Stream Your Media Collection Anywhere with Jellyfin: A Free Alternative to Plex

Want to easily stream your movies, TV shows, and music from your computer to other devices, both at home and remotely? While Plex is a popular choice, Jellyfin offers a compelling open-source alternative that's completely free. This guide shows you how to set up and use Jellyfin to create your own personal media server.

Jellyfin, like Plex, transforms your computer into a media hub, allowing you to access your content on any device with the Jellyfin app installed. The key advantage? It's entirely free, unlike Plex, which requires a subscription for some features.

Getting Started with Jellyfin

Jellyfin boasts broad compatibility with common media formats, including H.264 video and MP3 audio. Check their format compatibility list for specifics. Once installed, you can stream directly from your Windows or macOS machine.

1. Download and Install: Download the Jellyfin Server from the official website, selecting the version compatible with your operating system.
2. Add Your Media: After installation, launch the Jellyfin Server. The interface will open in your web browser. Use the "Add Media Library" button and the " " icon next to "Folders" to point Jellyfin to your media file locations. Enable real-time monitoring to automatically add new files.
3. Scan and Access: Jellyfin will scan your library. Once complete, access your content through the "Libraries" section in the main interface. You can add more folders at any time. Customize settings to automatically fetch album art and other metadata.
4. Remote Access (Optional): To stream outside your local network, navigate to the "Networking" page and enable "Allow remote connections to this server."

Using Jellyfin Effectively

• Local Playback: Use any media player on your server computer, or use Jellyfin's built-in web player.
• Cross-Device Syncing: Your viewing and listening history syncs across devices.
• Metadata Editing: Correctly label files by clicking the three dots next to a file and selecting "Edit metadata." Linking to IMDb can automate this process.
• Remote Computer Access: Use the Jellyfin Server tool on other computers to access your media library after logging in with your credentials. Remember, the server computer must be on for streaming.
• Mobile and Smart TV Apps: Jellyfin offers apps for various platforms, including Roku, Android TV, WebOS (LG TVs), Android, and iOS, allowing for playlist creation.

Further Exploration

Jellyfin's functionality extends beyond the basics. Explore the official documentation and the Jellyfin subreddit for advanced features like remote web access and library filtering by genre.

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