Up and running in ten minutes
Set up on Windows
Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit, Intel/AMD or ARM).
- 1
Download
Download the Windows .zip from the download page and extract it to a folder such as C:\Silux Media.
- 2
Start the server
Double-click start-silux-media.bat. To start it automatically with Windows, right-click install-service.ps1 → Run with PowerShell (as Administrator).
- 3
Open Silux Media
On the same computer open http://localhost:8097, or http://<this-computer's-IP>:8097 from a phone or TV on your home network.
- 4
Create the owner account
Pick a name and password. This account manages the server; you can add family members later.
- 5
Add your media folders
Settings → Media folders: add the folders holding your films, TV, music and photos. Files stay exactly where they are — nothing is moved or copied.
- 6
Watch on every screen
Install the Silux Media app on your phone, tablet or TV, or use any web browser. Sign in with a free Silux Media account to find your server from anywhere.
Set up on macOS
Apple silicon or Intel Macs.
- 1
Download
Download the macOS .tar.gz for your Mac (Apple silicon or Intel) and open it to extract the folder.
- 2
Start the server
In Terminal, run ./install-launchagent.sh inside the folder. The server starts now and every time you log in.
- 3
Open Silux Media
On the same computer open http://localhost:8097, or http://<this-computer's-IP>:8097 from a phone or TV on your home network.
- 4
Create the owner account
Pick a name and password. This account manages the server; you can add family members later.
- 5
Add your media folders
Settings → Media folders: add the folders holding your films, TV, music and photos. Files stay exactly where they are — nothing is moved or copied.
- 6
Watch on every screen
Install the Silux Media app on your phone, tablet or TV, or use any web browser. Sign in with a free Silux Media account to find your server from anywhere.
Set up on Ubuntu, Debian & other Linux
64-bit Intel/AMD or ARM (including Raspberry Pi 4/5).
- 1
Download
Download the .deb (Ubuntu, Debian, Raspberry Pi OS) or the .tar.xz for any other distribution.
- 2
Install
sudo apt install ./silux-media-server_*.deb — it runs as a background service and starts on boot. With the .tar.xz, run ./silux-media-server instead.
- 3
Give it access to your media
sudo setfacl -R -m u:silux-media:rX /path/to/films (or add the silux-media user to a group that can read them).
- 4
Open Silux Media
On the same computer open http://localhost:8097, or http://<this-computer's-IP>:8097 from a phone or TV on your home network.
- 5
Create the owner account
Pick a name and password. This account manages the server; you can add family members later.
- 6
Add your media folders
Settings → Media folders: add the folders holding your films, TV, music and photos. Files stay exactly where they are — nothing is moved or copied.
- 7
Watch on every screen
Install the Silux Media app on your phone, tablet or TV, or use any web browser. Sign in with a free Silux Media account to find your server from anywhere.
Set up on Docker & NAS
Synology, QNAP, Unraid, TrueNAS or any Docker host.
- 1
Load the image
docker load -i silux-media-server-docker-*.tar.gz
- 2
Run it
docker run -d --name silux-media -p 8097:8097 -p 8098:8098 -v /path/to/media:/media:ro -v silux-state:/state -v silux-cache:/cache silux-media-server
- 3
Open Silux Media
On the same computer open http://localhost:8097, or http://<this-computer's-IP>:8097 from a phone or TV on your home network.
- 4
Create the owner account
Pick a name and password. This account manages the server; you can add family members later.
- 5
Add your media folders
Settings → Media folders: add the folders holding your films, TV, music and photos. Files stay exactly where they are — nothing is moved or copied.
- 6
Watch on every screen
Install the Silux Media app on your phone, tablet or TV, or use any web browser. Sign in with a free Silux Media account to find your server from anywhere.
Set up on Raspberry Pi
Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 with Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit).
- 1
Download
Download the Linux ARM64 .deb from the download page onto the Pi.
- 2
Install
sudo apt install ./silux-media-server_*_arm64.deb — it starts on boot.
- 3
Use a USB drive for films
Plug in your drive and add its folder in Settings. A Pi streams best when it prepares lean versions overnight — the optimiser does this automatically.
- 4
Create the owner account
Pick a name and password. This account manages the server; you can add family members later.
- 5
Add your media folders
Settings → Media folders: add the folders holding your films, TV, music and photos. Files stay exactly where they are — nothing is moved or copied.
- 6
Watch on every screen
Install the Silux Media app on your phone, tablet or TV, or use any web browser. Sign in with a free Silux Media account to find your server from anywhere.
Watching away from home
Direct connection (free)
If your router supports UPnP or NAT-PMP, the server sets it up for you: Settings → Direct connections. Everything is end-to-end encrypted.
Your own address (free)
Already forward a port or use a reverse proxy? Put the address in Settings → Public address.
Managed remote access (Plus/Pro)
No router changes at all: the server connects out to the Silux relay, end-to-end encrypted so the relay can't see your films.
Set-up questions
- How long does it take to set up?
- About ten minutes on Windows, macOS, Docker or a NAS, and five on Ubuntu or Debian with the .deb package.
- Do I need an account to set it up?
- No. The server works at home without one. A free Silux Media account only helps the apps find your server when you're away.
- Will it move or change my files?
- No. Silux Media reads your folders where they are; nothing is moved, renamed or copied.
- How do I watch away from home?
- Direct connection (free): If your router supports UPnP or NAT-PMP, the server sets it up for you: Settings → Direct connections. Everything is end-to-end encrypted. Your own address (free): Already forward a port or use a reverse proxy? Put the address in Settings → Public address. Managed remote access (Plus/Pro): No router changes at all: the server connects out to the Silux relay, end-to-end encrypted so the relay can't see your films.