#1: DLNA servers Author: paulnz, Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 8:18 am — Howdy i just put a post in the TWL forum about DLNA servers which i run at home and it may be a usefull read for you guys as well (well the geekie ones).
DLNA server
I have been running a DLNA server for awhile now and love it.It suits me down to the ground and have it running daily in fact it is always connected.I will try to explain what it is.Basically it is a media server which sends music/movies/photos to your tvs from your computer or network harddrive.
My setup
NETWORK external harddrive (with all my movies/music/photos on it),(different that a usb harddrive).
Cable connecting the network harddrive to my wireless router which sends the data into the air
My tvs have wireless and dlna built in so i can simply press a button on the remote and choose music,movies or photos
Choose the folder i want to open and press the file i want
The network harddrive has a server program built in and the movie will start playing on the tv.It can be playing on any tv connected to my network
so i can go to bed and watch a movie.
The benifit of a network harddrive is i DO NOT need to have any computers turned on and my data is always available.I can even dial into my network from friends or work and listen to my music (but thats getting a bit yuppie so i wont say i have done that).
Connected to each of my tvs is a stereo so i never use the tv speakers and always have my stereo (home theatre) on even watching normal tv.
Ok if you have a wireless router and computer but a older tv with no DLNA built in you can buy a small box which connects to your tv through HDMI and connects to your router wirelessly or wired.This system you need a server running on your computer like TWONKY or windows media player (version 10 and above i think).
This works well BUT it will only work while the computer and server is running so it can be noisy while watching a movie.I have invested so much in home theater i dont even want a hum or a crackle so having the computer running drove me crazy.
Most of these magic boxes allow you to stream your media and has a browser built in so you can have internet on your tv.I have the weather saved on my system in the room so in the morning i can see if it is worth getting up to go flying or stay in bed for a few more hours.
Ok now is where it gets tricky and geeky.Modern home theater amplifiers have network built in so you connect your amplifier to your router and then connect your tv,dvd harddrive recorder,cd play,bluray player etc to your amplifier.This way you can stream your music directly from your router to your stereo or in the case of a movie it passes to your tv for viewing and use the stereo for audio.
A huge amount of new tvs etc have DLNA built in but people dont know about it so check your manuals for your tv etc and you may be surprised you may already have what is needed to set it up....
DLNA servers Author: paulnz, 
Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 8:18 am