What's DLNA and how does it work?
What's DLNA?
As mentioned before, DLNA is an abbreviation of Digital Living Network Alliance. This standard for digital devices indicates that a digital collaboration is possible. This means that you can connect devices to each other. One of the most common functions of DLNA is streaming media files from your NAS to your smart TV, for example. Your devices have to be DLNA-certified, of course. Nowadays, this is usually the case. To be sure, check the manual of your device. If your device doesn't have DLNA support, the devices won't work together.
How does DLNA work?
DLNA isn't software, it's a communication method for smart devices. The content on your NAS becomes a kind of media server that any connected device has access to. You can to this in the shared folder. We'll explain how to create that at the bottom of this page. Open the app on your smartphone, the built-in media player of your smart TV, or the DLNA receiver for your speakers. Select the folder and choose what you want to watch or listen to. Keep in mind that your devices need to have DLNA and your internet connection has to be stable. If you connect too many devices to the network, you overload the speed and the collaboration slows down due to the many tasks.
Which devices work with DLNA?
As we mentioned before, a smart television and a NAS are examples of devices that work with DLNA. But there are many more devices that use this method to work together wirelessly. You can use DLNA via an app on your smartphone or tablet, for example. Or a DLNA receiver for your speakers, which allows you to wirelessly send music and sound to your speakers. If you want to be sure that your device works with DLNA, check the specifications to see if it's DLNA-certified. Examples are:
- Smartphones (Android and iOS)
- Tablets (Android and iOS)
- Computers (desktops and laptops)
- Game consoles
- NAS
- Audio streamers
- Chromecasts
Turn your NAS into a media server
With DLNA, you can turn your media server into a NAS. Especially if you use it as central storage in your home network. Turn on DLNA on your NAS via the configuration system. Then, stream all your photos, videos, movies, music, and other media to connected devices via the WiFi network without extra connectors. This way, you can turn your NAS into a Digital Media Server (DMS). Keep an eye on which devices are connected to your WiFi network. You should ensure the files on your NAS are properly secured or encrypted.
Which DLNA types are there?
If a device supports DLNA, an extra function is also created. With a NAS, you have the option to set up a media server for everyone to use via the WiFi network. The other types are:
- A Digital Media Player (DMP) plays media, but doesn't store it. This would be a smart television of Chromecast, for example. A Digital Media Renderer (DMR) is the same as a DPM, but it's visible to Digital Media Controllers to play content. A receiver, for ecample. A Digital Media Controller (DMC) sends content from a server to a renderer and works as an intermediary, such as a WiFi security camera.
- A Digital Media Printer (DMPr) is a printer that's connected to the WiFi network, which allows you to print your favorite photos or images right away.
