Home media streaming discussion

[Dylan]

I'm curious how folks are or are planning to deploy media streaming at home. I ask because my current (old) NAS supports DLNA as does my TV. So, simply creating a Movies folder with my content that is easily accessed by the TV and boom...we watching some flicks.

However, with the new NAS and HexOS I'd like to explore alternatives (when made available). I've used Plex many years ago and while their lifetime $120 (I think?) price seems fine, I do not want to jump to Plex just because it's available. I can wait.

My setup is simple and can be seen HERE. Internet line in to Netgear router with both old and new NAS's attached via Cat6. I only have wifi to stream as @Mawson isn't close enough to run low voltage. Which is to say, all the hardware is upstairs and all/most of the viewing occurs downstairs.

So what are y'all planning to do to stream at home? Thanks!

[Mobius]

I use jellyfin since its not bloated like plex and is free. It also gives me the freedom to use most every file format.

I do stream content to apple tvs i have throughout the home using the infuse app (i think it was like $99 for a lifetime sub). I don't think i had to transcode at all since i setup infuse on the apple tv.
I had a family member that used to watch movies streamed to his ipad using the same infuse license. On my android devices i don't even need a third party app since the jellyfin app works fantastic.

The flexibility is just convenient to me since i don't always want to watch on my tv.

[Mawson]

Right now I'm fiddling around with Plex, since it is curated. I'll probably end up on Jellyfin.

What I would LOVE to have in addition to jellyfin is some way to create my own virtual TV channels. There are a few people on Youtube that are taking Rpi's and old commercial RF modulators and to create their own analog TV channels on their homes' coax networks. I want to create this same concept just digital. So the content would be on a set schedule (vs on demand), but it would still be streaming.

Here's a link to one of the videos of someone who has an RF local TV setup: 

 

[Dylan]

@Mobius It looks like Jellyfin might be the way I want to go. Seems super flevible and FREE! Between that and tailscale I hope I can get my content locally and remote.

@Mawson That's just some next level ish I hadn't ever considered nor knew was possible. Your own dedicated channel streaming what ever you want? I have all of the original Doctor Who and Star Trek TOS shows and would totally hook that up. That's some (m)awsome stuff!!

(you see what I did there?) 😁

[Dylan]

Merry Christmas

 

[Erik Andersen]

I purchased Plex years ago and added it to my home server on an HP ML350 G9 with dual E5-2697A v4' and 192 gigs of memory and a Quadro P2000, I realized soon after this was over-kill and Plex over time is glitchy and is getting worse instead of better. Local streaming from my Nvidia Shield works perfectly, streaming from my Samsung OLED was great but over time it's getting sluggish so I find myself switching to the Shield, speaking of which, come on NVidia would it kill you guys to come out with a new one I mean come on now. 

I used to have a massive 11.4.3 (I believe that's how it was configured) home theater until a few years ago when our house flooded, I got pennies on the dollar to replace the irreplaceable so I downgraded to a pair of Klipsch "The Nines" which as far as sound goes will blow you away considering no subwoofers. Anyway, since no multi-channel anymore I am not pushing the envelope  and now working towards retirement and selling the house, a massive surround sound system typically turns off women so with more room in the living room it should sell easier. 

[Dylan]

Damn. I mean...you gotta know when to hold'em and fold'em. But that doesn't mean you can't get a nice 7.1 wherever you end up post retirement, right?

[Dylan]

@Erik Andersen Did you ever try to get Jellyfin working with your Samsung? I found this GUIDE but before I post a new thread asking for feedback, thought I'd check in with you due to your last reply.

Thanks!

[jpadgett]

I currently use Plex. I put my first Plex machine up in 2010 and got on board why back then. Because of that my monthly payment is really cheap has never changed and I get all features. So for me I am staying there. I have tried Jellyfin but it has never worked as seamless for me as Plex. I have the client on my phone and Ipad and it just work anywhere i am at. The last cruise me and the wife went on I had free WiFi on the boat and at night we watch movies from my server while at sea.

[Dylan]

@jpadgett Thanks for your feedback. I typically go DIY/FOSS but, am not opposed to paying for a service if the juice is worth the squeeze. Good stuff.

[Erik Andersen]

On 12/29/2024 at 1:27 AM, Dylan said:

Damn. I mean...you gotta know when to hold'em and fold'em. But that doesn't mean you can't get a nice 7.1 wherever you end up post retirement, right?

It's a long story, I was in the hospital/rehab for half a year after almost dying twice so I wanted to build another simplified system at some point, maybe even go with the Dragon but I wasn't even sure if I'd be above ground for a good while and wanted things as simple as possible for my wife who would go back to a black and white TV if she had to. 

[Erik Andersen]

12 hours ago, Dylan said:

@Erik Andersen Did you ever try to get Jellyfin working with your Samsung? I found this GUIDE but before I post a new thread asking for feedback, thought I'd check in with you due to your last reply.

Thanks!

I have thought about it, I'll probably test it out, Plex doesn't seem to be getting better probably sooner than later. When Plex works, it's fantastic!

[flat4vw]

On 12/22/2024 at 8:57 PM, Mawson said:

Right now I'm fiddling around with Plex, since it is curated. I'll probably end up on Jellyfin.

What I would LOVE to have in addition to jellyfin is some way to create my own virtual TV channels. There are a few people on Youtube that are taking Rpi's and old commercial RF modulators and to create their own analog TV channels on their homes' coax networks. I want to create this same concept just digital. So the content would be on a set schedule (vs on demand), but it would still be streaming.

Here's a link to one of the videos of someone who has an RF local TV setup: 

 

Or you could  by a HDHomerun and pipe it to the Jellyfin/Plex

[ubergeek]

Im torn between plex and jellyfin, I do know i will be using my hacked p100 nvidia "mining card " for encoding . it has worked well in the past 

[Dylan]

I just jumped and went with Plex - for two reasons. First, in order for me to use Jellyfin I would need to enable dev mode on my Samsung and do a bunch of hacky stuff. None of which were really THAT complicated but if I brick my TV I'd be more than pissed and out several grand. Second, Plex has a little sale going on for a lifetime pass for $95 so, I figured F it.

Now the fun part begins of figuring out how to get the Plex server configured correctly for my devices. 😳

[ubergeek]

2 minutes ago, Dylan said:

I just jumped and went with Plex - for two reasons. First, in order for me to use Jellyfin I would need to enable dev mode on my Samsung and do a bunch of hacky stuff. None of which were really THAT complicated but if I brick my TV I'd be more than pissed and out several grand. Second, Please has a little sale going on for a lifetime pass for $95 so, I figured F it.

Now the fun part begins of figuring out how to get the Plex server configured correctly for my devices. 😳

i plan to do a write up once I get home and swap over hardware to the new case 

[Dylan]

@ubergeek That'd be great! If you're okay with sharing it and we can confirm/ver the steps, I hope you'd allow me to add it to out documentation guide(s).

[ubergeek]

Im Fine with that. I also plan to document and show other things once alpha is released and things are more stable