Tips, updates, and guides from the JellyWatch team.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Hardware transcoding in Docker requires passing your GPU into the container. This guide covers Intel QSV, NVIDIA NVENC, and AMD VAAPI passthrough with verified Docker Compose configurations, driver checks, and troubleshooting for every common failure.
Emby and Plex are the two biggest commercial media servers in 2026. This honest comparison covers pricing, hardware transcoding, mobile apps, privacy, Live TV, and which one deserves your money - or whether you should skip both for Jellyfin.
Jellyfin handles home videos and photo slideshows. Immich is a full Google Photos replacement with AI face detection, mobile auto-upload, and search by content. This comparison helps you decide which to use - or how to run both together pointing at the same files.
