Review of UPnP/DLNA Media Server

You may have seen many UPnP/DLNA Media Server popping up every day. It's hard to find out a comprehensive list, where you may choose one. I'm going to cover most the currently available Media Server in the market. This list will grow as more Media Server will be available in the future. So, please keep visiting this page for constant updates.

Media Server can be either categorized as Software based or Hardware based. Software based Media Server can be run on PC mainly on win32, linux or Mac platform. And, hardware based Media Server may run on any NAS (Network Attached Storage) or any specific hardware for delivering media future PVR. Currently, there are more software based Media Server than hardware based, but I guess that will change soon.

Media Server - Software
Some of Media Server you can download for free but they may not provide all the functionalities you need. But, it may give you good start and later on according you your requirement you may buy the paid one. Paid Media Server generally provides more funcationlities and customer support. You may try paid version of software for limited time.

Allegro Media Server - The Allegro Media Server is a full-featured and fully compliant implementation of a UPnP Media Server. AMS runs on a Macintosh or Windows PC and provides access to media files and iTunes library contents from UPnP Media Players or UPnP Media Control Points. But, this media server will only covert your iTunes library. You may import your music collection in iTunes and share it on network. It is only Music Server and not DLNA compliant.

Platform Supported: Windows PC, Macintosh

Cidero Internet Radio Server - This is only Internet Radio Server. By default, they provide list of popular shoutcast radio stations. Users may add stations by simply creating new station files, using existing files as a template. One interesting functionality they provide is proxy mode in which server can function as a repeater to enable a single connection to an Internet radio station to serve multiple devices inside the home.

Platform Supported: Java

CyberMediaGate - CyberMediaGate is a reference implementation of UPnP AV Media Server. It supports the local file system and some PVR projects such as MythTV to distribute as the object items of the content directory service. It is released as open source software under GNU license.

Platform Supported: Java, C++, Linux

Digital5 Media Server - The Digital 5 Media Server is a PC-based software which aggregates, manages, plays back, and streams digital entertainment content such as audio, video and photo files from your PC to UPnP connected media devices throughout the connected home. It supports DRM protected contents, DTCP-IP enabled, Intel NMPR enabled above all DLNA enabled. It has long list of internet preminum contents support. This server comes with GoVideo and Gateway DVD Player. If you want to download then goto GoVideo/Gateway support side and download it. Even though it's content management UI is great but somehow I was unable to connect this server (downloaded from GoVideo support page) with any network receiver/control point.

Platform Supported: Windows

Elgato AV Media Streaming Server - It enables media player to stream EyeTV recordings, digital photos, music and movies from Mac onto TV or stereo.

Platform Supported: Mac

GeeXboX uShare Media Server - uShare is a UPnP A/V Media Server. It implements the server component that provides UPnP media devices with information on available multimedia files. uShare uses the built-in http server of libupnp to stream the files to clients. GeeXboX uShare is able to provide access to images, videos, music or playlists files. It does not act as an UPnP Media Adaptor and thus, can't transcode streams to fit the client requirements. It was mainly developed to provide media to GeeXboX client but also can be used as generic UPnP server. uShare is free software - it is licensed under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL).

Platform Supported: Linux

GMediaServer - This is UPnP Media server released under terms of GPL Lincense.

Platform Supported: Linux

J. River Media Center - This is basically media organizing software with UPnP media server funcationlity. It can share audio, video and photos on the network can be considered as windows media center replacement. I'm not sure whether people want to pay $40 to buy it.

Platform Supported: Windows

MediaTomb - This is UPnP Media server released under terms of GPL Lincense. It has Web UI to add/edit/remove/browse media files. You may use either sqlite of MySql for organizing database. It is based on libupnp sdk and lot's of open source softwares.

Platform Supported: Linux

MusicMatch - MusicMatch server comes with MusicMatch player. You have to goto Options->Settings->CD Lookup/Connectivity (Tab). Check "Enable Music Server", server will start as windows service. This music server works ok but not great. With DSM-520 receiver, I was unable to play any songs for more than few seconds, after that it used to keep repeating it.

Platform Supported: Windows

Nero MediaHome Server - Nero MediaHome Server comes with Nero application suite. It has lots of option for transcoding. It seems it's DLNA compliant too. Media organization could have been better, atleast first level of browsing should fetch "Music, Pictures, Video" to help many media receiver to skip first level. It has good setup UI too. Overall, it's pretty good server. Trial version can be downloaded here. This server doens't provide search functionality.

Platform Supported: Windows

On2Share - It is windows based media server, which can use your Windows media player/Winamp player library to share your media on the network. It requires .Net framework. You may download 14 days trial version or pay $20.

Platform Supported: Windows

Philips Media Manager - This media server takes lots of memory and initial scanning for organizing media also takes lot of time.

Platform Supported: Windows

Rhapsody Home Audio - Embedded UPnP Media Server comes with Rhapsody player. You have to enable it by going to Tools->Preferences->Rhapsody Server(UPnP). I was able to play songs using this server on my DSM-520 receiver.

Platform Supported: Windows

Sony VAIO Media Server - This UPnP/DLNA media server comes pre-installed with VAIO PC. It works with most of the receiver available. But, you can't download or buy it.

Platform Supported: Windows

TVersity - This is free UPnP Media Server and has pretty good functionalities. In addition to sharing local contents, it can share internet audio/video contents too. It can even transcode to the format, which media receiver understand. It has nice UI to manage contents. By default, it provides list of free internet radion and TV channels. If you want more then you need to add it. They have used lots of open source software and used sqlite to store metadata.

Platform Supported: Windows

TwonkyVision Media Server - My experience with TwonkyVision Media Server was great. It was a snap to setup the server and share my files. It uses less memory and can be started as a service on Windows platform. By default, it organize the media pretty well and for more advanced user they have functionality to customize the directory tree. They are compatible with lots of media adapters. TwonkyVision media server supports more video/audio format than other servers. This server also provide me functionality to stream shoutcast radios. If you are not looking for playing DRM protected content then you are going to love this server.

Platform Supported: Windows, Linux, Mac

Windows Media Connect - This media server is by Microsoft. It works well with most of the receiver. It is one of the microsoft product you may like. It is worth mentioning here that this is second generation of Windows Media Connect server, first version had auckward configuration in which you have to allow individual media receiver. In second version, you can check one box "Automatically allow new devices" in settings and forget it. If you want to play Windows Media DRM protected content then you have to stick to this server.

Platform Supported: Windows

Media Server - Hardware
In general, industry trend is to put Media Server funtionality in the NAS (Network Attached Storage). It make more sense also because people don't want to run their PC all the time. NAS gives nice alternative and flexibility to run low cost media server. For home use, NAS with inbuilt HDD and Media Server would be perfect fit. Price range of these device vary from $100 to more than $1,000 depends upon the processor speed and RAM. For most of the consumer, it will be affordable at around $150 - $250 (with HDD and Media Server).

Buffalo Media Server -

D-Link DSM-602H 20GB Central Home Drive -

Infrant ReadyNAS X6 - It's high performance, expandable NAS with UPnP Media Server. It's quick to setup, simple to use, quiet and compact drive. But, it's bit pricy may be because it has bunch of functionalities.

IOGEAR StorCenter Network Hard Drives -

Maxtor Shared Storage Family -

Sonos Zone Player - Sonus Zone Player is a UPnP Media Server, which reads the contents from the shared SMB hard drive. It keeps reference to all the contents in a very nice organized manner. Good thing is that if you have two Zone player then your content list is always synchronized. Only problem is that you can't play it's content on any non-sonos device. It uses some propritory protocol to stream audio. So, even though it seems UPnP compliant but not DLNA. It's bit pricy for only audio capability.

I kindly request you to help me in adding more Media Servers, which I missed.

Thank You!

Keep visiting. This post will be frequently updated.