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. It ditches all of the unnecessary bloat, replacing it with a purer way to enjoy media.
Central servers have their problems
While incredibly popular, both Plex and Jellyfin work in much the same way. They use a client-server architecture, which is perfect for streaming a library to devices beyond your home. The same goes for streaming to multiple devices within the same home, too. But they aren’t required if your primary aim is to watch media on a single device inside your home. In that case, a fully-fledged media server running all day, every day, is just overkill.
Overkill can be fun, for sure, but it can also be a burden. Maintaining a media server means keeping an always-on PC with access to plenty of storage, such as a dedicated NAS. All of this requires electricity, even when nothing is actively being streamed. Then there’s the upkeep: software updates, security patches, and the implications of running a machine open to the wider internet.
These servers also often rely on transcoding, converting media on the fly to a format a viewing device can handle. This approach works around underpowered devices and inadequate bandwidth, but it’s a workaround you might not need if your playback device can natively play modern audio and video codecs.
Finally, media servers like Plex and Jellyfin require user accounts. The former even requires an online Plex account, even if you intend to only use your server for local playback. If your internet connection fails, you may not even be able to watch content saved locally.
Introducing LibreELEC
Turn your hardware into a media-streaming appliance
You can ditch the whole media server idea by using LibreELEC instead. It’s a different approach, built to be “Just enough OS for Kodi,” so it’s a minimal Linux installation designed just to handle media. It boots directly into the Kodi media center interface, with no background desktop environment, no users to manage, and no unnecessary cruft.
As a bonus, because the OS is slashed to only the necessary components, it can run on almost anything. There’s no need for a beefy CPU or GPU here, as LibreELEC can run on DIY machines like a Raspberry Pi 4 or newer. And as a result, it uses very little power, powers on in seconds, and is silent to use. If you’ve ever tried to sleep in the same room as a media server, you’ll know why that’s such a big deal.
LibreELEC stores media on external USB drives or a network file share, whether that’s a dedicated NAS or elsewhere. Metadata for your media is collected from the internet and saved locally for speed, and when the device is idle, no background tasks use power or CPU cycles on another machine.
LibreELEC isn’t magic. But if you’re a long-time Plex user, it might as well be.
Native playback, zero transcoding
Hardware decoding to the rescue
While LibreELEC can run on all kinds of hardware that might otherwise be considered underpowered, it still manages to provide an excellent viewing experience. The hardware-first nature of the LibreELEC box means that playback is leveled up, with support for hardware decoding for codecs like HEVC (H.265), AV1, and VP9, as well as pass-through support for advanced spatial audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
By contrast, when running Plex on a lightweight streaming dongle, the server is usually forced to transcode the file thanks to high-bitrate video, included subtitles, and unsupported audio. This is why Plex servers tend to require high-powered hardware to ensure the transcoding can happen on the fly. Otherwise, the viewer has to contend with buffering or a reduction in video quality.
That’s an issue that LibreELEC simply doesn’t have to contend with. Because Kodi communicates directly with the hardware built into the device, re-encoding even high-bitrate files isn’t required. You get a pixel-perfect image, including fast seeking times, all without the need for a second computer to handle the files themselves.
Unplugging the server
Choose a simple, private setup
It’s fair to say that transitioning from the mindset of using a dedicated media server like Plex to LibreELEC and Kodi requires something of a shift in mindset. If you’ve used a dedicated media server for any length of time, switching from that model will seem strange to begin with. It’s also a non-starter if you need multi-user setups or the ability to watch content outside your home.
But for anyone whose media consumption happens primarily in one place, like a living room, a standalone LibreELEC device has a lot going for it. From a reduction in power usage to a refreshing, simplistic approach to media streaming, LibreELEC and Kodi really can make watching your own files easier and more enjoyable.