In fact, setting up a media server is one of the most common DIY Raspberry Pi projects. You can even use a media server to stream your content to other devices on your network. You have probably heard of media servers? Basically, this software allows you to view your local or cloud media (music, videos, etc.) through an intuitive interface – sometimes involving dedicated gadgets. Instead of talking about creating new digital content, let’s talk about consuming it. This time, it’s going to be slightly different. We have covered numerous such tools here. You also get access to many essential applications on Linux, in case you want to use it as your daily driver for work. There’s no fancy interface, though if you use Plex as a DLNA server you can use the same database organization features.Were you told that Linux is just for programmers? That is so wrong! It also has numerous great tools for digital artists, writers, and musicians. Run a server like Universal Media Server or Serviio on the computer that stores your media, then access it on DLNA-compliant devices like TVs, set-top boxes, and applications like VLC. You can then use local streaming to watch your media on other devices around the house.įinally, you can opt for a more barebones media server experience by relying solely on DLNA/UPnP media streaming.

Plex: Which is Best For You?Ī Kodi media center allows you to watch high-quality media at high resolutions on (for example) your big TV in the living room without worrying about network performance.

You can massively expand its capabilities with emulators and games, plugins, themes, and more. This free and open-source project has a clean and functional front end that works best when plugged into the TV you’re watching. Kodi is a good choice if you want your media center device (the computer your server is running on) to also act as a media center hub.

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