02 Jan 09 What is DLNA?

What is DLNA?

DLNA is a specification created by Digital Living Network Alliance. It’s goal is to allow all media devices to interoperate seamlessly. For example you can play music from you iPod on your TV. Although today there are few devices that support the protocol DLNA is poised to become a widely adopted standard. There are currently 245 companies promising DLNA compatible devices.

How does DLNA work?

DLNA is built on top of the UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) and allows devices to find each other using broadcast messages. The devices can then share information about what services they offer.

How does VortexBox fit into the picture?

VortexBox has a built in DLNA server. The goal of VortexBox is to be the central point for all media. I’m am trying to get set up with a 700 series Samsung TV. It has DLNA video capabilities. This way I don’t need a PC next to my TV. I can just stream DVDs that I have stored on my VortexBox to the TV. I also have a Squeezebox Duet hooked up to my stereo. This works well for playing my CD collection from the network.

I am hoping Squeezebox will support DLAN at some point but Logitech is not currently a DLNA member so I don’t see that happening any time soon. Until every media product supports DLNA we will need products like VortexBox the support many protocols to play media on all players.