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Guide

The home media server, explained

A home media server is software on a computer you already own that organises your films, TV, music and photos and streams them to every screen in your home — and, if you like, anywhere in the world.

Unlike a subscription streaming service, the library is yours: nothing disappears when a licence expires, nothing is recommended to you by an algorithm, and no-one else sees what you watch.

What you need

  • A computer that stays switched on — a desktop, an old laptop, a NAS, a mini PC or a Raspberry Pi 4/5
  • Your films and TV as files (MP4, MKV, MOV, AVI and 20+ other formats)
  • The free Silux Media server
  • Any phone, tablet, TV, computer or web browser to watch on

How streaming works

When you press play, the server prepares the film for the screen and the connection you're on. Silux Media measures your connection every three seconds and picks one of six quality levels, from 240p for a weak signal to full HD — using about 1.0 GB per hour at 1080p, compared with 2.5–2.7 GB for Jellyfin and Plex at the same picture quality in our tests.

Set one up in ten minutes

  1. 1Download the server for Windows, macOS, Linux or Docker
  2. 2Open http://localhost:8097 and create the owner account
  3. 3Add the folders that hold your films, TV, music and photos
  4. 4Install the app on your phone or TV, or open the server in any browser
  5. 5Optional: link the server to a free Silux Media account to sign in from the apps anywhere

Why bandwidth matters more than you think

Most homes upload far more slowly than they download, and away from home your film travels over that upload. A server that needs 5–6 Mbps for HD buffers on most real connections; Silux Media delivers 720p HD from about 0.7 Mbps and keeps playing below 0.3 Mbps.

Questions

Is a home media server legal?

Yes — streaming films and TV you own or have the rights to, to your own devices and household, is what a media server is for. Don't use it to distribute content you don't have the rights to.

Do I need a powerful computer?

No. Silux Media runs on ordinary CPUs and uses Intel Quick Sync, NVIDIA or AMD acceleration automatically when available. An overnight optimiser can pre-encode your library so playback needs almost no processing.

Is it free?

The self-hosted server is free forever, including remote streaming. Optional Plus and Pro plans add managed remote access and multi-server tools.