A newbie needs help

Hi all,

i'm really sorry because I have a little project but I don't really know how to to it. I'm sorry because I used to use computers long time ago and used to get help on internet with all wiki and tutorials. In software development too. But in that case I'm a little lost ...

The fact is I will install Serviio on another PC with a Linux distrib. With 3 PC and 2 smartphones, I will buy a router because the router of my internet box is not very usefull to create a local network.

I would like to use the pc with serviio as a Media Center (that's its job, I'm ok with that) and to be able to control it from all others devices in my local network. Is it possible to manage media on the server in the local area network through a router ?

Other thing I don't really undertand is how to send the streaming on my TV. I have a Samsung TV but without Samsung everwhere. It seems I need a HDMI dongle on my TV to stream media. Then my questions are :

• these dongles are able to be detectable by a router (to set it an @ IP) ?
• Is Serviio is able to send streaming through a local network on a HDMI dongle ?
• Miracast, DLNA, ... ? I'm lost with all these names. What standard the dongle must have to work with Serviio ?

Thank you in advance.

Florent

[atc98092]

Welcome!

One step at a time:

You don't need a router within a router, unless your ISP router doesn't firewall you from the rest of their network. You really only need a network switch with enough ports to plug in your devices. Now, if you need to add wireless to your network, then many routers can be configured to act as a Wireless Access Point (WAP). I use one that way myself.

The question to ask your TV: is it a Smart TV? Does it have a network connection, either Ethernet or wireless (likely both)? If it doesn't, there's nothing you can do to make your TV itself connect to Serviio and play media. However, you have other options, such as a Blu-Ray player or a media player such as the WDTV box. If you do have a Smart TV, then it can connect to your network and stream media from Serviio. Different brands of TVs have different methods to do so, and many just aren't too well thought out.

Nothing you plug into an HDMI port will directly stream media, except for the Roku Stick or Google Chromecast (perhaps there's something else I'm not aware of).

Whatever device actually plugs into your network (or connects to your Wi-Fi) will know how to retrieve an IP address from your router. All automatic.

You keep using the term dongle, but except for what I listed above there are no dongles. My suggestion for an easy to use media player (assuming your TV doesn't do it) is a Roku player. It comes in a HDMI dongle version (Wi-Fi only) or several desktop versions. It is tiny, uses little power, and works perfectly with Serviio. For more versatility, a Blu-Ray player lets you stream as well as play DVD and Blu-Ray discs. Be careful when shopping for one, as not every player supports DLNA, and you need that to use Serviio.

DLNA stands for Digital Living Network Alliance. Here's their description from their web site (http://www.dlna.org)

The Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) is a technology standards organization driven to build industry consensus to advance the interoperability of products in consumers’ connected homes. Founded in 2003 with a current membership of more than 200 companies, this unique multi-industry collaboration continues to implement an innovative set of guidelines utilized by service providers, electronics manufacturers, and software developers to provide consistent performance in a connected home environment.

Serviio meets the DLNA standard.