The Best Mezzmo Alternatives for Seamless Media Streaming
Mezzmo is renowned as a feature-packed DLNA media server, offering an intuitive way to stream music, movies, and photos to various DLNA-enabled devices. Its ease of use and comprehensive digital media sharing features make it a go-to choice for many. However, users often seek a Mezzmo alternative for various reasons, including broader platform support, specific feature sets, or differing pricing models. This article explores the top alternatives that offer comparable or even enhanced media server capabilities.
Top Mezzmo Alternatives
Whether you're looking for a free, open-source solution, broader device compatibility, or more advanced features, there's a Mezzmo alternative out there for you. Let's dive into some of the best options that can elevate your home entertainment experience.
Plex
Plex stands out as a robust and visually appealing media server that bridges the gap between your computer and home theater system. As a freemium service available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iPhone, and many other platforms including smart TVs and gaming consoles, Plex offers extensive features like media transcoding, remote media access, automatic library search, and self-hosted server options, making it a powerful Mezzmo alternative for comprehensive media management.
Universal Media Server
Universal Media Server is a free and open-source DLNA-compliant UPnP Media Server, based on the PS3 Media Server. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, it's a highly configurable and lightweight Mezzmo alternative. Key features include support for DLNA, IPTV, and media transcoding, making it an excellent choice for users seeking a powerful yet straightforward media server solution.
Infuse
Infuse is a premium video player designed for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, celebrated for its ability to play almost any video format without conversion. It's a strong Mezzmo alternative for Apple users, offering features like vast format support, DLNA support, metadata search, and subtitle capabilities. While not a full-fledged server, its seamless integration with network shares and DLNA makes it a powerful playback tool.
MiniDLNA
MiniDLNA (aka ReadyDLNA) is a lightweight, free, and open-source DLNA/UPnP-AV server software primarily for Linux. Developed by a NETGEAR employee, it's an excellent Mezzmo alternative for those looking for a simple, efficient, and reliable DLNA server without the bells and whistles of more complex solutions. Its focus on compliance and networking makes it a solid choice for basic media sharing.
Serviio
Serviio is a free media server that enables streaming of music, video, and image files to any DLNA-certified renderer device, including TVs, Blu-ray players, and gaming consoles like Playstation and Xbox. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, Serviio offers features such as playlist creation, media streaming, raw photo processing, and support for subtitles and video streaming, making it a comprehensive Mezzmo alternative for various media types.
PS3 Media Server
PS3 Media Server is a free and open-source DLNA compliant UPnP Media Server written in Java, specifically designed for streaming or transcoding media to the PS3. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, it's a foundational Mezzmo alternative that spawned many other media server projects. Its direct support for DLNA makes it a reliable choice for gaming console users.
Gerbera
Gerbera is a free and open-source UPnP media server, forked from the MediaTomb project. Primarily for Linux, Gerbera focuses on media streaming, providing a lean and efficient server for sharing your digital content across your home network. It's a straightforward Mezzmo alternative for users who prioritize open-source solutions and simplicity.
MediaTomb
MediaTomb is an open-source (GPL) UPnP MediaServer with a web user interface, allowing streaming of digital media through your home network. Available on Mac and Linux, it serves as a solid Mezzmo alternative, particularly for those comfortable with open-source software, focusing on core DNLA server and media streaming functionalities.
TVersity
TVersity Media Server is a commercial software package for Windows that enables a personal computer to stream content to UPnP devices like the Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii, regardless of format. It's a dedicated Mezzmo alternative for Windows users focused on broad device compatibility, especially for gaming consoles.
VLC Streamer
VLC Streamer allows users to stream movies and TV shows from their Mac or Windows PC to an iPhone, iPod, or iPad. While not a full DLNA server like Mezzmo, it's a convenient Mezzmo alternative for direct video streaming to Apple mobile devices, especially for those who appreciate the versatility of VLC.
Choosing the best Mezzmo alternative depends heavily on your specific needs, including the devices you use, your preferred operating system, and whether you prioritize features, simplicity, or open-source solutions. Explore these options to find the perfect media server that fits your home entertainment setup.