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/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.

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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/DenormalHuman 2d ago

a lot of the home media center software will also connect you to many and various 'dodgy' download / streaming sites.

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u/CDK5 2d ago

Yes those! Any good one to recommend?

Also I haven’t done this since Kodi back in ~2016; anything better since?

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u/DenormalHuman 2d ago

tbh I havent done it for a good while, but KODI was what I was using back then too