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[Jonhfx]

Hi all, hope you can clarify and or help with this issue.

I just bought the DIR-826L. I want a router I can plug a USB hard drive into and then a) access the files on the router from the pc & IOS devices on my network, and b) stream media from the USB hard drive to my DLNA enabled smart TV.  I can do A but need help with B.

So, on the Canadian and US D-Link websites it says: 'With DLNA, the mydlink App-Enabled N600 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router not only connects to any Ethernet-equipped device, but virtually any device, automatically.'

And on the UK version of the site it says ...' The DIR-826L can also be used as a media server for your home to stream media stored on your USB storage drive to any DLNA compliant player like the Boxee Box by D-Link.'

However I can't find any information on how to configure the router so the TV will see it as a DLNA connection, nor any specifics about using it as a media server.  Am I misunderstanding what D-Link means by the above statements? I take them to mean I should be able to connect my TV to the router to directly stream media content from the USB drive.  I called tech support and they say I need to set up on of my computers as a media server but I can do this with my old D-Link router, and it isn't what I'm looking for.

Can anyone help with this? I can access my files via Shareport Mobile. I have Upnp checked in advanced networking.  Maybe I need to setup a virtual server, but if so I can't find info on how to do this. Or open up/ assign a new port? Or do I have it all wrong.

Thanks in advance for help with this. Thinking this router may have to go back to the store ... :-(

Jon

[FurryNutz]

Looking at the manual, I don't see any DLNA, iTunes or other media sharing services aside from using Shareport which should work.

If your really wanting to use DLNA, or other media streaming services, I would recommend that you get into a router that supports this, i.e. D-Links Amplifi line or Cloud line of routers (DIR-865L).

I personally would not recommend using the USB port and external drive for streaming video. USB is good however is the bottle neck of any connection as it can't handle large bandwidth data streams and is problematic and can cause video stream to re-buffer and video to not stream seamlessly.

I would highly recommend that you re-consider not using the USB drive as a video streaming solution rather, get into a LAN based storage solution for video streaming. Gb LAN supported devices are available and LAN handles the higher bandwidth of video streaming easily. I currently use a PC loaded with one large HDD shared out and connected to my Gb network switch. Boxee box, xbox and others can access all the files wired and wireless with out problems. You could still use the DIR-826L as your main router. I would also highly consider getting a external Gb network switch as well, this will help in streaming video, while others online and surfing the Internet or gaming wont interfere with the video stream. Also helps eliminate unnecessary router processing.

Please review one of the Amplifi line or the Cloud router DIR-865L if you still want to use the router as your media server application.

Let us know what you go with.

Good Luck.

[Jonhfx]

Hi Fuzzy

Thanks for your reply. I too don't seen anything about it in the manual.  But D-link does say that the DIR-826L is a Cloud router (Cloud 2000) and the features chart (see link)

http://www.dlink.com/us/en/home-solutions/connect/routers/-/media/Images/Products%20Connect/Cloud%20Router%20Comparison%20Charts/Cloud_Router_2000_chart.png

does indicate that all of the Cloud routers have 'DLNA Media Streaming'.  The 856L (Cloud 5700) has two additional features. Maybe these are what you need to really do it?

I do appreciate your thoughts on not using the router or a USB drive for video streaming and will look at your suggestions, but I would like to understand 'if' D-Link is marketing these routers as being capable of DLNS Media Streaming, what do they mean by that? And, if they can, how does one set it up?

If anyone does have any insights, ideas or comments on this I'd appreciate hearing them.

Jon

[FurryNutz]

Ok then seems like it should if it's listed in the chart. Hmm.

I would presume that maybe with enabling of the storage option under Setup will get this going. I just don't see the DNLA option listed like other router and can only presume that maybe it's already enabled by default and on automatically. If so then the media streaming applications and devices should be able to pick up anything thats connected to the USB port or maybe Storage just needs to be set up and enabled.

Couple of things to check:
Do you see Enable uPnP and Multi-cast Streaming under Advanced/Networking?

[Jonhfx]

Thanks, I do have both the uPnP and Multi-Cast streaming checked.  I did look at the manual for the 856L and it does have specific set up options for DLNA and an ITunes server ... So maybe the 826L isn't what I want and it is just misleading, or at best confusing.  Maybe they just mean that DLNA server software running on a networked PC will pass through and be 'visible' to DLNA devices.

Thanks for your help. If I find out anymore I will post it.

Jon

[FurryNutz]

Ya thats possible.

Keep us posted on what you find out or if you go with a different router.

[FurryNutz]

I know this is old however I was curious if you were still out there and if you had any results on this...

[mcanonic]

Router just arrived and the first impression is not good.
Looking at the config web page nothing is related to DLNA.
The shareport can see my files on UDB HD, but the smart TV does not detect anything.

It seems that I have the wrong router to see movie on tv.

Grrrr

M

[FurryNutz]

What FW version came loaded on your unit?

There is a DLNA server feature on this router under features. http://www.dlink.com/it/it/home-solutions/connect/routers/dir-826l-cloud-gigabit-router-n600

Also I recommend phone contacting your TV Mfr for support and information on configurations on the TV to ensure it's set up for DLNA support and if any FW updates are needed, be applied to effect the TV seeing DLNA content. Also find out what file formats are supported by the TV to ensure your source media placed on the connecting USB drive will be seen and used by the TV.

Router just arrived and the first impression is not good.
Looking at the config web page nothing is related to DLNA.
The shareport can see my files on UDB HD, but the smart TV does not detect anything.

It seems that I have the wrong router to see movie on tv.

Grrrr

M

[FurryNutz]

Any status on this? 

[mcanonic]

Sorry for late reply but I need more time to do more test.

So, the first FW update didn't do anything useful, but the second one (to version 1.04) make the "media server" option appears. Now I can see some folder from my TV, but not the correct ones. I tried several times to add the right folders with no success. I think I need an hardware reset.

The other problem is related to streaming from the tv. For some reason, after 5 minutes the TV does not receive any bit from the router. No problem with pc/tablet, but the TV is not able to receive data from router for more than 5 minutes. I have no clue on this.

I'll test again this router asap and I'll let you know.

M

[FurryNutz]

Keep us posted...

I believe DLNA was added on v1.04 FW.

Sorry for late reply but I need more time to do more test.

So, the first FW update didn't do anything useful, but the second one (to version 1.04) make the "media server" option appears. Now I can see some folder from my TV, but not the correct ones. I tried several times to add the right folders with no success. I think I need an hardware reset.

The other problem is related to streaming from the tv. For some reason, after 5 minutes the TV does not receive any bit from the router. No problem with pc/tablet, but the TV is not able to receive data from router for more than 5 minutes. I have no clue on this.

I'll test again this router asap and I'll let you know.

M

[mcanonic]

So, I make several tests concerning streaming internet content in my Sony Bravia. After 5 to 10 minutes the streaming hangs without any reason.

I try the same test with other router (no D-LINK router) and everything works good. So I cannot continue to use this router and I will return it.

Massimo

[FurryNutz]

Would have been nice to know if you loaded FW and made some configuration changes regarding wired and wireless connections. I presume this is just a configuration issue.

Oh well, Good luck in your endevours. 

So, I make several tests concerning streaming internet content in my Sony Bravia. After 5 to 10 minutes the streaming hangs without any reason.

I try the same test with other router (no D-LINK router) and everything works good. So I cannot continue to use this router and I will return it.

Massimo

[mcanonic]

Hardware Version: A1      Firmware Version: 1.04

I did not modify any wired/wireless config parameters. The TV is connected by wired cable.

The other router, without any configurations worked and also the very basic and old router that I used since 4 months ago, worked with any configuration/customzation.

M