Streaming media has seen an explosion of popularity recently. While many have found ways to put videos onto their computers; siting in front of a keyboard might not be the ideal situation. Being in the comfort of your living room watching videos on your large HDTV screen would definitely be preferable to most people. This has been made easier with the development of the technology called DLNA. Making streaming movies in the home simple and convenient.
With out much setup or configuration, DLNA can transfers movies, photos and other media from one device to another. It stands for Digital Living Network Alliance. All you would need to do is connect the DLNA Certified devices to your home Network – wired or wireless. Once connected the DLNA devices discover and communicate with one another over your Home Network. DLNA servers, that store your media, stream to DLNA compliant players. It provides a very convenient way for you to transfer media from one device to another.
The first step with DLNA is to designate a server on your network. Most computers with Windows Media Center will act as your server. You can use external storage devices such as the 
Buffalo Technology LinkStation Live 1.0TB, as your NAS or Network Attached Storage. You connect this NAS device directly to your network, so computers or other DLNA capable devices can access the stored media within. Therefore, your computer would not always have to be powered on when you want to watch movies on your TV. But for most people using Windows Media Center, or software such as Nero MediaHome or Tversity will turn their computer into an efficient DMS – Digital Media Server.
Additional hardware will be required, regardless if you use a hardware server or software server. You will need a DLNA certified device such as Sony’s PlayStation 3, Mircosoft’s Xbox or certain Blu-ray Players. They have DLNA capabilities that transform them into Digital Media Players or DMP. Allowing them to locate the media on your Digital Media Server and play the media back on your TV. Certain HDTV’s can also have DLNA capabilities, eliminating the need for that third hardware device.
While DLNA is becoming more mainstream it is still not in every media device. So you have to look for the DLNA logo when purchasing Blu-ray Players or HDTVs. Other DLNA Certified devices include DVR’s, Mobile Phones, Personal Digital Assistants, Printers, Digital Media Adapters and many more. If you have a large collection of videos, music and photos, it maybe worth it to purchase DLNA products which will make distributing your media around your home a breeze.
Home Network Devices
Digital Media Sever – Devices which store data and make it available to networked digital media players (DMP) and digital media renderers (DMR). Examples: PC’s and Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices.
Digital Media Player – Devices which find data on digital media servers (DMS) and produce playback. Examples: TV’s, Blu-ray Players, stereos, home theaters, wireless monitors and gaming consoles
Digital Media Renderer - Devices which will play data received from a digital media controller (DMC) found from a digital media server (DMS). Examples: TVs, A/V receivers, video displays and remote speakers for music.
Digital Media Controller – Devices which find data on digital media servers (DMS) and then play it back on digital media renderers (DMR). Examples: Internet Tablets, Wi-Fi enabled digital cameras and Personal Digital Assistants (PDA).
