Understanding DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance)

This page explains DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) technology and how to set up a DLNA network.

DLNA stands for Digital Living Network Alliance. It enables sharing of data over a home entertainment network. This data includes music, video, and pictures and can be shared among DLNA certified devices.

The DLNA standard was established by a group of electronics companies that manufacture consumer products. The DLNA alliance comprises more than 250 companies.

The goal is to create an ecosystem of compatible products for networked media devices.

Many DLNA-certified products are available from various vendors. Here are some applications of a DLNA network:

• Stream films from a laptop to a TV.
• Play MP3 music on a smartphone using a HiFi system.
• Print photos from a tablet to a network printer.
• Share music, videos, or photos on your neighbor’s home TV.

The DLNA feature is not supported on older products. Technical products now come with the DLNA feature built-in. Look for the DLNA certified logo on the product.

The following table lists the DLNA-approved formats for video, audio, and images:

How to Set Up a DLNA Network Using DLNA Devices

There are two types of DLNA products:

• Servers: (e.g., PCs, routers, or modems)
• Clients: (e.g., smartphones, laptops, TVs, tablets, Blu-ray players, printers, cameras, refrigerators, digital radios, soundbars, etc.)

Let’s understand how to set up a DLNA network:

1. Connect your modem to the internet using a phone line, DSL line, satellite, or cellular network.
2. Once the modem is wired to the internet, choose a network name, turn on security, and set a password.
3. You’ll need a wireless router to establish a network using all the home entertainment devices and appliances.
4. Connect the router to the modem, and then connect all other client devices to the modem using either an Ethernet cable or WiFi.
5. Now, DLNA certified products can communicate with one another to share data.