How can I make my Mac a DLNA server and/or client?
Solution 1:
There are several choices based on the fact that any UPnP server should also be DLNA compliant :
- Free ones :
- XBMC
- MythTV
- TvMobili
- Kinsky
- Plex
- uShare (easier to install with MacPorts)
- Paid ones :
- EyeConnect
- PlayBack
- SongBook
The bold ones are directly mentioned to be DLNA servers.
Solution 2:
I've had this same frustrating hunt for ages, tried and found all of them to have serious issues either with usability or actual functionality. Most sadly arent even worth trying. But then last week I found a poster who recommended Plex media server and its so good I'm trying to find the post and poster to thank him.
Plex server is totally free but you can pay for mobile clients. I have an iMac and MacBook Pro both running Mountain Lion, and the iMac now serves my xbox, wdtv live and archos 7 faultlessly. This may sound set up but save yourself the pain and effort and try Plex first.
Plex takes a while to run through a big, say 3tb collection but it genuinely has been the most painless and reliable of all I've tried and the searchable options are far more varied and sensible than those for others. Don't want to name names but I've pretty much tried them all. The only thing I can't comment on is transcoding; I assume their clients manage this. From my perspective, I needed something to access my library, rather than rely on hardware specific transcoding. If you need this its a mixed bag regarding codec support, and I found the issues with other servers made the solution less viable. Connect360 was not bad for xbox, they also do a PS version, but for straight media serving, Plex no question.
Solution 3:
Serviio is a free DLNA server, with a Mac version.
http://www.serviio.org/
Solution 4:
I've been using the PS3 media server.