The Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) is a standard designed to enable seamless content sharing between devices such as televisions, computers, and mobile devices over a local network. A Network-Attached Storage (NAS) system, on the other hand, serves as a dedicated network storage solution with server capabilities, allowing multiple users to store, access, and manage files on demand.
In the mid-2010s, Samsung TVs were equipped with built-in DLNA support, allowing users to easily stream media files directly from a NAS device to their TV. It worked as follows: you had to install a virtual server program on your computer, such as Home Media Server, and there are dozens of such programs available. Add the media files you want to play over the network to the media library. The TV comes with a pre-installed media server program that can scan the network for DLNA protocols, browse files, and play them.
Samsung TVs and NAS Server Compatibility
Around 2019, Samsung discontinued DLNA certification for its TVs, and by 2021, support for this standard was completely removed. As a result, modern Samsung TV models no longer work with NAS servers.
The main reason for this change was the decline in demand for such solutions. Modern televisions support external hard drives and USB flash drives with capacities of several terabytes, making it much easier to connect and watch media directly. In addition, with the rapid growth of streaming services, the need to create and maintain personal media libraries has largely disappeared.
Furthermore, Samsung TVs now support wireless content sharing — AirPlay for Apple devices and Chromecast for Android — allowing users to easily stream content to the screen without relying on NAS servers or additional software.
How to Check if Your Samsung TV Supports File Sharing Over Your Home Network
Samsung does not always explicitly list NAS or DLNA support in its specifications, as companies often rebrand standard technologies for marketing purposes. In Samsung’s case, the DLNA function was known as AllShare.
To determine whether your TV supports file sharing over your home network, open the input or source menu on your Samsung TV. If AllShare appears among the available sources, your TV can receive files from a computer or NAS device via the local network. If it does not appear, this feature is most likely not supported on your model.
New media file transfer technology for Samsung TVs
Easy Connection to Screen is a Samsung feature that replaces DLNA and allows you to remotely access and control your Windows computer directly from your Samsung Smart TV. It is located in the “Workspace” section.
To use this feature, you need to install the Easy Connection to Screen app on your Windows computer (available for Windows 10 and later versions). Once installed, your TV and computer must be connected to the same Samsung account and the same network. Once configured, your computer will automatically appear in the Workspace menu on your TV, allowing you to connect remotely and view videos or photos over the network.
