exist in apartments that do not strive for modern technologies of users.

In the modern world, it is difficult to imagine our life without the use of high technology. So, probably, many have heard about such a thing as UPnP. We’ll try to figure out what UPnP and DLNA support are. Plus, there will be some basic tips for setting up equipment, since this is not always done completely automatically.

UPnP. What is UPnP?

From the point of view of modern computer, mobile and media systems, UPnP represents the universal connection of multiple devices when combined into one system. This is the so-called Universal Plug&Play standard. In other words, this technology can be called universal device connection with its automatic initialization.

In fact, it is this approach that allows you to create a single home UPnP server based on an existing one. In this case, information stored on one of the connected devices will be available on any other. Most often, computers, laptops, mobile devices, video or music players act as a source, and media content is played on a TV. But! In most cases, such devices should support the DLNA standard.

What is DLNA?

DLNA is a universal set of standards used when connecting equipment to transmit media data. A regular home local network is used as a data transmission medium based on the automatic assignment of IP addresses to connected devices.

In this case, the external user address does not change. IP is assigned exclusively within one local network. The main component that uses DLNA (UPnP media server) is the router, which is responsible for automating the assignment of appropriate IP addresses to devices. Most often this is a (A)DSL modem or router, although gradually obsolete connections using

Device connection options

Let's start with the fact that in this case the main step is to create a connection between the router and the TV. Today you can find three main options:

• connection using cables (Ethernet);
• connection using an internal or external Wi-Fi adapter;
• connection via the electrical network without any use of cables at all.

However, here you need to clearly understand that automatically combining devices into a single whole will not get by. You need to create a virtual UPnP DLNA server (if one already exists, say, in a TV like Smart TV, that’s generally great). The corresponding software is responsible for this, which will be discussed a little later.

Benefits of a Home Media Server

If we consider the list of basic capabilities using UPnP (DLNA) transceiver technologies, they are quite diverse, although they are used only for working with media content.

For example, when creating a home media server, you can easily view photos and videos on your computer or laptop, smartphone or tablet on a large TV screen. But the matter is not limited to this.

Few untrained users know that with the help of such technologies it is possible to broadcast online television or watch videos on the same YouTube hosting not on a computer (if you have the appropriate software or a regular Internet browser), but on a television panel. And this, in turn, makes it a universal tool for watching programs, clips or films, listening to music, etc.

Now a few words about the main points regarding setting up a home media server. Understanding UPnP technologies alone is not enough here. What is UPnP, we have already figured out a little. Let's see how such knowledge can be applied in practice.

First, you will initially need to enable the use of these protocols on your router and on your TV (or, if you have one, a cable or satellite TV set-top box). On a router, as a rule, such settings are enabled by default, but to be completely sure, you should go to the appropriate section and make sure that the UPnP parameter is in the Enable state.

But that is not all. In the OS, if this service is not enabled, it also needs to be activated. To do this, you need to go to the Programs and Features section in the Control Panel (in older systems, the Add/Remove Programs menu), where you can view the installed and used Windows components.

In network services, you need to enable the discovery (management) client service and also enable UPnP. What is a PNP client in this case? A universal bridge that can automatically recognize any media devices, even without installing the appropriate drivers. To make it clearer, in a local wireless network when connecting a smartphone or any other mobile gadget, they are simply not needed.

Programs used

At this stage, let's move directly to the software that allows you to create, use and manage a home media server. Today you can find quite a lot of such packages. But they may have completely different capabilities.

For example, if you install a server based on the Samsung All Share application, you can only select music, videos or photos stored in the devices' shared folders on your TV. There is no talk of any broadcasting of TV programs from a computer here.

It is much more convenient to install a more serious package like Plex Media Server, which has such an impressive list of features that few programs can compare with it. In addition, the software itself is released in Russian and is distributed completely free of charge.

As for mobile systems, such as Android, for such devices it is appropriate to use a small applet called MediaHouse or Bubble UPnP. Both applications can be easily found in the Play Market service and installed on your device absolutely free. The advantage of such programs is that when installing the appropriate computer client, DLNA settings are not required at all. It is enough that the smartphone, tablet and computer (laptop) are connected to the same private virtual network. After launching the application from the computer terminal, a list of all available devices will automatically be displayed. To be sure, in the computer version you can “expand” the necessary folders (create shared access). That's all.

Conclusion

I would like to hope that this brief information will give many novice users an idea of ​​UPnP/DLNA technologies. In general, even when setting up a home media server, there shouldn’t be any particular difficulties, except perhaps enabling UPnP support on the router, TV and in the operating system itself. But, as practice shows, on all modern devices and in the latest versions of Windows, all these services are enabled by default. The only thing left to the user is to solve the problem by choosing the software that best suits his requirements.

Home media server (UPnP)- a universal program that provides access to the contents of your computer’s hard drive to electronic devices such as TVs, players, game consoles. Data is transmitted via the UPnP (DLNA) protocol. This program works with TVs, game consoles, stereo systems, mobile phones and smartphones.

Today, human life in modern realities is very difficult to imagine without high technology. Each of us is surrounded by laptops, computers, televisions, and stereo systems. It often happens when you really want to watch your favorite movie on a big TV or play a computer game through a console. The multifunctional home media server software package for Windows is designed to solve such problems. With its help, you can organize full access to all media contents of your computer’s hard drive.

Download Home Media Server for free

The Home Media Server program is small in size. You can install a home media server in just a few minutes. Its main capabilities include transcoding video and audio into a form that is supported by a TV or tape recorder. You can also customize subtitles, select the desired picture size for any screen, and select audio tracks yourself. The user has the opportunity to send Internet radio or television directly to the TV or player.

If you can't imagine your life without digital television, you can also download a home media server. It supports all modern digital formats (C, S, T), works perfectly with the VLC Media Player program and can, using the Digital Media Renderer function, transmit a digital signal to other electronic devices.

The home media server in Russian has wide functionality. It is possible to save transcoding profiles. Their use greatly simplifies setup when connecting new devices. Downloading a free home media server (DLNA) is recommended for owners of Philips, Sony, Panasonic, JVC, Toshiba, Samsung TVs and players. Each of them has all the necessary connectors for interaction via the UPnP protocol with a personal computer. Thus, with the help of this program you can significantly expand the capabilities of these TVs.

All novice users are advised to take a look at the official website of this application. There is a wonderful forum where solutions to the most common problems are described in detail. You can also learn how to effectively connect a particular device.

You can download the home media server without registration and SMS on the SoftAttaka website. We always provide the latest and most relevant updates.

Today, many users are faced with the problem of playing video stored in the memory of your computer or file storage on other devices, such as a TV, game console or tablet. All this is quite feasible using DLNA.

1. The device on which you want to view media content supports DLNA technology and is connected to your home network.
2. The version of your operating system is older than Windows 7 home basic.
3. If you use a wireless WI-FI connection, then its bandwidth should be enough for comfortable transmission of media data. (Preferably use 802.11n standard)

First, we will need to create a “home group” on the PC from which we are going to stream media content. First of all, go to the control panel.

And here is the homegroup password, write it down, later you can change it to one that is easier for you to remember.

Configuring HomeGroup Settings:

After we click “READY,” a window with homegroup parameters should appear in front of us. Here we make the final settings and can change the password that was assigned automatically. (! Recommendation - change the password before connecting other devices to your homegroup, otherwise they will all be excluded from it!)

How it works?

Now you can access previously selected folders, such as “Video”, “Music” from other devices. Accordingly, on your devices, you will see these folders as “Video Library”, AllShare, SmartShare and others. The names may change, it all depends on the manufacturer and the type of device itself, but this does not change the essence. (Often, this information can be clarified from the user manual that comes with the equipment)
In addition, the fastest way to get to the settings menu of your media server is to launch the standard operating system application - Windows Media Player. From this menu item you will go to the media streaming settings.

Possible difficulties:

Sometimes, devices such as a TV may encounter video that it cannot play. To do this, you just need to enable the “Allow remote control of the player” option and do not close it (the player) on the computer
.
By following all the above recommendations, we were able to set up a media server at home, without using any third-party programs or devices.

Today you will learn how to properly connect a TV to a computer and all the possibilities of such a connection, as well as how to organize viewing of your media library on Smart TV and other devices that support a home DLNA server.

What is DLNA?

The Integrated Digital Network Consortium (DLNA) is a group of companies that have come together to create a common, open standard for connecting devices so that all DLNA-enabled clients can automatically view media content from each other while on the same network.

What devices support DLNA?

DLNA technology is compatible with any devices:

• smart TVs;
• smartphones and tablets;
• PCs and laptops;
• media players and Blu-ray players;
• game consoles;
• home media servers (NAS);
• wireless printers;
• photo and video cameras;
• audio systems.

All DLNA-enabled devices have a corresponding logo or sticker indicating the type of digital content supported (for example, audio, video, photos), as well as the purpose: server, printer, player, etc. Most devices from major manufacturers such as Intel, HP, Motorola, HTC, Microsoft, Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, etc. support DLNA. Apple has developed its own standard - AirPlay. If you have an Apple device, then using it in your media network, consisting of clients from other manufacturers, is not possible.

How does the DLNA network work?

As you already understand, DLNA devices are designed for mutual connection: creating a multimedia network between themselves. Each device is assigned its own type depending on its purpose. For example, any storage device: smartphone, media player, TV or PC can belong to both the Digital Media Server and Digital Media Player types, because they are capable of both receiving and playing digital content from another DLNA device.

How to create a DLNA network?

A wireless router (or wi-fi router) is the central element in the network and is used to connect devices to each other in a common home wireless network.

Equipment for building a home network with DLNA

You will need:

• TV with DLNA support;
• DLNA digital media server (for example, file server, PC, laptop or media player with HDD);
• wi-fi router.

I will talk about building a DLNA network not only with a wireless connection, you can also use a wired method of connecting devices, instead of a wi-fi router, use a regular router (switch) to connect the file source (home server - DLNA server) with a display device (DLNA client). You can also use (to distribute the Internet via the power grid), in addition, you will need Ethernet cables to connect devices to your network.

How to set up a DLNA home media server?

1 Connect a DLNA-enabled TV to a wi-fi router (for example, Samsung with Smart TV).

Option 1 - wired connection. Connect using an Ethernet cable to the router. It is enough to connect one end of the cable to the LAN port of the TV, and the other to a free port of the router (or switch, depending on the structure of your network).

Option 2 - wireless connection. If you are using a wi-fi router (wireless router), then just connect the TV to an existing wireless network via the built-in or external (USB) wi-fi adapter, directly to the router. If the TV is very far from the router, then you can install a wireless bridge (use the router in Bridge mode or buy one) to connect the TV to the router. I also recommend reading the article about. The wireless bridge connects to the TV via the LAN port, and to the router via a Wi-Fi access point.

Option 3 – connection using Powerline adapters. This type of connection uses the mains power without running Ethernet cables. This method will help you set up a home network using existing electrical wiring and you will no longer need cables to connect DLNA clients. Powerline adapters are produced by almost all network equipment manufacturers: TP-Link, Netgear, D-Link, etc. They are called Powerline devices. Next, you simply connect the plug of your router, TV and other devices to the power outlet as usual, but now all your devices will form a DLNA network.

2 Add other DLNA compatible devices to your home network

Now you can connect DLNA servers (devices from which you want to play files on your smart TV) to the router - PC, laptop, phone or media player. All servers will be displayed on the smart TV since they are on the same network and you can play the content that is stored on their media. There are different ways to configure different types of devices on a DLNA network.

PCs and laptops on a DLNA network

Connect your computer or laptop to your router or router using any of the above options. The most important point in setting up DLNA on a PC or laptop: the need to install the appropriate program - media center (media shell). The most popular of them (each program has a link with information about it and settings):

• Serviio

It is possible not to install media center applications to create a DLNA server, but use Windows Media Player 11 or 12. To use them as a DLNA server, you must allow access to files on your laptop or PC: open Windows Media Player, go to Options menu, then open the Windows Media File Sharing tab and enable media sharing.

You can select a media shell to use as a DLNA server from the list above. After installing the program you like to create a media center (DLNA server), you should configure it and select files (photos, videos, music files) to transfer to a TV or other display device.

Mobile devices on the DLNA network

3 Setting up DLNA on your TV

Once you have connected all DLNA devices, turn on the TV and go to the home screen of your Smart TV (using the example of a Samsung TV). Find and launch the AllShare app, which lets you find music, photos, and videos stored on DLNA devices on your network.

If you have a Sony TV (model before 2015), then you need to turn it on, press the “Home” button and turn on “Media Player”. Once you select the content type: music, photos or videos, you will be able to see the DLNA servers on your home network.

4 Using DLNA on Android OS

To watch videos from a computer on smartphones and tablets with the Android operating system, you need to install a special application. There are quite a few such applications; I can recommend MediaHouse or Bubble UPnP, which can be downloaded for free on Google Play.

After you install the application, you need to take a few simple steps:

• select the source - your computer or other device with DLNA support and installed, from which you will watch the video;
• select the receiver, that is, your Android OS device;
• select a video from the list of available files.

In addition to universal applications, mobile device manufacturers offer their own software with DLNA support. Samsung has AllShare, LG has SmartShare, etc.

Using DLNA-enabled apps on Android devices requires no setup. It is enough to launch a DLNA server (for example, Kodi on a computer), and it will immediately appear in the list of available connections in the application on your smartphone or tablet. Select your computer from the list, click “Browse” and specify the required folder. Don't forget that your smartphone can also act as a DLNA server.