Best DLNA server for the MAC

Plex media server.

I like Playback, it can run in the background like other Mac programs. I haven't tried it for video myself, using it for music only. $15 for 3 licenses, well worth it. I haven't tired Plex. XBMC is nice and free, but only runs full screen.

I thought you could set the video output size in the settings on XBMC.

I have TVMOBiLi on my iMac and it works fine. I'm streaming mp4 files but haven't tried the mkv format.

Scott - where are you selecting the profile? Is there a master setting for the app or are you setting the transcoding for each movie individually?

I can only find the file-by-file setting, which seems extra annoying.

tvmobili does work well for .mkv files and many others however fast forward and rewind do not work when using with hopper. I have found that isedora while more expensive works very well as mac dlna server for on the fly transcoding, however fast forward and rewind do not work with it either. I have found that isedora is better at on the fly transcoding using ffmpeg vs. tvmobili using vlc. It also is less taxing on cpu. Has anybody found dlna server that has working fast forward and rewind with the hopper?

Thanks

Because I also use an elgato TV tuner, their EyeConnect software is preferable.

Other than randomly needing to hit the start/stop button every few weeks, it works perfectly.

Plex should do it. THe other device you are using to play it needs the plex app as well. roku;s and 2012 samsung tv's I know have the app.

Greetings ...

I downloaded Plex yesterday. The goal is to listen to music stored on a newly acquired iMac via a years ago acquired LG BD590 in my home theater a room away from the wireless router. The router also was acquired some years ago. Someday, maybe, I'll view movies via Plex too ... but one thing at a time!

Pulling out what little hair is left on my head these last twenty-four hours, I'm basically up and running. One big lesson: do *not* let the Mac go into sleep mode while accessing music. Took awhile to figure that out.

I like Plex. That stated, do I ever have questions. Like what's the difference between a "library" and a "channel," and why I can view album cover art in a library on the computer but not when viewing the library on the LG ... and a bunch of other stuff. Before I drive more knowledgable folks nuts with seriously newbie questions, can anyone point me to a thread on this forum, or a website elsewhere, or a whatever that amounts to "Plex For Dummies?" Actually, with a whole lot of dedication and hard work, I might achieve dummy status. Right now, I'm sub-dummy. I am a little surprised that Plex's "Media Manager" interface doesn't seem to have basic help available (or if it does, I can't find it). Also, the Plex user forums, or at least those I've explored thus far, are way way way over my head in terms of technical savviness.

Many thanks!

I am interested in using Eye Connect but I can't get it to see any movies or music. Would you please help me A bit? How do I go about designating the location of my movies and music?

Thanks.

Rich

@rovenorth

The Library basically is the collection of all your media on local sources. You access it either via a Plex client or using a DLNA client. Your LG BD client is DLNA and will not provide the metadata that a Plex client will.

Channels are similar to XBMC Addons. For the most part they stream content over the Internet. So there are video channels which access Hulu and other sites. There are audio channels as well. The confusion arises because you can have channels which access local content such as iTunes music and iPhoto on your Plex media server.

The Plex site has a wiki which does explain quite a bit. Basically Plex is similar to XBMC but divided into two pieces- a server component and a client component. In that way it is the same model as DLNA server and client. The problem with DLNA is that you don't get the rich metadata that you get with XBMC and Plex. But you have DLNA clients on far more devices. Fortunately, the Plex media server doubles as a DLNA server and some DLNA clients, not the LG one, will give you a better metadata experience. An example is ViMu on a GTV.

Philip

Eyeconnect isn't very flexible. There is no profiling or configuration so you can't change the mime types to suit different players. It can't see m2ts files either. Elgato don't seem to bothered about enhancing the product either. A shame.

Try playback or Serviio. Serviio offers most flexibility.

Ok, so I just tried TVMobili, checked out Plex and a few others. Two hours later and I still can't stream my AIFF files to my AVR. Apparently none of them support it? Nor do the support ALAC which is no surprise...

My goal is to hear my downloaded HDTracks in all their uncompressed glory, and of course through Apple TV it down-converts to 48hz.

So what media server will support the AIFF files so I can hear them on something other than computer speakers?

TIA!

Well I found this for $1250!!!!!
http://www.simaudio.com/pr_180MiND.htm

Seriously, there's got to be a software option to stream high bitrate music from a Mac to an AVR....

Did you try Logitech Media Server? Not sure about AIFF, it may transcode it to Flac.

I hadn't tried that one, but it appears you're correct:



Also, at the bottom of this thread it suggests MinimServer as another alternative. I think I'll try both and see which works best...if at all.

Grrr, couldn't get Logitech to play the AIFF's, or Minimserver. Perhaps this is a problem with the AVR? Perhaps Mrantz won't read AIFF's....

Converted AIFF's to FLAC, using MinimServer to stream, Marantz likes FLAC.

Thanks for the nudges in the right direction!!!