How to turn your computer into a DLNA media server

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Many boxes that you connect to your television, including the Year, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and even some smart TVs offer DLNA streaming support (“Digital Living Network Alliance”). They can stream video and music files over the network from your PC, as long as you set up a DLNA server on the PC first.

This function is also known as Play To or UPnP AV. Using it is easier than you think, since the server software you will need is built into Windows. In addition there are third-party DLNA servers with more features and you can run them on any operating system. Next, explains how to configure DLNA on your machine.

Option one: enable Windows built-in DLNA media server

RELATED: Wireless display standards explained: AirPlay, Miracast, WiDi, Chromecast y DLNA

There are many different pieces of software that can function as DLNA servers, but you don't need to install anything special to get started. Windows has a built-in DLNA server that you can enable. To activate it, open Control Panel and search “media” using the search box in the upper right corner of the window. Click on the link “Media streaming options” in Network and Sharing Center.

Click the button “Enable streaming media” to enable streaming media server.

Even though this Control Panel doesn't mention the term “DLNA” absolutely, the media streaming function in Windows is a DLNA compliant media server.

You can now customize the streaming settings. The default settings allow all devices on your local network to access the media files in your media libraries., and that's fine if you're on a local network with only devices you trust. You probably don't need to adjust them.

RELATED: How to recover libraries in Windows File Explorer 8.1 and 10

This window doesn't actually tell you how to add video files, music and pictures that can be streamed over the network. Despite this, the media streaming feature depends on your windows libraries.

If you want to stream video files, music or pictures, add them to video libraries, music or pictures. You do not need to move files to current library folders; can add new folders to libraries. In Windows 8.1 O 10, you will need to show the libraries to enter them.

Once i've done it, copy the media files you want to stream to your libraries or add folders containing media files to your libraries.

As an example, if you have a lot of videos in D: TV shows , you can right click video library, to choose “Properties (edit)”, click on “Add” and add folder D: TV shows to your videos. Library. The files would still be stored in D: TV shows , but they would be viewable in your video library and available for streaming from other devices.

RELATED: How to view local video files on your Roku

Now you can enter DLNA media player on your other device; as an example, Roku Media Player apps, PS4 Media Player or Xbox One Media Player include this feature.

As an example, in a Year, you must first install the Roku Media Player channel and open it. DLNA servers on your local network will appear in the list, so you can choose your computer and stream media files from it.

While browsing your shared media library from your device, You can use the Play To function to search for media on your computer and start playing it directly on the network device.. Or use DLNA media streaming features to share media between your PCs.

Option two: install Plex Universal Media Server

Windows DLNA Server is the easiest and fastest to set up, but not necessarily the best option. Because of the way DLNA works, can only stream certain types of media codecs, as an example. If you have other types of media, it just won't work.

Other DLNA servers improve this by offering real-time transcoding.. If you try to play an unsupported file, they will transcode it on the fly, streaming the video in a compatible format to your DLNA device.

RELATED: How to set up Plex (and watch your movies on any device)

Many different media servers support DLNA, including the immensely popular Plex media server: so you can set up the Plex media server on your computer and use DLNA on another device to access your media, If you wish. Plex's own media player offers more features, but also you can access your Plex library from any media player that supports DLNA. This enables you to access your Plex library on devices that do not have a Plex client or web browser., but they offer DLNA support.

In addition, it may be of interest to you totally without costs Universal media server, which is based on the now discontinued PS3 Media Server. Count with one large number of functions, and you can install and configure it in Windows, as well as on macOS and Linux. Macs and Linux PCs do not have this built-in feature, so third-party multimedia programs like these are the only option.


DLNA seems to be disappearing, which is one of the reasons why it is so hidden in Windows 10. DLNA is primarily focused on playing media files that you have downloaded to your PC. (video files, music files and image files) on other devices. . Modern solutions often focus on streaming media from the cloud. And even if you want to manage your own local media library, a solution like Plex has more features and is better.

The strength of this standard continues to be its broad ecosystem of compatible devices.. Even though it is not an ideal solution, provides the glue to link a wide variety of devices without third-party apps. Devices that do not have web browsers or applications that you can use to access Plex can support DLNA.

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