Why is a media server better than network / CIFS share?

[brettich]

I use a Windows Home Server (WHS) and a WDTV Live.
Is "streaming" via a media server somehow better than playing directly from a network share / NAS?
My WDTV Live can handle all the file formats I need -so no "transcoding" is necessary in my case.

I'm just wondering (out loud) what the benefits of a media server are, if you don't need the transcoding support....

Thanks,

Bertrand

[Dion]

Media Server uses DLNA which is better for streaming HD content. Think of it like a quality standard. There will be no hiccups in the playback not unless your network goes completely down. Media Server should always be used over Network Share if possible.