Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is a set of networking protocols that permits networked devices, such as personal computers, printers, Internet gateways, Wi-Fi access points and mobile devices to seamlessly discover each other’s presence on the network and establish functional network services for data sharing, ...
Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) is a set of interoperability standards for sharing home digital media among multimedia devices. It allows users to share or stream stored media files to various certified devices on the same network like PCs, smartphones, TV sets, game consoles, stereo systems, and NASs.
What is the difference between DLNA and UPnP?
As mentioned above, UPnP is a set of protocols that allow different devices to discover each other and use the services that they can offer. On the other hand, DLNA covers a broader scope since it includes media formats, management systems, and even content protection systems.
DLNA uses UPnP for interconnectivity so that the DLNA-certified devices such as Blu-ray Disc™ players, TVs, computers, smartphones, and tablets can find each other and communicate. DLNA also uses UPnP to control different devices. In general, all DLNA-capable devices are also UPnP-capable since the former is derived from the later.
Listed below are some of UPnP and DLNA’s differences:
UPnP | DLNA |
• Relatively mature • Networking protocols • Supported by more devices • General |
• Very young • Device standard • With restrictions • Specific |
in brief: it allows you to see your NAS with its files and media art connected on your network, .and play your digital media through your smartphone or tablet over WiFi using the digital player app.