DLNA Protocol Primer: The Unsung Hero of Home Entertainment Screen Mirroring
When we talk about screen mirroring, DLNA is a term that frequently comes up. Unlike WiDi and Miracast, which have different objectives, DLNA is undoubtedly the “unsung hero” in the field of home digital entertainment.
I. What Is DLNA?
DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a consortium of industry enterprises that has developed a set of standards. These standards enable various devices in a home network—such as mobile phones, computers, TVs, game consoles, and NAS (Network-Attached Storage)—to discover each other and share digital media content (photos, music, videos).
In simple terms, it establishes a “common language for digital media” in the home, allowing devices from different brands to communicate smoothly.
II. What Can DLNA Do? Push, Not Mirror
The core function of DLNA is “media pushing.” Examples include:
- Using a video app on your mobile phone, you tap the TV mirroring button to push a movie to your TV for playback.
- Pushing music from your computer to a DLNA-supported speaker for playback.
It’s important to note that DLNA usually does not support full-screen mirroring (i.e., displaying the entire mobile phone interface via screen mirroring). It only transmits specified media files. This is the biggest difference between DLNA and wireless mirroring protocols like Miracast/WiDi.
III. DLNA’s Role in Multi-Screen Collaboration
In office environments, DLNA plays a relatively auxiliary role, but it still has its uses:
- Lounge Area Entertainment: Employees can push music or videos from their mobile phones to TVs in public lounge areas during breaks.
- Media Library Access: If an enterprise has a DLNA media server that centrally stores promotional videos and training videos, employees can directly access and play this content on conference tablets during meetings—no need to copy files via USB drives.
IV. How to Use DLNA?
It’s extremely easy to use. First, ensure all devices are connected to the same network. Then, in a DLNA-supported app on the sender device (e.g., a mobile phone), tap the mirroring icon and select the receiver device (e.g., a TV). No complex pairing process is required.
DLNA is the core protocol for enabling convenient home digital entertainment. While it is not the main player in multi-screen collaboration office scenarios that require high real-time performance, its simple and easy-to-use media pushing function remains indispensable in specific situations, making it an important part of the screen mirroring ecosystem.