Streaming video and audio from the Web is now commonplace. Netflix, iTunes, Hulu, Spotify and other services make it simple to watch or listen to what you want when you want.
You don't even need a computer. Most services have apps for smartphones and tablets. Many newer TVs are Internet enabled, so they can stream online video and audio with no extra gear.
For non-Internet TVs, you can grab an Apple TV or Roku box for $100 or less and plug it in. You might already have a Wii U, Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3. These all include media streaming.
Google's new $35 Chromecast takes a different approach. It plugs in to your TV via HDMI and connects to your Wi-Fi network. You can stream online video from your smartphone or tablet, or the Chrome browser on PC and Mac, right to the TV.
That's all fine for bringing in outside media, but what about media already in your home? You could just connect your computer directly and use the TV like a monitor.
Of course, that doesn't help you stream to mobile gadgets. And you might already have a streaming box plugged in to your TV. Who needs more clutter in your entertainment center?
There's another solution: Set up a home media server.
Don't let the name intimidate you; it's actually not that hard once you know how. You'll need:
- A media server to stream content
- A fast home network to carry the content
- Gadgets to receive and display the content
A server is just a computer that stores and shares information. Any computer can be a server.
If you're just serving photos or audio, you don't need a high-end system. Almost any Windows Vista or 7 machine will do fine.
For streaming video, you'll want a something a bit newer. It should really run Windows 7 and have 4 gigabytes of RAM.
Once you have the hardware, you need software. There are some paid options out there like Pogoplug PC ($30) and PlayOn ($40 a year, $25 a year on sale). These make it simple to stream your media to mobile gadgets and other compatible electronics.
However, there are free options as well, such as Orb and Plex. When I say "free," I mean the computer-based streaming software. Additional hardware and apps will cost some money.
Next, you need a network. Any wired network set up in the past 10 years is going to be fast enough for streaming media. For wireless, however, you really need an 802.11n router. This has the speed, range and signal strength you need for streaming media.
Then you need gadgets on the other end to receive and display the media: mobile gadgets, streaming video gadgets, video game consoles, etc. You might find you already have the gear you need.
That's thanks to DLNA. Digital Living Network Alliance makes it easy for various gadgets to communicate and do just this kind of thing.
Any DLNA gadget should be able to receive streaming media from your server. That includes many TVs, Blu-ray players and audio receivers.
That's enough to get you started. Have fun!
Kim Komando hosts the nation's largest talk radio show about consumer electronics, computers and the Internet. Listen to her show from 1-4 p.m. each Sunday on KRMG am740 or fm102.3. To read more of her columns or sign up for her newsletters, go to
tulsaworld.com/komando
Original Print Headline: Home media server easy to set up
Tech
Brazil plans to divorce itself from the U.S.-centric Internet over Washington's widespread online spying, a move that many experts fear will be a potentially dangerous first step toward fracturing a global network built with minimal interference by governments.
In the smartphone world, Android has been a smashing success. It's evolved into a strong and easy-to-use experience, and it's the platform of choice for most of the top-selling devices out there.
CONTACT THE REPORTER
Email
