How to use a home media server?

Owners of modern digital gadgets - smartphones, tablets, as well as high-tech TVs with Smart TV support can create a real media server at home, with which you can access various types of multimedia content from different devices. How to use this opportunity in practice?

How does a home media server work?

What is a home media server? This is a system in which various devices connected to the network - computers, TVs (if they have the support of the corresponding functions), mobile gadgets and other modern devices, can interact and exchange multimedia content. Another notable technology that can be used through a home media server is IPTV. That is, by building an appropriate network infrastructure, the user will be able to organize something like a mini-TV studio at home.

How is the home media server arranged? As a rule, its structure assumes the presence of the main module responsible for storing files and media data, access to which can be organized from devices that are connected to a common network. Such, as a rule, is a PC or a laptop. In the hardware part they are used to place files and organize the exchange procedures, in the software part they provide the necessary functionality of the media server.

Features of DLNA standards

The work of media servers can be provided by using a variety of technologies and standards. Among the most common in the global IT market is DLNA. This is a set of standardized algorithms supported by most modern models of Smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes, etc. DLNA's capabilities are enough to solve most problems associated with the distribution of media content. This standard, moreover, does not involve complicated customization. All this, in fact, makes DLNA technologies popular among users of digital devices all over the world.

How to install the appropriate multimedia content management system? How to use a home media server based on DLNA algorithms? We study these questions consistently.

Creating and configuring a home media server

First of all, we have to create our own home media server. The instruction, by means of which such a problem can be solved, involves the following basic steps:

- preparation of hardware components;

- selection of software;

- network configuration.

Consider the relevant aspects of creating a media server in more detail.

Completion of "iron"

First of all, it is necessary to prepare "hardware", that is, the hardware part of the future media server. As we noted above, the corresponding multimedia content distribution system assumes the presence of the main module - in the form of a computer or a laptop. The performance requirements of the corresponding device will not be strict: for the corresponding function of the media server, you can give a device that may have become obsolete for running modern games and therefore is least often used by digital equipment lovers living in the apartment.

It is enough that the computer has a processor with a frequency of about 1-1.5 GHz, RAM of about 1-2 GB. In principle, it is possible to organize the network and with less performance characteristics. The size of the hard drive depends on the actual needs of the user. If a person plans to use a media server to store movies in high quality and then distribute them across the network, you will probably have to equip a PC or laptop, used as the main element of the corresponding infrastructure, with a hard drive of the order of 500-1000 GB.

Equipment for Wi-Fi

It is extremely important that the device in question supports Wi-Fi connections. Of course, it is possible to organize a functional media server with wired connections - but this is less convenient and usually takes more time. Most models of modern laptops have a built-in Wi-Fi-module. As for desktops, this is not always the case, but the corresponding hardware component can always be purchased separately. It is inexpensive - about 700-800 rubles. Special efforts related to the installation, it is not required - it will be enough to insert the Wi-Fi-module in the PCI-slot and install, if necessary, the drivers attached to it.

To ensure that all devices that are part of the infrastructure of the home network can communicate via Wi-Fi, you will also need a router. Theoretically, of course, you can connect one device to another directly - the corresponding wireless standard supports this function, but in this case the connection channel will not be as stable as when using the router, and in most cases it will be less secure due to limited support Strong encryption algorithms. By the way, Wi-Fi-routers are provided by many modern providers, so it is possible that the corresponding software component is already at the user's disposal. If not, it must be passed through, and it must support the Internet connection standard used - for example, fiber optic, Ethernet or ADSL.

Note that the devices that are supposed to gain access to the multimedia content distributed by the home media server must support the DLNA standard. But most often this problem does not arise - if we are talking, for example, about modern models of TVs LG, Samsung, Philips with Smart TV support. Regarding smartphones and tablets, their modern models also, as a rule, integrate seamlessly with media servers.

Software

Another part of the home media server infrastructure is software. It should be placed on a PC or laptop, used as the main module of the corresponding system. Software for such purposes is produced in a very wide range of varieties. Classify it can be for two reasons - programs created by brand-manufacturers of multimedia devices (for example, TVs), as well as solutions that are produced by third-party developers. So, for example, to create a media server for Smart TV when using Samsung TVs, you can use the Samsung Allshare program. Similar solutions are produced by other brands of digital equipment manufacturers.

Benefits of Home Media Server

Among the most popular types of software from independent developers - the program Home Media Server, or "Home Media Server." The instruction for using this software does not imply any difficulties in mastering. The necessary settings for the home network and media content management algorithms are implemented in HMS interfaces easily and quickly. Also this program is characterized by great functionality and stability in work.

HMS is a universal solution. With it, you can integrate virtually any brand of TV and home media server - for Philips, Samsung, LG and other leading brands of digital equipment manufacturers, it does not matter what type of software the network owner uses. The program in question is fully compatible with DLNA standards, which we mentioned above. The capabilities of HMS allow you to organize sharing from various devices to files, as well as television broadcasts in IPTV format.

TVersity Features

Another popular program used by many users to provide a home media server is TVersity. What is its specificity? First of all, it can be noted that it is issued in paid and free versions. The difference between them is not very big in terms of software functionality. The main distinguishing feature of the paid version is the availability of subscription to some Internet channels.

Among the notable features of TVersity is the optimization of the exchange of media data in terms of the bandwidth of the home network. So, the transcoder, which is used by the program, can produce video with a specified bit rate - so that the corresponding media stream is output to the screens of receiving devices continuously, even if the network is slow. There is no problem with how to configure the media server using this software. Instruction on the use of TVersity capabilities is quickly mastered by even beginners in the creation of home networks.

Advantages of XMBC

Another noteworthy program is XMBC. Initially, it was created for use with Xbox consoles. However, this is now a popular cross-platform solution that can be installed on PCs running Windows, Linux, Mac, on mobile platforms. This program is remarkable in that it can provide general access not only to media files located on the hard disk of the PC used as the main module, but also to the online media. With the help of XMBC, users can access the pages of popular social networks, watch the weather forecast. Many users are also impressed by the fact that XMBC supports a large number of themes. For this program, a special application xbmcRemote is released, with which you can configure a smartphone or tablet as a remote control device, connected to a home media server.

Specificity of Plex Media Server

Another noteworthy program is Plex Media Server. Many users describe it as one of the easiest to learn solutions. Plex also features stable operation and versatility: it can be used to connect various types of devices to the network. The universality of the program is also expressed in the fact that it is equipped with algorithms for transcoding media streams. This feature allows you to avoid problems with the recognition of content on different devices. Another important advantage of Plex is its cross-platform.

LinuxMCE Features

There is actually a separate operating system that allows you to organize the management of home media servers - LinuxMCE. It can be noted that its functionality is not limited to DLNA standards support. This operating system allows you to unite not only TVs, smartphones and computers into a single network, but also other electronic devices, such as cameras, IP telephones.

Which solution from the above is best suited for managing a home media server? Each of them has indisputable advantages, very few are significant drawbacks. Most likely, the question will not be in the quality and capabilities of this or that kind of software, but in the willingness of the user to master them, as well as in its practical needs in the specific functions of the programs. So, if it needs basic capabilities - the organization of general access to video files, Internet TV - media server can be created under the control of HMS - a simple and accessible in use program. If you plan to create a powerful infrastructure that involves connecting a large number of digital devices to your home network - you can pay attention to XBMC or even LinuxMCE.

Practical use of media server capabilities

So, we decided on what hardware and software components are needed to organize the network. Let's continue our consideration of algorithms that reflect how to create and configure a media content distribution system, as well as how to use a home media server.

It can be noted that the use of the capabilities of programs - at least those that we have discussed above - does not involve significant difficulties. The first thing to do is install the appropriate software on the computer. The further algorithm of our actions will depend on what functions we want to use. Among the most popular among them among owners of digital devices is organization of general access to media files from different devices, as well as viewing with the help of devices that are part of the network, telecasts using IPTV technology.

Consider how to configure the home server to solve these problems using the HMS program interface example.

Organization of general access to media content in HMS

Among the main advantages of the HMS program, as we noted above, is universality. With its help, virtually any device can be combined into an infrastructure, the central part of which is the home media server. For Philips, Samsung, LG and other brands - it does not matter what type of software is on the main network module.

To solve the problem associated with the organization of sharing media files - video, photos, music - run the program, then select from the list of devices displayed in the main window, then, with the help of which it is supposed to launch files on the media server. For example, it could be a TV with support for Smart TV technology .

After that, you should specify the media resources that are to be distributed among the connected devices to the network. You must go to the HMS settings, select the "Directory List" item, then click "Media Resources", and then click the "Add" button, specify the address of the corresponding files. Once these actions are done, you must click the "Scan" button, and after - activate its automatic implementation, so that the relevant content is displayed on the TV in a timely manner.

How to use the media server with TV? Very simple. It is necessary to download an interface using the TV control panel, which is supposed to indicate the source of the TV picture reception - it can be actually an antenna, an Internet channel, a flash drive or, as in our case, a media server created using the DLNA standard. The corresponding item should be displayed in the TV menu, and those files that we marked in the HSM as being shared will be available for launch. Modern TVs, as a rule, easily recognize the home media server. For LG, Samsung, Philips and other brands, providing support for standards like DLNA is the norm.

Using IPTV in your home network

Another common problem solved by owners of home networks is the organization of broadcasting of TV shows using IPTV technology. The most important condition here is for the user to subscribe to the appropriate service provider (it is usually paid). With the use of HMS interfaces, it is also very easy to configure the media server in terms of using IPTV.

You will need to download and install the program VLC Media Player on your PC - it will work with the corresponding content. It is necessary to link it to HMS interfaces by going to "Settings", then - selecting "Media resources", after - "Internet resources" and specifying the folder in which VLC is installed.

After that, you need to load into the HMS playlist of TV channels in m3u format - many providers allow you to download these files from their sites. After that, go back to the "Settings" and mark the "Transcoding profile" option in the "Internet TV" option. After that, you need to restart the media server. Then you can start watching the channels in IPTV format using the TV.