How to set up a media server on a computer. Installation and initial setup of DLNA Home Media Server (HMS) on Windows. Supported HMS Operating Systems

Home Media Server (UpnP-DLNA-HTTP) is a server that provides media resources ( audio and video files, images, photographs) computer by another UPnP ( DLNA) devices on the home network - televisions ( Samsung, LG, Philips, Sony, Toshiba, etc.), game consoles ( Sony Playstation, XBOX), media players ( WD TV Live, Popcorn Hour, Dune, Boxee Box, IconBit, ASUS O!Play, iPad/iPhone/iPod), mobile and PDA devices.

The server includes a transcoder (FFMPEG), which allows you to convert media into a format that will be supported by the playback device. It is also possible to convert the media frame format to the playback screen format. Transcoding can be selected from any minute.

Feature Home Media Server (UpnP-DLNA-HTTP)

You can redirect Internet radio and Internet TV streams to another media device. UpnP-DLNA-HTTP supports digital TV, which can also be redirected to another device. The server also supports external and internal subtitles. There is also support for Digital Media Renderer device management, in which you can use the “Play to...” option for both an individual device and a group of individual devices.

It's no secret that over time we accumulate a lot of all kinds of films, photographs and the like, and all this is usually stored on the computer.

But it wouldn’t be bad to watch a movie that you just downloaded from the network on a large TV, and not on a PC screen, but to do this you need to transfer this movie to a flash drive, or burn it to a disc.

In a word, there is a lot of unnecessary movement. But there are solutions, this is a multimedia server.

Don't be alarmed, this is not a completely separate computer with hard drives. This is a program that performs strictly the tasks assigned to it.

So let's look at several programs that can provide access to media content from other devices or programs.

Let's start with the theoretical basics of what DLNA and Smart Share are.

DLNA(in its own words) is a technology that allows devices that are connected to the same network and support DLNA technology to exchange media content (video, photos, music).

Now, almost all devices support DLNA technology: computers, TVs, smartphones, game consoles, etc.

Smart Share is a proprietary application (technology) of LG. If you can say so, then this is a kind of shell for working with DLNA.

Other TV manufacturers call these programs differently. Samsung has AllShare. SONY – VAIO Media Server.

And so, without a doubt, you can watch photos, films, etc. that are on your computer or even smartphone on your TV.

But first you need to set up DLNA (Smart Share) between your PC and TV (the TV must be able to connect to the network)

What does it mean?

This means that both the TV and the computer must be connected to the same one, no matter how they are connected. (via Wi-Fi or cable)

And so you have a router, but there is no Wi-Fi on the TV. We can simply lay a network cable from the router to the TV.

Our router must be connected to the Internet and configured. We also need a network cable. We connect one end of the cable to the router, into the yellow connector.

On the TV, connect the second end of the cable to the network connector.

You can debug the router itself using the knowledge gained in this article:

Next, we need to set up file distribution from the computer so that the TV can play videos from the required folders, or show photos. We just need to open up access for this. This can even be done using standard Windows Media Player.

But there is a very good and absolutely free program " Home media server (UPnP, DLNA, HTTP)", which is an excellent analogue of Smart Share from LG, or for example AllShare from Samsung.

And so, friends, a media server for a computer that will upgrade your TV and make it much more functional.

Home Media Server

Home media server (UPnP, DLNA, HTTP) is a program that provides media resources (photos, audio and video files) of your computer to other UPnP (DLNA) devices on the home network.

For example, Philips, Sony, Samsung, LG, Toshiba TVs, Sony Playstation 3, XBOX 360 game consoles, WD TV Live, Popcorn Hour, Dune, Boxee Box, IconBit, ASUS O!Play, iPad/iPhone/iPod media players, mobile and PDA devices.

The program includes various audio and video file transcoders that allow you to convert media resources into a format supported by the playback device.

It is also possible to convert the frame format of video files to the screen format of the playback device (the color of the addition is specified by the user), select an audio track, and subtitles. You can choose to transcode from any minute.

The program includes transcoding profiles for VLC Media Player. You can redirect Internet radio and Internet television streams from your computer to your media devices.

The program supports Digital Television (C, S, T), you can redirect digital television streams from your computer to your media devices.

The program supports managing DMR (Digital Media Renderer) devices. You can use the “Play to” function for an individual device and a group of devices.

This is a whole harvester, the functionality of which knows no bounds.

The only drawback will be the terrible interface of the program, but since it is needed to play movies on the TV, this will not be a big problem. The program is absolutely free and is only available in the Windows version.

First, we need to download and install the program itself. I recommend downloading from the official website: https://www.homemediaserver.ru/index.htm. There's always a new version there!

After installation, launch the program with a shortcut on the desktop. Let's go to the program settings. We won't do anything special there. We will simply indicate local drives, flash drives, external hard drives, or folders whose contents we want to see on the TV.

For example, you can open only a few folders with movies, photos and music.

A settings window will open. In the first category, Media Resources, we need to indicate which disks or folders we want to see on the TV. By default, standard folders with photos, videos and music are open there.

The program is trying to sort everything. And in order not to get confused in all these folders on the TV, I advise you to open shared access to local drives. This means that you can open any file on your TV that is stored on these local drives (drives C, D, E, etc.).

You can also specify individual folders, or, for example, an external hard drive. To do this, click on the Add button on the right and select the desired folder, flash drive, or hard drive in Explorer. These are the basic settings, click on the Ok button and agree to scan media resources.

Next, you can start the DLNA server itself. To do this, simply click on the “Launch” button. Now, just turn on the TV. If everything is connected correctly, it should appear in the “Home Media Server (UPnP, DLNA, HTTP)” program.

To do this, go to the Playback Devices (DMR) tab, and on the right, click the Update button.

VIDEO:

So Plex .

The most popular and, perhaps, quite convenient option. Having launched the server on your computer, you can manage it from a browser, set up a media library, add subtitles, etc.

Plex downloads all the information about the movie automatically and does it perfectly in most cases. The TV sees the Plex server without any problems and plays everything perfectly.

The disadvantage of Plex and other similar programs is that the TV does not see the subtitles built into the film, but for me and I don’t think this has any special significance for you.
Plex is free, but you'll need to buy a subscription for additional features.
https://plex.tv/

PS3 Media Server.

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 requires no fiddling with setup.
http://www.ps3mediaserver.org/

Serviio, is far from the most popular multimedia server. The application is free, but for $25 you can buy a PRO version, which allows access to your content from any network, not just your home one.

And this allows you to play content from the WEB (this function is provided as an introduction in the free version). Serviio has Android apps, but they act as a secondary control panel for the backend on the computer.
http://www.serviio.org/

Kodi or (XBMC)

XBMC was created to bring video playback functionality to the Xbox. Then the project split off and now Kodi is one of the most popular media centers, supporting almost all platforms due to its open source.

Kodi has apps for iOS and Android that allow you to use your smartphone as a remote control. The service relies on donations and is absolutely free.
http://kodi.tv/

Good luck, Friends!

As part of this article, I will write how to create a home media server for Windows 10. Creating a DLNA server will allow other devices to use the media library located on the PC. This is primarily useful for those who have a Smart TV.

What is a DLNA server?

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a special protocol that allows compatible devices to send and receive media traffic (video, music, photos) on a home local network, as well as broadcast it in real time.

If devices support this technology, they can be configured at the user’s request and subsequently automatically combined into a single network.

What do you need to stream?

Advice! To play media content on another device (tablet, smartphone or smart TV), it is not necessary to set up a DLNA server, homegroup or share a folder. Use the function.

To operate a home media server in Windows 10, it is not necessary to share the folder for public access on the network. It may be on a public network (that is, network discovery is hidden), but streaming will still work.

To set up a DLNA server on Windows 10, you need to:

The two devices must be on the same home local network (for example, connected to the same router). How these devices will be connected (via LAN or Wi-Fi) does not matter.
Make sure your Smart TV (or other device) is turned on and supports DLNA technology. On LG TVs it is called Smart Share, on Samsung - AllShare, on Philips - Simple Share.

Settings

There are several ways to set up a home media server:

using built-in Windows 10 tools;
using special programs.

Built-in Windows 10 tools

To turn on:

In the Windows 10 search bar, enter the query “Media streaming options” and open the application found.
Click "Enable Media Streaming."
All devices that are on the network will have access to media files. If desired, some can be removed or configured.
By unchecking the “Use default settings” checkbox, you can set some filters that will be applicable for this device.
You can now access streaming media from your Music, Videos, and Pictures folders on your TV. To transfer video from any location to a broadcasting device, right-click on the file and select “Cast to device” in the context menu.
Windows media player will open, through which the network device is searched. The said content is then launched and streamed on the Smart TV.
A similar function is available in the Cinema and TV player. Depending on which player is selected as the “default”, that one will be used for streaming playback.

If you want to open the broadcast directly from the TV, place the media content in folders shared with your home network or add a new one. This can be done using Windows Media Player:

Using programs

In fact, there are not many free and convenient programs with the necessary functionality. Among the programs for DLNA server I would like to note:

Overall, compared to the way you set up streaming in Windows 10, programs can be more finely tuned. They work with playlists, a variety of audio and video formats (including RAW), and have convenient sorting and navigation. The interface is easy to understand and should not cause any difficulties for the average user.

Advice! If you are using an Android Box, you can also access media. To do this, on a Windows 10 computer. On Android, download ES Explorer, open “LAN” and click “Scan”. Select a device found on the local network and you will have access to the shared folder.

Owners of modern digital gadgets - smartphones, tablets, as well as high-tech TVs with Smart TV support - can create a real media server at home, with which they can access various types of multimedia content from different devices. How to use this opportunity in practice?

How a home media server works

What is a home media server? This is a system within which various devices connected to a network - computers, televisions (if they support the corresponding functions), mobile gadgets and other modern devices - can interact and exchange multimedia content. Another notable technology that can be used through a home media server is IPTV. That is, having built the appropriate one, the user will be able to organize something like a mini-TV studio at home.

Sharing access to media content in HMS

Among the main advantages of the HMS program, as we noted above, is versatility. With its help, virtually any device can be combined into an infrastructure, the central part of which is a home media server. For Philips, Samsung, LG and other brands, it does not matter what type of software is installed on the main network module.

To solve the problem associated with organizing shared access to media files - videos, photos, music - we launch the program, then select from the list of devices displayed in the main window the one with which we are supposed to launch files on the media server. For example, it could be a TV-enabled TV.

After this, you should specify the media resources that are to be distributed among the devices connected to the network. You need to go to the HMS settings, select the “Directory List” item, then “Media Resources”, and then, by clicking the “Add” button, you should specify the address of the corresponding files. As soon as these actions are completed, you need to click the “Scan” button, and then activate its automatic implementation so that the corresponding content is promptly displayed on the TV.

How to use a media server using TV? Very simple. Using the TV remote control, you need to load an interface that will indicate the source of the TV picture - this could be the antenna itself, an Internet channel, a flash drive, or, as in our case, a media server created using the DLNA standard. The corresponding item should appear in the TV menu, and those files that we have marked in HSM as being shared will be available for launch. Modern TVs, as a rule, recognize the home media server without problems. For LG, Samsung, Philips and other brands, providing support for standards like DLNA is the norm.

Using IPTV on your home network

Another common problem solved by home network owners is organizing TV broadcasts using IPTV technology. The most important condition here is that the user has a subscription to the corresponding service of the provider (it is usually paid). When using HMS interfaces, setting up the media server in terms of using IPTV is also very simple.

You will need to download and install the VLC Media Player program on your PC - it will be used to work with the corresponding content. You need to link it to the HMS interfaces by going to “Settings”, then selecting “Media Resources”, then “Internet Resources” and specifying the folder in which the VLC program is installed.

After this, you need to upload a playlist of TV channels in m3u format to HMS - many providers allow you to download these files from their websites. After that, go to “Settings” again and check the “Internet television” option in the “Transcoding profile” item. After this, you need to restart the media server. Then you can start watching channels in IPTV format using your TV.

A media server is an excellent solution for owners of home computer networks, the structure of which involves the simultaneous use of several devices - SMART-TVs, mobile gadgets, as well as PCs and laptops. How to create a functional home media server? What type of program can I use for this?

What is a home media server?

Many Russian users access the Internet via a Wi-Fi router. This device allows you to simultaneously connect several devices to the network. These could be laptops, tablets or, for example, Smart TVs. The capabilities of wireless networks allow you to create a real home media server - for a TV, laptop and any other Wi-Fi-enabled device. What functions should it have? For example, a server can distribute media resources—video files, music, photos—between different devices. Another useful function is to provide shared access between devices to online services, for example, IPTV.

Why create a home media server?

For what purpose do users create home media servers? This is usually due to the desire to organize a more convenient and efficient option for working with media content through multiple devices. If, for example, a person wants to watch a movie using a Smart TV, then without a media server of the appropriate type this can only be done by going online, where he will have to search for a long time for the desired file, or through an external storage device - a flash drive or hard drive. In the second case, constantly transferring media from one device to another is not always convenient. But if you have a media server, you can place the necessary files on it and launch them from the TV, as well as from other devices, at any time.

A home media server in a number of configurations can also function offline. This is useful if there is no Internet access for some reason. Even in this case, home network users will probably be able to entertain themselves by watching video files, photos, and listening to music available on the server.

How difficult is it to create a home media server? Setting up such a system - what are its nuances? It all depends on what functions the user wants to see in a home media content distribution system. If we are talking about basic capabilities - for example, providing access to files of common multimedia types, then the server structure will not be too complex. There are quite a lot of different types of software that allow a user who has little experience in working with local computer networks to create an appropriate system. If you need to create a media server for a TV, then the capabilities of such solutions are almost always sufficient. TV usually can recognize not as many types of files as a computer, but only those that relate to the most common media standards.

But if the question is how to set up a home media server not only for shared access to content, but, say, to ensure that devices can access the Internet or Internet television resources, then more comprehensive work will be required. The capabilities of those types of software that are adapted for inexperienced users may not be enough.

Methods for creating a server

What are the ways to create a home media server? One of the most technologically advanced is the purchase of a separate system unit that performs the corresponding functions. Its performance does not necessarily have to be high, since it is supposed to serve not hundreds of thousands of users, as is the case with Internet servers, but several devices within a home network. Therefore, large investments in equipment are not required. What you should pay attention to is the performance of the system unit’s hard drive. It is advisable that the associated hardware component has sufficient volume and rotation speed to handle the job. The hard drive will be subject to significant loads during system operation.

Where should I locate my home media server? It is necessary to find a place in the apartment in which the server unit can constantly work and not disturb anyone. It is advisable to connect the server to an Internet source - for example, a Wi-Fi router - using a wire, since you will probably need to use the maximum bandwidth of the channel - this is sometimes difficult to do in wireless mode, because there are interferences.

Server software

In many cases, the optimal operating system with which you can organize a server capable of accumulating the user’s media resources is Linux Ubuntu. This OS is characterized by stability. However, in order to run a home media server using Ubuntu, the setup will be quite complex, and the user will need to have extensive experience working with similar platforms. But if a person has the appropriate skills, then he will be able to take advantage of all the benefits of such a scheme.

The capabilities of the Ubuntu OS allow you to create a functional server with which you can organize shared online access from different devices, create storage for files, and also use DLNA standards. A home media server based on Ubuntu will allow you to connect not only computers to the Internet, but also various mobile devices and even some types of household appliances that support the corresponding function.

If the user does not have enough experience with Ubuntu, then he can try using popular solutions for Windows. Among these is the Home Media Server program or Home Media Server. It has enough capabilities to satisfy the needs of most home network owners. So, with the help of it you can organize file sharing, IPTV, and use podcasts for a home media server. You can download the HMS program on the website homemediaserver.ru. Once we have downloaded and installed this type of software, we can create a home media server. It can be configured using the following algorithm.

Setting up a server via HMS

You should launch the HMS program, then select the “Settings” button. After that there is a section called “Media Resources”. Then go to the “Directory List” page and click “Add”. After this, you can use the Windows interface to move the necessary folders to the main program window.

The HMS program is characterized by a fairly high degree of automation. In general, the user does not need to make significant changes to the settings of this software. But sometimes this may be necessary, for example, if the system does not work for some reason. We will look at possible reasons for incorrect server operation a little later.

Once the files are downloaded, click “Launch” in the main HMS window. If the server starts, then everything is fine. If necessary, it can be stopped or restarted. After this, you can start using the home server using devices that support the corresponding function, for example, using a TV.

To organize access to the server via a browser, you must again select “Settings”, then “Server”, and enter the required value in the “Port” section. Using a browser, you can log into the server by entering the IP address of the home server in the address bar, then a colon, and then the port number that we entered before. You can find out the required IP address by selecting “Settings”, then “Server”, and then selecting the list of connections that are allowed.

Setting up a server via HMS: fixing errors

What to do if the home media server does not start? The network setup was probably carried out with errors in this case. Let's look at the most typical ones. First of all, it is useful to check which network connections are reflected in the list of available ones. This can be done by opening Settings and Server, and then enabling the list of allowed connections. It is useful to compare the data displayed in the program window with the information contained in the list of available connections, which can be viewed by using the “Search” button. You can also allow the system to use available network connections using the HMS program interface.

It is also useful to check whether there are any restrictions on the operation of the HMS program in the settings of the Windows firewall or its analogues, which may be installed in the operating system. The exchange of all types of packets must be allowed - incoming, outgoing.

IPTV via HMS

One of the opportunities that a functional home media server provides to the user is Internet television, or IPTV. The HMS program allows you to configure the corresponding function. The main thing is that the Internet provider to which the user is connected provides a service for broadcasting TV channels online - by subscription or as an additional service.

In order to organize a broadcast using an IPTV home media server, in addition to the HMS program, you should also download a type of software such as VLC Media Player. This can be done through the website videolan.org. Once VLC is downloaded, it needs to be combined with HMS. To do this, you need to open “Home Media Server”, then select “Settings”, then “Media Resources” and “Internet Resources”. After that, find the VideoLAN settings and indicate the folder on your computer where the player is installed.

Then you need to download a playlist that includes a list of broadcast channels. It is a file in m3u format. This can be done by visiting a specialized website for digital TV lovers, for example, nastroisam.ru. Also, such files may be on the websites of providers. After downloading the playlist, you need to move it to the appropriate area of the HMS interface. To do this, go to “Settings”, then select “Transcoder” and start working with the “Internet TV” option. After the appropriate settings have been made, you should reboot the home server. After this, you can use IPTV capabilities, for example, using a TV - if it supports this function.

Working with HMS: nuances

Let's look at some of the nuances that characterize the operation of the Home Media Server program. Using the main window of this software, you can edit the list of folders that form media content, as well as manage them when exchanging data between different devices.

If navigation through files that form media content is slow, this may be due to the specifics of a particular device. It is also possible that the performance of the server's hard drive is insufficient. Failures can also be caused by frequent changes in directory structure. Slowdown of the server may be due to the fact that the directory scanning mode is activated in the program while the system is running.

You can navigate through the files that form the structure of media content using a folder called “Media resource directories.” It is quite possible that certain media files will not be visible on the device used to view content, despite the fact that they are viewed in the main program window. This may be due to the specific mime types for a particular type of content. You can set a different Mime type - the program's capabilities also allow you to do this. You should click “Settings”, then “Media Resources”, then “File Types” and change extensions if necessary.

Connecting devices

So, we have configured and launched the home media server. How to use it? The capabilities of the program in question allow you to connect a variety of devices to your home network - computers, televisions or, for example, multimedia projectors.

Let's assume that the network is organized via a Wi-Fi router, but communication technology in this case is a secondary factor. If devices are connected to a network via Wi-Fi, then you need to set the automatic procedure for assigning IP addresses to connected devices in the router settings.

Exactly how a device connected to the server—a TV or a mobile gadget—finds folders with media content depends on the specifics of the corresponding device. Brands that produce devices can use interfaces that are quite different from the solutions of device manufacturers.

The HMS program is universal; it allows you to connect to the server almost any device that supports this function. Using this software, you can organize access to video files, music and photos. It is optimal for both Wi-Fi networks and wired connections. Using this program, you can access media content from PCs, laptops, mobile devices, as well as, for example, printers, video cameras and TV set-top boxes that support the corresponding function.

But in some cases, the device can only work correctly if branded software is used.

So, for example, if a person uses Smart TV from Samsung, then perhaps the best option for him is the AllShare program produced by the Korean brand. It allows you to create a fairly functional home media server on the user’s computer. Samsung is not the only manufacturer of this type of software, of course.

Another Korean brand, LG, has also developed its own program. In order to run a home media server for LG, you can install the LG Smart Share program.

Home server using Plex

If using branded software is less desirable for the network owner, then you can try using a common alternative to HMS - the Plex Media Server program. Its capabilities also allow you to effectively distribute media content between several devices - TV, mobile devices, PCs, laptops. The program in question is cross-platform. That is, it can be used by PC owners running Linux Ubuntu who do not have sufficient experience to set up a home server using the standard capabilities of this operating system. You can download Plex from plex.tv.

How can I set up a home media server using this program? In this case, instructions that take a lot of time to study are not needed. A special feature of Plex is that it has a friendly, user-friendly interface. Its functionality allows you to obtain additional information about videos: for example, if they are films or TV series, the program will find appropriate annotations for them and additional media content.

Plex is a universal program. It functions equally correctly on both PCs and mobile devices. This program is the most convenient tool for viewing online content using devices on Android, iOS and Windows Phone. Owners of the appropriate type of mobile device can download the Plex application, which is characterized by the advantages noted above - a user-friendly interface, as well as the ability to supplement media files with useful content and annotations. The Plex mobile application also has a number of other useful functions - for example, creating playlists, playing a file from a location selected by the user. It can also be noted that Plex allows you to organize shared access to media content not only from devices on your home network, but also for users connected to the Internet. So, you can show videos and photos to friends.

Plex users can sign up for a paid subscription to access the services - it costs $4.99 per month. This will allow you to use a number of additional software features, such as, for example, Sync. It is especially useful for owners of mobile devices. By launching the appropriate application on your phone or tablet, you can select the desired media content online and ensure its availability offline.

Some notable features of Plex include streaming video content using Google's Chromecast device. This device allows you to play video on any screen with HDMI interfaces. The Plex program allows you to stop using unnecessary cables when organizing broadcasts via TV - you can start watching movies using mobile devices.

If we use Plex to create a home media server, how do we use it? The algorithm, due to the high degree of software automation, as in the case of HMS, is very simple. First, you can copy the desired file to a folder located on your computer. Then update the list of content items using the program. Next, you can turn on your TV, smartphone or tablet - those devices with which you are supposed to access the files. Using the interface provided in them, you can select the desired media content.

HMS, Plex, branded solutions from device manufacturers allow you to create home media servers that are quite simple in structure and use. These programs are quite easy to install even for an inexperienced user. The capabilities of this type of software fully satisfy the basic needs of home computer networks.