How to use your PS4 as a media streamer without DLNA

As it stands, the PS4 doesn’t ship with DLNA streaming capability, ironically making the PS3 a better media center device. It’s certainly possible that we’ll see support for the standard patched in eventually, but how are we supposed to play our media library on the PS4 right now? Thankfully, there is a way, and it’s all thanks to the surprisingly useful web browser included with the PS4′s OS.

[Mikey32230]

Absolutely huge step back that Sony made. I had tweeted numerous times to Shuhei Yoshida between Feb 2013 and launch asking over and over about DLNA support, only to be ignored until finally near launch they said it had never been though of or considered to be built into the OS.

Yet Photo Applications, Media features were typically implemented over and over again throughout the lifetime of the PS3's FW updates.

I hope sony gets DLNA support put into the PS4 within the next 2-3 months when a new firmware update is dude. It will have been an entire year since Sony recognized this was one of the most requested features that should have been there to begin with.

[The Meerkat]

Its the main reason the 360 is still my default console.

When I first got my PS4 I was thinking it was me that couldn't find the setting. I spend a while searching through every menu because I refused to believe Sony would be so stupid as to not include it.

For Sony to get so many things right with the PS4 my guess it that DLNA has been left out because of some licensing/legal issue rather than Sony being stupid.

[UltimateMaster]

This article shows you how to use Plex to be able to stream media content.
I've personally never used DNLA or Media Servers on the PS3, Xbox 360 or any consoles.

[sinjonezp]

Main reason I use my ps3 still over the ps4. I guess when they say this system is for the gamers, that's just what it is. I stream movies to my living room on the ps3 all the time for me and my lady. She can't live without it. Its faster than Netflix and for music you can transfer locally. I just wish Sony would at the least....add dlna support.

[XtraTrstrL]

You know why there is no local mp3 support or dlna server option right now ofcourse correct? It's extremely obvious that they are doing it to grab as many Music/Video Unlimited subscriptions out of frustration as they can right now. I mean, Shuhei said something about not realizing how huge the call for those options were. I don't like lies. Sony has done so much right, and been so open and closer to a heavenly company like Valve recently that I hate to say it, but they are on some BS about this issue.

If he didn't realize how bad people would want those options, then why is Music/Video Unlimited perfectly integrated from launch???? They obviously realize how big an issue this is, and they can probably see the stats of how many users on PS3 use mp3 and dlna support. It's clear that they want Music/Video Unlimited as the ONLY choice for as long as possible.

There's no way they couldn't have added DLNA by now, or that mp3 player. They are completely full of sh*t on this issue. Sorry, but I can't act like this isn't what it is. It would still be bad, but not as bad if there was no paywall for retail online or all these other $$ subscriptions planned. It's just basically a paywall to watch vids and listen to music now. We were waiting for the ability to listen to our mp3s in-game. Well, they added it, but gave us no mp3 player other than Music Unlimited.

LMAO for people not screaming down their throats about it by now. People are too busy kissing their collective asses to notice what they did to us. Sony is not as horrible a company as Microsoft, it's easy for almost anyone to look good next to Microsoft. Sony by no means is as much a white knight in gaming as Valve though. Valve would never paywall their online, not on PC, Steambox or whatever. Come on Sony, you're making Cerny look bad, he doesn't deserve that. Allow my PS4 to do what my PS3 did atleast, even though I'm forced into PS+ now on nextgen - which isn't an upgrade until the servers and maintenance and patches and everything all catch up to the quality level it should be for a paid service.

[PoodlePuncher]

I don't think it's necessarily just that they wanted more people to subscribe to their services, it seems like a lot of companies are receiving flack for DLNA streaming because most people use it for watching pirated content. I remember reading somewhere that when you have a service like Netflix or Hulu on a device that there are certain criteria or whatever they have to meet, one of those being the exclusion of media streaming (read this in regard to Google Chrome, which would make an excellent, cheap DLNA streamer which would extend it's functionality into something actually useful if it weren't for licensing issues).

Another feature that people seem to have forgotten about is 3D blu ray playback. I highly doubt it can be that hard to incorporate that into the console. Really makes me regret getting rid of my PS3 which I could watch 3D blu rays on just fine.

[turdburgler1080]

Sony makes music and movies. The last thing they want is for people not to pay for them by streaming it. They probably realised full DLNA wasn't such a good idea and back tracked on the ps4. They do make a profit on those two things. No reason to lose money on it.

[ab5olut10n]

More than likely they left it out to force their subscription based movie and music services on us. But who would admit that?

[Nodoze]

100% agree. It is the reason I continue to use my PS3. Major step backwards Sony.

I wonder if anyone is even using that streaming crap from them?

[thejigisup]

I still use my ps3 for its dlna capability. I also subscribe to music unlimited, its quick simple and shares across several devices no prob, and i can use it at work. Its not a cash grab, its smart and convenient. You want a work around? They know the community will always find one, and we have. Why invest resources into something when someone else will do it for you?

[shinrock]

Shouldn't have to work around it!

[windblowsagain]

PLEX WORKS

[kevnb]

They probably are testing cinavia or something like that

[DragoonsScaleLegends]

I have been using plex for videos on wii u for a while now. I used it once on my ps4 but it works better on wii u. Wii u web browser is so much better than ps4's web browser it's crazy(Because they both use the same web browser). Sony really needs their software team to step up and make a better interface on ps4. Even though all the games on ps4 look way better than the wii u, the os is way more unstable and sometimes laggy.

[Muzikguy]

I heard of this, just haven't gotten around to trying it out yet. Guess I'm just being lazy... I wonder if it works for phones too

[windblowsagain]

it does:)

[Muzikguy]

Awesome thanks! I need something because I was using Winamp remote but they pulled the plug on that.