UPnP A/V MediaServer

In UPnP lingo, a MediaServer is a device that provides media content and directory information about said content. A MediaServer can also provide an interface to upload and modify/remove content and a subsystem to record and store broadcasted content.

Coherence has several MediaServer backends, described below.

Quick help with backend configuration is provided here.

Local content

file-system
This is a simple backend, exposing files on the file-system as content in the given directory structure. It is primarily a test-bench for MediaServer functionality, but still fully functional.
There is support for album art display: the first file ending in ".jpg" or ".png" that is found inside a media directory is served as the cover image. Experimental support to transcode ogg audio files is included as well. This functionality allows the MediaServer to interface with DLNA MediaRenderers.
MediaDB
A more advanced MediaServer as the file-system storage, using a sqlite db as its backend, with ID3 tag support and cover art retrieval. This backend is still experimental, with additional dependencies described in the source.

Home content

Elisa
exposes the media database from an Elisa Media Center.
gallery2
exposes the photos from a Gallery2 photo repository.
Ampache
exposes the media database from an Ampache server. This media server connects to the server via XmlApi.
Rhythmbox
exposes the media database from a Rhythmbox server. This media server is actually embedded as a plug-in in Rhythmbox.
Meta Tracker
serves the files indexed by Meta Tracker. The connection is performed via DBus.

Home audio/video devices

Axis-Cam
announces the video stream of an AXIS IP cam.
This is just a simple demonstration on how to act as a proxy for a non-UPnP service.
DVB-Daemon
exposes the recorded video file from DVB-Daemon.

On-line services

Flickr
connects to the Flickr service and exposes the content of the "Most Wanted" and "Recent" picture feeds, and the galleries and favorites of a given user.
Apple HD Trailers
exposes video trailers from the Apple HD Movie Trailers web site.
iRadio
exposes internet radio streams from Shoutcast.
last.fm?
exposes radio streams from last.fm radio.
Youtube
connects to the YouTube service and exposes the standard feeds (public) and the uploads/favorites/playlists/subscriptions of a given user.
BBC?
exposes podcasts from the BBC (other RDF sources may also work - to be confirmed)
lolcats?
connects to the LOL Cats and exposes the standard RSS feed. The code for this backend is heavily commented, and provides a good example for those wishing to write new backends.
SWR3?
exposes podcasts from SWR3 (German radio). (other OPML source may also work - to be confirmed)
TED?
exposes vidcasts from TED Talks. (other feedburner feeds may also work - to be confirmed)
Miro Guide
connects to the MIRO Guide service and exposes the podcasts catalogued by the service.
iTV
exposes the list of video streams from Shoutcast TV.
Picasa Web Albums
connects to the Picasa Web Albums service and exposes the featured photos and albums for a given user.
Playlist
exposes the list of video/audio streams from a m3u playlist (e.g. web TV listings published by french ISPs such as Free, SFR...)