Today's Deep-Dive: Jellyfin
Ep. 144

Today's Deep-Dive: Jellyfin

Episode description

This episode explores Jellyfin, a free software media system that allows users to manage and stream their personal media collections, including movies, TV shows, music, photos, and books. Unlike proprietary services like Plex, Jellyfin empowers users by providing control over their media without premium features or hidden agendas. It operates on the GNU GPL license, enabling users to use, modify, and share the software freely. Jellyfin supports various operating systems, ensuring cross-platform compatibility, and can be set up on existing hardware, such as a home computer or Raspberry Pi.

The software organizes media files and fetches metadata to enhance the user experience, allowing seamless access across devices, from web browsers to smart TVs. Users can easily add their media by directing the server to local folders, keeping their files private. Notable features include automatic sorting of TV shows, artwork display, music playlists, and live TV functionality. As an open-source project, Jellyfin encourages community feedback for continuous improvement. Ultimately, Jellyfin offers a personal streaming hub, giving users control, privacy, and access to their digital media.

Download transcript (.srt)
0:00

Welcome to the deep dive the show where we dig into your sources and unearth the

0:04

really fascinating stuff. That's right

0:06

Today we're diving into something that gives you back control of your digital media.

0:11

It's called jellyfin

0:12

Okay, and before we get started a big thanks to our supporter safe server

0:17

Yes, safe server provides hosting for this type of software and champions your

0:22

digital sovereignty

0:23

You got it. You can learn more about them at

0:26

www.safeserver.de. All right, so you sent us information about jellyfin. Yeah, you

0:32

described it as a

0:33

free software media system

0:36

For those who are just starting out that might sound well pretty technical. It can

0:41

be a little bit

0:42

So our mission today is to break it down

0:44

We want to understand what jellyfin is why you might want to use it and how it

0:49

works on a basic level

0:51

That's right. And of course, we're basing all of this on the information you shared

0:54

exactly

0:55

So to get started we have information here from the jellyfin github page

1:00

Yes

1:01

And also their main website these sources give us a good overview of what jellyfin

1:05

is trying to achieve and how it operates exactly

1:08

Okay, so let's unpack this what exactly is jellyfin in simple terms

1:13

So in essence jellyfin is a software system that allows you to manage and stream

1:18

your personal media collection

1:20

Okay, this can include your movies TV shows music photos and even books

1:26

So I'm picturing like all those digital files. I have scattered across different

1:31

hard drives exactly jellyfin brings it all together

1:33

Yes, it does. It's like creating your own personal Netflix or Spotify, but with

1:38

your own content. That's interesting

1:40

So instead of relying on a streaming services library, I'm in control of what's

1:45

available precisely you curate your own media experience

1:48

No, that's pretty appealing. It is the sources emphasize that it puts you in

1:53

control of your media

1:54

That's right, and it describes itself as an alternative to proprietary systems like

1:58

MB and Plex

1:59

Yes, and while those systems also offer media management

2:03

Jellyfin distinguishes itself as free software now we hear free software a lot

2:09

Mm-hmm. What does that really mean for someone who just wants to use jellyfin?

2:13

Well the jellyfin website highlights that being free software means it's licensed

2:18

under the GNU GPL

2:19

Okay, this license gives you the freedom to use study modify and share the software

2:24

freely. So it's not just about cost

2:26

It's about control and flexibility exactly. It's about empowering users. Now the github

2:31

page mentioned something that sounds pretty technical

2:34

right, it says that jellyfin was descended from MB 3.5.2 release and

2:40

Imported to the dotnet core framework to enable full cross-platform support, right?

2:45

So for someone new to this, what does that even mean? What's the takeaway?

2:49

Well, the key takeaway is cross-platform support. Okay, this means jellyfin can run

2:54

on various operating systems

2:55

So it's not limited to just Windows or just Mac exactly the github page

2:59

Specifically notes that it supports all major operating systems with the exception

3:04

of free BSD

3:05

So I have a lot of choices and where I set up my media server you do the dotnet

3:10

core framework is

3:11

The technical detail that allows for this wide compatibility

3:16

I say so it's like a universal language that different computer systems can

3:19

understand precisely now

3:21

This is interesting the jellyfin website also states that there are no premium

3:25

licenses or features and no hidden agendas

3:29

Yes, that's a core principle of the project in today's world. That's refreshing

3:33

It is so many apps try to push you toward paid features or collect your data

3:38

Right, and it seems like jellyfin is consciously going in a different direction

3:42

Absolutely, they're committed to building something better collaboratively without

3:46

paywalls or data tracking

3:48

In fact, they explicitly state jellyfin has no tracking phone home or central

3:53

servers collecting your data

3:55

So if I'm concerned about privacy, this is a big plus. It is a big plus

3:59

Okay, so let me see if I understand this correctly sure if I have a bunch of

4:03

digital movies shows music photos

4:06

All these files scattered on different hard drives. Yes, jellyfin can help me bring

4:10

all of that together in one place

4:11

Yeah, and then I can access it from all my different devices. That's exactly right

4:15

The website actually lists a wide array of supported clients clients. Yes. These

4:20

are the apps you use to access your media

4:22

They have clients for web browsers desktops Android Apple devices Amazon Fire TV

4:28

Roku

4:30

Kodi and more so I could be watching a movie on my TV in the living room

4:35

And then switch to my tablet in the kitchen all seamlessly

4:39

That's right and all streaming from your own jellyfin server. Now you mentioned the

4:43

server

4:43

The github page refers to a server backend an API

4:48

Yes

4:48

Can you explain what the server part of this is sure the server is the core

4:52

software that runs on a computer you choose?

4:55

It could be your home computer a dedicated server or even something like a

4:58

Raspberry Pi

4:59

This server is what organizes your media files and makes them accessible. Okay, so

5:04

it doesn't necessarily require specialized hardware

5:07

Not at all. You can start with what you already have and what about the API the API

5:11

is a technical interface

5:13

That allows different apps those clients we talked about to communicate with the

5:18

server

5:19

It's how your phone for example knows how to request a movie from your jellyfin

5:24

server

5:25

So the server is the brain and the API is the communication system. Exactly. It's

5:29

the messenger

5:30

Now if someone wants to get started with jellyfin, where do they go?

5:33

Well, the jellyfin website points to a getting started guide and a downloads page

5:39

Okay, the github page also mentions an installation guide and for those who are

5:43

more technically inclined

5:45

There's even the option to build from source. So they offer different paths

5:49

depending on your comfort level with technology

5:51

That's right. For most people the pre-built downloads are the simplest way to get

5:55

going. What about adding my media to jellyfin?

5:58

Well, the process is fairly straightforward

6:01

You essentially point the jellyfin server to the folders on your computer where

6:06

your media files are stored

6:07

So I don't have to upload everything to some cloud service. No, not at all. Your

6:10

media stays local

6:11

That's good to know and then what happens jellyfin then scans those files

6:15

Identifies them and fetches metadata like movie posters descriptions and cast

6:20

information to make your library visually appealing

6:24

So it does all the organizing work for me. It does it's designed to be as user-friendly

6:28

as possible

6:29

Now the website also highlights some really interesting features like automatically

6:34

sorting TV shows by season

6:36

Displaying artwork for movies playing music playlists and even live TV and DVR

6:41

functionality if you have the right hardware

6:43

Yes, and they also mentioned sing play for watching media remotely with others

6:48

It sounds like they're trying to replicate a lot of the features of commercial

6:52

streaming platform

6:53

Exactly, but with the added benefit of using your own content and having complete

6:57

control and finally the github page mentions

7:00

Opening an issue. Yes, what does that mean?

7:03

This is where users can report problems or suggest improvements being an open

7:07

source project community feedback is crucial for jellyfin's development

7:11

So it's a collaborative effort very much. So users are encouraged to contribute

7:15

their ideas and help make the software better for everyone

7:18

Okay, so to sum it all up. Mm-hmm jellyfin gives you a way to create your own media

7:23

streaming system using your own files

7:26

That's right. It gives you control privacy and access across multiple devices. Yes.

7:32

It's free

7:32

It's open source and it's supported by a community of volunteers. It really is

7:37

quite remarkable

7:38

Now this brings up a question for you the listener. Okay, what would it look like

7:42

to have all your movies music photos?

7:44

All your digital media organized and accessible in one personal streaming hub. Hmm

7:50

That's a great question. Could jellyfin be the answer for taking control of your

7:55

digital life, perhaps

7:56

It's certainly something to think about it is and of course

7:59

We want to thank safe server again for their support of digital sovereignty

8:03

Absolutely, you can find more information about their hosting services at www.safeserver.de

8:09

pleasure

8:09

pleasure