Buzz
Sharing your favorite music and movies between devices, whether at home or globally, has never been simpler. Numerous apps are available to streamline this process, allowing you to enjoy movies on your smartphone while on the go or listen to music on your desktop from the comfort of your bedroom. This week, we asked for your recommendations, and based on your nominations, here are five of the top choices.
Earlier this week, we asked you to share your top picks for desktop media servers. After compiling your nominations and counting the votes, we’ve narrowed it down to the top five. While most of you focused on a few standout options, there are countless others worth exploring. Here are your top five favorites:
The poll has officially closed, and the results are in! To find out which desktop media server came out on top, check out our Hive Five follow-up post to see the winner and join the discussion!
Plex (Windows/Mac/Linux)
We anticipated Plex would receive praise in the nominations, but its overwhelming popularity was a pleasant surprise. Plex stands out as a top-tier media server and media center application, offering mobile apps that let you access your music and movies on virtually any device or operating system without compatibility concerns. It transcodes media in real-time, adjusts performance and quality based on available bandwidth, and is incredibly easy to set up. Whether you're using it locally on your home network or remotely on 3G or 4G, Plex delivers seamless performance. For those with compatible set-top boxes, the experience is even smoother. The desktop app is free, mobile apps cost $5, and the MyPlex media center hub provides on-the-go control over your files.
PS3 Media Server
(Windows/Mac/Linux)
Originally designed to stream and transcode media from a computer to a PS3 on your home network, the PS3 Media Server has evolved into a versatile tool. It’s DLNA-compliant, making it compatible with nearly any DLNA or UPNP device on your network, and requires minimal configuration. Accessing your media outside your home network with a DLNA-compatible device involves some setup, like port forwarding and dynamic addressing, but we’ve covered that process before. While it’s tailored for PS3, it also supports Smart TVs, integrates with VLC for internet radio or TV streams, and even lets you browse Flickr and Picasa photos, mount ISOs as DVDs, and handle numerous file formats. Best of all, it’s completely free.
Subsonic (Windows/Mac/Linux)
Subsonic, a long-standing favorite, remains a strong choice for media streaming. While primarily used for music, it also handles video formats that support HTTP streaming, making it accessible on almost any device. Once set up on your home network, Subsonic can be configured for remote access, allowing you to enjoy your media collection from anywhere. It supports various set-top boxes, manages podcasts, and even features a web UI for remote server management. While setup can be more involved compared to other options, it’s free, open-source, and includes free mobile apps. However, to unlock advanced features and extend mobile app usage beyond the 14-day trial, a $15 donation is required.
Serviio (Windows/Mac/Linux)
Serviio, a media server we discovered through enthusiastic nominations, is a powerful contender. It streams content across your home network to a variety of connected TVs, Blu-ray players, set-top boxes, and gaming consoles like the PS3 and Xbox 360. As a DLNA-compliant application, it works effortlessly with supported devices on the same network. Beyond local streaming, Serviio transcodes video and audio in real-time, supports online sources, live TV streams, RSS feeds, and can even stream to the internet using its web-based media player or Android app. While community-developed apps for Windows Phone and Android are available, they act as mobile interfaces for the main Serviio server. The basic version is free, but accessing the web player or remote streaming requires a $25 Pro license.
PlayOn (Windows)
PlayOn offers a straightforward media server experience, focusing on your personal media library and web-based TV from platforms like Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Video, ESPN, CNN, and NBC. It streams content to any DLNA-compatible TV, set-top box, or gaming console. With iOS and Android apps, you can access your media over Wi-Fi or mobile networks, provided your computer is running the PlayOn server. While it initially seemed PlayOn didn’t transcode, it actually does so on the fly. However, it lacks remote management features, requiring the app to remain active on your computer. Its standout feature is access to web-exclusive content. A free trial is available, but full access to all channels and features requires a $90 Lifetime license (currently discounted to $40). For its DVR/recording service, PlayLater, the cost is $129 (currently $60). Though pricey, its ease of use and company support make it a reliable choice.
Now that you’ve explored the top five, it’s time to choose the community favorite:
This week’s honorable mention goes to XBMC, not due to a lack of nominations, but because it functions more as a media center than a server. While XBMC can share media across your home network if installed on your computer, it isn’t optimized for streaming to devices outside your network. For that purpose, the specialized media server apps listed above are more suitable. That said, we’re sure some of you have customized XBMC setups that achieve this—share your experiences in the discussions below!
Do you have thoughts on any of the contenders? Want to advocate for your personal favorite, even if it didn’t make the list? Keep in mind, the top five were selected based on the most popular nominations from the call for contenders thread earlier this week. Share your arguments for your preferred choice—or an alternative—in the discussions below.
The Hive Five is driven by reader nominations. As with most Hive Five posts, if your favorite was omitted, it’s not due to any bias—it simply didn’t receive enough nominations in the call for contenders to secure a spot in the top five. We know it’s somewhat of a popularity contest, but we’re eager to hear about your favorites. Have a suggestion for the Hive Five? Email us at [email protected]!
Photo by serrnovik (Shutterstock).
