My new TV DVR includes DLNA server functionality meaning you can watch not just recordings but live TV on any device with a suitable DLNA client. Pretty cool IMHO but this brings me to dive into the world of DLNA/UPNP only to find that it's, well, tulip. I thought this was an established standard that had been around for decades and expected I might find polished, slick clients in rare cases it wasn't built in. 
First thing is finding there's hundreds of applications out there and it's not really clear which to use. DLNA is only one 'bit' of what most software does and many are more focused on serving content than playing it. Here's a few I have tried, I'd love any recommendations for an easy-to-use client that will just let me watch stuff:
All making me feel like my dad when he had to switch from Dos/Win3.1 in his 40s.
(thanks JB)
Anyway are these the best options or is there something better? IIRC Windows has this built in but I don't run Windows these days. I am not after anything fancy, just a easy way to watch videos on my DVR.
First thing is finding there's hundreds of applications out there and it's not really clear which to use. DLNA is only one 'bit' of what most software does and many are more focused on serving content than playing it. Here's a few I have tried, I'd love any recommendations for an easy-to-use client that will just let me watch stuff:
- VLC. I've used this a bit over the years and know it's a real OG for playing virtually any content, but I have tried it on Android, Mac and FireTV without being very happy. On FireTV it simply doesn't see my server at all, on Mac the interface is awful, on my phone the interface is nice but servers keep disappearing and reappearing from the auto-discovered list. Perhaps some network settings on my firewall needed?
- Kodi. Another big name. Installed on my Fire tablet easily and it looked good, but it lists videos as 00:01 long, it plays them but you can't FWD. On Mac this bug wasn't there but the interface is like something I did when I was 15, it traps a mouse cursor in the window like playing Doom on Windows 95.
- Elmedia Player. I installed it and couldn't even see how to select a DLNA source. Will try again later as it looks fairly slick.
All making me feel like my dad when he had to switch from Dos/Win3.1 in his 40s.
(thanks JB)Anyway are these the best options or is there something better? IIRC Windows has this built in but I don't run Windows these days. I am not after anything fancy, just a easy way to watch videos on my DVR.
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