Universal Media Server (UMS) for Mac is a free and open-source media server application. It[SQ]s designed to stream your locally stored media files (movies, TV shows, music, photos) to various media players and streaming devices on your network, such as smart TVs, game consoles (Xbox, PlayStation), media players (Roku, Apple TV), and mobile devices. Unlike some other solutions, it doesn[SQ]t require you to upload your media to a cloud service – everything stays on your Mac.

Key features include :

*

Wide range of supported protocols:

UMS supports various streaming protocols, enabling compatibility with a large variety of devices. This includes DLNA, UPnP, and others.
*

Automatic metadata retrieval:

It can automatically fetch metadata (like artwork, descriptions, and episode details) for your media files, making browsing easier.
*

Playlist support:

You can create and manage playlists.
*

Transcoding capabilities:

UMS can convert media files "on the fly" to formats compatible with devices that may not natively support the original file type. This is useful for older devices or those with limited processing power.
*

No subscription fees:

Being open-source, it[SQ]s entirely free to use.
*

Customization:

You have some degree of control over settings like transcoding options and folder sharing.

Essentially, it acts as a bridge between your Mac[SQ]s media library and your other network devices, making it accessible and easy to play. However, it requires some technical understanding to set up and configure optimally.