I'm using a vanilla Debian 8 install with GNOME and in the Settings tool there is a Sharing icon.  Clicking it gives three options:Personal File Sharing (dav)Screen Sharing (vnc)Media Sharing (???)Hopefully if someone can identify the protocol for Media Sharing, I can figure out how to connect to it across my home network.  Is it samba? NFS?  I don't necessarily have clients for many suspect protocols handy, so trying them all would be a nuisance. 
Media Sharing protocol
file sharing
Taking a look at the Gnome Wiki, and knowing that it is a popular protocol for sharing music and video Streams, the Share option from gnome uses dlna/UPnP. Quoting Gnome Wiki:Share your music, photos and videosYou can browse, search and play the media on your computer using a  UPnP or DLNA enabled device such as a phone, TV or game console.  Configure Media Sharing to allow these devices to access the folders  containing your music, photos and videos.Having an equipment that is DLNA Ready like a smarttv or even a media player that can listen to dlna, and be placed on the same network is enough to receive the sharing stream.Depending on the manufacturer, the product may use a branded version  of DLNA such as SmartShare (LG), SimplyShare (Philips), or AllShare  (Samsung), but rest assured its all the same technology and it will  all interoperate.From getting started with DLNA.Keeping the answer short: It will map a folder of your computer that has media in, and create some sort of sharing through dlna. You will need to have at the other side, a client(hardware or software) that can handle dlna streams. The same dlna server setup can be created with minidlna. Some servers can send media stream to a waiting client, and not only provide a share.Related Links:Sharing Settings - Gnome HelpDLNA - Wikipedia