This is possible when the TV and computer are connected to the same network, or when connected directly. After that, all that remains is to launch DLNA and enable viewing of the desired movie or photo. This is quite convenient, because it is much more pleasant to show a large company of photos, videos, or to make a presentation on a large screen.

There are many different programs that allow you to do this. Among them, it is often recommended. Indeed, this application has shown itself well in practice. Therefore, in today's article, we will show an example using this particular program.

This home media server is quite versatile and capable of running a DLNA server that is compatible with any TV (and in general with many devices, for example, game consoles) capable of working with this technology. If the TV is capable of connecting wirelessly, or it has a connector for connecting a network cable, then it is highly likely that it supports DLNA. In general, the program itself has many different settings, so standard applications for TVs are very much inferior to it.

The very same article today will be useful to owners of TVs from almost any manufacturer. After all, as already noted, a home media server is a third-party program with great functionality and wide capabilities, which allows it to work with any technique. It's also free.

Today we will consider in detail only the ways to open access for TV to the necessary folders on the computer, instructions on how to create a server and watch movies with it.

For reference, this example uses an LG 32LN575U TV, an ASUS RT-N13U router, and an ASUS R56CM laptop.

Establishing a connection between the TV and computer

As you already understood, in order to be able to watch video from a computer through a TV, you need to establish a connection between these two devices. If you already have them connected to each other, then you can skip this step and proceed to the next.

Well, if your TV is not yet connected to your PC, then you can do this through a router. Thus, without unnecessary troubles, you can connect the TV itself to the computer via Wi-Fi. Another TV can be connected with the help of a router. The most important thing is that both devices work with the same router.

In case there is no home Wi-Fi

When you do not have a router, and, accordingly, there is no wireless network at home, you can connect the TV to a laptop using a network cable directly.

It will look like this:

This method of connection is quite reliable, so there shouldn't be any special problems here. The downside is the presence of a cable that connects these two devices. Even if the TV will not see such a connection, you can still play multimedia files through the Home Media Server program.

It is possible that it is realistic to connect a TV to a computer. But we have not yet begun to check it and look for ways to implement such an undertaking. Most likely, you can do this using your laptop as a router.

Having connected the computer to the TV set, we proceed to the settings for the DLNA server.

Configuring the "Home Media Server"

Of course, first of all, we need the program itself. You can download it from the official resource https://www.homemediaserver.ru/index.htm and then install it. On the developer site, click on the download button.

After that, save the archive with the program to your PC. After that, it must be unpacked. There will be a "setup" file, run it and follow the instructions to install the application. When the program is installed, its shortcut will appear on the desktop. Start Home Media Server.

Now we will specify in the settings all types of media files and folders that will be available for viewing on the TV. We go into the settings, at the top of the program window there is a corresponding button.

In the settings window, go to the media resources tab. Several standard folders with music, pictures and videos will already be indicated there. Here we can add our own and edit the type of files that will be displayed on the TV.

In order not to rummage too much in folders in search of the desired video or photo, it is better to open access to local disks. Check the box next to the appropriate item (or make sure it is there).

Activating this option will provide an opportunity to get access from the TV to any files that are on all local drives.

In order to add separate directories with files or, for example, an external HDD, click on the "Add" button on the right. Then find the desired folder or external device and select it.

The center plate displays all folders for which the TV has access. This shows the type of files that can be viewed in these directories. In general, this is the basic setting that is necessary for us, but the program has a lot of other useful parameters that can be adjusted.

After you have done everything, you will need to save these parameters. Click on the "OK" button and agree to scan directories.

The program will scan the selected directories for a while. After that, you can start launching the DLNA server. On the top menu, click on the start button. A message should appear stating that the server has started successfully.

We turn on our TV and open, on the computer, in the program, the tab with playback devices. In the right corner, click on the "Update" button. After that, the TV should appear in the list.

If this did not happen and the Home Media Server does not find anything and the connected devices are not shown on the TV itself, then you need to check the connection itself. Make sure your TV and PC are connected.

In some cases, anti-virus programs and firewalls can block the media server. In this case, add this application to the exceptions and try again.

If everything was found successfully, you can start viewing the media files. We'll start with photographs. In the top menu, select the desired file type, in this case it is a photo.

Further, in the central part of the window, you can select the desired directory and find suitable files in it. When the desired photo is selected, just right-click on it and hover over the "Play to" line and then select your TV.

This photo will instantly appear on the TV screen.

In the same way, you can start and play videos and music. This is just one way to play files by launching them from a media server. But this method is not very comfortable. In many cases, it is much more convenient to search for the files you want on the TV itself and then launch them.

By the way, if you close the window of a running program, it will be hidden in the notification panel.

But the server itself will not stop and will continue to work.

Opening files through the TV

After the server is started, we return to our TV.

Usually, TVs have a special program that allows you to work with a DLNA server. In our case, it is Smart Share... But perhaps, in other examples, it could be a completely different program.

If you have a TV like in our case (LG), then you need to go to the Smart TV menu (press the blue button on the remote) and then find and launch Smart Share. True, if, but supports DLNA technology, then everything can be completely different.

Open the tab for connected devices. The server running on the computer should be displayed there.

All devices that have a DLNA module have been tested in advance and have a corresponding sticker on the case.

It is also necessary to have a description of the type of content supported, there is a DLNA server, a printer or a player, that is, the module allows you to transfer a certain type of content - images, signals, sound.

All these devices can be freely connected to each other, depending on the purpose, the technique has its own class. The classes can be distinguished as follows:

1. Digital media servers. This category includes storage devices such as mobile phones.
2. Digital media players. This includes devices that can receive and play digital content. For example, a TV that can play music and sound from another device.

How to create a home network

The DLNA home network scheme is similar to the data transfer scheme over the Internet.

It is he who provides the connection of devices to each other. To set up your home network, you need the following:

1. TV for playback.
2. Media server for data storage, phone or laptop.
3. Router - used to provide a connection between transmitting and receiving devices.
4. Cables or wireless adapters are required to connect DLNA to the network.
5. Powerline adapters - will allow you to distribute the Internet over the mains.

The first thing to do is connect the playback media device to your router.

There are several ways to do this - connecting by power supply, via cable, or via a wireless bridge.

• Plugging in your media device with an electrical outlet is a great way to set up a network throughout your home. For this, ordinary electricity is used, no cables are needed. For configuration, only the Powerline adapter is useful.
  All that is required is simply to connect the TV to the network via the adapter and the DLNA home network will start functioning.
• If your router and TV are close to each other, it is best to use a cable connection. The Ethernet cable connects to the TV and router port.
• Creating a media group using a wireless bridge is appropriate when the TV is located far from the router. The bridge can be connected to a TV via a cable, and to a router via a wireless network.

Advice: the optimal solution for any case is the electrical connection.

The next stage of setup is to connect other DLNA devices to the router.

After connecting to the TV, you can connect any DLNA server to the network - laptop, phone, tablet.

But if this is not possible, you can connect them using the above methods.

Thus, the TV will be able to “see” the devices and play the content.

Setting up DLNA HomeGroup Devices

In order for the TV to recognize the content, the media group devices must be configured. For laptop and tablet, you will need to install special software.

These programs can be:

• Windows Media Player 11 or 12.
• VAIO Media Server (for Sony TV).
• AllShare for Samsung.
• LG Smart Share.
• Home Media Server.

The group must be allowed access to the laptop, this can be done in the software settings by activating the media exchange.

These can be music files, images or videos. Typically a library or list is created that the media device can play back later.

Not every smartphone can be connected to a DLNA group. But those that have this feature connect via Wi-F to a wireless router.

Advice: for the network to work, the following algorithm should be performed:

• Wi-Fi must be included in the favorites list and set to automatic connection.
• Disable power save mode.
• Activate file sharing.

DLNA - allows compatible devices such as computer, TV, laptop, phone, tablet to transmit, receive or play various media content files. The function provides tremendous opportunities for playing media content. A video file downloaded to a PC can be watched on a TV, and music downloaded to a phone can be listened to on an audio system. It is very comfortable. You just need to create a DLNA network.

How to create a DLNA network

There are many programs for setting up your home DLNA network, but you can just use the native windows tools.

Installation on windows 7:

1. Go to the "Start" menu and select "Control Panel".

   The "Start" menu is located in the lower left corner of the monitor, in it you must select the item "Control Panel"

2. On the "All Control Panel Items" tab there is a "Home Group" item, click on it.

   On the "Control Panel" tab, select the "Home Group" item, it is indicated by a red arrow

3. A new window will open, in it go to the "Change advanced sharing settings" tab.

   The item "Change advanced sharing options" is on the "Homegroup" tab

4. Check the connection of all items.

   All items of the tab "Change advanced sharing options" must be in the active position

5. Return to the "Homegroup" window at the bottom of the window there is an item "Create a homegroup", click on it with the mouse.

   The New HomeGroup button is at the bottom of the HomeGroup window

6. In the next window, enter the name you came up with for the DLNA server and click the OK button.

   In the Media Streaming Options window, enter the server name and click OK

7. Write down the password that appears in the window, you can print it (it will be needed when adding other devices to the homegroup), click "Finish".

   The password that appears in the window must be written down or printed

8. In the Homegroup window, click on Select Media Streaming Options.

   In the "Homegroup" window, select "Select streaming media options"

9. The media server window will appear, in it you need to mark the types of content for which the general access will be open.

   In the media server window, it is necessary to mark the types of content that will be available to the home group

10. Click "Next".

DLNA windows 7 server connected. On the "Computer" tab, the "Network" icon will appear, by clicking on it, you can see all connected devices. After selecting the desired device, click on it. All available media content files will open in the media player window, they can be viewed and transferred to other devices.

On windows 10 everything is simpler, here it is not necessary to create a "Homegroup".

Installation on windows 10:

1. In the "Search" window of the control panel, type "Media streaming options", open this item.

   In the search box, type "Media streaming options"

2. On the open tab, click the "Enable streaming media" item.

   In the Media Streaming Options window, enable media streaming

3. On the next tab, in the "Media Library Name" item, write the name of your DLNA server, click OK.

   In the window "Enable streaming media" you need to enter the name of the future media library

Write down the password you created and click Finish.

After making the settings, from devices on your home network, you can access the media content files contained in the folders of your computer, view them and play them.

Equipment for building a home network with DLNA

To create a DLNA network, you will need a computer or laptop with a media server configured on it. Using a wired or wireless Wi-fi connection, it connects to a router, which, in turn, broadcasts a signal to other devices.

DLNA network transforms your home into a media center

Such devices can be: TVs, laptops, tablets, phones, stereos. If there is no router, signal distribution can be configured directly from the computer, but in this case, the computer will need a Wi-Fi adapter. The principle of building a home DLNA network, like the Internet.

As a result, you will need:

• computer or laptop;
• wi-fi router or adapter;
• at least one other DLNA-enabled device.

It is better to connect the TV to the computer with a cable connection. Wireless communication is convenient and modern, but when viewing powerful files of media content, you may lose streaming data and, as a result, malfunction of the TV.

Connecting a DLNA TV to a wi-fi router

You can connect a TV to your home DLNA network, this step will make it possible to fully use the installed server. First of all, the TV must be connected to a Wi-fi router. This can be done in one of two ways.

It is enough just to connect the TV and the router with an Internet cable with LAN connectors:

The location of the LAN jacks on different TV models is different, but they are signed everywhere and cannot be confused with outputs for other purposes.

You can connect the TV to the router via a wireless wi-fi network. Newer TVs usually have a built-in adapter. If the model is older, you will have to use an external wi-fi adapter. It needs to be inserted into the usb connector of the TV, while the system itself will detect it and turn it on.

Wi-fi adapter needs to be connected to TV via usb port

1. Pick up the TV remote control, press the Menu key.
2. In the menu that opens, click "Network", then "Network Settings" and select "Wireless (general)".
3. In the list that opens, select your own and click "Next".
4. In the window that opens, enter the password for your home network.
5. If everything is done correctly, the connection will be established.

Adding Other DLNA-Compatible Devices to Your Home Network

After setting up the DLNA server on your PC, you can connect other devices to the wi-fi router. Connecting to a home network, possibly via a wireless connection, and via a cable.

Laptop or other PC

To add a laptop to your home network, you need to configure its connection to the router. In the case of a wired connection, it is enough to connect the LAN connectors of it and the router. When connecting wirelessly, you need to pay attention to the lower right corner of the monitor. There you will find an icon in the form of gray sticks of different heights.

The icon on the panel indicates that at the given moment the laptop is disconnected from the wi-fi network

By clicking on it, you will go to the network connection settings menu, all networks with the ability to connect are displayed here. Select the desired network, click the mouse.

The desired wi-fi network is connected on the "Sharing Center" tab

If the network is without a password, the connection will be made automatically. Otherwise, a window will pop up in which you must enter the password.

Enter your home network password and click "Done".

Video: how to connect a laptop to a wi-fi network

Before you can transfer media content to other devices, you need to configure the media server settings.

To add a laptop to your home network, you need:

Media player

To integrate your media player into your home network, simply connect it to your router. The player automatically connects the found DLNA resources. It is enough to open shared access to folders for devices in the home group on the device acting as a media server.

DLNA setup on TV

TVs connected to the home network find the server and folders with allowed content in an automatic order. On LG TVs, folders of available media servers appear alongside pre-installed programs and features.

There are many alternative programs for creating a media server. The LG TV comes with a CD with a program called Smart Share, which can also be downloaded from the Internet. This program allows you to create a media server without using windows tools. It is enough to download it to your computer, click on its launch shortcut and wait for the installation to complete.

A folder with the Smart Share logo appears on the TV's program and connection bar. On the computer, in the program settings window, you can assign folders for content playback. You can view the photos and videos in these folders on your TV.

Smart Share is a good program for those who are too lazy to dig into the windows settings. It loads the system quite heavily. Even with the TV turned off, on a weak computer, its presence can be felt. For some reason, it does not always update the folder with the added files. Sometimes you have to do it manually. It is better to configure a normal server using windows.

There is a universal program that allows you to link any DLNA-compatible TV to your computer. It's called Home Media Server.

Video: instructions for installing and configuring the Home Media Server program

Using DLNA on Android OS

To use an android device, first of all, you need to connect it to the router:

1. To do this, enter the settings and switch the wi-fi connection slider to the "on" position.

   When the wi-fi function is on, the slider is in the "on" position

2. Next, you need to go to the wi-fi settings.
3. You will see a list of networks currently available.

   In the settings of the wi-fi device on Android OS, select the desired network

4. Choose the one you need and enter the network password.
5. After a while, a connection will occur.

   In the wi-fi settings, you can see information about the network to which the device is connected to the Android OS

Devices on Android OS have great functionality, with their help you can not only view files with media content, but also allow you to transfer them to other devices. On the Play Store, you can download a program that will greatly expand the capabilities of your smartphone or tablet. It's called a DLNA Server.

Download the program and install it on your phone, then do the following steps:

1. Go to the program and click "Add> DLNA Server", thus you create a DLNA server.

   The program will help you create a server on your Android device

2. On the next tab, you set the server name in the Server Name item, the port item remains by default.

   In the Server Name item, you need to set a name for the server

3. Go to the Roots tab, select and assign a folder with content to be viewed.

   Going to the TV menu, you will find a new media server created on a device with Android OS

Video slows down and other problems

Sometimes annoying interference and malfunctions interfere with watching your favorite movies, do not allow you to appreciate all the benefits of using the DLNA network. For possible problems and solutions, see the table provided.

Table: errors that occur when playing media content and methods for their elimination

Often the reason for the braking of the TV when watching movies is easily removable small details. The main reason lies in the unstable operation of the media server. Perform system optimization and cleaning periodically for normal operation. Don't overload your computer unnecessary programs.

Anyone can customize DLNA-enabled home devices. It's not hard at all. A TV connected to a home network takes on a second wind. After spending half an hour connecting to the DLNA network, you can view any content from your devices on the big screen. Movies, photos, videos taken on the phone, now all this can be viewed simply by pressing a couple of buttons.

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 via 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:

(47.2 MB)

Let's get started with the installation.

Run the installer:

Here we are asked to select a directory into which the installation files will be unpacked. Select the directory and press the button " Execute". After unpacking, the installation will start automatically.

Attention: Unpacked files are not automatically deleted after installing the program, I advise you to delete them manually after the installation is complete

After unpacking, the installation of the program starts automatically:

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«.

Conclusion

We have installed the Home Media Server (HMS) program, or to put it simply, we have configured a DLNA server on the Windows operating system.

It remains only to start the playback device (TV, media set-top box, mobile phone, etc.) and check if our device is on the network and if it contains the files we need.

We hope this article helped you. If something does not work for you or you have questions - write comments, we will try to help.

The media server is an excellent solution for owners of home computer networks, in the structure of which the simultaneous use of several devices is supposed - 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 at once. These can be laptops, tablets or, for example, Smart TVs. The capabilities of wireless networks allow you to create a true home media server - for your TV, laptop and any other Wi-Fi-enabled device. What functions should it have? For example, a server can distribute media resources between different devices - video files, music, photos. Its other useful function is to provide shared access of devices to online services, for example, to IPTV.

Why build a home media server?

What is the purpose of users creating home media servers? Usually this is due to the desire to organize a more convenient and efficient way to work with media content through multiple devices. If, for example, a person wants to watch a movie using Smart TV, then without a media server of the appropriate type, this can only be done by going online, where you will have to search for the desired file for a long time, or through an external medium - a USB flash drive or hard drive. In the second case, it is not always convenient to transfer media from one device to another. But if you have a media server, you can place the necessary files on it and run them from the TV, as well as from other devices, at any time.

The home media server can also function offline in a number of configurations. This is useful if Internet access is not available 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 the home media content distribution system. When it comes to basic capabilities, such as sharing common multimedia files, the server structure is not overly complex. There are many 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 possibilities of such solutions are almost always enough. A TV usually cannot recognize as many types of files as a computer, but just those that belong to the most common media standards.

But if the question is about how to set up a home media server not only for sharing content, but, say, for ensuring that devices go online or to Internet TV resources, then more complex work will be required. The capabilities of those types of software that are adapted for inexperienced users may not be enough.

Server creation methods

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 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 the home network. Therefore, large investments in equipment will not be required. What you should pay attention to is the performance of the hard disk of the system unit. It is desirable that the corresponding hardware component has sufficient volume and rotational speed to handle the job. The hard disk will be subject to significant loads during the operation of the system.

Where to locate your home media server? It is necessary to find a place in the apartment in which the server block can constantly work and not interfere with 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 power of the bandwidth channel - this is sometimes difficult to do wirelessly, because there is interference.

Server software part

In many cases, the optimal operating system with which you can organize a server capable of accumulating user 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 a lot of experience with such platforms. But if a person has the appropriate skills, then he will be able to take advantage of all the advantages of such a scheme.

The capabilities of the Ubuntu OS allow you to create a functional server with which you can organize online sharing from different devices, create a storage for files, and also use DLNA standards. A home media server based on Ubuntu will allow you to connect to the Internet not only computers, 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 to work with Ubuntu, then he can try using popular solutions for Windows. These include the Home Media Server program or Home Media Server. It has enough capabilities to meet the needs of most home network owners. So, using it, you can organize file sharing, IPTV, use podcasts for a home media server. You can download the HMS program at 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.

Server setup via HMS

Start the HMS program, then select the "Settings" button. After - a section called "Media Resources". Then go to the "Directory List" page and click "Add". After that, using the Windows interface, you can move the necessary folders to the main program window.

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

Once the files are uploaded, click "Run" in the main HMS window. If the server starts, then everything is in order. It can be stopped or restarted if necessary. After that, you can start using your home server using devices that support the corresponding function, for example, using a TV.

To organize access to the server through the browser, you must again select the "Settings" item, then - "Server", and in the "Port" section, enter the required value. 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 - by selecting the list of connections that are allowed.

Server setup via HMS: bug fixes

What if the home media server didn't start? The network setup was probably not done correctly in this case. Let's consider the most typical ones. First of all, it is useful to check which network connections are shown in the list of available ones. This can be done by opening "Settings" and "Server" and then using the list of allowed connections. It is useful to compare the data that is displayed in the program window with the information that is contained in the list of available connections, which can be viewed using the "Search" button. You can also allow the system to use the available network connections by using the HMS program interface.

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

IPTV over HMS

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

In order to organize broadcasting 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 site videolan.org. After VLC is downloaded, it needs to be merged 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 specify the folder on the computer where the player is installed.

Then you need to download a playlist that includes a list of broadcast channels. It is a m3u file. This can be done by visiting a specialized site for digital TV lovers, for example, nastroisam.ru. Also, such files can be on the websites of providers. After downloading the playlist, you need to move it to the corresponding 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 that, you can use the capabilities of IPTV, for example, using a TV - if it supports this function.

Working with HMS: nuances

Let's consider some of the nuances typical for 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 the files that form media content is slow, then this may be due to the specifics of a particular device. It is also possible that the performance of the server hard disk is not enough. Failures can also be caused by frequent changes in the directory structure. Slowdown of the server may be due to the fact that the program has activated directory scanning mode 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 with the help of which the content is viewed, despite the fact that they are viewed in the main window of the program. This may be due to the specifics of mime types for a particular type of content. The mime-type can be set differently - the program's capabilities also allow you to do this. You should click "Settings", then "Media resources", then - "File types" and change the extensions if necessary.

Connecting devices

So, we have configured and launched our home media server. How do I 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 through a Wi-Fi router, but the communication technology in this case is a minor factor. If the devices are connected to a network via Wi-Fi, then it is necessary to set the automatic procedure for assigning IP addresses to the connected devices in the router settings.

How exactly the device connected to the server - a TV or a mobile gadget - finds folders with media content depends on the specifics of the corresponding device. Device brands 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. With this software, you can organize access to video files, music and photos. It is optimal for both Wi-Fi networks and wired connections. Through this program, access to media content can be obtained from PCs, laptops, mobile devices, as well as, for example, printers, camcorders and set-top boxes that support the corresponding function.

But in some cases, the device can work correctly only 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 a Korean brand. It allows you to create a fairly functional home media server on the user's computer. Samsung is not, of course, the only manufacturer of this type of software.

Another Korean brand, LG, has also developed its own program. You can install LG Smart Share to start home media server for LG.

Home Server Using Plex

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

How to set up a home media server using this program? An instruction that takes a long time to learn is unnecessary in this case. The peculiarity of the Plex program is that it has a friendly user-friendly interface. Its functionality allows you to receive additional information about videos: for example, if these are films or series, then the program will find the appropriate annotations for them and additional media content.

Plex is a versatile program. It functions equally well on both PC and mobile devices. This program is the most convenient tool for viewing network content using devices on Android, iOS and Windows Phone. Owners of the corresponding type of mobile devices 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. There are a number of other useful functions in the Plex mobile application, 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 the sharing of media content not only from devices located on the home network, but also for users connected to the Internet. So, you can show videos and photos to friends.

Plex users can purchase a paid subscription to access the services at $ 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 corresponding application on your phone or tablet, you can select the desired online media content to make it available offline.

Notable features of Plex include streaming video content using a Google-developed Chromecast. This device allows you to start video playback on any screen with HDMI interfaces. Plex allows you to eliminate the use of unnecessary cables when organizing broadcasts through a TV - you can start watching movies using mobile devices.

If we are using 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 on your computer. Then update the list of content items using the program. Then you can turn on your TV, smartphone or tablet - those devices with which you intend 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 fairly simple in structure and use. These programs are easy enough to install even for an inexperienced user. The capabilities of this type of software fully satisfy the basic needs of home computer networks.