Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team
DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a standard that allows you to connect and share multimedia content between different devices within your home network. This means you can effortlessly stream photos, videos, and music from your phone or tablet to a DLNA-compatible device like a smart TV or media player.
DLNA works on the principle of media sharing within a local network. To establish this connection, you'll need:
DLNA-Certified Devices: Ensure that your TV, media player, or other receiving device is DLNA-certified. Most modern smart TVs and streaming devices support DLNA.
DLNA Server Software: You need DLNA server software installed on a device that stores your media content. This could be a computer, network-attached storage (NAS), or even some routers have DLNA server functionality built in. Popular DLNA server software includes Plex, Serviio, or even Windows Media Player for Windows users.
A Connected Local Network: Make sure all your devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Now, let's proceed with connecting your phone or tablet to your DLNA media server.
Many smartphones and tablets have built-in DLNA functionality in their media player apps. Here's how to use it:
Step 1: Connect to the Same Network
Ensure that both your phone/tablet and the DLNA media server are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Step 2: Open the Media Player App
Open your device's media player app. It could be named "Gallery," "Photos," "Video," or "Music," depending on your device.
Step 3: Access the DLNA Functionality
Look for an option like "Cast," "Connect," "Play To," or "Media Server" within the media player app. This option might be found in the app's settings or main menu. Tap on this option to search for DLNA devices on your network.
Step 4: Select the DLNA Server
Your phone/tablet will detect the DLNA media server(s) on your network. Select the server you want to connect to.
Step 5: Choose the Media to Stream
Navigate through your server's media folders to select the content you want to stream.
Step 6: Start Streaming
Tap on the media file you want to play, and it will start streaming to your DLNA-compatible device.
If your device's default media player doesn't support DLNA, you can use a third-party DLNA app. Here's how:
Step 1: Install a DLNA App
Go to your device's app store (Google Play Store for Android or App Store for iOS) and search for a DLNA app. Some popular DLNA apps include "BubbleUPnP" for Android and "nPlayer" for iOS. Download and install the app on your device.
Step 2: Connect to the Same Network
Ensure that both your phone/tablet and the DLNA media server are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Step 3: Open the DLNA App
Open the DLNA app you installed.
Step 4: Access the DLNA Functionality
Look for an option like "Cast," "Connect," "Play To," or "Media Server" within the DLNA app. Tap on this option to search for DLNA devices on your network.
Step 5: Select the DLNA Server
Your phone/tablet will detect the DLNA media server(s) on your network. Select the server you want to connect to.
Step 6: Choose the Media to Stream
Navigate through your server's media folders to select the content you want to stream.
Step 7: Start Streaming
Tap on the media file you want to play, and it will start streaming to your DLNA-compatible device. That's it! You've successfully connected your phone or tablet to a DLNA media server and can now enjoy streaming your media content on DLNA-certified devices within your network. Whether you're sharing family photos, watching videos, or enjoying your music collection, DLNA makes it easy to access your multimedia content on different screens throughout your home.
Contact Support.Com:
If you are still having trouble, refer to the Step-By-Step Guide below or consider seeking personalized assistance from Support.Com.
DLNA servers allow for a fast and easy way to share media; movies, music, and pictures, from device to device over your home network. Windows includes a simple-to-use DLNA server. This guide will walk you through setting up your DLNA server, and a DLNA client on your mobile device.
Tools You'll Need:
-->
Supplies You'll Need:
-->
Before You Begin:
You must have this thing before you whatever.
-->
DLNA stands for Digital Living Network Alliance. Usually, it's used to refer to a suite of services that can run on a computer and allow access to a media library by other devices on your home network.
This means it's a quick, easy method to share your whole media library from your computer to the rest of your devices on your home network.
In this case, you'll be creating a DLNA server on your Windows 10 computer, then connecting your media devices — smart TVs, streaming media players, tablets, and smartphones — to it.
There are a few things to keep in mind when using your computer as a DLNA server.
These are not strict requirements, but rather suggestions to help you have the easiest setup, and best possible experience while sharing your media library.
Server
Your computer is acting as a server. Your computer must remain turned on while you are watching something on your other device.
Power
If your computer is a laptop, it is recommend to keep it plugged into power. Also, it's best to make sure your computer is not set to 'go to sleep' after a set amount of time.
Windows Power Settings
Ethernet Connection
It is highly recommended that your computer is connected to a wired Ethernet connection. This provides a more stable, faster connection, as well as lets you use the WiFi bandwidth for the device receiving the video, instead.
First, we need to turn on the media streaming server.
Next, we need to make sure we're sharing the files you want to share.
In most cases, this will already be setup, but it's best to check to be sure.
We now need a program setup on your phone or tablet to view the various video you're sharing.
There are dozens of other DLNA-compliant media players on the market, some cost money, others are free, and all have specific features that some people may find more or less useful. If you are more comfortable with another tool, then you are welcome to use that tool instead.
This document will focus on a program called VLC Media Player. It is free, open-source, and available for iOS and Android. It has a built-in DLNA media browser.
Installing VLC