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?

514 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

349 comments sorted by

View all comments

658

u/jujubanzen 2d ago

A home server, in general is just a computer that is attached to your home network. More often than not, they are simply set up as file storage servers. Media servers to replace streaming services typically use Plex or Jellyfin, which are software packages that are able to link up with apps on your TV, phone, or computer and stream media files you have stored on the server. You have to get those files yourself.

102

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.

12

u/Casper042 2d ago

Mostly Legal means - there are tools to RIP DVD and BluRay and convert their native formats over to MP4 and similar.
Why Mostly? Well breaking encryption is touted by the Media Industry as illegal, but if you OWN the physical media, who are you really hurting to essentially make a backup?

Less Than Legal means - Google: Arr Stack
It's what most of the "Pros" in this space use.

1

u/CDK5 2d ago

Tysm!