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
- If you decide to turn off media streaming, open Network and Sharing Center, and click on the link Change advanced sharing options.
- In the new window, expand the item All networks and then click Choose your media streaming options.
- On a new window Deny all.
After that, the connected devices will not be able to access your media library.
Home Media Server is a customizable, free app 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:
- Absolutely free. No advertising banners or intrusive third-party software.
- Multifunctionality. A universal "combine", the potential of which knows no boundaries.
- Support for trans coding. Automatically detects and recodes an unreadable source file in real time.
- 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.
I have already published more than one article on DLNA setup. We launched the DLNA server in different ways, on different devices, and for different TVs. In this manual, I will show you how to enable DLNA server in Windows 10. Let it be a computer or a laptop, it doesn't matter. The main thing is that Windows 10 is installed on it. There are many different programs with which you can run a media server on your computer. But in this tutorial, we will not use any third-party software. We will use only standard Windows 10 tools. In addition, this feature is available in both Windows 8 and Windows 7. There are not many differences there.
And so, first, let's figure out what DLNA is, why run this server on a computer, laptop and what to do with it. Everything is very simple. DLNA technology can transfer media content (video, photo, music) between devices on the local network. Most often, this technology is used to view videos or photos that are on a computer on a Smart TV. I wrote in more detail about this technology in the article:. If you are interested, you can read it.
How it all works: Smart TV must be connected to our router. Via Wi-Fi network, or by cable. It does not matter. To the same router, a computer must be connected on which we want to run a media server, and from which we want to play videos, photos, or music on the TV. The main thing that devices were on the same local network (were connected through one router)... This does not mean that there should be only one computer and one TV, there can be several of them. Moreover, there may be other devices on the network that support DLNA. For example: game consoles, TV boxes, satellite receivers, etc.
Before proceeding with the setup, make sure that your computer and TV are connected to your Wi-Fi network, or with a network cable to your router. Check if the internet is working on the TV. If you do not know if your TV supports DLNA, then this information can be found in the specifications. I will say this, if there is a Smart TV on the TV, then everything will work.
And in the Microsoft Edge browser in Windows 10, you can display videos, photos and music on TV directly from the browser. How to do this, I wrote in the article.
I think we figured out all the nuances, now you can start setting up.
Displaying videos from Windows 10 to TV: a quick and easy way
A video clip, a movie, almost any video recording can be displayed from a computer to a TV set in a few clicks of the mouse. Turn on your TV. Make sure it is connected to the internet (to your router).
On the computer, open the folder with the video, and right-click on the file that we want to play on the TV (Smart TV). Then we move the cursor over the item "Transfer to device". Our TV set should appear there. If there is an inscription "Searching for devices ...", then you need to wait a little. Leave the menu open, or try in a couple of seconds. As you can see in the screenshot below, Windows 10 found two TVs for me: LG and Philips.
Choosing a TV. The player control window will appear immediately. In it, you can control video playback on your TV, add other files to the playlist, see information on TV, etc.
The TV will immediately start playing the currently running movie.
We have just started watching videos from PC to TV using DLNA technology. As you can see, everything works. And all this wirelessly, by air. It's over if you have both devices connected via Wi-Fi.
Launching a DLNA server on Windows 10 using standard tools
Above, we examined a method when you can send files from a computer to a TV. But, there is still a great opportunity when we can view all files from the TV (to which access is open) that are stored on our computer. I think this is what you need.
You can use third-party programs to run the DLNA server, for example, "Home Media Server (UPnP, DLNA, HTTP)". I wrote about setting up using this program in the article. This program is suitable for all TVs. But each manufacturer, as a rule, has its own program. LG, for example, has Smart Share. I wrote about the setting.
Well, on the other hand, why do we need third-party programs, if in Windows 10 everything can be configured with built-in tools.
1 First thing we need to do is open the Media Streaming Options. This item is located in the control panel. You can just start entering its name in the search and launch it.
If your TV is not on the list, then wait a bit. Alternatively, close and reopen the media streaming settings.
Each device will have a "Configure ..." button. If necessary, you can configure individual settings for each device.
As you can see in the screenshot above, access will immediately be open to three standard folders: "Videos", "Pictures", "Music". All files in these folders can be viewed on TV.
These three folders are located on the system drive. Agree, it is not very convenient to copy the necessary films and other files there all the time in order to watch them from the TV. Therefore, you can simply share other folders.
How to add a folder for a DLNA server
Start Windows Media Player.
If you want to add a folder with a video, for example, click on the corresponding item on the left, and select "Manage video library".
In the new window, click on the "Add" button. Select the folder to which you want to open access via DLNA, and click on the "Add folder" button.
Any required folder will appear in the list and will be displayed on the TV. For example, I opened access to the "Videos" folder, in which I store films.
You can add any folders in this way, or remove them from the list.
1 If you need to open your media streaming settings, you can do so from Windows Media Player. Just click on the "Stream" menu item, and select "More Streaming Options ...".
Several articles
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.
Not so long ago, one could not even dream of creating an entertainment center based on a home network, to which user devices in the form of computers, laptops, television panels and mobile devices would be connected. However, today such actions no longer seem to be something from the realm of fantasy, since to unite all devices into a single network, when a home media server for Windows 10 is used to access, broadcast and play multimedia, you can use a special DLNA technology (UPnP, HTTP) ... How to independently create such a center will be discussed further. There is nothing particularly complicated in this, however, at some stages it will be necessary to pay attention to specialized settings, without which the created center will not work.
What is Home Media Server for Windows 10?
To begin with, let's consider what such an organization of access to multimedia and playback of content is. It should be noted right away that the home media server for Windows in terms of installation and configuration is based on the use of a wireless connection.
The current connection can be a connection via a router (router) or Wi-Fi Direct, if this technology is supported by the devices included in the network. Especially often such questions relate to television panels of early generations. But almost all modern TVs have such support, only it can be called differently.
Simplest file access method
Before you start creating a media server and configuring it, pay attention to the fact that sometimes it is not necessary to do this to simplify the actions performed.
It is enough just to "share" folders with multimedia content by setting up shared access for them. In this case, it is imperative to enable the ability to identify computers on the network. If you do not do this, the folders will remain invisible even with the shared access installed.
Set-top boxes like Mag make the problem even simpler because they already have a preset DLNA (UPnP) setting that, when activated, gives you immediate access to the files and folders you need.
Also, if devices on the network are detected, you can simply use the RMB menu on the selected file using the line "Bring to device ...", and then select the active device connected to the network. After that, the playback of the selected object will immediately begin in Media (by default) with the transmission of the broadcast to the connected terminal or mobile gadget.
DLNA server in Windows 10: setup, output content for playback
Now directly about the methodology for creating and activating an entertainment network center. Setting up for Windows 10 begins with using the network and Internet section located in the "Control Panel" (if the display of categories is enabled in the view menu), where you need to go to the homegroup settings.
Now the question of how to set up a DLNA media server in Windows 10 (8.1, 8 or 7) is to create a new group and include only those user devices that will be allowed access to it. To do this, click the corresponding button at the bottom of the window, after which you select the types of multimedia files to which you intend to open access.
After that, the continue button is used and the transition to the section of automatic generation of passwords is carried out. The combination issued by the system must be written down or memorized, since without it it will be impossible to connect gadgets to the server. Then it remains to press the "Finish" button and proceed to editing the parameters.
In the new window, you can change the initially created password that will be used by the home media server for Windows 10, fix connection problems, etc. However, it is imperative that you activate the file streaming item with permission to play multimedia content (selected above) for all devices connected to the network.
Streaming media
Now the created media server for home network in Windows 10 requires one important configuration. In order not to search for it in various menus for a long time, just search for “Media streaming options” (without quotes), and in a new window, click the corresponding power button.
Next, you need to name the media folder, which is installed by default. You can also add or exclude devices on the network from the list and click the "Allow All" button without fail.
If you use additional settings, as in the first steps, you can select the content type. If all types are activated, devices on the network will have access to the Pictures, Music and Videos folders on the parent terminal, which is used as the main server.
By the way, setting these parameters also has the advantage that you do not need to create. The main condition here is to register devices on the network so that they are visible.
Note: when installing these options, be sure to change the network type from public to private and enable device discovery for it.
Adding files and folders
So, the home media server for Windows 10 is created. Now you need to add folders with multimedia so that their contents can be played on all devices on the network.
To do this, we launch the standard Windows Media player, select the type of media, use the video library (music library or gallery) control in the PCM menu and add the necessary directories. Now their content can be played (played) on all devices that support DLNA.
Specialized program for Windows 10
However, you can simplify your work and use utilities specially designed for such purposes. One of the easiest to use exclusively in Windows systems is the Home Media Server (HMS) software. You can even download it on the official Microsoft resource.
The program for Windows 10 "Home Media Server" is recommended for use by those users who do not have the necessary knowledge to make settings using the operating system. After starting the utility, the basic settings and default options can be left unchanged. The essence of using the application is reduced only to adding devices and selecting directories with multimedia content. If for some reason the devices are not visible, you should click the refresh button or check their connection to the virtual network. But, in theory, there shouldn't be any problems.
Serviio app
Another fairly simple but powerful utility presented in the form of the Serviio package. In the installed application, after launching the Serviiio Console applet, you must immediately change the language to Russian.
After that, you should add the directories in which there is material for playback, and that's it - the server is ready to use. You can disable it at any time using the status item in the settings. This program, like the previous package, does not imply changes to the basic settings. Everything works when using the standard pre-installed options.
Instead of an afterword
It remains to add that for an ordinary user to create a server it is better to use narrowly focused programs, rather than system tools. But for those who do not want to install additional software, the Windows toolkit is quite enough. However, this is already a matter of preferences of the users themselves.
As for possible connection problems, the server created by the Windows tools can be checked, as described above. In the settings, the troubleshooter is launched, after which a list of errors and recommendations for their elimination will be displayed. In some cases, if these are not critical failures, they can be fixed automatically. In general, there is nothing particularly complicated here.
Finally, one more point can be especially noted. The fact is that when creating such an entertainment center, you can use some of its additional features. For example, downloading the same high volume movies to your mobile device is completely optional. As the final download folder, you can quite simply install some selected directory on the server (PC or laptop on which it was created).
