My experiences with DLNA were also underwhelming. I wonder if the discovery stuff (Bonjour maybe?) is being interfered with, though with a simple home network and single segment I can't imagine why.

Tech can be such a PITA. Even with the experience and means to deal with it it's just boring and tiring when all you want is a little entertainment. From that perspective I can certainly appreciate the value in, say, an Apple-only ecosystem.