What Is UPnP And How Do You Use It?

2023 Author: Sheila Hailey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 11:17

UPnP is a standard that originally came from Microsoft and is now also supported by Windows. It is important with the UPnP that it works on the basis of an IP network. So that two or more UPnP-capable devices can communicate with each other, each of the devices must have its own IP address. If your device can connect to the Fritzbox, it usually gets its own IP address in your home network.

If a device is UPnP-capable, there is usually some control software on it that communicates via protocols such as TCP, HTTP or DLNA and transmits or receives data. Sometimes such software has to be loaded first. Smart TVs or cell phones are basically able to work with UPnP, but depending on the type of task, different programs or apps are required. If a cell phone needs to access a UPnP server, for example, to play music or films from a Windows PC, then they need a different app than for displaying pictures.

In addition, a program such as Universal Media Server must also run on the Windows computer. It serves as a UPnP server and makes the files available on the network. Other programs, such as the VLC media player, which is also available for the iPhone, Android cell phones or Samsung TVs, can then access this data and play it.

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UPnP player for Windows

There are several UPnP players or media players that access the network via UPnP. The best known is probably the VLC media player. We have described for you how you can access the DLNA or UPnP server with the VLC media player. For this it is of course necessary that a device acts as a UPnP server somewhere and offers playable files. There are apps for this on cell phones. They offer all UPnP players the pictures, music and videos of the mobile phone for access.

Activate UPnP in Windows

In some cases, you have to activate UPnP in Windows before you can use the Windows Media Player to send files online. While the Universal Media Server regulates this alone and does not rely on Windows' own media streaming and related services, you have to switch it on manually if it is to be used by the operating system. This usually happens in two steps.

• Enter media streaming options in the input field of the start menu.
• A window opens, as can be seen in the picture above. Click on Activate media streaming there.
• Now it should be activated and you can set various options.
• However, if the message comes up that the associated service is not active, you must first allow it and start it. You can then switch directly from this window to the service settings.
• Scroll down to the entry Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service.
• A double click on it opens the settings. Click on the Start button in the service status.
• The startup type you can click on Disable leave if you do not constantly need the service.

You should now be able to activate media streaming and thus UPnP usage.

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