Launch the dlna server on windows 10. How to set up a DLNA server on Windows, connecting the TV to your home network. What is a home media server

If you found this article on a direct search on the Internet, you probably already know what DLNA is and for the most part you only care about setting up a DLNA server on Windows 10. More on this below, and for beginners a little theoretical lesson.

What is DLNA

DLNA stands for Digital Living Network Alliance... This term refers to a special software protocol through which compatible devices can connect to your computer's media library. This is a very useful technology that saves you the hassle of transferring files to other devices for playback. For example, you have a movie library on your computer, but you want to watch some of them on your TV or tablet. Instead of copying a movie to a USB flash drive, disk, or transferring it over the wire to a tablet, just connect to your computer via DLNA protocol. After that, the media content (photo, video or music) will be streamed over the network at high speed and without delays. DLNA uses UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) technology to access the media library, which provides compatibility with hundreds of a wide variety of devices without the need for complex additional software or drivers.

How to set up DLNA on Windows 10

Windows 10 includes everything you need to set up DLNA. You can make your PC a DLNA server or a client to connect to another server PC. The good news is that all of this is customizable and works without the need for additional downloads. In principle, there are many different DLNA servers, but for simple use the average user will have enough of the basic capabilities of Windows 10.

To set up DLNA on Windows 10, you need the classic Control Panel. By the way, this instruction is suitable not only for Windows 10, but also for previous operating systems, such as Windows 8.1 or Windows 7.

By default, Windows opens DLNA access only to files and folders in standard libraries located on drive C. Since few people store their media files on the system drive, it makes sense to include files and folders from your media disks or other partitions in the library. This is done as follows:

Find the folder you want to include in your media library. Right click on it and select Add to library... Depending on the type of content, select Video, Images or Music... After that, all the content of the folder you selected, including subfolders, will be available to the connected devices.

How to connect to DLNA server on Windows 10

When everything is set up and ready, all that remains is to connect the end device on which you will play the content. It already depends on what operating system or application you are using to connect.

If you want to connect to a DLNA server from another computer, please make sure both devices are on the same network. Then open Explorer and click on the button Net in the left pane. A list of available media devices will open. Select your server in it, and then Windows Media Player will open with access to your media library. From there, you can play videos, music or view photos. Everything is done as simply and conveniently as possible, so even the most distant users should not have problems with connection.

How to disable DLNA in Windows 10

1. If you decide to turn off media streaming, open Network and Sharing Center, and click on the link Change advanced sharing options.
2. In the new window, expand the item All networks and then click Choose your media streaming options.
3. On a new window Deny all.

After that, the connected devices will not be able to access your media library.

I recently realized that televisions are still in the last century. If mobile gadgets and computers are becoming more convenient, faster and easier, then the only changes in TVs are screen size and resolution. It's not worth talking about convenience yet.

A TV without a media server on a computer or a special device is practically useless, unless you like to hang out in. Therefore, I chose the 5 best media servers for a computer that will pump your TV and make it much more functional.

Plex

Plex

Plex is the most popular and, perhaps, the most convenient option. Having started the server on a computer, you can control it from a browser, set up a media library, add subtitles, and more. Plex downloads all information about the movie automatically and does it perfectly in 9 cases out of 10. The TV sees the Plex server without any problems and plays everything perfectly. The only drawback of Plex and other similar programs is that the TV does not see the subtitles embedded in the movie, but for most this does not matter at all.

Plex is free, but you have to buy a subscription for additional features.

Plex

I used this server for a very long time on an old TV. It works quite well and unlike Plex, HMS is a whole combine, the functionality of which knows no boundaries. The only drawback will be the terrible interface of the program, but since it is needed to play movies on TV, this will not be a big problem. The program is absolutely free and is only available in the version for Windows.

Initially, PS3 Media Server was distributed as an add-on to the PlayStation 3, allowing you to play movies on your TV using the console. Then the program began to live a separate life. Like previous alternatives, it supports DLNA playback and does not require any setup hassle.

Serviio is far from the most popular media server, but it also deserves a place in our top. The application is free, but for $ 25 you can buy the PRO version, which opens access to your content from any, not only home network, and allows you to play content from the web (this function is given as a trial and in the free version). Serviio has applications for Android, however they act as a secondary control panel for the server side of the computer.

Kodi (formerly XBMC)

XBMC was created to bring video playback functionality to the Xbox. Then the project spun off and now Kodi is one of the most popular media centers, supporting almost all platforms due to open source. Kodi has iOS and Android apps that let you use your smartphone as a remote control. The service lives on donations and is absolutely free.

Kodi

Plex is my clear favorite. What do you use?

Below is a guide on how to organize a DLNA server in the top ten so that you can watch streaming video on TV and other equipment using the integrated tools of the operating system, as well as using special applications. In addition, instructions will be provided on how to work with the playback options on a PC or laptop.

In most cases, this is used to open a video collection that is stored on a PC via a Smart TV that is connected to the same network. In addition, in this way you can provide access to the rest of the content and various devices that are capable of working with DNLA.

Streaming videos without customization

In the top ten, you can use DLNA options to play content without setting up a DLNA server. All that is necessary in this case is for the device and the PC to be on the same network, which will allow it to work correctly. It is worth noting that in the network settings on the PC, you can turn on "Public network" and turn off data sharing, while the content will still be played.

You just need to right-click on the movie or data directory and specify the item "Bring to device ...". After that, you need to specify what you need from the list. For the device to appear on this list. You need to connect it to the same network as your computer. As a result, the playback of the specified file or several data in the player window will start.

Organization of a DLNA server by integrated means of the "dozens"

To use Tens as a DLNA server for third-party devices with this technology, you need to follow a few simple steps. Initially, you need to go to the "Settings for streaming media content". To find them, you need to use the search in the control panel or tasks.

After that, you need to click on the button "Activate online transfer of media content". A similar manipulation can be carried out in the Windows Media player through the "Stream" item. Then you need to assign a name to the DLNA server and, if necessary, remove some devices from the list of allowed devices. Initially, all devices on the network can access.

Then, after specifying the device, you can click "Configure" and set the type of content to which you will be able to access. It turns out that it is not necessary to create a group and connect to it. After completing all the necessary settings from the TV and other devices, you can provide access to data in the directories "Video", "Music", "Pictures" on the PC and play them.

It is worth noting that if the network type was "Public", then with such manipulations it automatically becomes "Private network" and network detection is activated. It may be that network discovery will be disabled in the "Advanced Sharing Settings", however, you can activate it in the Advanced Connection Settings and the Tens interface.

Add directory for DLNA server

When activating the DLNA server with the integrated tools of the "dozens", there is one not very clear thing, which is to add directories so that they can be used on any devices on the local network. This can be done with several manipulations.

The first step is to activate Windows Media. Then you need to right-click on any of the sections. For example, you need to add a directory with movies. In this case, you need to right-click on the "Video" section and select "Video Library Management". Then you need to add the required directory and that's it.

After these manipulations, the directory will be displayed for all devices with DLNA technology. However, there is one small caveat here. Some TVs and devices cache the list of available data, so a device reboot or network restart may be required to display it. It should be noted that you can restart the server directly in the player in the Stream menu.

DLNA server setup using third-party utilities

There are a huge number of applications that are designed to organize a DLNA server in the "seven" and "eight" Windows. But in fact, these programs can be used in such a situation as well. However, to this list, you can add another application that has appeared quite recently, but already leaves a positive impression of work. It is called Serviio.

The application is distributed free of charge, but there is also a paid version. However, the free edition has a wide range of functions for creating a DLNA server in the top ten. In addition, there are additional options.

Among them, the use of online broadcast sources can be noted. Some of them need plugins. In addition, it is possible to recode the file into the required format suitable for the device.

In addition, the program allows you to display subtitles, work with playlists and all popular media file formats. In addition, the application is able to sort content by type, artist, date. It turns out that when viewing, you can conveniently move around the folder.

You can download the application from the official resource. After installing the application, you need to activate the Serviio Console from the list of installed applications. Here you need to switch the localization of the interface, add the necessary directories with the required content. This can be done in the "Media Library" section. After that, everything is ready to go.

You can get acquainted with this application in detail after downloading it to your computer. But I would like to note that it is possible to turn off the DLNA server at any time. To do this, go to the "Status" section.

That, in principle, is all you need to know about how you can organize a DLNA server in the top ten for connecting various devices to access directories with media files. In principle, a novice user can cope with this.

In this article, we will look at how to set up your DLNA server on Windows using the Home Media Server (HMS) program as an example.

Nowadays, it is more and more often required to have a DLNA server on the home network, since most modern TVs do not support data transfer protocols such as SMB or NFS, but only work over DLNA.

What is DLNA?

DLNA (English Digital Living Network Alliance) is a set of standards that allow compatible devices to transmit and receive various media content (images, music, video) over a home network, as well as display it in real time. That is, a technology for connecting home computers, mobile phones, laptops and consumer electronics into a single digital network. Devices that support the DLNA specification can be configured and networked automatically at the user's request. (Source - Wikipedia)

DLNA Home Media Server (HMS) Installation

The installation of HMS is very simple, but we will still explain in detail how it works.

First you need to download the installer. At the time of this writing, the official site was down. And it did not work a month before, so below I will give a link to download the latest version of HMS from our server:

There are not many settings here. In this window, you select the directory where the Home Media Server (HMS) program will be installed and the "Program Group" - the name of the folder in the "Start" menu.

After selecting the installation folder and the name of the folder in the "Start" menu, all that remains is to check the box "create a shortcut to launch the program on the desktop", if necessary, and press the button " Install«.

At the end of the installation, which takes less than a minute ( depends on your equipment), we are offered to immediately launch the Home Media Server (HMS) program.

This completes the installation of the program.

DLNA Home Media Server (HMS) Initial Setup

So, we have a freshly installed DLNA server, let's launch it and see what it offers us to configure first, as well as make a couple of useful settings. Let's get started.

After the first launch of the program, we see the initial settings window.

In this window, we are asked to select a device to which the media content will be broadcast. There are many templates on the list.

If you did not find your own device or a device similar to yours, then you can leave the standard DLNA Device, as practice has shown, this does not greatly affect anything. After choosing, go on.

And then a choice of folders appears before our eyes, from which we will take media content. You can select folders with your media content now, or you can add them further. We'll look at how to do this below. After selecting folders, press the button " Ready«.

After the initial settings, we are offered to make a backup copy of the settings, the image cache, the database, and set up an automatic backup schedule. We will not dwell on this in detail now and will go further. To do this, press the button " Close«.

After that, the main window of the program appears in front of us. Let's move on to several "important" settings at once.

On the left are the types of settings, on the right are specific settings.

Let's go straight to additional settings and set up the DLNA server autoloading with the PC turned on.

To do this, select items 2 and 3.

Now let's go to the " Server"And write down the name of our DLNA server. As we will see it on the net.

After changing the name, you need to add folders with media content (if you did not do this in the "initial setup" or decided to add more folders. Everything is simple. Press the " Add»(2) and select the folder you want to add. After that, you need to " Scan»(3) so that the files from the folder / folders go to the server.

If you did everything correctly, then your files should appear on the right side (as highlighted in yellow in the screenshot).

If you have your files there, then we already have quite a bit. Launch and use. Everything is very simple here - we press the button " Run«.

If you have Windows Firewall enabled, the system will ask you whether to allow it access to the network. Choose which ones to allow access and click " Allow access«.

Similar

Home Media Server is a customizable, free application for sharing and sharing files on Windows 7, 8 and 10 PCs to other UPnP, DLNA, HTTP devices on the network.

It will turn out to be a convenient option for watching streaming TV, radio broadcasting and local video on gadgets without additional steps for downloading and converting content, connecting flash drives and HDMI cables.

Home Media Server Features

Processes client device requests for movies, images and audio data, without playing or generating anything on its own. The program supports Smart TVs, game consoles, media players, as well as mobile gadgets - almost any technology can be a full member of the multimedia network. Endowed with a number of possibilities:

• converting content into the desired format;
• adjusting the parameters of the video frame;
• switching audio streams and support for subtitles;
• redirecting streaming online broadcasting;
• support for digital television;
• simultaneous launch on a group of devices;
• working with podcasts;
• remote control via the WEB interface.

The home media server also provides the option to back up the database and settings. It can be useful in correcting errors in the use of the program and possible errors in operation.

Advantages in a Home Media Server

The main advantages in comparison with similar products include:

1. Absolutely free. No advertising banners or intrusive third-party software.
2. Multifunctionality. A universal "combine", the potential of which knows no boundaries.
3. Support for trans coding. Automatically detects and recodes an unreadable source file in real time.
4. Russian language localization. With the extensive functionality of the utility, it will be easier to understand the options in an understandable language.

You can download the Home Media Server for free for Windows 10, 8 and 7 operating systems at the link https: // site / domashnij-media-server / below, and a large number of settings and parameters will help users to customize the application as precisely as possible for themselves.