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Silux Media: an overview

Silux Media plays your own films, TV shows, music, photos, audiobooks and books on every screen, and stays smooth on slow connections (about 1–2 Mbps).

There are four parts. Most people only ever touch the first two.

Silux Media: an overview — How the server, apps, account and Cloud fit together, then every section of the web app: Home, Films, TV Shows, Music, Photos, Live TV, Search and Settings, and signing a TV in with a code.

1. The Silux Media server (free)

A program you install on a computer or NAS that holds your media: Windows, macOS, Linux, Docker or a NAS. It reads your folders, finds posters and details, and streams to your apps, re-encoding on the fly so playback matches the connection. It never moves, renames or changes your files.

If you'd rather not run a computer, Silux Media Cloud runs the server for you (see part 4).

2. The apps

  • Web app — built into every server: open the server's address in any browser. It's also where admins manage the server (Settings).
  • iPhone and iPad, Android phones and tablets — browse, play, download for offline, upload from your camera roll, approve TV sign-ins.
  • Mac, Windows and Linux — the same app on your computer.
  • Apple TV, Android TV / Google TV, Samsung and LG TVs — sign in with a code you approve on your phone; everything is driven by the remote.

3. Your Silux Media account (free)

An account on the Silux Media website. It links your servers so the apps find them by email and password, lets you share a server with family, approves TV codes, and holds your plan, orders and invoices. You can also use a server without an account by connecting to it directly with its address and a server user.

4. Plans and Silux Media Cloud

The self-hosted server is a complete product on the free plan: unlimited streams and people, remote streaming over your own connection and the full bandwidth engine. Paid plans add conveniences such as the managed relay when your router can't be reached, more servers and extra features; Silux Media Cloud hosts your library for you. See Plans, the basket and billing, and the Pricing page for exactly what each plan includes.

What a typical setup looks like

  1. 1Install the server on the computer that has your media and create your admin account.
  2. 2Add your media folders. The library fills in by itself.
  3. 3Install the app on your phone and sign in.
  4. 4Sign your TV in with a code approved from the phone.
  5. 5Add your family as users, and use Parental Control or content limits for children.

Follow Getting started for the full checklist, with links for each step.

Where to find things

  • Help with a page in the website account: Your Silux Media account: every page.
  • Help with the server's web app and its Settings: The server web app: every page, and Server settings explained.
  • Help with the apps: Phone, tablet and computer apps, and TV apps: every screen.

Questions

Do I need a Silux Media account?

No. You can connect any app to your server directly with its address and a user on the server. An account makes signing in, TVs and sharing easier, and is needed for paid plans.

Does Silux Media change my files?

No. Scanning is read-only: files are never moved, renamed or edited. Uploads are added as new files in an Uploads folder.

Is it really free?

Yes. The server and all apps are free, with unlimited streams and people. Paid plans add conveniences, never take features away from Free.

Last updated 2026-11-13.