Another “MiFi” wireless-broadband router is now a DLNA media server–this time in North America

Article

Mobile Hotspot Devices Are Starting to Add DLNA Media Server Functionality | eHomeUpgrade

Link to the video

My Comments

Previously, I had reported on a Vodafone “MiFi” wireless-broadband router being able to be a DLNA-compliant media server for its local network. This was available in most of the European countries that Vodafone have presence in.

But now the DLNA-enabled “MiFi” is now touching the North-American market through Novatel Wireless and currently available through AT&T; although I would suggest that you check with your wireless-broadband carrier if their “MiFi” has this upgrade. This is available through their current wireless-broadband router model, being the MiFi 2372, after it has been loaded with the latest firmware. This could then become the case for some of the other “MiFi”s based on this unit’s design and offered through other carriers.

Like the Vodafone unit, you insert a MicroSD card (up to 32GB) full of images, audio or video content and use the Web management interface on this device to enable the DLNA media server for the Wi-Fi local network. Then you can find and play that content from your DLNA-compliant device’s user interface or push the media to another DLNA MediaRenderer device on the Wi-Fi network using Windows 7, TworkyManager / TwonkyMobile, Samsung AllShare or similar control-point programs.

There will be an issue with these devices becoming media servers, where their battery runtime will be reduced with this function enabled. This may not be of concern if the device is connected to external power or a long-range battery pack through its USB connection; but will be of concern when you run it on its own batteries. As well, most tablets and smartphones will need to run a DLNA media client for this feature to work.

This feature may be more prevalent with more of the current-model or next-model “MiFi” units if they have a microSD slot that is for file storage; and could be available “out of the box” or through a subsequent free firmware update. This could then lead to thse devices becoming a “traveller’s best friend” for the network age, whether on a long journey, at the trade fair or at the holiday house.

Leave a Reply