Streaming content on the TV is easy if you have all your content stored on one device. It becomes complicated when it is not. Then, you need to keep switching devices connected to the TV. Some suggest using screen mirroring but there are several drawbacks to it. You have to keep your phone within range of your TV and you can’t hide the notifications and messages from popping-up on the TV screen. DLNA is a solution to all of these problems. With this feature, you can stream content from any corner of your home to any device that supports DLNA – your TVs, laptop, phone, etc. You don’t even need an internet connection for it to work. If you have a Smart TV at home or if considering buying one, you can read our article on how to stream content to a Smart TV using DLNA. If haven’t make a move to smart TVs, this feature is all about how you can stream content even to your non-Smart TV.
Using smart streaming solutions for your non-smart TV
There have been many smart TV solutions, but those were either too costly or have lacked features. The Google Chromecast 2 and the Amazon Fire TV stick are two of the most popular devices that you should consider purchasing for your non-smart TV. These devices are easy to connect and besides just DLNA, there are many other things you can do with them.
Connecting your smart solution and other devices to the same network
To start streaming content, first connect the Chromecast 2 to your TV and set it up. You will be prompted to install the Google Home app on your phone. Follow the remainder of the set-up instructions on your TV to help it connect to your home network. Once the Chromecast 2 is connected to the internet, use your phone to connect it on the same network. You can use a free app called BubbleUPnP that’s available on the Google Play Store.
Streaming to the Google Chromecast 2 using DLNA
Once both these devices are connected on the same network, start BubbleUPnP, and you will see the name of your Chromecast 2 device under Renderer option, in the menu on the left. To check out the content, there are three buttons at the bottom of the app’s interface. Click on the Library option, where you will find all the content on your phone categorized into different folders. Select the file you want to stream on the TV.
Using the BubbleUPnP app, your phone will act as a TV remote. If you have a DLNA app running on some other Android phone or laptop, you can stream content from those devices to your smart solution.
Streaming to the Amazon Fire TV stick using DLNA
Setting up the Amazon Fire TV stick is also very simple. You need to connect Amazon Fire TV stick to the TV. You will find several pre-installed apps. You may not need to install any DLNA software on your device. Once both, the phone and TV are on the same network, launch BubbleUPnP and your Fire TV name should appear under the Renderer option. You can now start playing content stored on your phone.
If this does not work, there are a couple of DLNA apps you can choose to install on the Fire TV. Some of the recommended ones are Twonky and Cast TV.
What else can I do with these smart solutions?
The Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV Stick have other benefits too. These devices let you stream TV shows and movies from Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, as well as many other popular streaming services. You can also do screen mirroring if you like. You can use apps designed for the large screens such as games, time management apps, educational apps and many more. Some apps also work like a controller on your phone, while the main app runs on your TV.
Can I use smart voice assistants with these solutions?
You can choose to make your home entertainment setup a lot smarter. You can also consider buying a Google Home or Amazon Echo smart speakers. Google Home speakers work well with the Chromecast. You can simply ask Google Home to play music or a podcast on your Chromecast, and it will do it for you. Similar things are possible using the Amazon Echo speakers, where you can control the the Fire TV using the Alexa voice assistant.
We hope you’ve got DLNA working on your setup. All of these products are available for purchase on our site, and if you want to see how these products work, you can even walk over to one of our stores closest to you.
Hi,
Please, advise on the exchange rate. I am living in Maputo – Mozambique.
Also confirm if it is possible to perform on line purchase and ship the product to Maputo.
Kind regards,
FDau
Hey Francisco, Thanks for your interest in shopping with us. Unfortunately, we currently do not offer shipping to Mozambique.