Author: Press Room

Running a dedicated server like Plex or Jellyfin has long been the default recommendation for anyone looking to build their own collection of TV shows and movies. These platforms allow those files to be streamed to devices around the home, but they may also include cloud options, remote streaming capabilities, and even ad-supported services. And with these features, getting a media server up and running has become increasingly complicated. These servers are also more bloated than ever. For those who miss the days of watching content without paying streaming or subscription fees, combining Kodi and LibreELEC can be the answer.…

After more than 13 years, or 4,811 days of waiting, Rockstar is finally releasing GTA 6. Following tradition with other recent Rockstar releases, GTA 6 will be console-exclusive at launch, with a PC port expected in 2027. For those who want a taste of what Rockstar has been cooking for nearly a decade, a console is the only way in. GTA 6 is the biggest release in a decade, to the point that buying a console specifically for the game is a real consideration, but current prices will make anyone think twice before dropping that kind of money. Fortunately, there’s…

When it comes to playing PC games on Android, there are a few options, but none of them seem to offer a SteamOS-like experience. Up until now, that is. DroidDeck on Android can quite literally turn any Android device into a Steam Deck, and there’s no streaming trickery involved. Related My old Android phone runs real Windows games locally, and this wrapper is why It’s just for fun, nothing else. Installing DroidDeck on Android Configuration tips and some extra features Credit: Dipan Saha/MakeUseOf Installing DroidDeck is simple, but you can’t find the app on the Play Store. You’ll want to make…

Most folks discover HDMI-CEC by accident. You press play on a streaming stick or connect a PlayStation, the TV wakes up and switches inputs on its own, and you assume it was a lucky quirk. Well, it wasn’t. There’s a small control feature built into your HDMI cables that’s doing the work, and most TVs hide this feature under a name you’d never search for. Once you know what it can do, you can retire a drawer full of remotes. Related How I Use This Magic HDMI Feature to Simplify My Streaming Setup I wish I’d started using this HDMI…

Nothing is more annoying than navigating a sluggish media center UI because your streaming device has started thermal throttling. Much like any other “smart” device, streaming modules such as the Fire TV Stick are prone to overheating, despite their limited computational power. This is even more common among older units, which start thermal throttling within a couple of hours (if not earlier) of use. This has been the case with my old third-gen Fire TV Stick, which overheated within a few hours of regular streaming. Thankfully, changing a handful of settings on the device itself saved me the headache of…

Subscription fatigue is real, and I’ve been slowly building a digital music library to lessen my reliance on streaming services like Apple Music. In parallel, I’ve assembled a physical media collection of vinyl records, CDs, and cassettes with some of my favorite music. As a result of that hard work, if music streaming services disappeared from the face of the earth today, I wouldn’t miss them. I have a sustainable, self-hosted media library that didn’t cost a fortune to put together, and it’s all thanks to an affordable USB accessory most people forgot about: the external optical drive. It’s inexpensive,…

Jellyfin has become my favorite way to stream my personal media library, but its UI always felt a little generic. Having previously used Kodi as my media player, I found its customizable skins to be one of its biggest perks, and while searching for a Jellyfin equivalent, I stumbled upon Moonfin. This third-party Jellyfin client offers a more modern, customizable interface across a range of devices, transforming my user experience, and it’s hard to go back to the original. Moonfin gives Jellyfin a fresh coat of paint I was drawn to Jellyfin’s flexibility and control; however, its default interface may…

I have a couple of soundbars in my home, and both of them have a Dolby Atmos logo printed proudly on the box. So, as an audiophile, I assumed that meant I’d get immersive, overhead sound every time I pressed play, with no input needed. But getting a Dolby Atmos soundbar is only half the job; the other half is making sure it can actually receive the signal, and mine couldn’t. The culprit was a thin optical cable I’d never thought to question, and the difference was evident the moment I swapped it for HDMI. During this operation, I learned…

Some of the best features on your Google TV aren’t visible out of the box, and the Developer Options menu is one of them. Enabling it gives you the ability to remove bloatware, install custom apps, and tweak animations to speed up performance. How to Enable Developer Options on a Google TV Developer Options on Google TV are tucked away in the settings, much like they are on Android phones and tablets. While they’re primarily intended for developers and advanced users, there are some useful tools inside that anyone can utilize. To get started, you’ll first need to enable the…

I’ve become increasingly wary of how much information my internet-connected devices collect, and I recently turned my attention to my smart TV. After checking my Fire TV and Samsung TV privacy settings, I deactivated three options that let them collect viewing data, personalize advertising, and send diagnostic information to the manufacturer. I hoped to limit unnecessary data sharing without affecting how my TV functions, so after a week of normal TV viewing, I reviewed what exactly had changed. Disabling ACR didn’t change how I watch TV My streaming habits don’t require my TV to identify everything I watch Automatic Content…