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Tips, updates, and guides from the JellyWatch team.

173 articles

Monitor Jellyfin Server Uptime with Uptime Kuma: Setup, Alerts, and Dashboard (2026)
8 min read 524

Monitor Jellyfin Server Uptime with Uptime Kuma: Setup, Alerts, and Dashboard (2026)

Uptime Kuma is the most popular self-hosted monitoring tool in 2026. This guide shows how to monitor your Jellyfin server health endpoint, set up instant alerts via Discord, Telegram, or Ntfy, and build a status page your users can check.

Swiftfin for Jellyfin on iOS and Apple TV: Complete Setup Guide (2026)
8 min read 882

Swiftfin for Jellyfin on iOS and Apple TV: Complete Setup Guide (2026)

Swiftfin is the official free Jellyfin client for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. Version 1.4 brought a full navigation overhaul and Jellyfin 10.11 support. This guide covers installation, playback settings, codec support, and how Swiftfin compares to Infuse in 2026.

Best Handbrake & FFmpeg Settings for Jellyfin 2026: Encode for Zero Transcoding on Every Device
15 min read 404 2

Best Handbrake & FFmpeg Settings for Jellyfin 2026: Encode for Zero Transcoding on Every Device

Stop guessing encode settings. This guide gives you exact Handbrake and FFmpeg configurations that produce files every Jellyfin client can Direct Play - H.265 CRF values, dual audio tracks (EAC3 + AAC), HDR preservation, GPU encoding, and batch automation with Tdarr.

Jellyfin Direct Play vs Transcoding Explained: Why It Matters and How to Force Direct Play (2026)
9 min read 1712 2

Jellyfin Direct Play vs Transcoding Explained: Why It Matters and How to Force Direct Play (2026)

Direct Play uses zero CPU. Transcoding can max out your server. This guide explains every playback method in Jellyfin, why transcoding happens, how to identify it, and how to force Direct Play on every client for the best quality and lowest server load.

Run Jellyfin on a VPS for Free (Almost): Hetzner €4.50/month vs Contabo vs Oracle Free Tier (2026)
13 min read 615 3 2

Run Jellyfin on a VPS for Free (Almost): Hetzner €4.50/month vs Contabo vs Oracle Free Tier (2026)

Not everyone has a home server. A VPS from Hetzner (€4.50/month) or Contabo gives you a dedicated Jellyfin instance with a public IP, 1 Gbps bandwidth, and 24/7 uptime. This guide covers VPS selection, Docker deployment, storage mounting, the no-GPU reality, and when Oracle free tier is enough.

Kavita vs Komga 2026: Best Self-Hosted Comic & Manga Reader (+ Jellyfin Integration)
6 min read 1437 2

Kavita vs Komga 2026: Best Self-Hosted Comic & Manga Reader (+ Jellyfin Integration)

Jellyfin handles video well but comics and manga need a dedicated reader. Kavita and Komga are the two best self-hosted options in 2026. This guide compares both (AniList vs ComicVine metadata, Tachiyomi integration, EPUB support), covers Docker setup, and shows how to run them alongside Jellyfin.

Build a Jellyfin Discord and Telegram Bot in 2026: Now Playing, Commands, and Rich Notifications
6 min read 519 2

Build a Jellyfin Discord and Telegram Bot in 2026: Now Playing, Commands, and Rich Notifications

Go beyond basic webhooks. Build a Discord or Telegram bot that shows what is currently playing on your Jellyfin server, lets users search your library, request media, and receive rich embed notifications with poster artwork - all from a chat message.

How to Install Jellyfin on LG Smart TV (webOS) in 2026: Setup, Codec Support, and Alternatives
7 min read 1494 2

How to Install Jellyfin on LG Smart TV (webOS) in 2026: Setup, Codec Support, and Alternatives

LG is the second best-selling TV brand worldwide and runs webOS - a platform with an official Jellyfin app in the LG Content Store. This guide covers installation, codec compatibility, OLED-specific settings, and what to do when the native app falls short.

Jellyfin as a Music Server in 2026: Complete Guide to Clients, Scrobbling, and Library Setup
8 min read 2080 2

Jellyfin as a Music Server in 2026: Complete Guide to Clients, Scrobbling, and Library Setup

Jellyfin handles music libraries alongside video - but getting the best experience requires the right folder structure, metadata plugins, mobile clients, and scrobbling setup. This complete guide covers everything from FLAC organization to Last.fm integration.