DLNA with subtitles in D-Link DNS-320

D-Link DNS-320 is a network storage enclosure that supports DLNA. Unfortunately, the built-in DLNA server does not support subtitles. Nevertheless, this can be overcome by installing miniDLNA. miniDLNA can stream movies and subtitles, providing that the subtitles file has the same name as the movie file (minus the extension). The following has been tested successfully with UTF-8 encoded .srt files in Samsung  UE46ES6340 smart tv.

DNS-320 is a linux based device. Moreover, it's firmware can execute scripts, located in the root directory, every time the system boots. Fonz fun plug (ffp), its such a script that adds support for telnet, as well as, for installing additional software. In this post, we will use ffp ton install miniDLNA in our NAS.

Step 0 preparation

Make sure you have disabled the built-in DLNA server

Step 1 install ffp

Installing ffp is as trivial as copy pasting a file. Follow the instructions here https://nas-tweaks.net/371/hdd-installation-of-the-fun_plug-0-7-on-nas-devices/

Step 2 install miniDLNA

The web page included in step 2 has instructions about how to connect to your NAS using telnet. Follow these instructions and connect to your NAS. ffp includes a package manager for installing software.  Initially, the package manages has to be configured with download sites. This can be done using  uwsiteloader. uwsiteloader can be installed by following the instructions here https://nas-tweaks.net/371/hdd-installation-of-the-fun_plug-0-7-on-nas-devices/#Now_what.3F After downloading it and making it executable, run it. In the step when it requests to select download sites, select all of them. You can then install miniDLNA and configure following the steps here: http://forum.nas-central.org/viewtopic.php?f=249&t=5841&start=45#p56567  section "INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS". Make sure you edit /ffp/etc/minidlna.conf accordingly (vi can be used for the editing).

You are ready to go! A useful command that forces miniDLNA to rebuilt its database is /ffp/start/minidlna.sh rescan

Convert video files and embed subtitles using VLC

VLC player, by VideoLAN, is a handy media player with many features. VLC, among other things, enables the conversion of video files, from one format to another, enabling the same time the incorporation of subtitles.

Suppose that  we want to convert an h.254 video file to DivX with embedded subtitles. Suppose also that subtitles are stored in a separate (.srt) file with the same name as the video file.  Here are the steps that should be followed:

Run VLC and from the Media menu, select Convert/Save (Ctrl + R).

Select Convert/Save

In the file selection area, press Add, and choose the video file to be converted. Moreover, on the button-left menu press the arrow and select  Convert.

Select the Convert optionn

In the Destination area, press Browse, and select where your file should be saved (Note that you have to add the filename as well the extension). In the Settings area, select the Convertion profile and press the Edit selected profile button.

Press the button marked with the black square

In the new window select the Subtitles tab, check the Subtitles check box, select DVB subtitle on the listbox on the left, and check the Overlay subtitles on the video check box. Then press Save.

Subtitle options

Now by pressing Start, your video will be converted to desired format and the subtitles will be embedded in the output video file.