renderer – does media playback (software or hardware).

server – does media sharing (computer, NAS, etc).

There are three basic types of nodes in UPnP setup:

UPnP is set of open standards that aims to simplify networking tasks and (among other things) allows compatible hardware devices and software to share and access media files. Setting up centralized media server allows to keep everything organized, in single place and (depending on your level of media obsession) offers numerous expanding and integrating opportunities – from simple convenience enhancements to smart home networks. So I decided to setup UPnP server on my desktop (which I tried and failed to do in the past for my Nokia N810). However copying files over wireless network got boring fast and simply feeding http links from HFS into VLC cut basic control options (like skip and rewind).

Trying to reduce piles of queued video seemed like logical thing to do. I spent recent few days on the couch with my notebook and nasty cold.

Using universal media server on android