Table Of Content
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serviio.org
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Why do you need a Media Server?
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What is Serviio?
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Why should you use Serviio?
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Great Compatibility
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Transcoding & File formats
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Metadata & Thumbnails
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Media Browser
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How to access Serviio?
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Design
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Header
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Hero Section
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Body
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Footer
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Inner Pages
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Installing & Learning about Serviio
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Suggestions I have for Serviio
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Conclusion
serviio.org
Most open-source media server software give you a lot of customization options. Users love them because they are more than just a platform to stream media. Part of having a customized streaming network is that you have complete control over it. It takes quite a shift to understand how to set it up and do it properly, but there's no denying that streaming server software can elevate your content viewing experience.
Over the years, I've come to rely on Serviio as one of my favorite media server software options alongside Plex. Windows Media Center ran out of steam a few years back, leaving a void that various services have since filled. Among these are Serviio, Kodi, and Plex - all of which I use frequently.
This is a very popular option today.
People have used software like Serviio for nearly two decades to keep all their data in one place. For many geeks, this includes using network-attached storage (NAS) to run their own server quietly. With a little maintenance and a computer's hard drive, anybody can host media on their own servers. This is a very popular option today.
Why do you need a Media Server?
Serviio is a media sharing platform that allows you to share content with devices that are compatible with Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA). This particular blog is focused on Serviio, and given that we have access to Chromecast and Dropbox, one might think that Serviio is outdated but in reality, none of the modern-day firmware or software will allow you the freedom that Serviio has to offer. That's why the main point of this blog is to discuss what Serviio is and how it can benefit your media streaming experience.
What is Serviio?
Serviio is a free media server that allows its users to stream media files onto their devices. So, you can watch videos, listen to music, and view images on your devices such as TVs, Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, or even your mobile phones. Once both the server and device are connected to one another, you're good to go. What makes Serviio great is that it is compatible with a wide range of devices including gaming consoles such as Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. Since the platform is written in Java, it runs on all major platforms such as Windows, Linux, Mac and even embedded systems such as NASes.
Why should you use Serviio?
Serviio has many benefits for media management, some of which are listed below. I believe that using Serviio will improve the process of managing media for you.
Great Compatibility
You can choose the free version or the pro version, but regardless of what you choose, the fact remains that Serviio offers incredible compatibility. You can use it with Mac, Windows, Linux, and a wide range of other devices to stream SD and HD videos. You can even use it to hear audios - even if they were in ASIO format or watch an image connected to the DLNA device.
Transcoding & File formats
Serviio has a wide range of file types that can be played with devices. Audio formats include WMA, MP3, ACC, and Flac. Video formats include AVI, MKV, MP4, and WMV. Transcoding is possible in real-time to change file types. For instance if you want to convert an AVI to MP4. And while watching a movie subtitles can be turned on in SRT format.
Metadata & Thumbnails
The media server software features in-depth coverage of various album arts and intricate details. I like how you get all the crucial information such as the title, director, genre, year of production and other important details in one place.Serviio is able to provide up-to-date content data due to its ability to extract information from the website. This allows the software to categorize the content in endless ways. This is the feature that makes searching for content really easy.
Media Browser
Though this particular feature is part of the Pro version, I felt like it would be valuable for all users. Using MediaBrowser for watching shows through the browser is an amazing feature. Considering that there are plenty of devices that don't have DLNA for remote viewing, having a media browser just adds depth to the existing service. With the Pro version, you can also privatize certain features such as control access to folders and other third-party apps.
How to access Serviio?
Accessing Serviio is easy. You can find it on the first page of the search results, and clicking the Serviio screenshot on the left will direct you to the website directly. Once there, click the downloadable links for your platform to download and install the software. The software is around 150-170 MB depending on which platform you use.
Design
Serviio has a visually appealing website. The homepage banners with well-designed sections are filled with important information. The White/grey combination with simple black text looks elegant. What I like about this website is that all the pages are well- Designed and are in sync.
Header
Serviio also has a support section where you can find help with using the software and getting in touch with the team if you have any questions. Finally, there are two forums where users can ask and answer questions about Serviio.
The header section on Serviio has eight options - Home, Features, Buy Pro, Download, Apps, Support, News, and Forum. Each of these options has a dedicated inner page allowing you to access a particular piece of information. For instance, if you want to learn about features, you can click on Features and you?ll be directed to a page where you can learn everything that Serviio has to offer. Similarly, by clicking on Download, you?re getting straight to the point. If you?re a new user, you?d likely want to check out the rest of the website before downloading the software. Serviio also has a support section where you can find help with using the software and getting in touch with the team if you have any questions. Finally there are two forums where users can ask and answer questions about Serviio
Hero Section
Serviio's Hero Section has a clean and compact design. A static banner with a headline "Access your content anywhere?" is the only visual aid on the homepage. There's a news section right under the banner towards the left and there's a brief description towards the right. And that's about it for the hero section.
Body
The body section of the website is compact and packed with information. Towards the left, you'll find links to the latest software versions. On the right, you have two static tabs - 'On the Go?' and 'Control with your voice?', I guess these are several features that the developer wants to point out. Right above the footer section, you can also find the 'About Us' section.
Footer
The footer section on this website has four main categories - Quick Support, Developers, Pro Edition, and Contact Us. Under Quick Support, you can find options such asGetting Started?,FAQ?,Online Content Management?, andUsers Knowledge Base. Under Developers, you haveReset API?,Online Plugin Developer Guide?,Online Plugin Developer Forum?, andHelp Translating. Under Pro Edition, you have options such asBuy Pro Edition?,Free vs Pro?,MediaBrowser?, andAlexa Skill. And finally, you have theContact Us? option where you can reach out to the developer.
Inner Pages
You can access any of the inner pages by clicking on the categories or menus on the homepage. One particular inner page that I liked was ?Features?. On this page, you'll find all the crucial pointers under various headers such as ?Features?, ?Supported renders?, ?File Formats?, and ?Supported Media Files?.
Installing & Learning about Serviio
Serviio is a great application for installing on your home computer. However, setting up your own home server requires some technical knowledge. However, we are just focusing on the interface and customization options that this application provides. Let's check out some of the important features of the console.
There is a Status tab where you can check all the running devices. The library helps you access all the folders. You can use settings to change remote access, transcoding or adding subtitles. The remote feature allows external viewing and by using console settings you can play with language and updates.
You can choose various playback devices from a list of devices, such as media players, TVs, DVD players, and gaming consoles. You can also choose a pre-set profile, but it is recommended to choose a profile that suits the device the best.
Don't forget to install the ServiiDroid and ServiiGo apps for watching and managing content on your server. These apps were in beta phase earlier, but now they seem to work fine. Still, it's not as great when you compare it to Plex or Kodi.
Suggestions I have for Serviio
Despite my liking of a lot of things about this app, I would recommend the developers to further work on it. It feels lackluster and makes the platform come off as opaque. Besides that, Serviio has everything that you would expect from a great media server.
Conclusion
If you're looking for a complete media server capable of providing a wholesome experience, you don't need to look any further than Serviio. Sure, it doesn't have the best app yet, but apart from that, you can totally check out this free service.
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