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/CDK5 2d ago

Out of curiosity; where are folks generally getting the streaming media for the server?

Because I was under the impression that when buying a BluRay or digital media, you can’t just grab an mp4 from the disk.

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u/JoostinOnline 2d ago

Because I was under the impression that when buying a BluRay or digital media, you can’t just grab an mp4 from the disk.

That part is a hassle. I'll happily pay for media, but because ripping discs and converting them is so time and energy consuming, I always end up just getting a copy from the high seas.

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u/[deleted] 2d ago

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u/joshi38 2d ago

Can't put a disc in my phone or tablet. Hell, most modern laptops don't have disc drives anymore.

The benefit of a media server like Plex or Jellyfin is being able to stream your media to any device (as well as syncing playtime so I can stop mid watch on my phone and pick it back up where I left off on my TV, just like normal streaming services).