One of the characteristics that distinguishes some modern TVs from others is the degree of their intelligence. In a figurative sense, of course. We are talking about the technological advantages of the so-called Smart TV. Ordinary digital TVs, as a rule, can play the role of the TV itself, working in tandem with a receiver, play media content using the built-in player (alas, often with a limited list of readable formats), and also serve as a monitor for a computer, game or TV set-top box ... Whereas Smart TV, they are also smart TVs, are able to participate more in the content playback chain as independent participants.
1. About media streaming and DLNA technology
Smart TVs are actually the same computers, because they have their own hardware capabilities, have their own software, and can connect to wired and wireless networks. And the last one is almost complete independence from source devices. The advantages of direct TV access to the Internet are obvious, but there are many of them with local access to a computer. Streaming media from PC to TV is the direct TV access to files on your PC. Streaming eliminates the hassle of flash drives and external hard drives. Files are transferred from the computer to the TV over the network. Without the participation of a computer, if only it was simply turned on, without the participation of a smartphone, without the participation of set-top boxes and other source devices, using the TV, all permitted material can be played - videos, photos, music, any media files that such a TV can play.
DLNA technology allows devices on the same network to exchange media content. It is supported by many modern devices that can connect to the network - computers, tablets, smartphones, TV and game consoles, and, of course, Smart TV. For example, smart TVs from LG that support DLNA technology have a proprietary Smart Share application - a shell of this technology with a user interface. Applications of other brands of Smart TV are named differently and, accordingly, have a different interface. In particular, for Samsung smart TVs, the shell for DLNA technology is the standard AllShare application. And for Sony TVs, it's the Vaio Media Server app.
How do I set up streaming media from a Windows computer - PC or laptop - to TV? We will examine this issue in detail below.
2. What do you need to set up streaming from PC to TV?
To set up streaming from PC to TV, as mentioned, you need the latter to support the network. By the way, for streaming media files, the Smart TV “status” is not required for the TV. The TV may not have super-functionality, it just has to support the network and allow the choice of the signal source at least with primitive standard functionality. Such a TV must have built-in either a Wi-Fi module or an Ethernet network port. As a rule, modern Smart TVs provide both options - both wired and wireless network connection.
Both devices - TV, PC or laptop - must be connected to a single local network. When connected to a router (router), any devices - computers, smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes, smart TVs - are automatically combined into one small network. Of course, if a router is not available, you can also get by with a direct connection of the TV to the computer over the network. To do this, you need to connect a network cable to the Ethernet ports of the devices. But in this case, if the computer has only one network port (one network card with one Ethernet port), you will have to constantly reconnect the cable from the TV and the cable of the Internet provider's network. It is not comfortable. A router must be in the house if there is a question of unlocking the potential of Smart TV. Well, a Wi-Fi router is a must-have if smartphones or tablets are used in the house.
The method of connecting the TV to the network - wired or wireless, if it provides for both options, is not critical.
The next condition for streaming is configured DLNA access to your library folders on your computer. On Windows, this can be done in several ways.
3. Configuring network access to computer files in Windows Media Player
The way to configure access to computer files in Windows without the need to install third-party software is to use the standard Windows Media Player.
On the Windows Media Player toolbar, click the "Stream" option and check the box next to:
- "Enable streaming media ...".
After enabling this option, a system window with streaming parameters will open, where you can specify the name of the media library and flexibly configure the availability of media content for specific network devices: for some, leave the preset resolution, and for others, remove it.
The configured permissions will allow other devices to access files only in the user profile folders over the network. These are the folders "Videos", "Music", "Pictures" that are displayed in Windows Explorer along with the disk partitions, drives and removable devices of the computer. If this is more than enough, you can already start testing the playback of files on the TV using local applications that work with DLNA technology.
But storing files in user profile folders on the system drive is not a good idea both from the point of view of the availability of free space on the C drive, and from the point of view of the safety of these files in case of a critical failure of Windows. As a rule, large media libraries are stored on non-system partitions of a computer's disk. The folders of such libraries must be added in a separate step to the Windows Media Player library,
To make the contents of other computer folders available for streaming to the TV in the Windows Media Player window, click the "Organize" option, select the "Manage Libraries" item, and in it - one of the content types: "Music Library" for audio files, "Video" for video files , "Gallery" for photos and pictures.
A window will open with a list of already existing libraries, and to add the desired folder to this list, press the "Add" button on the side. Add this folder in the window of the explorer that opens, then click "OK" in the window with the list.
An alternative way to add folders with media content to the system list of folders with open access for home network devices is to add them to the library using the context menu command in Windows Explorer. At any time, you can open access to any folder on your computer where videos, music or photos are stored for playback from network devices. To do this, open this folder in Explorer, open the context menu and select the "Add to Library" command. The folder will be added to the corresponding library and its contents will be available for streaming.
The list of folders with open for streaming video and audio files will also change when you make changes to it using the standard Windows 10 applications "Movies and TV" and "Groove Music". In the settings section of both apps, you can add and remove folders to your local video and audio collections. Local application collections work in conjunction with system libraries.
4. Configuring Network Access to PC Files Using LG Smart Share
Some Smart TV brands have their own software for desktop operating systems, through which you can customize access to media files on your computer. These programs can be downloaded from the website of the TV manufacturers or on the Internet. For example, the South Korean corporation created the Samsung Allshare program to enable Samsung smart TVs to access computer content. And for LG TVs, the LG Smart Share Windows program for PC is available for free download on the company's website. Let's consider it in more detail. On the LG website, select the Windows version and download.
LG Smart Share installation is standard. After launching the program, you must select any of the proposed options for setting content - Movie, Photo, Music.
Access must be enabled in the window that appears. If it is disabled, set the switch to the "On" position.
Switch to the "My Shared Files" tab. Here you can allow access to files in the specified folders. Using the button in the form of a folder with a plus sign, it is necessary to add any other folders with media content in addition to the existing folders of the user profile. After adding, click the "Apply" button at the bottom, then - "Ok".
All - now the content of all folders displayed in the program's "My Shared Files" tab will be available for network devices, in particular for TV.
In the program settings tab just below - "My device settings" - you can change the computer name. Using this name, the computer will be identified on the network for other devices.
The LG Smart Share utility will automatically launch with Windows to provide further access to your computer's media files.
To make sure everything works as it should, launch the SmartShare application on the TV.
Go to the "Devices" section and select our media server.
Open any of the shared folders that contain media files.
Trying to play the file.
5. Configuring network access to computer files using the "Home Media Server" program
Another way to provide access to TVs, set-top boxes, mobile and other devices that support network and DLNA technology to the media content of a computer is the Windows program "Home Media Server (UPnP, DLNA, HTTP)". The program works with many popular TVs: LG, Samsung, Toshiba, Sony, Philips. With the help of this program, a DLNA server is launched on the computer, to which all devices on the network can connect. By default, the program allows you to control the server files from the TV - in fact, the files of the computer.
The advantage of using Home Media Server over all of the above methods of providing access for streaming is more features and more customization. The program provides for the presence of various transcoders for video and audio files, which allows you to convert media content, if it originally exists on a computer in a format unsupported by the TV, into the format that it supports. You can additionally set up the broadcast on the TV of individual Internet channels (radio and digital TV).
"Home Media Server" can be downloaded absolutely free of charge on the website of the creators.
Download the program, install it and run it. At startup, the initial settings window will appear immediately. In it, you can leave everything by default and refuse to scan media files. Let's go to the program settings in a separate order.
In the program window, click the "Settings" button on the toolbar at the top of the window.
In the settings window that opens, we will see the tab categories on the right. In the first tab “Media resources”, we can use the “Add” button, respectively, to add any folders with media content to the program list in order to open them access for streaming. Sharing can be opened at once to all partitions of the computer disk (C, D, E, etc.), to all network drives, to all connected removable media. To do this, check the boxes at the bottom of the window next to the required options - respectively, "Local drives", "Network drives" and "Removable devices".
The Media Resources settings tab provides many options for the added folders. For example, by clicking the "Change" button, we will be able to exclude the hiding of files and directories, remove certain types of files, set a different folder name - and all this is within the framework of the DLNA server, without changes on the computer.
At the bottom of the "Media Resources" tab, there are separate sections with an abundance of different settings. In the "Scanning" section, you can pay attention to the "Always use the file name as the name of the media resource" option. Without checking this option, the names of media files in Russian will be converted to transliteration in Latin or unreadable crocozyabra.
In the "Devices" settings tab, we will see a list of all detected network devices that will have access to DLNA server files. Any of the devices on the list can be disabled by removing the green activity button.
In the “Server” settings tab, instead of the default DLNA server name, we can set our own name, for example, more user-friendly. Next to the server name field, we will see its port - 45397. It may happen that the antivirus or firewall running on the computer will block the DLNA server. In case of such a blocking for the DLNA server port, you must provide permission to work in the antivirus or firewall settings.
Also, in the "Server" tab, you should pay attention to the default option that prevents the computer from going into sleep mode while the DLNA server is running. If it becomes necessary to put the PC or laptop into sleep mode, the DLNA server will need to be stopped in the future. If, on the contrary, the checkbox on the option "Prevent the computer from going into sleep mode while the server is running" is not checked for some reason, it is better to check it. Otherwise, watching a movie on TV will be unceremoniously interrupted as soon as the laptop falls asleep to conserve battery power.
The Home Media Server program has a very rich selection of settings, and its potential can be unlocked gradually, testing certain features as you become familiar with them. In the meantime, we will restrict ourselves to the settings already made and save them. Click "Ok" at the bottom and agree to scan media files in the configured folders.
After the program completes the scanning process, we can start the DLNA server. To do this, press the "Run" button on the toolbar at the top of the main program window.
Home Media Server runs in the background and the program can be controlled from the system tray. By calling the context menu on the program button in the system tray, the DLNA server can be stopped, started, and restarted.
You can automate this process so that the DLNA server starts automatically when Windows starts up in the program settings. The last tab of the “Advanced” settings provides in the “Startup” column the options for autoloading the program itself at Windows startup, autorun the DLNA server along with the launch of the program, as well as installing its background service in the Windows system.
Once the DLNA server is up and running, all of the available media content on the computer can be played on the TV through the local DLNA technology interface application. The DLNA server will appear as the connected playback device in the TV app. Inside it will be accessible folders with the media content of the computer, configured in the program "Home Media Server".
You can launch available media content for playback not only in the TV application. You can also instruct the Home Media Server program to start playing media files on your TV. To do this, in the main window of the program, select the appropriate content - click on the toolbar at the top of the button "Films", "Music" or "Photos". In the right part of the program window, the files of the folders will be displayed, to which access was previously opened for broadcasting to the TV. Select the desired video, audio file or picture from the list, call the context menu on this file and select “Play to” among the commands. In the list of devices that appears, select the TV. The selected movie, track or photo will unfold on the TV screen.
6. Function "Bring to device" Windows 8.1 and 10
The function of starting playback of media files on a computer with image output to a TV is also provided among the standard functionality in versions of Windows 8.1 and 10. If the Windows system has permission to play media files on a computer by network devices in Windows Media Player, as discussed above, a movie, audio track or photo you can start on a computer, and continue watching or listening on the TV. This is a handy thing when there is no particular desire to fiddle with the TV remote control and look for, for example, the desired movie among a heap of other media files, killing the nerves by monotonous flipping through file after file.
To run a media file on a computer, open the context menu in Windows Explorer and select the "Bring to device" command. This command is for Windows 10. In Windows 8.1, this context menu command is called Play To.
After that, we will see a list of network devices available for playback. Choosing a TV. The launched file will unfold on the TV screen, and on the computer screen we will contemplate a small window of the Windows Media player with a playlist where you can add some additional files.
7. "Bring to device" function in the Windows 10 "Movies and TV" application
The "Draw to Device" function, which is available for media files in the context menu of Windows Explorer, is also implemented in the Windows 10 "Movies & TV" application. It works on the principle of launching a video file in an application on a computer and continuing to view it already on a network device, in particular, on a TV screen. Open the "Movies and TV" application, launch the video and in the viewing mode, press the first button at the bottom - the button for connecting to available playback devices. In a small window, a list of all network devices defined for outputting the video file will appear. Choosing a TV.
In the future, you can continue watching the movie again on the computer, in the "Movies and TV" application. This is a great idea for a home filled with digital technology that is networked. For example, if you start watching a movie on the TV in the living room, you can continue watching on the TV in the kitchen. And then you can move back to the living room with the movie. And for this you just need to interrupt for a couple of simple actions on the computer.
8. Conclusion
As you can see, the choice of methods for setting up the computer part of the chain of interaction between a computer and a TV over a network is great. Despite the fact that the article turned out to be voluminous, in fact, not all programs on the software market for the implementation of streaming multimedia from a computer to a TV are considered. Setting up your TV is easier.
As mentioned above, computer media can be accessed from local smart TV applications. And these are the above-mentioned Smart Share for LG TVs, AllShare for Samsung, Vaio Media Server for Sony and others. On conventional TVs that support a network, where the firmware does not provide for separate applications, access to computer files can be configured by choosing a media server as a signal source. In many cases, the source button on the TV remote is named “Source”.
Have a great day!
More recently, it was almost impossible to combine all digital devices and gadgets (smartphones, tablets) into one large media network, since their device did not allow connecting to a local network. With the development of the mobile market, it became necessary and realized the possibility of creating large multimedia servers at home. Let's take a closer look at what a DLNA server is and how to configure it on Windows 7 and Windows 8.
What is DLNA?
DLNA is a special set of instructions (protocol) that will allow you to view media content located on the main server using various devices on the same network. For example, a new movie on a computer can be watched on a TV (only if the corresponding Smart TV function is available), on a tablet, phone or other gadget.
Why do you need a media server?
Placing such systems at home allows you to significantly save memory on all devices, create a single media library and organize all files so that they are easy to find. Another significant advantage of DLNA is the large channel width, which will allow you to watch the same films in full Full HD or UHD quality, without waiting for the moment when the file is loaded. You will say that in a video in this resolution, you can just watch it online. Yes it is, but the video that is on the Internet undergoes additional compression and the quality is significantly lost. These are some of the few benefits that you can appreciate on your own after setting up such a system at home.
What do you need to set up a server at home?
To configure such DLNA servers, you need:
- all the necessary devices combined into a single network (it does not matter whether it is a wired or wireless network);
- a personal computer with the operating system Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 (please note that the 7 version of Windows OS must be no less than the "Home Premium");
- a little patience and minimal knowledge about the devices that you will connect (for example, new and old TVs with Smart TVs have slight differences in setting up and connecting to networks).
Step-by-step instructions for setting up for Windows using built-in tools:
To create a DLNA server, you need to do the following:
- So, go to the computer control panel and look for the item "Network and Internet";
- We are looking for the item "Home group" and select the sub-item "Selecting the parameters of the home group and sharing data":
- Next, we need to combine all devices connected to the network into a homegroup. Such a combination is necessary so that all units of the group can access the data that is located on the main carrier (server). Therefore, in the next window, select "Create a home group":
- At the next stage, select the types of files (libraries) to which network access will be provided and click the "Next" button:
- After carrying out these operations, a window will appear in which the setup program will issue an automatically generated password. It will need to be written down, since all devices, when connected to a DLNA server on Windows OS, will ask for this key.
- Next, the settings window will pop up, in which we once again check the "shared" folders and mark the item highlighted in the picture. Here you can change the password to a more memorable one, leave the homegroup, or, using the system one, check for connection errors:
- After checking the required item, go to the sub-item "Select streaming media options". In the field “name of the multimedia library”, enter the name of your DLNA server, and set “Allowed” to all devices that are displayed in the list:
ATTENTION! Allow access only to those devices that belong to you, so that your files do not fall into the wrong hands! - We save all the settings. This completes the DNLA server setup on your Windows 7, all that remains is to connect all the necessary devices and enjoy the media content.
DLNA setup using third-party software
Above, we examined the configuration method using the utility built into Windows 7, but you can also use third-party programs to create DLNA on Windows 7 (8). One of these programs is called “Home Media Server”.
Alternative program for playing video / photo / music on your TV. Any video stored on your computer is launched from the remote control. You don't need to run it from your computer. During playback, your TV does all the work, and the computer acts as a network storage. This allows you to watch HDTV movies stored even on old weak computers.
(First, delete from the computer AllShare and all the "junk" files that it created next to the video files (if there were a lot of folders, it is better to search for these files by the name of the extension with a search and delete from there)
Home Media Server (UPnP, DLNA, HTTP)
Program website http://www.homemediaserver.ru/
Latest version on homepage
Download update http://www.homemediaserver.ru/forum/viewforum.php?f=2
At the time of this writing, 1.20.2 was installed and updated to 1.20.3
Edited after upgrading to 1.42
Settings:
Run the program. Everything that you see on the left is displayed on the TV. I believe that all folders should be hidden except for "Media Directories".
When you go to the TV in the "All Movies" folder, the TV starts downloading all open video files, and since there are a lot of them, this will take a lot of time each time and, as a result, will be terribly inconvenient (both in terms of time and sorting).
Hide folders one at a time by right-clicking and choosing "Hide Folder". The same should be done for the "Music" and "Photo" categories.
There are folders that cannot be hidden. In this case, I recommend deleting them.
"Settings" - "Media resources" - delete unnecessary folders and add our own, do not change the green dots
(For most users, it is enough to add 2 folders - Desktop and My Documents)
"Settings" - "Devices" - uncheck "Auto detect" and select the model of your TV, we do not pay attention to the year and resolution
(For example, I have "Samsung TV 2012 (DNLA, 16: 9, 720x406)", previously selected "Samsung TV 2009 (DLNA, 16: 9, 1920x1080)", but this mode could not play * .MOV)
(If you still cannot open the folders from the TV, return the "Auto detect" checkbox)
"Settings" - "Server" - In the name field, enter the name you like or leave the standard (name of your pc)
"Settings" - "Advanced" - check the boxes "Startup program at the start of a Windows session" and "Install Windows service" Home media server (UPnP) "
*
"Settings" -> "Media Resources" -> "Service"
"Service" folder -> Uncheck "Unload server", "Stop server"
Folder "Sort" -> Uncheck "Folder" Sort "in each folder of media resources"
Folder "Bookmarks" -> Uncheck "Folder" Add bookmark "in each folder of media resources
Folder "Bookmarks" -> Uncheck "Folder" Navigation history "in the root folder of media resources
A window will pop up asking "Do you want to scan media resource directories?" - we press "YES" and wait for completion.
Click "Start Server", or right-click on the tray icon and select "Start Server"
Exploitation:
Adding a new movie
When you have downloaded a new movie, in order for it to appear in the list on the TV, you must perform any of the steps to restart the service. After that, the program synchronizes its list with the files. From simple to complex:
Option 1: Restart your computer
Option 2: Run the program and click "Restart"
Option 3: Restart the Home Media Server (UPnP) service manually
Option 4: Run the command net stop HmsService && net start HmsService
Option 5: Create a * .bat file that restarts the service. Great convenience in subsequent operation. Instructions for creating will be provided below
Rewind video
Unlike turning on rewind when viewing via USB, rewinding when viewing via a network is slightly "cut", namely - the standard rewind buttons do not work (only play, pause and stop). You can use 2 options for rewinding
Option 1: Press the "Tools" button on the remote control and rewind in 1 minute increments, moving to any point in the movie almost immediately. (This function does not work on all TVs)
Option 2: When watching a movie, use the "Left" "Right" buttons (rewind for 10 seconds) (which move through the folders.
Occasionally there may be files that cannot be rewound at all (depends on the codec and your TV)
File cannot be read
If you do not read any * .mkv file (very rare * .avi) referring to "Not Supported Video Codec" (this message may appear even if the audio codec is not supported), there are options for solving the problem. (For example: my TV's firmware T-MST4DEUC-1026.0 supports H.264 BP / MP / HP up to H.264, Level 4.1. H.264 FMO / ASO / RS formats are not supported)
Option 1: Use the "Transcoding" function
Option 2: If "Transcoding" does not work on your TV model, select a Philips device with a suitable configuration instead of a Samsung in the program settings and restart the server. In this case, the notification on the TV about the connected device will not be shown. We go into the desired folder and the files in which the error was written will begin to open. This method is not suitable for everyone, only for those who have a more or less modern PC. on the PC, the process of encoding video "on the fly" is launched when viewing and weak computers simply will not have time to process the video without visible "freezes". With this method, rewinding will not work, however, if you go into the transcoding folder (located in the same folder with the video file being opened) and then go to the folder with parts of the movie, you can select any part of the file (1 minute intervals), when the minute ends, another part will not "loaded" taking a break for a couple of seconds, and everything is played as it should be.
But I do not recommend leaving the Phillips device in the program settings. when watching any video file (even the one that went without problems) it will still be encoded and load the processor on the computer.
(Tested on Samsung LE32D550K1W)
Information:
The "Transcoding" function provides for video transcoding "on the fly", etc. if it is impossible to view it normally (if your TV does not support any format or codec).
In my case (Samsung TV), transcoding rarely helps, you have to select a separate mode for each video.
Create * .bat file for fast service restart (after adding a new movie)
Since 2 processes are running on the computer at the same time:
C: \ Program Files \ Home Media Server \ hmssvc.exe - a service that does all the basic work (for those who set the option "Install Windows Service" Home Media Server (UPnP) "
C: \ Program Files \ Home Media Server \ hms.exe - a program for managing through the interface (open a folder, change settings, etc.)
We remove in the settings "Startup program at the start of a Windows session"
Create on the desktop a text document "Server restart.txt"
Copy the following text there
net stop HmsService && net start HmsService
On very old / weak / slow computers, where the service does not have time to complete quickly and instead of restarting, it turns off the service, another option (I recommend it to everyone):
@echo off
(net stop HmsService && net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & ping localhost> nul & net start HmsService) || (ping localhost> nul & ping local
The whole team must be entered on one line (except @echo off)
Save and rename "Server restart.txt" to "Server restart.bat"
When you download a new movie from the network / Internet, run "Server restart.bat" and after a few seconds (depending on the power of the PC and the number of open files) everything will be ready
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:
- Digital media servers. This category includes storage devices such as mobile phones.
- 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:
- TV for playback.
- Media server for data storage, phone or laptop.
- Router - used to provide a connection between transmitting and receiving devices.
- Cables or wireless adapters are required to connect DLNA to the network.
- 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.
This article will show you how to set up the Home Media Server program and how to access movies, music and photos on your computer from your smart TV. If your TV supports a Wi-Fi or LAN connection and supports real-time DLNA media content transmission, then you should definitely take advantage of this.
Of course, you can play music and videos from a flash drive, but before that you need to transfer all the information to it. In our case, you just need to open access for the TV to any folder on your computer that stores media content.
There are branded applications from TV manufacturers, for example, LG has Smart Share, and Samsung has AllShare. Often, applications from manufacturers leave much to be desired and do not provide the necessary functionality, which cannot be said about the wonderful Home Media Server program. By the way, you can connect to the created media server not only from the TV, but also from any other DLNA client, for example, from a game console.
Before you start setting up your home media server, you need to connect your TV using the connection method available to you, usually LAN and Wi-Fi. The TV is most conveniently connected to a router, but in extreme cases, you can connect directly to a computer or laptop.
Setting up a media server.
If you still do not have a Home Media Server installed, you can always download it from our catalog.
After installing the program, open it and go to the menu "Settings".
In the left part of the window that opens, select the category "Media resources", on the tab "Directory List" you must specify which drives (local, network, removable) and folders with media content will be available on the TV. By default, the standard folders with photos, videos and music are already open.
To add the necessary folders and disks, use the button "Add"... In the explorer window that opens, you just need to select the folders or drives to which you need to give access and click "OK".
When adding or removing folders or disks, it is necessary to scan the directories of media resources, usually the program itself asks for permission to scan. This will keep the list of available files up to date.
You can also configure automatic scanning of directories. In the tab "Scanning" you need to check the two boxes shown in the screenshot below. Note that checking the box next to "Automatic scanning of directories when they change while the server is running" may slow down the speed of directory navigation from the TV.
Here we recommend that you check the box in front of "Always use the file name as the name of the media resource", then in the list you will always see the files by their own names, otherwise the TV will name the file based on its tags.
In the category "Devices" in the dropdown menu "Default device type" you need to choose the device that best matches yours. Depending on the selected device, the list of formats supported by the device will change.
If you know that your TV supports more formats than are presented in the proposed list, then you can open the settings window by clicking on the corresponding button, and in the extension fields "Films", "Music" and "Photo" specify the required formats separated by commas.
In the category "Additionally" you can set the program to start automatically and the server to start automatically when the computer is turned on. To do this, you need to check certain boxes indicated in the screenshot. It is also recommended to check the box next to "Installing Windows Home Media Server (UPnP, DLNA, HTTP) Service", in this case, the media server will run as a service.
This completes the setup of the home media server.
Now you need to start it by clicking on the button "Launch".
Now you can turn on the TV. If everything is connected correctly, then the TV icon should appear at the bottom of the program window on the tab "Playback Devices (DMR)".
If the TV does not appear, in the right part of the window, click on the button "Refresh"... If the TV icon still does not appear, then you have not correctly connected the TV to your computer or home network. Most often, in more than 90% of cases, the problem occurs due to incorrect settings of antiviruses and firewalls. Disable them, if the TV icon appears, then you need to configure them correctly.
Viewing media resources.
After setting up your home media server, you can start watching shared content in two ways.
The first, naturally, by starting the playback of content from the TV, guided by the instructions for your device.
Second, start playback directly from the Home Media Server itself. First, in the main window of the program, you need to select the type of content being played by clicking on the tab icons "Films", "Music" or "Photo"... Next, on the movie we need, for example, right-click, select the item "Play to" and choose a TV. At the same moment, the movie should start playing on the TV.
The Home Media Server program actually provides a huge number of all kinds of settings and offers playback not only of video, music and photos, but also Internet radio, as well as IPTV. In turn, we only considered setting up a home media server to open access to files stored on a computer for playback on a TV.
