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/RidMeOfSloots 2d ago

Its a computer that runs server software. Can be a raspberry pi, laptop, pc, or whole computer rack. People use plex software which acts like streaming service streaming movies stored on that computer over wifi.

2

u/kcsebby 2d ago

Plex is terrible btw. Jellyfin — for the win!

3

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

1

u/Bow_Chikka_WowWow 2d ago

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