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Emby for Apple TV 1.9.6 has been released. Here are the highlights: Fix up next getting stuck in between episodes Fix channel number showing as undefined when a channel doesn't have a number Fix genres under music videos being empty

If you’re looking to switch from Plex to Emby, you’re not alone. Many users are making the transition to Emby for its advanced customization options, better privacy controls, and flexibility. While moving your media library might seem daunting, this guide will walk you through the entire process, ensuring a smooth migration without losing your watch history and you'll be up and running before you know it! Why Switch from Plex to Emby? Before we dive into the migration process, let’s highlight some key reasons why users prefer Emby over Plex: Greater Customization: Emby allows for more granular control over metadata, streaming quality, and transcoding. Privacy-Focused: Unlike Plex, Emby does not require an internet connection for local streaming. Better Integration with IPTV & Live TV: Emby offers superior support for IPTV playlists and tuners like HDHomeRun. Self-Hosting Benefits: You maintain full control over your server and user data. Now that you know why Emby is a great alternative, let’s get started with the migration process. Step 1: Install Emby Server First, download and install Emby Server on your preferred device: Visit Emby’s official website and download the server software for your OS. Follow the installation instructions and set up your admin account. Once installed, access the Emby dashboard via your web browser. Typically at http://localhost:8096 Step 2: Prepping Your Media Files to move to Emby Ensure your media files are well-organized before adding them to Emby. The ideal folder structure should be: /Media /Movies /MovieName (Year)/MovieName (Year).ext /TV Shows /ShowName/Season X/ShowName - SXXEXX.ext If your Plex media is stored in a different location, move or copy it to your preferred location for Emby. Keeping the same structure ensures a smoother migration. Emby's media scanners will do a great job if not all of your movies or shows are organized in this fashion, but it definitely helps to have an organized and well structured media folder. Step 3: Set Up Your Libraries in Emby Now, it’s time to add your media to Emby: Open the Emby Server Dashboard. Navigate to Library > Add Media Library. Choose the appropriate content type (Movies, TV Shows, Music, etc.). Select the folder where your media is stored. Choose metadata providers (TheMovieDB, TheTVDB, etc.). Click Save and allow Emby to scan your library. Step 4: Importing Watch History from Plex (Optional) Emby doesn’t directly have a built-in tool for importing watch history from Plex, but you can use Trakt to sync your progress. Install and setup Trakt Scrobbler in Plex and sync your watch history. Link your Trakt account in Emby, allowing it to import your watch history. Run a scheduled task for importing playstates from Trakt. This should only have to be done once. Step 5: Configure Emby for Optimal Performance To get the best experience, here are some begging tweaks to Emby’s settings that will help get the most out of your new media server: Sign up for Emby Premiere: While not required, Emby Premiere offers many benefits like hardware transcoding, offline downloads, Live TV DVR and more! Enable Hardware Transcoding: Navigate to Dashboard > Transcoding and enable hardware acceleration for smoother playback. Set Up Remote Access: Under Network, configure remote access settings if you want to stream outside your home network. Fine-Tune Metadata Fetchers: Go to Library > Metadata and choose the best providers for accurate metadata. Step 6: Install Emby Apps & Start Streaming Emby is available on multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, and more. Download the Emby client app for your devices and start enjoying your media. Final Thoughts Migrating from Plex to Emby doesn’t have to be complicated. By following this step-by-step guide, you can transition smoothly while preserving your media organization and watch history. Emby offers a flexible and customizable media server experience, making it a fantastic choice for those who want more control over their media. Are you ready to make the switch? Try Emby today and take your media streaming experience to the next level! As always, you will find unrivaled support from our users and staff over at the Emby Forums if you run into any issues or have any questions about this process.

EMBY HOW TO BLOGS We will be releasing a variety of how to blogs over the next few weeks during the holidays. A lot of people will be home and have some time to "tinker" with their home servers and these little entries will be a great starting point to working more closely with your server. For more in depth knowledge that these blogs do not cover, or any questions that may pop up, please reach out to any of the staff members on the forums in the appropriate channels and we will be glad to assist you. What Is Emby Connect? Emby Connect is a cloud-based service that simplifies remote access by linking your Emby account to your home server. Instead of manually entering your server's IP address, Emby Connect lets you log in using your Emby account and automatically connects you to your server. This allows for a easy interface to share with your family members who may not even know what an IP address is! It is important to note, though, that Emby Connect is entirely optional. It is not required for remote access as you can always use the address of your server and the local credentials you setup. Setting Up Emby Connect Here’s how to configure Emby Connect for seamless remote access: 1. Link Your Emby Server to Your Account Log in to your Emby Server: Open your browser and navigate to the Emby Server dashboard (e.g., http://localhost:8096). Go to the Users section: On the sidebar, select Users. Link to Emby Connect: Find your user account and click the More button (three dots). Then, choose Connect to Emby Connect. Sign in to Emby Connect: Enter your Emby Connect account credentials. If you don’t have an account, create one at emby.media/connect. 2. Enable Remote Access Navigate to Settings: From the sidebar, select Settings > Network. Verify Remote Access: Ensure the box labeled Allow remote connections to this Emby Server is checked. Test your connection: Use a device outside your home network to log into your Emby account via the Emby app or web interface. Your library should appear automatically if configured correctly. Tip: Emby Connect still requires port forwarding or UPnP, as discussed next. Setting Up Manual Port Forwarding If Emby Connect doesn’t meet your needs or you prefer direct control, you can manually configure port forwarding on your home router. This ensures your server is accessible from outside your local network. What Is Port Forwarding? Port forwarding allows specific incoming traffic (ie, requests to your Emby Server) to bypass your router’s firewall and reach your server directly. It’s a secure and efficient way to enable remote connections. How to Set Up Port Forwarding Step 1: Access Your Router Settings Find your router’s IP address. Commonly, it’s 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. You can confirm this by typing ipconfig (Windows) or ifconfig (macOS/Linux) into the command line. Open a web browser and enter the IP address to log into your router. Log in using your router’s username and password (check the router’s manual or sticker if you’re unsure). Step 2: Set Up Port Forwarding Locate the Port Forwarding section: It may be under labels like NAT, Virtual Server, or Advanced Settings. Create a new rule: Service Name: Enter a descriptive name like "Emby Server." Internal IP Address: Enter the local IP address of your Emby Server (find this in Emby > Settings > Network > LAN IP). Internal Port: Use 8096 for HTTP or 8920 for HTTPS (if you have SSL configured). External Port: Match this to the internal port (8096 or 8920). Protocol: Choose TCP or TCP/UDP. Save the rule: Apply the changes and restart your router if necessary. Step 3: Test Remote Access Open a browser and enter your external IP address and port (e.g., http://<Your_External_IP>:8096). If configured correctly, you’ll see your Emby login page. Best Practices for Security While remote access is convenient, it’s important to secure your Emby Server: Use a strong password for your Emby account. Enable HTTPS: Configure an SSL certificate to encrypt your traffic (via Let's Encrypt or another provider). There are a lot of posts on the forums on how to set this up and a lot of different options in which to do so. Restrict access: Use the IP whitelist/blacklist feature in Emby’s Network settings to limit who can connect. Common Issues and Troubleshooting Can’t access the server remotely? Verify the external IP address matches your public IP (use whatismyip.com). Check for typos in your port forwarding rule. Confirm your firewall isn’t blocking the connection. Dynamic IP issues? If your ISP frequently changes your public IP, consider setting up Dynamic DNS (DDNS) to link a domain name (e.g., emby.myserver.net) to your IP. Conclusion Setting up remote connections in Emby is straightforward with options like Emby Connect and manual port forwarding. Whether you prefer the simplicity of Emby Connect or the control of direct address access, you can enjoy your media library wherever you go. Happy streaming!