DLNA

[ugandy]

Hi,

Can current Roku hardware/SDK implement a DLNA client?

thanks!
hugo

[RokuKevin]

We do not currently have a DLNA or UPnP client. It would also be impossible to implement the Discovery process of UPnP with the current SDK as the Discovery process relies on a udp broadcast that is not available in the SDK.

We've taken note of all the activity in this forum around local streaming solutions and you can expect Roku to play a role in the space in future releases.

--Kevin

[ugandy]

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for the update. That's very good news.

Cheers,
hugo

[OtisWild]

Has DLNA and/or UPnP been added to Roku player yet, or NFS/SMB share reading?

I am looking for a media streamer (I have an Xtreamer, it is a piece of junk), and being able to play off of a share or local streaming is mandatory for me.

If not, I'll likely go with the WDTV Live+ since it supports local streaming via upnp.

[DeftOne]

uPnP/DLNA is still not supported. There are private channels available for local streaming, but they all require a server to serve up your files. And of course, they are limited to the codecs and file containers that are supported by the box, which are unfortunately severely lacking compared to the other available streamers out there. In short, you can do local network streaming on the Roku, but it's not very convenient. I love this little box as an internet streamer, but I can't recommend it if your primary use is going to be for streaming local content.

[danmittonsr]

DeftOne said... "There are private channels available for local streaming...". Where can I find these? What codecs / file types are supported? Thanks.

[DeftOne]

MyMedia
Roxbox
Chaneru
USB Media Browser (XR model only)

Generally speaking mp4 and h.264 are supported, but there are pretty strict settings requirements. The Chaneru website includes a table from the SDK documentation that has more detailed information: http://www.chaneru.com/video.jpg

[docpaul]

Hi, new prospective buyer here.

I'm a bit confused by this thread, as it appears that at least one pretty popular "technology news blog" believes DLNA support is coming as well?

http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/22/roku-xds-review/

Roku tells us it'll be adding additional support for DLNA streaming in the future, and with various DLNA-compatible devices like the Samsung Galaxy Tab, the Motorola Droid X, and LG Optimus Windows Phone 7 handset either out or on their way to market, it could present a solid alternative to Apple's AirPlay. We weren't able to test any DLNA features, though, since they're not currently available -- the potential is there, but Roku has to execute.

So, Roku folks... do we wait for this or move onto something else? I have a lot of home video, etc that I've archived and wanted to know if this device would support streaming this content?

Additionally, it was clear that Roku planned rendering new video formats in a December 2010 update:

http://shop.roku.com/Roku-Streaming-Pla ... ns-W5.aspx

At the bottom, in fine print:

USB port for playing stored photos, music,
and videos***
*** Available via free software update expected in Dec 2010. See specs for list of file formats supported.

Was this for the new firmware that just released today? I didn't see this reflected in the changelog. Seems like MKV isn't out of the question?

Thanks in advance for the clarification!

[RokuPatrick]

They were misinformed about DLNA. We did incorporate a technology that is also used by DLNA (SSDP) to aid in the box being discoverable on the network (for things like iPhone control applications). DLNA is still a if/when kind of thing. No ETA or commitment.

USB support is still planned and in fact it's in the SDK, but we haven't yet released the official USB channel, though there are multiple applications public or private that do provide some level of USB support.

[jriver]

We're interested in helping out if anyone from Roku would like to talk about possibilities. Our software has full DLNA support.

I'm jimh at jriver.

[Microguy]

These two statements seem to contradict each other. Local media support seems to have gone from 'it's coming" to 'it might be coming' over the course of 11 months.

posted on: Thu Jan 21, 2010 9:32 pm

We've taken note of all the activity in this forum around local streaming solutions and you can expect Roku to play a role in the space in future releases.

posted on: Mon Dec 13, 2010 8:10 pm

DLNA is still a if/when kind of thing. No ETA or commitment.

Is it possible to get a clarification on this, or is it time to look for other solutions (eg. hard drive people's box) for DLNA? Thanks.

[kbenson]

These two statements seem to contradict each other.

DLNA is not the only method for providing local streaming, so the statements don't necessarily contradict each other. You may think that it would make sense for them to add DLNA support to fulfill their desired local streaming plans (which I think would be a valid assumption given the support of the technology), but we really know very little about their actual plans.

There have been threads in the general forum where it was discussed that while the hardware support mpeg2, the software may not be licensed to use mpeg2. If that's the case, it could be expensive to add mpeg2 support, which is required for DLNA, right? I have no idea how valid this is...

[Microguy]

...but we really know very little about their actual plans.

Agreed. That could make it tough to compete with other devices that also do local streaming, without transcoding, for the same price.

[Arwen]

These two statements seem to contradict each other.

DLNA is not the only method for providing local streaming, so the statements don't necessarily contradict each other. You may think that it would make sense for them to add DLNA support to fulfill their desired local streaming plans (which I think would be a valid assumption given the support of the technology), but we really know very little about their actual plans.

There have been threads in the general forum where it was discussed that while the hardware support mpeg2, the software may not be licensed to use mpeg2. If that's the case, it could be expensive to add mpeg2 support, which is required for DLNA, right? I have no idea how valid this is...

Their appear to be different levels of DLNA support. For
example no one would consider the Roku streaming media
player a portable device. Yet, reading DLNA supported
formats indicates that MP3 support is only required for
portable devices.

Tekzilla, (from channel Revision3), episode 173 about 6 minutes
in, lists the required formats for a "Home Device" as these;

Photo - JPEG
Audio - LPCM, (2 channel)
Video - MPEG2

Everything else is optional.

Now we all know that some home servers have enough
horse power to transcode. But the Roku probably does
not have enough horse power to transcode MPEG2 to
MPEG4 in software. That's why it has built in hardware
to do the decode.

As mentioned, purchasing the rights for all Roku streaming
media players to support MPEG2 might be too costly. And
without MPEG2 support, it can't be considered a DLNA Home
Device.

[fmedina]

So I guess I should be selling my little Roku box on ebay. I bought it with the expectation that it would eventually include DLNA compatible browsing of my local media. From what I am reading, there is little chance of that happening in 2011. I understand there might not be transcoding, but I was not expecting that.

I guess I should not have been cheap and just bought another PS3

What a dissapointment. I am happy with everything else Roku does, but not streaming local media is a deal breaker.

Thanks for the memories Roku!