For this week’s spotlight, we’re focusing on a segment of the Emby community that knows how to get the most out of their hardware: Unraid users. From rack mounted behemoths to complex multi-use setups, these community members have turned their Emby servers into highly optimized powerhouses. Let’s take a look at how three Emby fans have built their Unraid based media servers.

User 1: “Overkill? Maybe. Worth it? Definitely.”

• OS: Unraid

• CPU: Intel i5-12600

• RAM: 128GB

• Case: Supermicro 847 with 36 drive bays (x2!)

• Storage: ~300TB using 16–22TB WD UltraStar drives

• Network: 3Gbps Internet, all remote access handled via a private domain and tunnel

• Clients: Nvidia Shield (home theater), Onn 4K boxes, Fire Stick 4Ks (friends & family)

“All of my streams are direct play thanks to fast internet. I originally used Plex, but Emby’s DVR support for IPTV brought me over. It’s more responsive, plays files better, and just works.”

This massive setup was assembled from repurposed hardware and drives collected over time — a perfect example of functional tech recycling taken to impressive heights.

User 2: From Dev Work to DJ Sets to Movies

• OS: Unraid (Dockerized Emby)

• CPU: Intel Core i7-9700K

• RAM: 64GB

• GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1060

• Storage: 190TB total

  70TB for work-related databases and code

  16TB for NVR recordings

  1TB for a personal DJ music library

  Remaining for Emby movies and TV

This setup shows how Emby can coexist with serious multitasking. Whether it’s running virtual machines, storing video surveillance, or curating a live DJ collection, Emby shares space with a true all-in-one server.

User 3: Evolved Over a Decade (Since Media Browser Days)

• OS: Unraid

• CPU: Intel i7-12700K

• RAM: 128GB DDR5

• Storage: 120TB + dual 20TB parity drives

• Clients: Nvidia Shield, Apple TV 4K, Fire TV

• Use Case: Family streaming with both direct play and transcoding

“This is the 5th iteration of my Emby server. I’ve been using it since the Media Browser days”

This user’s setup has evolved into a full-fledged home server, now hosting everything from Emby to Home Assistant. With multiple family members streaming simultaneously, performance and reliability are essential — and this build delivers.

Want to Be Featured?

Are you an Emby user with a unique setup — whether it’s minimalist or monstrous? We’d love to share your story. Visit the Emby Community Forums and drop your specs, photos (optional), and a few notes on why you chose Emby. You might be featured in an upcoming spotlight!