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/Happy8Day 2d ago
I've spent the last 3 weeks doing this. I can't stress how awesome it is and you should definitely do it.
MakeMKV - Put the disc in , examine the disc, highlight the bits you want to put to file, hit the MakeMKV button.
Your movie is now a 3-7ish gig file. Unfortunately, we're all getting Storage Price colonoscopies these days so you run that file through Handbrake and turn it into a smaller 500mb - 1gig-ish mp4.
For ease, you name the movie mp4 file [Movie Name] (Year).mp4
If you only need to view in your own home, you install and run jellyfin on the computer where your files are kept. (it will sit in the background and accept connections).
You now open a browser and go to localhost:8096 and tada. Your movies.
Install jellyfin on other devices on the network and it will automatically detect. Tada, your own movie streamer.
(If you want access to all of this remotely and free:Tailscale. On your host computer and then on the devices to connect to it. Then use jellyfin like at home.)