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Best Streaming Media Servers – Watch Your Favorite Movies Anywhere

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best Streaming Media Servers

That is an excellent question! I’m sure I’m not alone in being annoyed by my inability to access my material regardless of where I am. It has happened to everyone at some point. Perhaps you’re at a buddy’s house, telling them about this incredible movie you downloaded over the weekend, when your friend says, “That sounds fantastic; let’s watch it!” The only issue is that you cannot simply search for it on Netflix and view it. It is not available on Hulu. It is not available on Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, or HBO Max. You proceed to pick out your laptop next, knowing full well that it is there… nonetheless, you neglected to bring your laptop with you. Today we will talk about the best Streaming Media Servers.

So, what are your options? You’re simply out of luck, aren’t you? Apart from having your friend pay for the rental or purchase of the film, you’re out of options, correct? Not always, of course. Additionally, there is one thing that you can do. While it does need some foresight, it is not the type of thinking that would prompt you to remember to bring your laptop everywhere you go. The only way to ensure that you always have access to all of your material, regardless of where you are or which devices you have, is to be prepared with a reliable media server.

Streaming Media Servers

If you’ve never heard of a media server (also known as a media portal or media center), now is the time to become acquainted with all of the benefits they offer. They’re not just beneficial when you’re out with a pal and realize you’re missing your laptop. They are equally handy when you need to retrieve any of your own content but do not have access to the device that originally stored it. That means that videos you’ve taken, images from your current vacation, or tunes you’ve downloaded — as long as your original device is connected to a media center, you’re safe – everything is immediately transferred to the cloud and accessible via a single app.

In this day and age, there is no reason to ever be without the capacity to stream. And media centers are the ideal method to ensure that you never run out of content, regardless of the type. You can access your complete media library as long as you have an internet connection.

Additionally, the best streaming media servers provide you with universal access to your own streaming and downloaded content. Believe it or not, some of them even allow you to watch live television over their servers. If you do your research well, a media portal may be the most useful piece of software you have ever acquired.

Which media server is the best for streaming at home?

As it turns out, the answer to this question is not that straightforward. There are numerous Streaming Media Servers to pick from. With a few minor considerations, the best one for you boils down to which interface best meets your needs and which devices a certain server is accessible on. Each individual has his or her own unique favorites. And if you look at my list, you’ll find that the one at the top is called Plex. Again, this is my own view, but Plex TV is one of those programs that go above and beyond the call of duty.

Along with a beautiful user interface that is simple to navigate and intuitive to use, Plex offers much more than your standard media center. Why do you inquire? Because it also enables free streaming of thousands of titles directly from the Plex server. It’s a media server combined with a free streaming service, and how can you go wrong with that?

Individuals interested in coding may claim that Emby is superior. And, to be clear, Emby is wonderful as well, but for different reasons. It is totally open-source and is capable of being personalized and tweaked to your taste (or, rather, made to be customized and changed). Therefore, if you have the necessary know-how and the desire to put your programming talents to the test, Emby is an excellent choice. Today, other popular user-generated Emby forks exist, such as Jelly Fin. Thus, as is the case with any streaming service, the best media centre for you boils down to what you aim to accomplish, what you hope to gain from it, and, of course, what you can afford.

What internet speed do I require for media server streaming?

This is one of the best features of media center apps… they do not require any special tools or really fast internet speeds to function properly. To stream from a media center, all you need are the same prerequisites as for streaming from a more basic standalone streaming service such as Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime. You can reach there with only a minimal internet connection!

Naturally, faster internet connections result in higher-quality streaming and resolutions. However, this is not novel. Similarly, this is true for any streaming service. A media center operates similarly to a simple streaming platform – content is kept on a network, but the content that is available for streaming is completely determined by what you place on it.

You will, however, require a minimum of 3Mbps internet speed. However, in order to stream in 4K, you will need at least 4 Mbps. As a result, it is highly improbable that you will ever be unable to stream material using your preferred media center.

Can I access my media while my vacation?

You very certainly can! Indeed, when on vacation is one of the finest times to utilize a media center. As long as you are not traveling to a secluded island that has yet to find the internet, you should be fine. Simply ensure that your device has access to your media server and wi-fi, and you will never again be without your favorite movies, TV, music, and personal digital information!

A media server is the ideal tool for allowing you to access your content while on vacation, as well as, as has been said previously, for allowing you to access your personal images and movies taken during your trip after you return home. If you’re seeking a means to access all of your content through a single simple and universal media source, do yourself a favor and read my reviews of Streaming Media Servers such as JRiver, Jellyfin, Playon, Kodi, or Emby today!

Is it necessary for me to pay for media streaming servers?

The bulk of media portals provides free access to their most basic services. However, as is the case with a large number of apps and programs, some of these are freemium services. This implies that, depending on the media server you choose, you may have to pay for additional capabilities such as live TV and DVR. However, if all you care about is having access to all of your content in one location, independent of device or location, the free versions of the majority of these media portals should suffice.

To be honest, I’m not sure why media portals aren’t discussed more frequently… they’re among the most powerful and widely available forms of video streaming software I’ve encountered. And if you’re not already using one, there’s no better time than right now to peruse my list and choose the one that’s ideal for you!

1. Plex

Whether you’re on your phone, laptop, desktop computer, tablet, or watching your favorite binge-worthy show on television, you want a software package that can keep up with you. One that works wonderfully and consistently, regardless of where you are or which device you are using. Utilize newer tools such as Plex to transform any device into a smart TV.

Thus, the content of Plex is mostly determined by the accounts you connect to it and the stuff you choose to add. Consider it a cross between a personal media collection and a streaming service aggregator. Anything you choose to access (with the exception of your Netflix and Hulu accounts, of course) can be added to Plex. It is one of the Best Streaming Media Servers.

Pros

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Website URL: https://www.plex.tv/

2. Kodi

All of your favorite streaming sites are accessible from a single well-designed spot on your television. Similar to having a Roku device without the hardware, Kodi enables users to seamlessly choose between Netflix, Spotify, Pandora, Hulu, Amazon Video, YouTube, and Crackle. All that is required is a single click of the remote control. Additionally, it includes some extremely unique customizable options that you will not want to miss. This Multi-Platform Home Theater experience will elevate your at-home media enjoyment to a new level.

When it comes to Kodi content, the sky is the limit. Whatever can be downloaded, streamed, or programmed into Kodi is acceptable. This means that you may access all of your personal video and image assets in addition to your favorite movies and streaming services. If you’re able to view it online (or have it downloaded), Kodi makes it simple. Additionally, there are hundreds of add-ons and extensions for Kodi that you may browse to completely customize your Kodi experience. It is one of the Best Streaming Media Servers.

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Website URL:

3. Emby

Emby, originally known as Media Browser, is a media server suite optimized for streaming video and audio across many devices. Historically, the majority of Emby’s code was open-sourced; but, in recent years, some of it has been kept private (since August of 2017). However, the entirety of the program, which is available directly on the Emby website, is proprietary. As a result, it cannot be recreated from the source code due to the fact that the build scripts are left secret. It is one of the Best Streaming Media Servers.

Perhaps I have already mentioned the extent to which Emby enables you to see the content. However, for the purpose of convenience (and in case I’ve missed anything), let’s review with a list.

Pros

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Website URL: https://emby.media/

4. PlayOn

PlayOn is a streaming brand and software package that enables users to access and record material from a variety of streaming platforms. The brand offers two primary products: PlayOn Desktop and PlayOn Cloud. If you’re interested in capturing content from digital streams, you can do so with your iOS or Android device and PlayOn Cloud. On the other hand, if you’re working on a desktop computer, you can use Windows-based software.

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Website URL: https://www.playon.tv/

5. JRiver

JRiver Media Center is one of the most cutting-edge solutions for multimedia playback and player management. It’s the ultimate platform for achieving the highest audio and video quality possible. Along with its great interface, JRiver’s distinguishing feature is its interoperability. You can access your material at any time and from any location, as they are integrated with services such as Hulu, Netflix, and Last.Fm. Additionally, you can use your Android or iOS device as a remote control.

You can utilize the media center to rip CDs, play music, listen to podcasts, and copy music, among other things. JRiver Media Center enables you to encode and play a variety of common audio and video formats. That’s not all; we’re now going to examine other factors that contribute to JRiver being an unbeatable alternative.

Pros

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Website URL: https://jriver.com/

6. MediaPortal

MediaPortal is a free and open-source media player and recorder for digital content. It is a similar project to Windows Media Center. It gives an authentic media experience, complete with standard media functions such as playing, stopping, and recording live television. Apart from those functions, you can use it to play DVDs, listen to music, watch videos, and take pictures. As with JRiver, MediaPortal is compatible with online video and music streaming services such as Last.fm, allowing you to consume material from those networks.

Did you know that the source code for Media Portal was inspired by an older version of Kodi known as XBMC? Regardless, the code has been rebuilt and the platform is now optimized for Microsoft Windows. In comparison to Kodi and MythTV, which are well-known for their cross-platform capabilities, MediaPortal is relatively limited by its devotion to Microsoft Windows.

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Website URL: https://www.team-mediaportal.com/

7. Jelly Fin

Jelly Fin is an Emby fork. This was made feasible by Emby’s open-source and free nature. In other words, part of Emby’s aim was to enable (and facilitate) hackers and amateur developers to design their own adaptations of Emby.

The content available on Jelly Fin is entirely dependent on your subscriptions and the movies and shows you already own. While you will not be able to stream content directly from Jelly Fin – this is critical to understand – if you have access to a certain film, song, album, or show, Jelly Fin functions as a very effective and organized library.

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Website URL: http://jellyfin.org/

8. Serviio

Serviio is a free media server that enables users to stream media files from their computers to their mobile devices. As a result, you may stream videos, music, and photographs to a variety of devices, including a television, a Blu-ray player, gaming consoles, and even mobile phones. Once the server and the device are connected, you’re ready to start. What makes Serviio unique is its compatibility with a variety of devices, including game consoles such as the Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 4. Because the platform is written in Java, it is compatible with all major operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Mac, as well as embedded systems such as NAS.

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Website URL: https://serviio.org/

9. Subsonic

Subsonic is a private media streaming service that provides the most comprehensive media management experience available. It enables you to listen to music and watch movies wherever you want. Through its transcoding engine, you can stream content in high definition and listen to losslessly compressed music. Converting any format to mp3 is a breeze, as is acclimating to the platform.

Subsonic is available in 28 different languages and features 30 unique themes. You may even connect it to more than 25 apps thanks to its highly flexible user interface. Not only that, Subsonic provides a demo site where you may test all of the software’s features prior to installing it.

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Website URL: http://www.subsonic.org/pages/index.jsp

10.  Ampache

Ampache is a free media server that also functions as web-based audio file management and player. And Ampache is derived from the terms ‘Amplifier’ and ‘Apache’. Initially, it was developed to enable users to utilize Apache’s mod mp3 module. However, the program has been updated since then to accommodate its own streaming network.

Without a doubt, there is a plethora of music server software available to assist you in streaming your media. However, the majority of them have a catch – a premium price. You can also include applications that require a subscription, such as Plex and Kodi, on this list. However, with Ampache, everything is included for free. From the ability to access apps to mobile synchronization, artist biographies, album cover, and lyrics, and a variety of other services, everything is free.

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Website URL: http://ampache.org/

11.  TVersity

TVersity is a media server that enables users to view content stored locally. However, it is not limited to regional offerings. On suitable systems, users may even stream content online. To put it simply, this media server will stream material to the device; but, if the device to which the media is being streamed is incapable of handling the stream, TVersity will transcode and alter the content to make it compatible with that device. TVersity is compatible with a variety of platforms, including PCs, televisions, game consoles, and mobile devices.

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Website URL: http://tversity.com/

12. Mezzmo

Mezzmo is a Conceiva DLNA media server that enhances your media viewing experience. Once you’ve connected your devices to this home network, you may sync all of your files and data at your leisure. Mezzmo gives you complete control and serves as the ultimate media server for listening to music, viewing images, and streaming movies to your DLNA and UPnP-enabled devices. One of the most intriguing aspects of Mezzmo is that it provides the best-in-class media sharing capabilities on the Windows platform.

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Website URL: http://www.conceiva.com/products/mezzmo/default.asp

Conclusion:

These Best Streaming Media Servers allow you to enjoy your content wherever you want. You can carry all your digital stuff with you and access it anywhere in the world. Keep visiting us to know about other interesting services on the internet. Time for me to leave, Goodbye!

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