Connectivity & Communication

By admin, 13 April, 2025

To use DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) on Debian KDE, you’ll typically want to either:

  • Share media (videos, music, pictures) from your Debian system as a DLNA server, or
  • Browse and play media from other DLNA servers as a DLNA client.

Here's how to do both:


✅ 1. Install a DLNA Server (to Share Media)

A popular choice is MiniDLNA (ReadyMedia), which is lightweight and simple to set up.

Install MiniDLNA:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install minidlna

Configure MiniDLNA:

Edit the config file:

sudo nano /etc/minidlna.conf

Key settings to change:

media_dir=/home/yourusername/Videos
media_dir=/home/yourusername/Music
media_dir=/home/yourusername/Pictures
friendly_name=DebianDLNA
inotify=yes

Then save and start the service:

sudo systemctl enable minidlna
sudo systemctl start minidlna

Force database rebuild (if needed):

sudo minidlnad -R

✅ 2. Use a DLNA Client (to Play Media)

To browse and play media from DLNA servers, you can use KDE-compatible clients:

Option A: VLC Media Player (GUI)

VLC supports DLNA/UPnP natively.

  • Open VLC.
  • Go to View → Playlist.
  • In the left pane, go to Local Network → Universal Plug'n'Play.
  • Browse and play available DLNA servers.

Install VLC:

sudo apt install vlc

Option B: Kodi (Media Center)

Kodi is a full media center with excellent DLNA support.

sudo apt install kodi

Then in Kodi:

  • Go to Videos → Files → Add Videos → Browse → UPnP Devices.

🛠️ 3. (Optional) DLNA Control via KDE

KDE doesn’t have a built-in DLNA manager, but you can use:

  • Plasma Media Center (less maintained)
  • BubbleUPnP (Android app to control devices)
  • Or pair VLC with DLNA control points.