SemanticMetadata.net

Roundup of UPnP AV Servers

Here is a list of available UPnP AV servers, posted because I searched a lot for this list:

• TwonkyVision (Linux, Windows, NAS - commercial)
• Cidero Internet Radio Server (Java - open source)
• uShare (Linux, NAS - open source)
• Fuppes (Windows, Linux, port to NAS has been reported - open source)
• MythTV (Linux - open source)
• MediaTomb (Linux, port to NAS has been reported - open source)
• On2Share (Windows - commercial)
• Allegro Media Server (Mac, Windows - commercial)
• GMediaServer (Linux - open source)
• PyMeds (Python - open source)
• TVersity (Windows - closed source, currently free)
• Nero MediaHome (Windows - commercial)
• Rhapsody (Mac, Windows - commercial)
• Musimatch Jukebox (Windows - commercial)
• Cyberlink Digital Home Enabler Kit (Windows - commercial)
• Windows Media Connect (Windows - closed source, currently free)

Looking at the list a question is obvious: Which one to choose? Well the actual functions of the servers differ a lot. Many servers (like uShare and Fuppes) just put a directory listing online. TwonkyVision also allows the integration of Shoutcast & Vtune internet radio stations via it own proxy, but a Xbox Media Center cannot detect a Twonky server installed on a Linksys NSLU2 for example. So each of the presented servers has its own hooks, benefits and flaws. In my opinion one should try to stick to open source software, the most promising candidate is Mediatomb, which will release a Debian package in the near future as far as the rumor goes on IRC. Mediatomb allows for instance the specification of virtual folders based on media metadata based on JavaScript and works well with the Terratec Noxon 2. As for the others: In my opinion TwonkyVision is worth its money, while Nero MediaHome is not. TVersity is quite complicated to configure and Fuppes does not offer any features, which I would need. MythTV is fine, but I didn’t get around installing it.