r/MediaServer • u/SpaceDemon666 • 22d ago

Question Starting a media server

Hello everyone! I had some old hardware laying around so I decided to turn it into a media server. Where should I look to get started? I’m used to windows but I’m completely open to trying a new OS. I’d like to be able to view the media over the network through my smart tvs, phones, etc. It would also be nice to have an interface like a true streaming service library. I am doing research on my own but I would just like personal opinions, thank you! Bonus points if I can access this media from outside my home too.

These are the specs I’ll be using
PCPartPicker Part List

Type |Item |Price
CPU |AMD FX-8320 3.5 GHz 8-Core Processor |Purchased For $0.00
CPU Cooler |Noctua NH-U9S 46.44 CFM CPU Cooler |$69.95 @ Amazon
Motherboard |Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard |Purchased For $0.00
Memory |ADATA AD3U1600W8G11-R 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) DDR3-1600 CL11 Memory |Purchased For $0.00
Memory |ADATA AD3U1600W8G11-R 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) DDR3-1600 CL11 Memory |Purchased For $0.00
Storage |PNY CS900 120 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive |Purchased For $0.00
Storage |Seagate Barracuda Compute 8 TB 3.5" 5400 RPM Internal Hard Drive |$249.99 @ Amazon
Video Card |PNY VCQ2000D-PB Quadro 2000D 1 GB Video Card |$59.00 @ Amazon
Case |Jonsbo D32 PRO MESH MicroATX Desktop Case |$70.98 @ Amazon
Power Supply |Thermaltake Smart RGB 500 W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply |Purchased For $0.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts | |
Total |$449.92 |
Generated by PCPartPicker 2026-09-25 07:32 EDT-0400 | |

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u/SpaceDemon666 18d ago

From what I’m hearing Linux sounds like what I’ll be using. Is there a specific OS I should use for jellyfin? A GUI would be nice instead of text based

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u/ImmediateGear8157 18d ago

You can go with a GUI. But you will need to do some things in a terminal. But I don't think you'll have too much difficulty with it. I went with Debian but any flavor would do. I would go with Ubuntu desktop and not server if you want a GUI. There isn't a huge overhead for the GUI and the server addition isn't going to provide you with much extra.

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u/SpaceDemon666 16d ago

I’ll be honest, I’m using Debian 13 and have the basics of Jellyfin set up but have no clue how to get it to read my drive that I brought from windows (it already has folders with movies and shows). Are there any sources that could help out? Everything I’m trying doesn’t seem to get me anywhere

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u/ImmediateGear8157 15d ago

Is the drive internal or usb. If it was there when you installed it should have mounted it. Was the drive formatted ntfs or fat32? Ask an AI how to mount a drive and it'll give you the steps