In this Enable DNLA Kodi post I am going to address the UPnP / DLNA service that Kodi offers. DLNA stands for “Digital Living Network Alliance” and is an industry standard for sharing data across a network. Combined with UPnP (Universal Plug & Play Audio Visual) you can have have a Kodi media server setup discoverable on your network. This can be used to share your media libraries from one device to another. If you have a PC or a Kodi box under your TV you can share its contents with Smart TVs, games console, phones and tablets around your house and use Kodi as a media server. Switch on the UPnP/DLNA service on Kodi and then open up the receiver on your client device and you can browse Kodi’s media files. You can enable Kodi DLNA in a round 5 minutes and it requires just a single settings change.
Great service, easy to follow instructions for set up and Kodi works great on my Apple TV 4K. Very happy that it could be installed without a jail break.
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- 3 Basic Controls. Read this page to familiarise yourself with the menu system and other screens in Kodi. See: Basiccontrols. 4 Library Mode Why do I need a library? One of the features that makes Kodi so great is the ability to display all types of artwork and metadata (plots, directors, actors etc) in a visually stunning format.
- The most fast and easy way to install Kodi on Apple TV, iPad and iPhone. Get Kodi with Free Trial.
Best Kodi Media Server Accessories
Below are our recommendations for the best accessories for your Kodi UPnP Server.
| Product | Image | Detail | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| VONTAR T6 Plus 2.4GHz Remote | Somatosensory Mouse, Infrared Remote, 2.4GHz Wireless QWERTY Keyboard & Touchpad, Colorful Backlit, Lithium Battery. For Kodi, PC & Android. Micro USB charging. | ||
| Esynic 2.4G Wireless Mini Keyboard | 2.4G wireless keyboard and mouse. Control Kodi from the comfort of your sofa. Supports PC, Android, Smart TV and other devices. | ||
| TBS DVB-S2 Dual Satellite Tuner | Watch satellite TV & listen to radio on PC from within apps like Kodi (PVR). Twin tuner allowing you to record multiple channels. | TBS DVB-S2 | |
| Toshiba X300 4TB Hard Drive | 4TB storage capacity, 7200RPM speed, 128MB cache, 3.5' SATA. Reliable internal storage for your media center. | Toshiba X300 | |
| WD 2TB Elements Portable HDD | USB 3.0 portable hard drive in black for multiple devices. Carry your Kodi media libraries in your pocket. | WD Elements |
Enable Kodi DLNA – Create a Kodi Media Server
Before we look at the DLNA & Kodi UPnP server setup steps please ensure that you backup Kodi first. This means that you can quickly roll back any changes you make. In this guide we will be using Kodi 17 Krypton but the process is very similar for all versions of Kodi. The aim of this guide is to show you the Kodi media server setup process (UPnP & DLNA) allowing you to stream content to multiple rooms in your house. [Read:How to Upgrade Kodi Media Centre without Losing your Data]
A Kodi UPnP server / media server is simply a Kodi system that can stream its content to other devices on the same network. It uses the UPnP and DLNA protocols to do this. If you want to stream from an external device to Kodi read our Enable AirPlay Kodi guide post.
Enable Kodi DLNA Service – Use Kodi as a Media Server
To enable DLNA Kodi click the the cog shape at the top of the main menu on the Kodi Home screen. This will take you to the main settings menu. The screenshot below shows the main Kodi settings screen. Select Service settings as shown in the image.
Want one of the best looking Kodi skins? [Read:Arctic Zephyr Install: Arctic Zephyr Kodi Skin for Elegance]
On the screen that follows select UPnP / DLNA from the left hand menu. This menu contains all of the settings required to enable DLNA Kodi. The screenshot below shows all of the available settings.
To switch on UPnP / DLNA click on Share my libraries. When this is initiated Announce library updates will also turn on. At this stage you are complete and you are ready to stream to your receiving device however there are more options available. In the main, these additional options allow you to control the receiving device from your Kodi system so that you can start a movie playing with Kodi and have it automatically stream to the receiving client. In most cases you will want to be able to choose a file to play on the receiver and so you can leave all other options as default. Hover over each option and you will see a full description at the bottom of the scream. You have now completed the Kodi media server setup and it is time to open up your receiver.
Why not customize your Kodi main menu with your own options? [Read:How to Customize Kodi Home Screen – Add Kodi Menu Items]
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Receiving the DLNA Stream
Once you enable DLNA Kodi service simply open up the DLNA application on your receiving device and your Kodi system should be visible. When you select it you will have the ability to navigate through you media library folders. Click on a movie or music file to launch. I cannot go into the specifics here as all DLNA applications are different but they are all very simple to use. As long as both devices are on the same network there should be no additional configuration required at the client. You have now completed the Kodi media server setup process and can use Kodi as a media server.
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Enable DLNA Kodi Video Tutorial
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The below video shows all of the UPnP / DLNA settings to setup your Kodi UPnP server. This video covers all of the required configuration for the Kodi application. Once the video is complete you will be able to use Kodi as a media server but the client application is down to you.