Fix Samsung TV Subtitle Issues with TwonkyMedia Server WD Upgrade

Are you experiencing frustrating subtitle issues when streaming movies from your WD My Cloud NAS to your Samsung TV via DLNA? You’re not alone. Many users find that subtitles fail to appear when using the default TwonkyMedia server on WD devices, especially with Samsung TVs running Tizen OS. This problem is often linked to older versions of TwonkyMedia server software.

Fortunately, upgrading your TwonkyMedia server to the latest version, specifically version 8 or later, can effectively resolve these subtitle problems. This guide will walk you through the process of upgrading your TwonkyMedia server on your WD My Cloud device, ensuring seamless media streaming with subtitles on your Samsung TV.

The user in the original post encountered this exact issue with a Samsung SUHD TV and resolved it by upgrading TwonkyMedia. Let’s delve into how you can do the same.

Step-by-Step Guide to Upgrade TwonkyMedia Server on WD My Cloud

Upgrading TwonkyMedia server on your WD My Cloud involves accessing your device’s command line interface via SSH. If you’re unfamiliar with SSH, it’s a secure way to connect to your server and execute commands.

Before you begin:

• Ensure you have SSH access enabled on your WD My Cloud device.
• You’ll need an SSH client like PuTTY (for Windows) or Terminal (for macOS/Linux).
• Know the IP address of your WD My Cloud device.

Follow these steps to upgrade:

1. Stop the current Twonky Server. Connect to your WD My Cloud via SSH and enter the following command:

   /etc/init.d/twonky stop

2. Navigate to the Twonky directory. Use the cd command to change directory to /usr/local/:

   cd /usr/local/

   You’ll find a directory named twonkymedia-7 (or similar, depending on your current version). This is where your current Twonky server installation resides.

3. Backup your existing Twonky installation. It’s crucial to create a backup in case something goes wrong. Run this command to copy the twonkymedia-7 directory to twonkybackup:

   cp -a twonkymedia-7/ /usr/local/twonkybackup

4. Enter the twonkymedia-7 directory:

   cd twonkymedia-7

5. Remove the contents of the current Twonky directory. This will clear out the old files before installing the new version. Be careful with this command, ensure you are in the correct directory:

   rm -rf *

6. Download the latest Twonky version for WD My Cloud. Use the wget command to download the appropriate ZIP file. The following command downloads version 8.2.1 for WD MyCloud firmware 04.xx.xx. Check the Twonky forum or website for the latest version and WD firmware compatibility:

   wget http://www.twonkyforum.com/downloads/8.2.1/twonky-WD_MyCloud_04.xx.xx-arm-8.2.1.zip

7. Unzip the downloaded file. Extract the contents of the ZIP file using the unzip command:

   unzip twonky-WD_MyCloud_04.xx.xx-arm-8.2.1.zip

8. Start the upgraded Twonky Server. Finally, start the TwonkyMedia server again with the new version:

   /etc/init.d/twonky start

After completing these steps, your TwonkyMedia server should be upgraded to version 8. Test streaming a movie with subtitles on your Samsung TV to verify the issue is resolved.

Licensing TwonkyMedia Server 8

The downloaded TwonkyMedia Server 8 is likely a trial version. To continue using it after the trial period, you will need to purchase a license key from the Twonky website. Licensing ensures you receive ongoing support and updates for your media server.

By upgrading your TwonkyMedia server on your WD My Cloud, you can overcome the subtitle issues with Samsung TVs and enjoy seamless media streaming. This ensures a better viewing experience and maximizes the utility of your NAS device as a home media server.