In the article Raspberry Pi - Music streaming to the Raspberry Pi via DLNA client I have already described how to use the Raspberry Pi as a playback device for content from a DLNA server. DLNA describes a standard with which you can easily stream content across devices in your own network.
For example, you can use the DLNA standard to stream videos, music or photos from a data source/server to your SmartTV. Perfect for presenting your own photo collection or playing your own music on the TV.
In this case, the SmartTV or the Raspberry Pi mentioned above would be the playback device. Of course, you also need a server from which the content to be played can be obtained. This is where OpenMediaVault comes into play.
OpenMediaVault is not just a simple NAS. Thanks to the many plugins, its functionality can also be extended. With the MIniDLNA plugin, for example, you can easily add the function of a DLNA server.
What you need to do is described in the following article.
Safety instructions
I know the following notes are always kind of annoying and seem unnecessary. Unfortunately, many people who knew "better" have lost eyes, fingers or other things due to carelessness or injured themselves. Data loss is almost negligible in comparison, but even these can be really annoying. Therefore, please take five minutes to read the safety instructions. Because even the coolest project is not worth injury or other trouble.
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Requirements
Helpful articles:
Before you start with this article you should have prepared the RaspberryPi so that it is accessible via the network and controllable via SSH.
The following three articles describe what needs to be done to prepare the RaspberryPi:
- RaspberryPi – setup for nerdiys!
- RaspberryPi – The first configuration!
- RaspberryPi – Control the RaspberryPi via SSH
- RaspberryPi – Build NetworkAttachedStorage / NAS from a RaspberryPi 4 yourself
- RaspberryPi – Install OpenMediaVault / OMV on the RaspberryPi
In the following lists you will find all the parts you need to implement this article.
Required tool:
| Number | Link |
|---|---|
| 1x | Screwdriver set Buy at Amazon |
| 1x | SD card reader Buy at Amazon |
Required material:
| Number | Link |
|---|---|
| 1x | Raspberry Pi Buy at Amazon |
| 1x | Raspberry Pi power supply Buy at Amazon |
| 1x | Raspberry Pi case Buy at Amazon |
| 1x | Micro SD card 64GB Buy at Amazon |
Create shared folder
For you to be able to share media, they should of course be stored on the NAS. This is often already the case. If you use your OpenMediaVault installation to store your photos, for example, you can also easily stream them to your SmartTV via DLNA.
To do this, your photos (it works the same way with music and videos) must be in a shared folder. If you have not yet prepared such a folder, you should do so now.
You can find tips on how to do this in the article
Install and activate DLNA server
To be able to use the DLNA server, you must first activate it.
To do this, click on in the tab
- system
to the sub-item
- plugins
Now use the search function to search for the plugin shown and click on the blue arrow pointing downwards.
Confirm the start of the installation process by clicking on
- yes
clicks.
The installation should then start ...
... and be completed shortly afterwards.
You can then close the window by clicking on
- Close
clicks.
After installation, you must now activate the DLNA plugin. To do this, click on the tab
- services
and the sub-pin
- MiniDLNA
Then click on the tile
- Settings
At this point you can activate the DLNA server by checking the "Enabled" box.
You can also assign your own name for the DLNA server and make other settings here.
Click on "Save" to apply the settings.
Then you have to confirm the changed configuration again by clicking on the checkmark in the yellow area and...
... confirmed this once again.
Set media release
So that the DLNA server knows which media it should share and how, you must now create a media share.
Click in the subcategory
- MiniDLNA
to the section
- shares
To add a media share, click on the small plus in the top left corner.
In the following view you can then specify which type of media you want to share.
You should be careful here. For example, if you only set videos as "Content Type", photos contained in the share will not be displayed.
You can also select the shared folder from which the media data will be streamed.
How you can share a folder is explained in the following article
Then click on to apply the settings
- Save
Then you have to confirm the changed configuration again by clicking on the checkmark in the yellow area and...
... confirmed this once again.
Start scanning the media data
In order for the media in the (new) shared folder to be recognized, you should initiate a "rescan" at this point.
To do this, click on the "Settings" view of the "MiniDLNA" plugin on the button
- rescan
Test media sharing via DLNA
Basically, there are several ways to test your new DLNA server. For example, many SmartTVs offer the option of streaming content via DLNA. However, there is now also a good client in Windows 11.
Under Windows 11, the DLNA server should soon be displayed in the drives area.
As soon as you click on it, you have the option of selecting whether you want to display the contents by type or folder structure.
For example, if you click on "Browse Folders"...
...the folder structure is displayed, which you should know from the folder structure of your share.
Here you can now navigate through the folders until you...
... you have arrived at the content you were looking for.
More articles related to OpenMediaVault
I have described the many other functions of OpenMediaVault in other articles. There you will also find hints on how to extend the functionality of your OMV installation. These articles are all summarized in the following category.
Have fun with the project
I hope everything worked as described for you. If not or you have questions or suggestions please let me know in the comments. I will then add this to the article if necessary.
Ideas for new projects are always welcome. 🙂
PS Many of these projects - especially the hardware projects - cost a lot of time and money. Of course I do this because I enjoy it, but if you think it's cool that I share the information with you, I would be happy about a small donation to the coffee fund. 🙂
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