Are you tired of the limitations of the media playback capabilities on your PS4? Do you want to stream your favorite videos, music, and photos from your computer to your console? Look no further than Universal Media Server (UMS). In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up and using UMS on your PS4.
What is Universal Media Server?
Universal Media Server is a free, open-source media server that allows you to stream media content from your computer to various devices on your network, including your PS4. UMS supports a wide range of media formats, including video, audio, and image files. It also supports subtitles, closed captions, and other advanced features.
Key Features of Universal Media Server
Some of the key features of UMS include:
- Support for a wide range of media formats, including MP4, AVI, MKV, and more
- Ability to stream media content to multiple devices at the same time
- Support for subtitles, closed captions, and other advanced features
- Easy to use interface for configuring and managing your media library
- Support for external subtitles and closed captions
Setting Up Universal Media Server on Your Computer
Before you can start streaming media to your PS4, you need to set up UMS on your computer. Here’s how:
Downloading and Installing UMS
To download and install UMS, follow these steps:
- Go to the UMS website and click on the “Download” button
- Select the version of UMS that is compatible with your computer’s operating system
- Follow the installation instructions to install UMS on your computer
Configuring UMS
Once you have installed UMS, you need to configure it to work with your PS4. Here’s how:
- Launch UMS on your computer
- Click on the “Settings” button to open the UMS settings window
- In the settings window, click on the “Navigation/Share Settings” tab
- Select the folders on your computer that contain the media files you want to stream to your PS4
- Click on the “Save” button to save your changes
Connecting Your PS4 to Universal Media Server
Now that you have set up UMS on your computer, you need to connect your PS4 to it. Here’s how:
Enabling DLNA on Your PS4
To connect your PS4 to UMS, you need to enable DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) on your console. Here’s how:
- Go to the PS4 settings menu
- Select “Network”
- Select “Media Server Connection”
- Select “Enable”
Discovering UMS on Your PS4
Once you have enabled DLNA on your PS4, you need to discover UMS on your console. Here’s how:
- Go to the PS4 media menu
- Select “Video”
- Select “Media Servers”
- Select “Universal Media Server”
Streaming Media to Your PS4 with UMS
Now that you have connected your PS4 to UMS, you can start streaming media to your console. Here’s how:
Streaming Video to Your PS4
To stream video to your PS4, follow these steps:
- Go to the PS4 media menu
- Select “Video”
- Select “Media Servers”
- Select “Universal Media Server”
- Select the video file you want to stream
Streaming Music to Your PS4
To stream music to your PS4, follow these steps:
- Go to the PS4 media menu
- Select “Music”
- Select “Media Servers”
- Select “Universal Media Server”
- Select the music file you want to stream
Streaming Photos to Your PS4
To stream photos to your PS4, follow these steps:
- Go to the PS4 media menu
- Select “Photos”
- Select “Media Servers”
- Select “Universal Media Server”
- Select the photo file you want to stream
Troubleshooting Common Issues with UMS on PS4
If you encounter any issues while using UMS on your PS4, here are some troubleshooting tips:
UMS Not Detected on PS4
If your PS4 is not detecting UMS, try the following:
- Make sure that UMS is running on your computer
- Make sure that your PS4 and computer are connected to the same network
- Restart your PS4 and computer
Media Files Not Playing on PS4
If your media files are not playing on your PS4, try the following:
- Make sure that the media file is in a format that is supported by UMS
- Make sure that the media file is not corrupted
- Try streaming a different media file
Conclusion
Universal Media Server is a powerful tool that allows you to stream media content from your computer to your PS4. With its easy-to-use interface and support for a wide range of media formats, UMS is the perfect solution for anyone who wants to stream media to their console. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can set up UMS on your computer and start streaming media to your PS4 in no time.
What is Universal Media Server?
Universal Media Server is a free, open-source media server that allows you to stream your favorite media to various devices, including the PlayStation 4. It supports a wide range of file formats and can transcode media in real-time, making it compatible with a variety of devices.
Universal Media Server is designed to be easy to use and configure, with a user-friendly interface that allows you to manage your media library and customize the streaming settings. It also supports subtitles, thumbnails, and other features that enhance the streaming experience.
How do I install Universal Media Server?
Installing Universal Media Server is a straightforward process that requires minimal technical expertise. Simply download the software from the official website, run the installer, and follow the prompts to complete the installation. The software is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.
Once installed, you can launch Universal Media Server and configure the settings to suit your needs. You can specify the folders that contain your media files, set up the streaming settings, and customize the appearance of the interface.
What types of media can I stream with Universal Media Server?
Universal Media Server supports a wide range of media file formats, including video, audio, and image files. You can stream movies, TV shows, music, and photos to your PlayStation 4, as well as other devices that support DLNA or UPnP protocols.
The software also supports subtitles, closed captions, and other metadata, making it easy to manage and stream your media library. Additionally, Universal Media Server can transcode media in real-time, allowing you to stream files that are not natively supported by your device.
How do I set up Universal Media Server to stream to my PS4?
To set up Universal Media Server to stream to your PS4, you need to configure the software to use the DLNA protocol. This involves specifying the IP address of your PS4 and setting up the streaming settings to match the capabilities of your device.
Once you have configured the settings, you can launch the Media Player app on your PS4 and browse for available media servers. Your Universal Media Server should appear in the list, allowing you to access and stream your media library to your PS4.
Can I customize the streaming settings in Universal Media Server?
Yes, Universal Media Server allows you to customize the streaming settings to suit your needs. You can specify the video and audio codecs, set the bitrate and resolution, and customize other settings to optimize the streaming performance.
Additionally, you can also customize the appearance of the interface, specify the folders that contain your media files, and set up the subtitles and other metadata. The software also supports plugins and scripts, allowing you to extend its functionality and customize the streaming experience.
Is Universal Media Server compatible with other devices?
Yes, Universal Media Server is compatible with a wide range of devices that support DLNA or UPnP protocols. This includes smart TVs, Blu-ray players, and other media players, as well as mobile devices and tablets.
The software is also compatible with other gaming consoles, including the Xbox One and Nintendo Wii U. Additionally, Universal Media Server can also stream media to web browsers, allowing you to access your media library from any device with a web connection.
Is Universal Media Server free to use?
Yes, Universal Media Server is completely free to use, with no limitations or restrictions on its functionality. The software is open-source, which means that it is maintained and updated by a community of developers who contribute to its development.
There are no ads, no spyware, and no malware in Universal Media Server, making it a safe and reliable choice for streaming your media library. Additionally, the software is regularly updated with new features and bug fixes, ensuring that it remains compatible with the latest devices and media formats.