Sep 12, 2019 Universal Media Server is a DLNA-compliant UPnP Media Server. Universal Media Server supports all major operating systems, with versions for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. The program streams or transcodes many different media formats with little or no configuration.
Did someone tell you that Linux is just for programmers? That is so wrong! You have got a lot of great tools for digital artists, writersand musicians.
We have covered such tools in the past. Today it’s going to be slightly different. Instead of creating new digital content, let’s talk about consuming it.
Free Dlna Media Server Download
You have probably heard of media servers? Basically these software (and sometimes gadgets) allow you to view your local or cloud media (music, videos etc) in an intuitive interface. You can even use it to stream the content to other devices on your network. Sort of your personal Netflix.
In this article, we will talk about the best media software available for Linux that you can use as a media player or as a media server software – as per your requirements.
Some of these applications can also be used with Google’s Chromecast and Amazon’s Firestick.
Best Media Server Software for Linux
The mentioned Linux media server software are in no particular order of ranking.
I have tried to provide installation instructions for Ubuntu and Debian based distributions. It’s not possible to list installation steps for all Linux distributions for all the media servers mentioned here. Please take no offence for that.
A couple of software in this list are not open source. If that’s the case, I have highlighted it appropriately.
1. Kodi
Kod is one of the most popular media server software and player. Recently, Kodi 18.0 dropped in with a bunch of improvements that includes the support for Digital Rights Management (DRM) decryption, game emulators, ROMs, voice control, and more.
It is a completely free and open source software. An active community for discussions and support exists as well. The user interface for Kodi is beautiful. I haven’t had the chance to use it in its early days – but I was amazed to see such a good UI for a Linux application.
It has got great playback support – so you can add any supported 3rd party media service for the content or manually add the ripped video files to watch.
How to install Kodi
Type in the following commands in the terminal to install the latest version of Kodi in Ubuntu via its official PPA.
To know more about installing a development build or upgrading Kodi, refer to the official installation guide.
2. Plex
Plex is yet another impressive media player or could be used as a media server software. It is a great alternative to Kodi for the users who mostly utilize it to create an offline network of their media collection to sync and watch across multiple devices.
Unlike Kodi, Plex is not entirely open source. It does offer a free account in order to use it. In addition, it offers premium pricing plans to unlock more features and have a greater control over your media while also being able to get a detailed insight on who/what/how Plex is being used.
If you are an audiophile, you would love the integration of Plex with TIDAL music streaming service. You can also set up Live TV by adding it to your tuner.
How to install Plex
You can easily install Plex on Ubuntu by simply download the .deb file available on their official webpage and install it directly (or using GDebi)
3. Jellyfin
Yet another open source media server software with a bunch of features. Jellyfin is actually a fork of Emby media server. It may be one of the best out there available for ‘free’ but the multi-platform support still isn’t there yet.
You can run it on a browser or utilize Chromecast – however – you will have to wait if you want the Android app or if you want it to support several devices.
How to install Jellyfin
Jellyfin provides a detailed documentation on how to install it from the binary packages/image available for Linux, Docker, and more.
You will also find it easy to install it from the repository via the command line for Debian-based distribution. Check out their installation guide for more information.
4. LibreELEC
LibreELEC is an interesting media server software which is based on Kodi v18.0. They have recently released a new version (9.0.0) with a complete overhaul of the core OS support, hardware compatibility and user experience.
Of course, being based on Kodi, it also has the DRM support. In addition, you can utilize its generic Linux builds or the special ones tailored for Raspberry Pi builds, WeTek devices, and more.
How to install LibreELEC
You can download the installer from their official site. For detailed instructions on how to use it, please refer to the installation guide.
5. OpenFLIXR Media Server
Want something similar that compliments Plex media server but also compatible with VirtualBox or VMWare? You got it!
OpenFLIXR is an automated media server software which integrates with Plex to provide all the features along with the ability to auto download TV shows and movies from Torrents. It even fetches the subtitles automatically giving you a seamless experience when coupled with Plex media software.
You can also automate your home theater with this installed. In case you do not want to run it on a physical instance, it supports VMware, VirtualBox and Hyper-V as well. The best part is – it is an open source solution and based on Ubuntu Server.
How to install OpenFLIXR
The best way to do it is by installing VirtualBox – it will be easier. After you do that, just download it from the official website and import it.
7. Gerbera
A simple implementation for a media server to be able to stream using your local network. It does support transcoding which will convert the media in the format your device supports.
If you have been following the options for media server form a very long time, then you might identify this as the rebranded (and improved) version of MediaTomb. Even though it is not a popular choice among the Linux users – it is still something usable when all fails or for someone who prefers a straightforward and a basic media server.
How to install Gerbera
Type in the following commands in the terminal to install it on any Ubuntu-based distro:
For other Linux distributions, refer to the documentation.
8. OSMC (Open Source Media Center)
It is an elegant-looking media server software originally based on Kodi media center. I was quite impressed with the user interface. It is simple and robust, being a free and open source solution. In a nutshell, all the essential features you would expect in a media server software.
You can also opt in to purchase OSMC’s flagship device. It will play just about anything up to 4K standards with HD audio. In addition, it supports Raspberry Pi builds and 1st-gen Apple TV.
How to install OSMC
If your device is compatible, you can just select your operating system and download the device installer from the official download page and create a bootable image to install.
9. Universal Media Server
Yet another simple addition to this list. Universal Media Server does not offer any fancy features but just helps you transcode / stream video and audio without needing much configuration.
It supports Xbox 360, PS 3, and just about any other DLNA-capable devices.
How to install Universal Media Center
You can find all the packages listed on FossHub but you should follow the official forum to know more about how to install the package that you downloaded from the website.
10. Red5 Media Server
A free and open source media server tailored for enterprise usage. You can use it for live streaming solutions – no matter if it is for entertainment or just video conferencing.
They also offer paid licensing options for mobiles and high scalability.
How to install Red5
Even though it is not the quickest installation method, follow the installation guide on GitHub to get started with the server without needing to tinker around.
Wrapping Up
Every media server software listed here has its own advantages – you should pick one up and try the one which suits your requirement.
Did we miss any of your favorite media server software? Let us know about it in the comments below!
The DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a trade organization that set standards and guidelines via a certification program for home networking media devices, including many PCs, smartphones/tablets, smart TVs, Blu-ray Disc Players, home theater receivers, media streamers/network media players, and more...
What DLNA Provides
When a DLNA certified device is added in a home network, it can automatically communicate and share media files with other connected DLNA certified products in the same network.
DLNA certified devices can:
- Find and play movies.
- Send, display and/or upload photos.
- Find, send, play and/or download music.
- Send and print photos between compatible network-connected devices.
Best Dlna Media Server Software
Examples of DLNA in action include:
- A certified smartphone can send audio and video a DLNA certified TV via your home network.
- A certified TV or Blu-ray Disc player can access and play audio, video, and still-image files stored on your network connected DLNA-certified PC.
- A certified digital camera can send images, using your home network, to your TV, DLNA certified PC or another compatible device.
The Need for DLNA
When networked home entertainment was introduced, it was difficult to add a new device and get it to communicate with your computer(s) and other network devices. You might have had to know IP addresses and add each device separately and cross your fingers for good luck. DLNA changed that.
Dlna Home Media Server Software
In 2003 the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) was establishedto create a standard, and implement certification requirements so select products made by participating manufacturers were compatible in a home network. This meant that certified products from different brands could communicate with each other with little or no additional setup.
DLNA Certification Guidelines
Each type of DLNA certified device serves a specific role in a home network. Some products store media, some control media, and some play media. There is a certification for each of these roles.
Within each certification, there are DLNA guidelines for:
- Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity
- Hardware requirements
- Software or firmware requirements
- The user interface
- Instructions to make the device networkable,
- Displaying different formats of media files.
Consumers can connect DLNA certified products and save, share, stream and show digital media. Images, music, and video stored on one DLNA certified device — a computer, network attached storage (NAS) drive or media server — and play it on other DLNA certified devices — TVs, AV receivers, and other computers on the network.
Certification can be built into the hardware or be part of a software application/program that is running on the device. This particularly relates to network attached storage (NAS) drives and computers. Twonky, TVersity, PlayOn, and Plex are popular software products that act as digital media servers and can be found by other DLNA devices.
When you connect a DLNA certified media component to your home network, it appears in other networked components' menus. Your computer(s) and other media devices discover and recognize the device without any setup.
DLNA certifies home network products by the role they play in your home network. Some products play media. Some products store media and make it accessible to media players, and others control and direct media from its source to a particular player in the network.
By understanding the different certifications, you can see how the home network puzzle fits together. When using media sharing software and devices, you see a list of these categories of devices. Knowing what they are and what they do will help to make sense of your home network.
DLNA Device Certification Categories
The certification category applies to devices that can find and play media from other devices and computers. A certified media player lists the components (sources) where your media is saved.
You choose the photos, music or videos that you want to play from a list of media on the player's menu. The media then streams to the player. A media player may be connected to or built into a TV, Blu-ray Disc player and/or home theater AV receiver, so you can watch or listen to the media it is playing.
Digital Media Server (DMS)
This certification category applies to devices that store a media library. It may be a computer, a network attached storage (NAS) drive, a smartphone, a DLNA certified networkable digital camera or camcorder, or a network media server device. A media server must have a hard drive or a memory card on which the media is saved. The saved media can be called up by a digital media player. The media server makes the files available to stream media to the player so you can watch or listen to it.
Digital Media Renderer (DMR)
This certification category is similar to the digital media player category as these devices can also play media. However, the difference is that DMR-certified devices can be seen by a Digital Media Controller (further explanation below), and media can be streamed to it from a digital media server.
While a certified Digital Media Player can only play what it can see on its menu, a Digital Media Renderer can be controlled externally. Some certified Digital Media Players are also certified as Digital Media Renderers. Many stand-alone media streamers/network media players, smart TVs, and home theater AV receivers can be certified as Digital Media Renderers.
Digital Media Controller (DMC)
This certification category applies to go-between devices that can find media on a Digital Media Server and send it to the Digital Media Renderer. Smartphones, tablets, computer software like Twonky Beam, or even cameras or camcorders may be certified as Digital Media Controllers.
Digging Deeper Into DLNA Certification
- Often you will see the DLNA logo on a product or product description. But rarely will you see what certification it has been given. The DLNA website lists many products under each certification. This can help you to find what you need whether it be a Digital Media Server, a Digital Media Player, a Digital Media Controller, or a Digital Media Renderer.
- Other DLNA certification categories include those for digital media printers and specific certifications for mobile devices. The mobile certifications include Mobile Digital Media Server, Mobile Digital Media Player,and Mobile Digital Media Controller.
- There are also DLNA certifications for Mobile Digital Media Uploader and Mobile Digital Media Downloader. These certifications allow mobile devices to upload media through the network to a computer or media server. A computer or media server can save these files eliminating the need to connect the camera directly for future file playback. Similarly, a Mobile Digital Media downloader can find media on your computers or media servers and save the file to itself. For example, you can find music in your PC music library and load it to your phone via the home network.
- Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 are compatible with DLNA as a Digital Media Server, Digital Media Renderer and Digital Media Controller. However, you will need to set up the media sharing and network home group. More Digital Media Players are also Digital Media Renderers. This means that you can send files to play on it or you can choose files from sources directly from the player's menu.
- If you are looking at the list of Digital Media Renderers on your controller — smartphone or computer app, or camera — and you don't see a media player that is connected to your home network, then it is not a Digital Media Renderer. You can't send media to that device.
- Once you use a Digital Media Controller to start playback from the Digital Media Server (the media library's source) to the Digital Media Renderer (that's playing the streamed media), you no longer need the controller. This means if you used a smartphone to start playback, you could leave with the phone and the playback would continue.
The Bottom Line
Understanding the DLNA certifications helps you to understand what is possible in home networking. DLNA makes it possible to walk in with your smartphone loaded with photos and videos from your day at the beach, press a button and start it playing on your TV without making any connections.
A great example of DLNA in action is Samsung's 'AllShare family'. Sharing capability via DLNA is built into Samsung's networked entertainment products — from cameras to laptops, to TVs, home theaters, and Blu-ray Disc players — creating a more connected home entertainment experience.
As of January 5, 2017, the DLNA has disbanded as a non-profit trade organization and has relinquished all certification and other related support services to Spirespark, going forward from February 1, 2017. For more details, refer to the Official Announcement and FAQs posted by the Digital Living Network Alliance.
Disclaimer: The core content contained in the above article was originally written by Barb Gonzalez and has been updated by Robert Silva and Lifewire Staff.