What is DLNA? Complete Guide to DLNA Streaming
DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a media streaming standard built into most Smart TVs that lets you cast videos, music, and photos from your phone to your TV over Wi-Fi — no Chromecast, Apple TV, or extra hardware required. This guide covers everything you need to know about DLNA: how it works, which devices support it, how it compares to Chromecast and AirPlay, and how to start streaming.
In This Guide
What is DLNA?
DLNA stands for Digital Living Network Alliance. It is an industry-wide standard that defines how electronic devices discover each other and share media content — videos, music, and photos — over a local home network. If your Smart TV and phone are on the same Wi-Fi network, DLNA lets them talk to each other so you can stream content from one device to another without any additional hardware or cables.
Think of DLNA as a common language that devices from different manufacturers all understand. A Samsung TV, an LG soundbar, a Sony phone, and a Windows PC can all share media with each other because they all speak DLNA. Unlike proprietary protocols like Chromecast (Google) or AirPlay (Apple), DLNA is an open standard — it works across brands without locking you into a single ecosystem.
In practical terms, DLNA streaming means you can browse a website on your phone, find a video, and cast it directly to your Smart TV. Your phone tells the TV what to play and acts as a remote control, while the TV handles the actual video playback. This is different from screen mirroring, which duplicates your entire phone screen and drains battery.
The History of DLNA
The Digital Living Network Alliance was founded in June 2003 by a group of consumer electronics and technology companies led by Sony, Intel, and Microsoft. The original goal was ambitious: create a universal standard so that any device from any manufacturer could seamlessly share media over a home network.
At its peak, the alliance grew to include more than 250 member companies, including Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Philips, Broadcom, Cisco, HP, and many others. Over the years, DLNA certified more than 25,000 different device models across categories including TVs, Blu-ray players, game consoles, smartphones, tablets, NAS drives, media servers, and more.
In January 2017, the DLNA organization officially dissolved. However, this did not mean the end of DLNA technology. The certification program was transferred to SpireSpark International, which continues to manage DLNA testing and certification. More importantly, the underlying DLNA protocol remains built into virtually every Smart TV sold today. Billions of DLNA-compatible devices are in homes worldwide, and manufacturers continue to include DLNA support in new products.
DLNA Timeline
- 2003: Founded by Sony, Intel, and Microsoft
- 2004: First DLNA guidelines published (version 1.0)
- 2006: DLNA 1.5 — expanded device classes and media formats
- 2009: Over 9,000 certified products on the market
- 2011: DLNA 2.0 — added commercial video profiles
- 2014: DLNA 3.0 — added VidiPath for pay-TV integration
- 2017: Organization dissolved; certification transferred to SpireSpark
- 2026: Standard still widely supported in Smart TVs and media devices
How DLNA Works
DLNA uses a set of networking protocols that allow devices to automatically discover and communicate with each other over your home Wi-Fi. Here is how the DLNA streaming process works, step by step:
Device Discovery: When a DLNA app like CastBrowser starts, it sends a search message across your Wi-Fi network to find compatible devices. Every DLNA-enabled Smart TV responds with its name and capabilities.
Device Information: Your phone retrieves details about the TV — what media formats it supports, what controls are available, and how to communicate with it.
Playback Control: When you select a video and tap “cast,” the app sends a command to the TV telling it to play a specific video. Additional commands handle play, pause, stop, seek, and volume — your phone becomes the remote.
Media Streaming: The actual video flows directly to the TV over your network. The TV fetches and plays the video itself. This is a key advantage of DLNA: the video stream goes directly to the TV, so playback is smooth and battery-efficient on your phone.
Status Updates: The TV sends playback information back to your phone — the current position, whether playback is paused, and when the video ends. This keeps the controls on your phone in sync with what's playing on the TV.
DLNA Device Roles
The DLNA standard defines several device roles. Understanding these roles helps you see how different devices work together in a DLNA setup:
Digital Media Server
Stores and shares media content. Examples: a NAS drive, a PC running Plex or Windows Media Player, or a phone sharing local files. The server makes its media library available to other DLNA devices on the network.
Digital Media Player
Finds and plays content from a server. Examples: a Smart TV, a game console, or a Blu-ray player. A player can browse the media library of a server and play content directly.
Digital Media Renderer
Receives and plays media sent by a controller. Your Smart TV acts as a renderer when CastBrowser tells it to play a video. The renderer does not browse media — it just plays what it's told to play.
Digital Media Controller
Finds media on a server and tells a renderer to play it. CastBrowser acts as a controller — it discovers your TV (the renderer), sends it a video URL, and controls playback (play, pause, seek, volume).
When you cast a web video with CastBrowser, the app acts as both a DLNA server and a controller. It hosts or proxies the video content and tells your Smart TV (the renderer) to play it. This dual role is what makes it possible to cast videos from any website to your TV — CastBrowser handles the format conversion and serving, while your TV handles playback.
DLNA vs Chromecast
DLNA and Chromecast are two of the most popular ways to stream media to a TV, but they work differently and have distinct pros and cons. Here is a detailed comparison:
| Feature | DLNA | Chromecast |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Open standard | Proprietary (Google) |
| Extra hardware needed | No — built into most Smart TVs | Usually yes (Chromecast dongle or built-in) |
| Internet required | No — works on local network only | Yes — initial setup and some features need internet |
| Works with Android | Yes (via apps like CastBrowser) | Yes (native + apps) |
| Works with iPhone | Yes (via apps like CastBrowser) | Yes (via apps) |
| Smart TV support | Most brands (Samsung, LG, Sony, etc.) | Select brands with Chromecast built-in |
| DRM content | Limited DRM support | Full DRM support (Widevine) |
| Format flexibility | Depends on TV; apps can transcode | Broad format support |
| Privacy | Fully local — no cloud involvement | Communicates with Google servers |
When to choose DLNA: You already own a Smart TV and do not want to buy additional hardware. DLNA works without internet (great for privacy and offline setups), and it is built into far more TVs than Chromecast. If you use Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic, or most other Smart TV brands, DLNA is available out of the box.
When to choose Chromecast: You want the tightest integration with Google services (YouTube, Google Photos) or need DRM-protected content from apps like Netflix or Disney+. Chromecast also handles 4K HDR content more reliably, since Google controls both the hardware and software.
Best of both worlds: Use an app like CastBrowser that supports both DLNA and Chromecast. CastBrowser auto-detects all available devices on your network — DLNA Smart TVs, Chromecast, Roku, and Fire TV — so you can cast to any device with a single app.
DLNA vs AirPlay
AirPlay is Apple's proprietary wireless streaming protocol. If you own Apple devices, you may be wondering how DLNA compares to AirPlay:
| Feature | DLNA | AirPlay |
|---|---|---|
| Ecosystem | Open standard — works across all brands | Apple ecosystem (iPhone, iPad, Mac) |
| TV compatibility | Most Smart TVs from all major brands | Apple TV, select Samsung/LG/Sony/Vizio TVs |
| Android support | Full support | Not supported |
| Screen mirroring | Not built-in (media streaming only) | Yes — full screen mirroring |
| Audio streaming | Yes | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room audio) |
| Setup complexity | Automatic discovery, no pairing needed | Automatic within Apple ecosystem |
The key difference: AirPlay only works if you send content from an Apple device. If you have an Android phone, AirPlay is not an option. DLNA works with both Android and iPhone (via apps like CastBrowser), and it is supported on far more TVs than AirPlay.
Even for iPhone users, DLNA can be more versatile. AirPlay 2 requires a compatible TV (mostly newer models from select brands), while DLNA works on nearly any Smart TV, including older models. CastBrowser on iPad and iPhone gives you access to both DLNA and other casting protocols, so you are never limited to just AirPlay-compatible devices.
DLNA vs Miracast
Miracast is sometimes confused with DLNA because both are built into many Smart TVs. However, they serve fundamentally different purposes:
DLNA (Media Streaming)
- + Sends a video URL to the TV — TV plays it directly
- + Phone acts as remote control only
- + Low battery usage
- + Full video quality
- + Can use phone for other tasks while streaming
- - Only works with compatible media formats
Miracast (Screen Mirroring)
- + Mirrors your entire screen — works with any content
- + Uses Wi-Fi Direct (no router needed)
- - High battery drain
- - Quality loss due to real-time compression
- - Phone screen must stay on
- - Noticeable latency
For video streaming, DLNA is almost always the better choice. It delivers full quality with minimal battery impact. Miracast is useful when you need to mirror your entire screen (like for presentations or apps that do not support casting), but it is not ideal for watching videos.
DLNA-Compatible Devices by Brand
DLNA support is nearly universal across Smart TV brands. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of DLNA compatibility by manufacturer:
Samsung
Samsung Smart TVs running Tizen OS (2015 and newer) support DLNA. Samsung previously branded their DLNA implementation as AllShare, later renamed to Smart View. Most Samsung QLED, Neo QLED, Crystal UHD, and The Frame TVs are DLNA compatible. See our Samsung casting guide for setup details.
LG
LG Smart TVs running webOS (2014 and newer) include DLNA support. LG calls their implementation SmartShare. LG OLED, QNED, NanoCell, and UHD TVs all support DLNA media rendering. LG TVs are generally among the most reliable DLNA renderers.
Sony
Sony Bravia TVs running Android TV or Google TV support DLNA. Sony has included DLNA in their TVs since the early days of the standard. Their newer Bravia XR, A-series OLED, and X-series LED TVs all support DLNA streaming.
Panasonic
Panasonic Smart TVs (most models from 2012 onwards) support DLNA. As a founding member of the alliance, Panasonic has long had strong DLNA support. Their current lineup running My Home Screen OS or Fire TV continues to include DLNA rendering capabilities.
Philips
Philips Smart TVs running Android TV, Google TV, or the older Saphi platform support DLNA. Philips was also an early DLNA member. Their Ambilight, OLED, and PUS-series TVs include DLNA support.
Hisense
Hisense Smart TVs running VIDAA OS or Android TV/Google TV support DLNA. Hisense has grown rapidly and their ULED, Laser TV, and budget LED models all include DLNA media rendering. VIDAA-based models list DLNA under their “Media Share” or “Content Sharing” settings.
TCL
TCL Smart TVs running Roku TV, Google TV, or Android TV support DLNA. Roku TV models support DLNA through the built-in media player. Google TV and Android TV models have standard Android DLNA capabilities. See our Roku casting guide for Roku TV setup.
Vizio
Vizio SmartCast TVs support DLNA. Vizio's SmartCast OS includes a built-in DLNA media renderer. V-Series, M-Series, P-Series, and OLED models from recent years all support DLNA streaming.
Sharp (Aquos)
Sharp Aquos Smart TVs support DLNA, particularly models running Android TV. Sharp was one of the original DLNA members. Their current Aquos XLED and Aquos lineup continues to support the standard.
Other DLNA-Compatible Devices
DLNA is not limited to Smart TVs. These devices also support the standard:
- Game consoles: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
- Streaming devices: Roku players, some Amazon Fire TV models
- Blu-ray players: Most from Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic
- NAS drives: Synology, QNAP, Western Digital (as DLNA servers)
- Media servers: Plex, Emby, Jellyfin, Windows Media Player
- Soundbars and speakers: Many from Sonos, Bose, Denon, Yamaha
How to Check if Your TV Supports DLNA
Not sure if your TV has DLNA? Here are several ways to find out:
Check your TV's network settings: Navigate to Settings > Network on your TV and look for options like “DLNA,” “Media Sharing,” “Media Renderer,” “Content Sharing,” or “Device Connect.” Brand-specific names include “AllShare” or “Smart View” (Samsung), “SmartShare” (LG), and “Media Share” (Hisense).
Check the manual or spec sheet: Look up your TV's model number on the manufacturer's website. The specifications section will list supported protocols — look for “DLNA” or “DLNA Certified.”
Look for the DLNA logo: Certified products carry the DLNA Certified logo, often on the box, in the manual, or on a sticker on the TV itself. However, many TVs support DLNA without being officially certified.
How to Enable DLNA on Your Smart TV
On most Smart TVs, DLNA is enabled by default. If it is not working, here are brand-by-brand instructions to make sure it is turned on:
Samsung (Tizen)
- Press the Home button on your remote
- Go to Settings > General > Network
- Look for Expert Settings or Device Connect Manager
- Make sure DLNA or Device Connect is set to On
- On older models, check AllShare Settings and enable Content Sharing
LG (webOS)
- Press the Home/Settings button on your remote
- Go to Connection > Mobile Connection Management
- Enable Device Connector or SmartShare
- Under DLNA, make sure DMR (Digital Media Renderer) is On
- Some models: Settings > Network > DLNA Media Server > On
Sony (Android TV / Google TV)
- Press the Home button on your remote
- Go to Settings > Device Preferences > Home Screen
- Or go to Settings > Network & Internet
- Look for Renderer or Media Renderer and set it to On
- On older Bravia models: Settings > Network > Home Network Setup > Renderer > On
Panasonic
- Press Menu on your remote
- Go to Network > Network Settings
- Look for DLNA Server or Media Sharing and set to On
- Make sure DMR (Renderer) functionality is enabled
Philips (Android TV / Google TV)
- Press Home on your remote
- Go to Settings > Wireless and Networks
- Select Wired or Wi-Fi > Digital Media Renderer
- Set DMR to On
Hisense (VIDAA)
- Press Settings on your remote
- Go to System > Sharing (or Network > Content Sharing)
- Enable Content Sharing or DLNA
- Your TV should now appear as a DLNA renderer on the network
TCL (Roku TV / Google TV)
- Roku TV: Settings > System > Screen Mirroring is separate from DLNA. DLNA media playback is enabled by default through the Roku Media Player channel.
- Google TV / Android TV: Settings > Device Preferences > look for Media Renderer or DLNA toggle and enable it.
Tip: DLNA Not Working?
If your TV does not appear in CastBrowser after enabling DLNA, try these steps: (1) Restart both your TV and phone, (2) Make sure both are on the same Wi-Fi network (not a guest network), (3) Disable any VPN on your phone, (4) Check that your router allows multicast traffic (some mesh routers block this by default), (5) If using a 5GHz network, try switching to 2.4GHz temporarily.
DLNA Supported Media Formats
The DLNA specification defines a set of mandatory and optional media formats. Here is what the standard supports:
Video Formats
| Format | Container | DLNA Support |
|---|---|---|
| MPEG-2 | MPEG-TS, MPEG-PS | Mandatory (core format) |
| H.264 / AVC | MP4, MPEG-TS | Mandatory (most common) |
| WMV / VC-1 | ASF | Mandatory |
| H.265 / HEVC | MP4, MPEG-TS | Optional (supported by most modern TVs) |
| VP9 / AV1 | WebM, MP4 | Not in DLNA spec (TV-dependent) |
Audio Formats
Image Formats
Subtitle Formats
DLNA has limited native subtitle support. The standard supports SRT as the primary subtitle format for side-loaded subtitles. Many TVs also support embedded subtitles in MP4 and MKV containers. CastBrowser automatically proxies subtitles in SRT format for maximum DLNA TV compatibility.
DLNA Limitations (and How CastBrowser Solves Them)
While DLNA is powerful and widely supported, it does have some significant limitations — especially when it comes to streaming modern web video. Here is what you may encounter and how CastBrowser addresses each issue:
HLS Streams Are Not Supported
The problem: Most web videos today use HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) with M3U8 playlists. This is how YouTube, Vimeo, and virtually every video-hosting site delivers content. But DLNA TVs cannot play HLS streams — the protocol predates HLS by years.
CastBrowser's solution: CastBrowser automatically converts HLS videos into a format that every DLNA TV can understand. The conversion happens seamlessly on your phone. The TV receives a smooth, continuous stream without knowing it was originally HLS.
Format Compatibility Varies by TV
The problem: Different TV brands and models support different video codecs and containers. A video that plays fine on a Samsung TV may not work on an LG or Sony. There is no guarantee that a specific web video format will be compatible with your specific TV.
CastBrowser's solution: CastBrowser detects your TV's capabilities and automatically serves the video in a compatible format. This ensures smooth playback across Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic, Philips, Hisense, TCL, and other brands.
No Built-in Device Discovery on Phones
The problem: Neither Android nor iOS has built-in DLNA support. Android removed its native media sharing features years ago, and Apple uses AirPlay instead. Without an app, your phone cannot find or communicate with DLNA TVs.
CastBrowser's solution: CastBrowser includes built-in device discovery. The moment you open the app, it scans your local network and presents a list of all available DLNA devices. No configuration needed — just tap and cast.
Subtitle Handling Is Inconsistent
The problem: DLNA subtitle support varies wildly across TVs. Some TVs support SRT side-loading, others only handle embedded subtitles, and many ignore subtitles entirely.
CastBrowser's solution: CastBrowser automatically converts subtitles to SRT format — the most widely supported format across DLNA TVs. This maximizes the chance that subtitles display correctly on your TV.
Playback State Tracking Is Unreliable
The problem: Some DLNA TVs do not reliably report their playback position, making it hard for controller apps to show accurate progress bars or detect when a video ends.
CastBrowser's solution: CastBrowser actively monitors playback and handles edge cases where TVs stop responding, ensuring the controls on your phone stay in sync with what is playing on the TV.
How to Cast Videos via DLNA with CastBrowser
CastBrowser makes DLNA streaming simple. Here is how to cast a web video to your DLNA Smart TV step by step:
Install CastBrowser
Download CastBrowser from the Google Play Store (Android) or the Apple App Store (iPhone/iPad). The app is completely free — no subscription, no account, no hidden fees.
Connect to the Same Wi-Fi Network
Make sure your phone and your DLNA Smart TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. DLNA uses your local network for device discovery and streaming, so both devices must be on the same network. Avoid using a guest network or VPN.
Open CastBrowser and Browse to a Video
CastBrowser is a full-featured web browser. Type any URL or use the search bar to navigate to a website with video content. Browse just like you would in Chrome or Safari — CastBrowser works with any website.
Detect and Select the Video
CastBrowser automatically detects videos on the page. When it finds one, you will see the video listed with quality options (SD, HD, or higher when available). Tap the video you want to cast. If the video does not appear immediately, try playing it on the page first.
Tap Cast and Select Your DLNA TV
Tap the cast icon and CastBrowser will show all available devices on your network — including your DLNA Smart TV, plus any Chromecast, Roku, or Fire TV devices. Select your DLNA TV from the list. CastBrowser automatically handles format conversion behind the scenes.
Control Playback from Your Phone
Once the video is playing on your TV, your phone becomes the remote control. Use the on-screen controls to play, pause, seek, and adjust volume. You can continue browsing for the next video while the current one plays. CastBrowser tracks playback position so you always know where you are in the video.
Frequently Asked Questions About DLNA
What does DLNA stand for?
DLNA stands for Digital Living Network Alliance. It was a trade organization founded in 2003 by Sony, Intel, and Microsoft to create interoperability standards for sharing media between devices on a home network. Although the organization dissolved in 2017, the DLNA standard continues to be widely used in Smart TVs, media players, and streaming apps.
Is DLNA the same as Chromecast?
No. DLNA is an open standard built into most Smart TVs that works over your local network. Chromecast is Google's proprietary casting protocol that typically requires a Chromecast dongle or a TV with Chromecast built-in. Both let you stream video to a TV, but they use different technology. Apps like CastBrowser support both, so you do not have to choose — cast to whichever device is available.
How do I know if my TV supports DLNA?
The easiest way is to install CastBrowser on your phone and check if your TV appears in the device list. You can also check your TV's network settings for options like “DLNA,” “Media Renderer,” “AllShare” (Samsung), or “SmartShare” (LG). Most Smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic, Philips, Hisense, and TCL support DLNA.
Is DLNA still used in 2026?
Yes. Even though the DLNA organization dissolved in 2017, the underlying technology is still built into virtually every Smart TV sold today. Billions of DLNA devices are in use worldwide. New TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, and other major brands continue to ship with DLNA support. For streaming web videos to Smart TVs without extra hardware, DLNA remains one of the most practical options.
What video formats does DLNA support?
The DLNA standard mandates support for MPEG-2, H.264/AVC (MP4), and WMV video formats. Most modern DLNA TVs also support H.265/HEVC and MKV. However, DLNA does not natively support HLS (M3U8) streams, which is the format used by most websites. CastBrowser solves this by automatically converting HLS streams to MPEG-TS, a format that every DLNA TV can play.
Can I use DLNA with iPhone?
Yes. iPhones do not have native DLNA support (Apple uses AirPlay instead), but you can use a DLNA-compatible app like CastBrowser. Download CastBrowser from the App Store, and you can discover and cast to any DLNA Smart TV on your Wi-Fi network. This is especially useful if your TV does not support AirPlay.
Does DLNA require an internet connection?
No. DLNA works entirely over your local Wi-Fi network. Your phone and TV communicate directly without involving any cloud servers. However, you do need internet access if you want to stream web videos (since the video content itself comes from the internet). For casting local files stored on your phone, no internet is needed at all.
Can DLNA stream 4K video?
Yes, if your Smart TV supports 4K playback. The DLNA protocol itself does not limit resolution — it simply delivers the video stream to the TV, and the TV handles decoding and display. If your TV supports 4K and the source video is in 4K, DLNA will stream it at full resolution. CastBrowser lets you choose the video quality before casting.
Is DLNA secure?
DLNA operates entirely on your local network, which provides a basic level of security — devices outside your Wi-Fi cannot access DLNA services. However, the protocol itself does not include encryption. Any device on your local network can potentially discover and interact with DLNA devices. For home use, this is generally not a concern, but you should avoid using DLNA on public or shared networks.
What is the difference between DLNA and UPnP?
UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) is the underlying networking protocol that DLNA is built on. Think of UPnP as the foundation and DLNA as the house built on top of it. UPnP handles device discovery and communication, while DLNA adds specific guidelines for media sharing — which formats to support, how to organize media libraries, and how devices should interact for streaming. All DLNA devices use UPnP, but not all UPnP devices are DLNA certified.
Cast to Any DLNA Smart TV for Free
Download CastBrowser and start streaming web videos to your DLNA-compatible Smart TV. Works with Samsung, LG, Sony, and more — no extra hardware needed.