Universal Media Server

Description

Universal Media Server (also known as UMS) is a free DLNA, UPnP and HTTP/S media server originally based on the popular PS3 Media Server.

This project was started by SubJunk, an official PMS developer, to ensure greater stability and file compatibility. The program makes use of FFmpeg, MEncoder, tsMuxeR, MediaInfo, AviSynth, VLC and other tools which offer support for a wide range of media formats. UMS runs on most popular operating systems such as Windows, macOS and Linux.

Please visit the comparison page to compare Universal Media Server with other popular media servers.

Universal Media Server Review

Using a home media server for streaming multimedia files over all the devices in your home network can be fun and convenient when it works. But many of these kinds of programs only let you do enough streaming to whet your appetite before slamming you into a pay wall before letting you access premium features. The Universal Media Server is different. It will give you lots of great features entirely free of charge.

Why Use Universal Media Server?

Like most media servers, Universal Media Server was originally based on pre-existing software, specifically the PS3 Media Server. By interacting with most Digital Living Network Alliance compatible machines, media servers are able to stream content on a wide variety of devices such as laptops, consoles, tablets, and phones all connected to the same network. You could even store all your favorite content on network-attached storage and use it as a server if you prefer not to use your computer that way.

A home media server like Universal Media Server is not a third-party cloud. It offers you total control over your digital content. Regardless of whether you wish to stream your personal videos and audio, reorganize business media, or store video files and music, the Universal Media Server will really come in handy. It enables you to stream just about any type of audio or video file to any DLNA compatible device.

It works with all of the major OSes: macOS, Windows, and Linux. It can stream or transcode audio, video, and image files with very little configuration. It's powered by FFmpeg, tsMuxeR, MediaInfo, and VLC to name a few. These offer support for many types of media formats.

Universal Media Server works on more than 50 different devices including:

• Apple iPad
• Apple iPod
• Google Android
• Panasonic TVs
• Philips TVs
• Sony Blu-ray players
• Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3)
• Sony PlayStation Vita
• Sony TVs
• Apple iPhone
• Asus O!Play
• Boxee
• Panasonic Sound Systems
• Realtek media players
• Philips Streamium
• Pioneer Kuro
• Sharp TVs
• Samsung smartphones
• Sony PlayStation 4 (PS4)
• Sony smartphones

A short list with the most popular products can be found here.

PROS

It will automatically scan all of your content on your home network. Third-party plug-ins will provide additional features. The Universal Media Server is open source, and will always be free to use.

CONS

Universal Media Server fails to work on a few of the theoretically compatible devices.

SUMMARY

The Universal Media Server will give you lots of worthwhile features for free for use in your home network streaming. If you compare it (comparison here) with other similar products, this should be rated as the best product in this area.