emby.media
Media has become an important part of our culture in the 21st century, and as technology continues to increase its role in our lives, it will continue to grow until it becomes a literal extension of humankind.
Most people I know are consuming media almost all the time, whether it takes the form of movies, music, TV series, sharing of photos/videos/memes, podcasts, social networking, websites, etc. This has led to the idea that it would be nice if there was a single location where all of these digital media services could be accessed. Why is there not a monolithic portal like this?
If you have thought about having a media server before, then you know that they do exist. There are several different types to choose from, and the one you choose depends on your needs. Much like there are a number of different streaming services available, the same is true for media servers. The only difference is that media servers let us view our content in a specific way, which can be more specific to our needs. Choosing the right one is just a matter of doing some research and figuring out which one suits us best.
Some people prefer to access their media on their phones, laptops, tablets, or smart TVs. Others still swear by streaming and viewing their favorite content on computers, tablets, or smart TVs. No matter what your preferences are, you need to find a media server that can cater to your unique needs. First and foremost, the media server should be reliable and functional. That is a given. But you also want a media server that works well no matter what device you happen to be using at any given time. Thanks to media servers like Emby, now any of your devices can become a smart TV.
History
Emby, formerly known simply as Media Browser, is a media server suite that has been specially designed to stream video and audio across any device. It is proprietary software that cannot be replicated from the source because the build scripts are left private.
Emby has continued to head down the road to proprietary code with version 3.5 of the software. As of this version, Emby relicensed itself and is now entirely close-sourced; the open-source elements that many tech-heads have always loved about Emby, however, are still available in the form of plugins, and a free open-sourced fork of the server has also been developed, known as Jelly Fin. So, if you like to experiment with coding and building your own customizations, Jelly Fin will definitely be worth your time to check out.
Emby is a media streaming software that is available on many different platforms, including Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Free BSD. Users can connect to the Emby client through any of Emby's compatible platforms- such as HTML 5, Android, iOS, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chrome Cast, Apple TV, LG and Samsung smart TVs, and Xbox 360 / Xbox One.
Design
Depending on the device Emby is being used on, its design may vary slightly. However, overall, I would say that Emby's design and layout is similar to that of Netflix and Hulu.
Depending on your device, you will find an easy to navigate menu that allows you to toggle by content type, either at the top of the screen or the left hand side. From here, quickly switch between Channels, Live TV, Camera Uploads, Games, Playlists, Collections, Movies, Music, or TV. It does not get much simpler than that.
Once you have selected a media source from the main server portal, content will be presented using a minimalistic design similar to Hulu or Netflix. You can browse by genre, watchlists, suggestions, or latest releases. The aesthetic is black with only your media visible in a convenient spot. Emby has a professional feel with its simple approach.
Content
Perhaps I have already discussed the content that Emby enables you to view thoroughly. But for convenience?s sake (and just in case I have missed anything), let?s review with a list.
Your devices are synchronized with each other to allow for media playback.
recordings are saved to a hard drive
-The recordings are kept until the DVR is deleted or the hard drive is full.
are a way to restrict how much time children spend on the internet
-The Parental Controls Center provides parents with a variety of tools to manage their child's online activities
-One way to restrict how much time a child spends on the internet is to set parental controls
Parental Controls are a way for parents to restrict how much time their children spend on the internet. The Parental Controls Center provides parents with a variety of tools to manage their child's online activities. One way to restrict how much time a child spends on the internet is by setting parental controls.
services keep data synchronized between devices
Cloud sync services keep data synchronized between devices by storing it on a remote server.
is a new feature that allows you to cast videos, audio, and other content from your Chrome browser onto a compatible TV or display.
Chrome Cast is a new feature that allows users to cast videos, audio, and other content from their Chrome browser onto compatible displays.
are all forms of entertainment
-We enjoy spending time in these media for pleasure.
Desktop and Mobile Experience
As I have already mentioned, one of my favorite aspects of Emby is the fact that it looks and functions great regardless of what device you use it on. The in-browser version is pristine, as is the Roku and Smart TV version. Additionally, all the versions of Emby are streamlined and synchronized to one another, resulting in a seamless user experience across all platforms.
Pricing and Plans
9.99/month or get a lifetime subscription for ?99.
Emby is a freemium service that offers limited, restricted access to its features for free. However, if you want to use all of the features offered by the service, including the full DVR capabilities, the ability to access content offline, free exclusive apps, extended cover art, cinema mode, folder sync, cloud sync, a content converter, smart home capabilities, backups and restore points and access to tons of podcasts, you might consider signing up for the paid subscription service called Emby Premiere. The Premiere version of Emby's server offers full DVR capabilities, the ability to access content offline; free exclusive apps; extended cover art; cinema mode; folder sync; cloud sync; a content converter; smart home capabilities; backups and restore points; and access to tons of podcasts. Purchasing Emby Premiere for $9.99/month or subscribing for life costs $99/year.
for 1 year
Subscribe for $4.99/month for 1 year to gain access to our exclusive content.
for 4 years
The school will provide you with $54/year for four years.
to the IAAP
The Institute for Advanced Armament Studies will provide you with lifetime access to its archives.
Suggestions that I have for Emby
My main complaint with Emby is that the server does not offer any original content. It also does not seem to be compatible with the top streaming services such as Netflix or Hulu. So, Emby, unfortunately, is most useful for those of us who already have a robust digital library of purchased content. However, it is also compatible with cable subscriptions. My main suggestion for Emby is to either offer some built-in content of their own or to try and hatch a deal with at least one of the streaming services, as that is where the majority of us access our media these days anyway.
Conclusion
If you are the kind of person who prefers to buy content outright rather than rely heavily on streaming services such as Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or Netflix, then Emby is probably the perfect piece of software for you. It is extremely convenient and available on just about any and every device, so you can take your media with you no matter where you go. Emby is a well-designed, dependably functional way to keep in touch with your media files, no matter the type.
This might not be the best solution for those of you looking for new shows or movies through streaming services like Emby, but if you're looking for an elegant way to organize and access your media files, Emby could be a surefire win.
Popular search queries
