TwonkyServer is an affordable home media management software application that can run on both Windows PCs, Macs and Linux. The software allows you to stream media easily to and from your computer, gaming console, television (via a networked device), compatible smart phones and handheld devices and wifi-enabled digital frames. However, the Windows-only TwonkyManager version offers a few more options and leaves Mac and Linux users in the cold. Therefore, the somewhat limited TwonkyServer lands in third place on our list and wins our TopTenREVIEWS Bronze Award.
Ease of Use:
Once the home media management software has been installed and the server has restarted, check the Media Receivers List to see if your compatible devices are showing up and being read by the server. From there, check your media content (videos, photos and music) via the web browser and ensure it will play back or display properly.
Even if your television doesn’t have Wi-Fi built in, you can connect it to a Playstation 3 or XBOX 360, which can connect with the TwonkyServer home media management app. Alternatively, find a DLNA- (Digital Living Network Alliance) or UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)-compatible device to connect to. These can include Blu-ray or DVD players, video or still cameras, gaming consoles, mobile or handheld devices and more. Check out their respective websites and forums for more info on DLNA and UPnP.
Some digital frames for photos come Wi-Fi-enabled, so you’ll be able to stream even more images to be displayed in the frame. If you mobile phone or handheld device is compatible, content can be streamed to it.
What’s also great about this home media management software is that you don’t need to be at the computer to stream out your digital media content. The compatible devices use their own menu system and user interface to browse and play back all those videos, music and photos.
Video and Sound Quality:
However, if the device itself can’t support the specific video, audio or image format, that’s where there could be a problem with playback. Check to see if your compatible device can support the various content you’ll be streaming to it via TwonkyServer.
Purchase or Rent Content:
Play Digital Media Content: To reiterate one important note, if the device you’re streaming to doesn’t support a specific format properly (such as a 720p or SD television connected via a gaming console), you won’t get the full benefits of that format. You’ll still be able to watch 1080p content on an SD TV, but it won’t be in glorious high definition.
If the device won’t support a format at all, such as a protected audio or video file, it won’t play back on the device. Double-check the compatible device’s manual, or search online, to see which video, audio and image formats are supported. Older devices can have issues with some of the newer formats coming out, especially when it comes to video, which is always evolving as more and more HD codecs are created.
Internet Content: What you need to do is share the desktop of the main computer, e.g., if you’re surfing the web and checking out YouTube, Pandora, Vimeo, Flickr, etc. on your computer, you can share that with your devices. In Basic Setup, you will choose the Sharing menu, which will stream what you’re watching or listening to with your devices.
Help & Support:
Summary: 
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