Rygel

Rygel is a GNOME project that provides a DLNA/UPnP AV home media solution for sharing audio, video, and pictures to compatible devices on your network. It can act as a MediaServer and can also enable player software to work as a remotely controlled MediaRenderer, with interoperability features aimed at DLNA compliance.

Key Features

• DLNA/UPnP AV MediaServer for browsing and playing local media from TVs, game consoles, and other clients
• MediaRenderer support so playback can be controlled remotely by UPnP/DLNA controller apps
• On-the-fly media conversion to formats supported by specific client devices
• Plugin-based architecture to extend functionality and integrate different media sources/engines
• Shared libraries for building plugins, renderers, and UPnP/DLNA components

Use Cases

• Stream a PC media library to Smart TVs or gaming consoles (including when formats require conversion)
• Use a phone or PC as a controller to search and play media on DLNA/UPnP devices
• Redirect audio output to DLNA speakers on the local network

Limitations and Considerations

• Transcoding and compatibility depend on available media pipeline support and can be CPU-intensive on low-power systems
• Some device interoperability may require tuning configuration and selecting appropriate plugins for your environment

Rygel fits well in Linux-based home networks where DLNA/UPnP compatibility is needed for TVs, consoles, and speakers. Its plugin system and libraries also make it useful as a foundation for custom UPnP/DLNA media solutions.