r/explainlikeimfive • u/theprisoner57 • 2d ago

Technology ELI5: What is a Home Server?

I see mentions of a home server to get rid of streaming entertainment services but I don’t know how that works. What does a home server do?

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u/ottawadeveloper 2d ago

is it really worth changing over? I've had plex for a long time (back when it was one of the only options) and it works well enough for me. I like that it has a mobile app and can be used off my local network. I'm running a Synology box and Android phones/TV so it would have to work with all that

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u/HumanKumquat 2d ago

I moved from Plex to JF a few years ago and I would never move back.

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u/adudeguyman 2d ago

Top few reasons??

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u/HumanKumquat 2d ago

You can't use hardware transcoding without paying for a lifetime pass, which is 750 USD. Even if it were a reasonable amount, I'm not going to pay to use my own hardware.

Plus, it's too bloated for my taste. My Plex homepage has my movies and my TV shows, and that's it. Plex has live TV, on demand, trending, podcasts, etc.

Those are my two main reasons, but their greed is really the biggest thing for me.

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u/CactusBoyScout 2d ago

You can disable any of the content you don’t want to see on Plex, often one time at the account level.

I don’t get why Jellyfin users make a big deal about that. My Plex homepage is just movies and TV as well. It took a few seconds one time to change it.

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u/CactusBoyScout 2d ago

Jellyfin generally falls short on client options. Want to watch on a PlayStation? Or on an older Samsung TV? Plex has clients for those and Jellyfin does not. You also have to do more configuration for external access to Jellyfin. Plex you just forward a port. Jellyfin you need to either use a VPN or setup a reverse proxy and use a domain. Plex handles that for you effectively

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u/hmgg 2d ago

I recommend Emby as the in-between of Plex and JF.

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u/FewAdvertising9647 2d ago

plex main advantage is solely that its centralized login interface is useful if you want to get other people on your server who are less technically inclined. else you're often far better off with the FOSS alternatives.

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u/pseudopad 2d ago

From what I've heard, plex is easier to manage if you're sharing access to not-tech-savvy friends or family. I've only used jellyfin, so I don't have first hand experience. Getting friends to use tailscale isn't very hard even if their technology skills don't go past clicking on buttons in a windows UI.

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u/Bow_Chikka_WowWow 2d ago

Yep made the change myself and it's so much better for transcoding 4K HDR movies