Jellyfin, an open-source media system, has been gaining popularity among users who prefer a customizable and self-hosted media solution. This article explores the experiences and opinions of users on Hacker News regarding Jellyfin and its features.

One of the standout features of Jellyfin is its focus on user control and customization. Many users appreciate the ability to curate their own media libraries without unnecessary recommendations or suggestions. One user expressed, “More in [random genre]”: Pointless, I know my library, it’s my library.” The flexibility to sort by recentness and the inclusion of useful tabs like “Recently released” and “Recently added” were also acknowledged.

However, some users did encounter challenges and limitations. Several users mentioned the absence of features like intro skipping and offline downloading on specific platforms such as iPad. Others pointed out the lack of multi-language support and the need for improved connections between systems for movie removal.

Compatibility with different devices was another aspect discussed by users. While some praised Jellyfin’s performance on Android TV and its seamless integration with other media systems like Kodi, others highlighted issues with certain platforms, such as the official Apple TV app’s frequent logouts and experimental native player.

In terms of media quality, users shared their tips and tricks, including following TRaSH guides to improve media quality and using tools like Tdarr for transcoding media in advance. Some users also mentioned the need for better support for Dolby Vision and audio pass-through formats.

Comparisons with other media server packages like Plex were inevitable, and users had mixed opinions. While Jellyfin was praised for being open source, customizable, and free from subscription costs, some users found Plex more polished and feature-rich. However, several users appreciated Jellyfin’s active development and its potential to surpass Plex in the future.

The self-hosted nature of Jellyfin was another point of interest. Users discussed various setups, including running Jellyfin in Docker, using reverse proxies on cheap VPS, and ensuring secure access through Wireguard tunnels. This flexibility allowed users to tailor their Jellyfin deployment to their specific needs and security requirements.

Overall, Jellyfin has received positive feedback for its customizability, active development, and self-hosting capabilities. While there are areas for improvement, such as device compatibility and language support, Jellyfin’s open-source nature and dedicated user base make it an appealing alternative to commercial media server options.

If you’re interested in exploring Jellyfin further, you can visit their GitHub repository at https://github.com/jellyfin/jellyfin. With the continuous development and community support, Jellyfin offers a promising media solution for those seeking control, customization, and self-hosting in their media experience.