How to Install ReadyMedia on Ubuntu Server

ReadyMedia, formerly known as MiniDLNA, is a popular open-source media server that allows users to stream videos, music, and other media files to compatible devices. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of installing ReadyMedia on an Ubuntu Server.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding with the installation, you must have the following:

  • A server running the latest version of Ubuntu Server
  • A terminal with sudo privileges

Step 1: Install ReadyMedia

  1. Update the package list and upgrade all installed packages.
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
  1. Install ReadyMedia by running the following command:
sudo apt install minidlna

Step 2: Configure ReadyMedia

  1. Stop the ReadyMedia service by running the following command:
sudo systemctl stop minidlna
  1. Open the ReadyMedia configuration file located at /etc/minidlna.conf using your favorite text editor. In this tutorial, we will use nano.
sudo nano /etc/minidlna.conf
  1. Update the following options in the configuration file:
  • media_dir: This option specifies the directory where your media files are stored. By default, it is set to /var/lib/minidlna which is not ideal. For example, if you have your media files in /media/<username>/media, you would update this option as follows:
media_dir=/media/<username>/media
  • db_dir: This option specifies the directory where ReadyMedia stores its database. By default, it is set to /var/lib/minidlna, which is also not ideal. Therefore, you should change this to a different directory that is not the same as the media_dir. For example:
db_dir=/var/lib/minidlna/db
  • friendly_name: This option specifies the name of your ReadyMedia server that will be shown on client devices. Change it to something that is easy to remember. For example:
friendly_name=My ReadyMedia Server
  • inotify=yes: This option enables (or disables) watching for changes in your media directory. It is recommended to enable this option so that ReadyMedia automatically updates its database as you add or remove media files.

  1. Save and close the configuration file by pressing Ctrl+O followed by Ctrl+X.

  2. Verify the configuration file for syntax errors by running:

sudo minidlna -f /etc/minidlna.conf -R
  1. Start the ReadyMedia service by running the following command:
sudo systemctl start minidlna
  1. Check the status of ReadyMedia to ensure that it is running properly by running the following command:
sudo systemctl status minidlna

If the service is running without any problems, you should see a message that says Active: active (running).

Step 3: Add Media Files

  1. Copy your media files to the directory that you specified in the media_dir option in the configuration file.

  2. The media files will be automatically detected by ReadyMedia within a few seconds, and you should be able to see them on your client devices.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully installed and configured ReadyMedia on your Ubuntu Server. Now you can start streaming your favorite media files to compatible devices.