Manage Digital Media

Applies To: Windows Home Server 2011

Digital media refers to audio, video, and photo content that has been digitally compressed. Windows® Home Server 2011 makes it possible for networked computers and some networked digital media devices to play digital media files that are stored on the home server.

Setting up the digital media experience

Before users on your home server network can access digital media that is stored on the server, you must first set up the associated features. The topics in this section describe how to perform the necessary tasks.

• Turn media streaming on or off

• Enable media sharing

• Allow or restrict access to a media library on the server

• Allow or restrict remote access to digital media

• Enable HomeGroup members to discover digital media

• Enable media devices that use the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol to access shared files on the server

Managing digital media on the server

The topics in this section describe tasks that you can perform after you set up the digital media experience for your home server.

• View and browse shared media

• Add digital media files to the server

• Stop sharing digital media

• Rename the media library

Understanding digital media on Windows Home Server 2011

The topics in this section provide additional information about the digital media experience on Windows Home Server 2011.

• What is Digital Media?

• How does media streaming work?

• Common processors and the video profiles that they support