Downside to setting Media Sharing to ON?

Media sharing ON seems like a convenient idea that would be beneficial in my home "workgroup". Does it work smoothly? Or does it lead to slowdowns, difficulties on the network?

Just a desktop and laptop for now. Later, a smart tv.

Thanks,
Chamlin

Keep media sharing/streaming on if you need to use DLNA or Samba protocol for easy media streaming. There should be no downside to this (and to your internet connection) as long as the bandwidth is sufficient. On wired networks, you should have no issues streaming 1080p H.264 videos on LAN as long as the bandwidth is 100 Mbps or 1 Gbps. With WiFi, you run in to bandwidth/latency issues unless you're using 5 GHz 802.11n or 802.11ac which I highly recommend if you choose the WiFi route.

I have been streaming 1080p videos (from TV apps or DLNA server) with my smart TV while downloading/streaming from my 3 other devices without a single streaming lag from DLNA server to Smart TV over WiFi 5 GHz 802.11n.

Thanks for that.

I'll start educating myself on DLNA and Samba. Know nothing. We're "wired" only. I have an AT&T Uverse 18 Mbps plan (their top is 24 Mbps). Here's what I "think" I want to do:

Phase I:
I want my wife's laptop to be able to play .avi, .mkv, vob, etc. files that are on my desktop, via our workgroup.

Phase II:
Once I finally choose a smart tv (was trying to hold out for flicker-free but it doesn't appear to be coming), I'll want to learn how to deliver those same files mentioned above, to the tv without having to put them on a USB stick.

Is this easy?

Phase I is done via DLNA or Samba (aka Microsoft's Windows network). Samba is native to Windows so just enable file and folder sharing on both desktop and laptop then store the videos, music, files, etc. on that shared drive and it should be accessible on both computers.

Phase II is done using DLNA. DLNA supports those formats you mentioned, as well MKV with SSA (aka soft styled subs) subs too :) (Keep in mind that the SSA sub support varies by TV model. At least in my Sony Smart TV, it is fully supported but I know that some Samsung model's don't support soft subs). The difference is that you don't need a PC connected to the TV since the TV will natively decode and play those files via DLNA protocol. Enabling Media streaming in your Windows network properties turns that PC or laptop in to a DLNA server and the TV will be able to play whatever the file is stored in the "Libraries" folder.

for phase 1 you only need be networked and you should probably download and install VLC Media plaer--it's free and will play most/all video formats

VideoLAN - Official page for VLC media player, the Open Source video framework!

for phase two-there is a free version of Servio (a DLNA server app)

Serviio media server

Excellent. Thank you both!

Thanks, Strollin. Good to know. I've seen the nice interface but limited functionality of the LG's, the not so nice interface of the Samsungs but better functionality, and have heard from several people to get a standard tv with a roku or other box. Will dive in now in anticipation of pending price drops prior to the new model season. :)

another option--IF you have a Blu-Ray player--is to connect thusly:

PC wired to router>Router wired to BluRay>BluRay to TV and 5.1 surround sound system via HDMI.

Serviio shows up in the list (along with Amazon,Hulu,Netflix and many others) as a server on the BluRay players 'home' screen

note: most modern BluRay players perform the same function as a Roku--so if you have one you wont need a Roku