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Getting Started

  1. Configure Blu-Ray Player for BD Live
  2. Install Media Server on One or More Computers.    Additional instructions for Linux.    Additional instructions for platform independent installation.
  3. Insert Disc
  4. Best Practices

1. Configure Blu-Ray Player for BD Live

Requires BD Live capable player. Make sure your player carries BD-Live logo.

1.1 Connect player to network

Connect player to your home network using either a wired or wireless connection. The following table shows the connection types available on the players. To connect a "wired only" player with a wireless connection, view guide at Connecting Blu-ray Player to Network.

Denon BDP-1610/2010CIWired onlyNeeds SD card
HP BD-2000Wired onlyNeeds USB memory
Insignia NS-BRDVD3/BDLIVE01BD-Live not fully functionalWired onlyNeeds USB memory
Insignia NS-WBRDVDBD-Live not fully functionalWired + wirelessNeeds USB memory
JVC XV-BP1Wired onlyNeeds USB memory
LG BD300/370Wired onlyNeeds USB memory
LG BD390Wired + wirelessNo memory needed
Marantz BD5004/7004Wired onlyNeeds SD card
Memorex MVBD2520Wired onlyNo memory needed
Oppo BDP-83Wired onlyNo memory needed
Panasonic DMP-BD35/50/55/60/70/80Wired onlyNeeds SD card
Philips BDP3010/3020/5005/5010/5012/7310Wired onlyNeeds SD card
Pioneer BDP-120Wired onlyNeeds USB memory (included)
Pioneer BDP-320Wired onlyNo memory needed
Samsung BD-P1500/1590/1600/2500BD-Live not fully functionalWired onlyNeeds USB memory
Samsung BD-P3600/4600BD-Live not fully functionalWired + wirelessNo memory needed
Sharp BD-HP17UWired onlyNeeds USB memory
Sharp BD-HP22U/52UWired onlyNeeds USB memory (included)
Sony BDP-BX1/BX2Wired onlyNeeds USB memory
Sony BDP-S350/360Wired onlyNeeds USB memory
Sony BDP-S550Wired onlyNeeds USB memory (included)
Sony BDP-S560Wired + wirelessNeeds USB memory
Sony BDP-S1000ESWired + wirelessNeeds USB memory (included)
Sony BDP-S5000ESWired onlyNeeds USB memory
Sony Playstation 3Wired + wirelessNo memory needed
Toshiba BDX2000Wired onlyNeeds SD card
Vizio VBR100/110BD-Live not fully functionalWired onlyNeeds USB memory

1.2 Install memory (if not already present)

BD Live requires 1GB of memory or more. If your player doesn't have built-in memory, then you can purchase the needed memory typically for under $10 and install it in the slot provided. Note that smaller memory is not always cheaper. Also note that the player doesn't have to be opened to install memory. The above table shows the type of memory needed by the player make and model.

1.3 Allow player to update firmware (if prompted)

Firmware updates corrects known issues and installs needed enhancements. It will improve operation of your player.

1.4 Allow All (Always) BD Live Internet Connection

Browse through player's setup menus and find the setting that relates to BD Live Internet connection permission. Make sure it set to Allow All or Always depending upon your player.

2. Install Media Server on One or More Computers

We have modified very popular PS3 Media Server for seamless operation with Rendr. Additional information can be found at PS3 Media Server - Rendr Edition.

Follow these steps to install and run the server:    Linux users follow these additional instructions.    Additional instructions for platform independent installation.

  1. Install Java from here if not already installed.
  2. Download appropriate version of PS3 Media Server - Rendr Edition (free) for your computer

    7/Vista/XP
    OS X
    Linux
    Platform Independent
  3. Install the PS3 Media Server. No special configuration is required.
  4. As part of the installation, you will be prompted to run the Server at the end of the installation process. You may choose to run at this time or run later. When you reboot your computer, the Server will start automatically on Windows.

What will you see when the Server starts

  1. When the server starts, you will see this image on your computer screen. At this time, the Server on your computer is trying to contact the media renderers running on your home network. Run the media renderer by inserting the Rendr disc shipped to you into your Blu-ray player.
     
  2. If the Server does not find any renderer running on your home network, it will change to the screen shown here. If you see this screen, you will need to insert the Rendr disc into your Blu-ray player. It may take 2-5 minutes for the Server to connect to the media renderer.
     
  3. After the server finds the Rendr running, it will change to the screen shown here. From the time you insert the Rendr disc into your Blu-ray player, it may take 2-5 minutes for the Server to detect the Rendr.
     

Server Troubleshooting and FAQ

  1. The Server is running on my computer and the Rendr disc in inserted in my Blu-ray player but it is still not connecting to the renderer (I see big red cross on the Server panel and I do not see my computer folders on my TV screen). What do I do?

    Try the following in the order specified

    1. Try removing the Disc and inserting it again. Wait few minutes for the Server to connect. Most of the times this will correct the problem.
    2. Try restarting the server. Quit the server by clicking on the Quit button on the Server’s main panel then start again.
    3. Check network connections.
    4. Reboot your computer and restart the server.
  2. I cannot find the Server on my computer. Where is it?

    You will see the Server icon on the System Tray on your computer, on the lower right hand corner on Windows. Right clicking on it allows you to see the main panel. You may also quit the Server from here.

  3. How can I tell if the Server is running on my computer?
    1. Locate the Server icon on your computer’s system tray.
    2. Go to the Server’s main panel and check the status.
  4. I have multiple computers in my home connected to my home network. Can I run the Server on all computers at the same time?

    Yes, you may run the Server on as many computers as you wish on your home network. The media renderer will show all computers on which the Server is running with the computer's name next to it.

Linux Specific Instructions

  1. Install Sun Java 6 and make it your default Java.
  2. Install FFmpeg.
  3. Install ImageMagick.
  4. Install MPlayer and MEncoder.
  5. Download PS3 Media Server - Rendr Edition from the link above and install.
  6. Run it with PMS.sh script.

Platform Independent Instructions

  1. Install Sun Java 6 and make it your default Java.
  2. Install FFmpeg.
  3. Install ImageMagick.
  4. Install MPlayer and MEncoder.
  5. Download PS3 Media Server - Rendr Edition from the link above.
  6. Extract the downloaded archive to any folder of your choice.
  7. Make PMS.sh and linux/tsMuxeR executable.
  8. Run it with PMS.sh script or similar.

3. Insert Disc

Just insert Rendr disc in the player. Rendr application starts in browsing mode and displays all media servers on your network.

4. Best Practices

  1. Install server on a fast computer.
  2. Use wired network connection when possible.
  3. Choose gigabit ethernet when possible.
  4. Choose wireless N for HD videos. Wireless G may have difficulty for HD videos but would suffice for SD videos. Wireless B would not work for videos.
  5. Update server when an update is available.
  6. Reboot computer the server is running on if the server stops responding.
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