Home media streaming 101: DLNA explained

Sitting back on the couch is definitely the preferred method for consuming video content, and while there are many different ways to get video onto a PC, users looking to sit in front of the TV instead of in front of a keyboard have had few options to stream media until relatively recently. Fortunately, there's been an explosion in media streaming devices, and thanks to a technology called DLNA, streaming media around the home might require less and less effort.

DLNA is short for Digital Living Network Alliance, and defines a standard for moving movies, photos, music and other media from device to device. DLNA servers can store media in one location, and, without any setup or configuration, can stream the media to DLNA compliant players, like the PS3 and Xbox 360. The big draw behind DLNA is to throw away major configuration, and create a simplistic way for consumers to get media from one device to another.

To get started with DLNA, find an appropriate server for your network. While many standard Windows Media Center computers work with the standard, we like the idea of using a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device to store all of our media in one place. Since it's a central repository, all of your computers can access it to use and store media, and DLNA capable players can access the media from the NAS and play it back on your TV. Typically, NAS devices are slightly more expensive than comparably equipped external hard drives, but instead of simply plugging into a computer, NAS devices plug directly into the network, freeing up a computer from staying on all the time and serving media. The devices are about $400, like Buffalo's 1TB LinkStation Series (pictured right).

If you're really determined to save some cash, Nero MediaHome is a software based solution that will turn any Windows PC into a DLNA server. The plus side is that users won't need to duplicate media, and if Windows Media Center isn't an option, MediaHome will fill the void nicely. MediaHome runs $40 direct from Nero.

Regardless of whether you've set up a software or hardware server, playing back the video will definitely require some additional hardware. While we wouldn't perhaps recommend it as the best possible game console, Sony's PlayStation 3 is definitely one of the best home theater components around. With its DLNA capabilities alone, the console does an excellent job of streaming DLNA compatible media, not to mention the built-in Blu-ray drive for playing back high definition movies.

Other DLNA player options include Microsoft's Xbox 360 and some higher end options like Pioneer's BDP-HD1 Blu-ray player, which doubles as a DLNA player. Or, if you're looking to skip the set top box all together, manufacturers are starting to bundle DLNA into newer HDTVs so check for a DLNA logo, and skip the set top box all together.

DLNA certainly isn't a mainstream technology yet, but the technology behind it is only a year or two away from mass adoption. If you've got a massive collection of music, photos, movies or have a PC based DVR, DLNA could help get your media around your home. If you're not ready to plunk down the cash, keep watching, as we think DLNA will be a tech item to keep an eye on.

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