If only Jellyfin were simpler yo setup for the masses…
This.
I got in on Plex Pass at $150 so it’s a no-brainer to keep it up for my friends and family who are less tech inclined, but I’m running it concurrently with Jellyfin on my server.
It very much is on some TVs. While there are apps in the corresponding store for Roku, WebOS, Android TV, and Xbox, that still leaves out Playstation and Samsung for instance. Samsung has more than 50% marketshare of premium TVs.
While you can install an app by jumping through hoops, it’s not an easy one click install which is what average users need. You can install a Jellyfin server by clicking next a bunch of times. You can get your media there by dragging and dropping it into the media folder. You can install the TV app on most TVs just as easily, but for Samsung you need to do all sorts of extra steps.
A quick Google does give step by step instructions on reddit for instance… but it requires users to download a specific version of Tizen Studio with the CLI (which most people are scared of, they need a GUI to use their devices). They need to connect to their TV remotely via that tool. They need to generate and install security certificates. They need to get specific versions of the Tizen Jellyfin app, that aren’t managed by the Jellyfin team, from a random Github. Then rename those files to extract them, inject their certificate, rebuild the package, and send it to the TV remotely… all in the CLI.
That is WAYYYYYY too complicated for the average person. Even with the step by step instructions, people skip steps and skim things without even thinking about it. Most people can barely click next a bunch of times to install things without messing it up somehow. Anyone who’s ever worked support can tell you that. My parents and probably half my friends would NEVER be able to follow those instructions without messing it up to connect to my server. And that even assumes they have a PC to run the software in the first place, many people no longer have a PC, they just have their phone and maybe a tablet.
On the other hand, Plex has an app in the Tizen store. Emby, which Jellyfin was forked from, also has a Tizen app in the store. Those people can just go and click install and they’re done.
Not in my experience, but I keep my Plex up for my brother. I shifted away personally a year or so ago because I couldn’t watch at work anymore (despite self hosting, login still requires a connection to Plex… Which is blocked at work). With Jellyfin, I can just auth against my Authentik server.
But how do you encrypt remote streams? That’s the issue with JF, outside the home there’s no streaming encryption, so what’s to stop you from DMCA notices? For some family, were running a Wireguard VPN through Ubiquiti but nobody else can with ease. At least not that I’m aware of.
I don’t know why you have trouble with this. Everything runs through the same SSL protected connection. Router -> Nginx Proxy Manager w/ TLS -> Jellyfin.
Best solution is probably what those commercial pirates do -buy a bunch of cheap android boxes and pre-configure with your choice of client and VPN, then hand those out. Something goes wrong, they bring it back.
The reason Jellyfin is harder to set up is because they don’t run TURN servers. Those cost a lot of money, hence why Plex keeps raising their prices. I wouldn’t be surprised if Plex’ “lifetime” subscriptions didn’t last for much longer.
That being said, Jellyfin is fairly easy to set up. You just have to watch some tutorials.
I’m waiting for plex to announce that lifetime subscriptions don’t cover certain features like secure connect, and that those features will require an addon if enabled. The writing is on the wall.
I had zip experience self hosting home lab or with linux. I messed around in ubuntu for a couple weeks then just ran the commands on the jellyfin documentation for setup.
It mostly just worked. Web ui started right up and i loaded my library. So glad i never touched plex.
Wow… Rough! I get they’ve “added value” over time, but they’ve also enshittified it too…
If only Jellyfin were simpler to setup for the masses…
This.
I got in on Plex Pass at $150 so it’s a no-brainer to keep it up for my friends and family who are less tech inclined, but I’m running it concurrently with Jellyfin on my server.
Wait. Jellyfin’s client isn’t any harder to set up than Plex…
It very much is on some TVs. While there are apps in the corresponding store for Roku, WebOS, Android TV, and Xbox, that still leaves out Playstation and Samsung for instance. Samsung has more than 50% marketshare of premium TVs.
While you can install an app by jumping through hoops, it’s not an easy one click install which is what average users need. You can install a Jellyfin server by clicking next a bunch of times. You can get your media there by dragging and dropping it into the media folder. You can install the TV app on most TVs just as easily, but for Samsung you need to do all sorts of extra steps.
A quick Google does give step by step instructions on reddit for instance… but it requires users to download a specific version of Tizen Studio with the CLI (which most people are scared of, they need a GUI to use their devices). They need to connect to their TV remotely via that tool. They need to generate and install security certificates. They need to get specific versions of the Tizen Jellyfin app, that aren’t managed by the Jellyfin team, from a random Github. Then rename those files to extract them, inject their certificate, rebuild the package, and send it to the TV remotely… all in the CLI.
That is WAYYYYYY too complicated for the average person. Even with the step by step instructions, people skip steps and skim things without even thinking about it. Most people can barely click next a bunch of times to install things without messing it up somehow. Anyone who’s ever worked support can tell you that. My parents and probably half my friends would NEVER be able to follow those instructions without messing it up to connect to my server. And that even assumes they have a PC to run the software in the first place, many people no longer have a PC, they just have their phone and maybe a tablet.
On the other hand, Plex has an app in the Tizen store. Emby, which Jellyfin was forked from, also has a Tizen app in the store. Those people can just go and click install and they’re done.
Jellyfin has actually been on the Tizen store since February
It’s in the list on samsungs website
Your information is outdated.
Ah yes, by… 3 months. After over a decade of no support.
Not in my experience, but I keep my Plex up for my brother. I shifted away personally a year or so ago because I couldn’t watch at work anymore (despite self hosting, login still requires a connection to Plex… Which is blocked at work). With Jellyfin, I can just auth against my Authentik server.
But how do you encrypt remote streams? That’s the issue with JF, outside the home there’s no streaming encryption, so what’s to stop you from DMCA notices? For some family, were running a Wireguard VPN through Ubiquiti but nobody else can with ease. At least not that I’m aware of.
Just use a reverse proxy. Everything goes over https.
I don’t know why you have trouble with this. Everything runs through the same SSL protected connection. Router -> Nginx Proxy Manager w/ TLS -> Jellyfin.
Best solution is probably what those commercial pirates do -buy a bunch of cheap android boxes and pre-configure with your choice of client and VPN, then hand those out. Something goes wrong, they bring it back.
That’s… Actually not a bad idea 🤔
You all afraid like the feds are monitoring your home network between each other…
The reason Jellyfin is harder to set up is because they don’t run TURN servers. Those cost a lot of money, hence why Plex keeps raising their prices. I wouldn’t be surprised if Plex’ “lifetime” subscriptions didn’t last for much longer.
That being said, Jellyfin is fairly easy to set up. You just have to watch some tutorials.
I’m waiting for plex to announce that lifetime subscriptions don’t cover certain features like secure connect, and that those features will require an addon if enabled. The writing is on the wall.
Does that affect me if I already use my own reverse proxy or Cloudflared? I think not.
I had zip experience self hosting home lab or with linux. I messed around in ubuntu for a couple weeks then just ran the commands on the jellyfin documentation for setup.
It mostly just worked. Web ui started right up and i loaded my library. So glad i never touched plex.
“Added value”: prescribed, trickled-out, tiptoed smidgens of steps forward
“Enshittification”: unscripted, greed-backed, frantic, top-speed Thomas Salto tumbles into the corner and off the mat.
Yep, sounds about right. “Progress”.