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The wait is over! We are excited to announce public availability of the new Emby Linux app beta program. Why a Native Linux App? While Emby’s web app works well across platforms, there are limits to what a browser-based player can achieve, especially when it comes to modern video and audio playback. The Linux app was created to go beyond those limits. At the core of this decision is one simple goal: BEST IN CLASS VIDEO PLAYBACK. Browsers continue to improve, but they inevitably lag behind native applications when it comes to advanced video technologies, hardware acceleration, and reliable fullscreen playback. Emby users expect smooth, high-quality playback — and delivering that consistently requires a native application. Benefits Over the Web Player The new Linux app provides several advantages over watching through a browser: More reliable video playback with fewer browser-related limitations Better performance and lower system overhead Improved full screen behavior across Linux desktop environments Direct integration with native video playback technologies A cleaner, distraction free viewing experience By separating video playback from the browser entirely, the app is able to take full advantage of the system and deliver a smoother experience. Designed for Linux Desktops The Emby Linux app is built to feel at home on Linux. It works across major Linux environments . The result is a modern Emby experience that’s faster, more consistent, and purpose built for Linux users. Available Now The new Emby Linux Beta app is now available and we are waiting for your feedback! Want to get started right away? Head on over to the beta instructions page for more! Please provide feedback in this forum: Linux Beta

EmbyWatch - A brilliant app built by a community user! One of the best things about the Emby community is the creativity that comes from it. Every so often, one of our users takes their love for media servers to the next level and builds something that makes life easier for the rest of us. Today, we’re excited to share EmbyWatch, a brand-new Android app developed by community member @asgard25It is an an incredible example of what happens when passion and innovation meet. A User-Built Tool, Made for Admins What makes this story special is that EmbyWatch wasn’t created by a company or a professional app studio. It was created by one of YOU! — just someone who wanted to make managing a server more intuitive and accessible from anywhere. Want to be even more impressed? This is only the second Android app that asgard25 has developed! EmbyWatch is designed to help server admins and advanced users keep track of what’s happening on their Emby setup in real time. It’s not about playback or browsing media, it’s about giving you the tools to monitor, manage, and control your server, all from your phone. Powerful Features at a Glance EmbyWatch brings a surprising amount of functionality for such a young app. Here’s what it can do: Real-time monitoring: See who’s watching what, where they’re streaming from, and how much bandwidth they’re using — all live. User management: View your users, check activity history, and even send messages directly to connected users. Device overview: Identify every connected client, from smart TVs to mobile apps, with connection times and device info. Library insights: Quickly review all your media libraries with detailed counts and metadata. Task control: Run or schedule maintenance tasks like library scans and metadata updates remotely. Plugin visibility: See your installed plugins and available updates. Logs and server details: Access logs, CPU load, uptime, and more — wherever you are. Notifications and widgets: Stay informed with live alerts and optional Android widgets for quick monitoring. For anyone managing a shared server, EmbyWatch feels like having a live dashboard in your pocket. A True Example of Community Ingenuity We love seeing users like asgard25 take their experience with Emby and turn it into something that benefits everyone. EmbyWatch really is a reflection of how open and flexible the Emby ecosystem can be when people put their ideas into action. This project shows exactly what makes our community special, a shared passion for improving and creating! So whether you’re managing your own home setup or running a multi-user server, EmbyWatch offers a simple, powerful way to stay connected to your system. Huge thanks to asgard25 for sharing EmbyWatch with the community and for showing what’s possible when creativity meets passion. We’re proud to see our users building tools like this that make Emby not just a media server, but a thriving ecosystem shaped by its fans. If you’re an admin or an advanced user, check out EmbyWatch on Google Play and see how it can make managing your server easier than ever. We can’t wait to see what asgard25 — and others in our amazing community — build next.

When it comes to managing and streaming your personal media collection, Emby stands out as a favorite among home media enthusiasts. Whether you're a cord-cutter, a collector, or just someone who wants full control over your content, Emby delivers. But don’t just take our word for it — recently we took a look around the Emby Community Forums, Reddit, and other media server discussions to find out what users love most. Here are the features Emby users say they can’t live without: 1. Active Development and Plugin Ecosystem The Emby dev team has built a strong reputation for listening to users and delivering consistent improvements. Feature requests are often acknowledged in forums, and updates come regularly. The Emby Plugin Catalog includes tools for metadata management, intro skipping, trakt.tv syncing, theme music, and more — making it easy to expand your setup. 2. Emphasis on Privacy and Local Control Unlike some competitors, Emby doesn’t force users into cloud integration or tracking services. Features like Trakt and others are optional, and you’re never required to give up control of your data. This focus on local-first architecture makes Emby a great option for privacy-conscious users who want full control over their media experience. 3. Customization and Theming From custom libraries to visual themes, Emby offers a highly customizable user interface. Users can choose how metadata is displayed, organize content into rich collections, or apply unique visual themes and CSS tweaks. For families or multi-user households, Emby also supports user profiles with individual settings and parental controls. 4. Direct Play and Efficient Transcoding Emby is built to take full advantage of Direct Play, reducing the need for CPU-intensive transcoding. For devices that require conversion, transcoding is efficient and can be customized for quality and bitrate. If you’re running a hardware-accelerated setup with Intel Quick Sync, NVIDIA NVENC, or AMD VCE, Emby can offload transcoding for better performance. 5. Live TV & DVR Integration One of Emby's most appreciated features is its native support for Live TV and DVR. Whether you're using a TV tuner or loading an M3U playlist from an IPTV provider, Emby makes it easy to stream live television directly from your server. With season pass recording, time-based scheduling, and automatic commercial skipping (with optional plugins), Emby turns your home server into a powerful personal PVR. Bonus: Multi-Platform Support From Android TV, Apple TV, and Firestick, to iOS, macOS, Windows, and even Linux, Emby has apps for nearly every device. And with Emby Theater, you get a lean-back experience optimized for the big screen. Final Thoughts What makes Emby stand out isn't just its feature list — it's the freedom and flexibility it offers to its users. Whether you’re building a streaming server for your family, archiving physical media, or curating a collection for your home theater, Emby puts you in charge. Ready to try it yourself? Download Emby Server and see why so many users are making the switch.

Emby for LG 1.0.50 has been released. Here are the highlights: Resolve playback error on some 2018-2019 models Merge Movies and Shows into a new Movies & Shows tab in mixed content libraries

Emby Server 4.9.3 has been released. Here are the highlights: Update Intel drivers on Linux platforms Add user option to set user's auto remote quality Add library option to use legacy folder scanning method Music transcoding fixes Add landing tab option for book libraries Support volume control with youtube trailer player Update mixed content tabs to combine Movies & Shows Fix maintenance mode blocking some settings screens Fix embedded audio fields not getting rescanned on file changes Fix loss of genre and collection images after deleting a movie

We’re working on something special for the Emby Blog — a new series that showcases real users and their media server setups. From silent Raspberry Pi builds to powerhouse servers running multiple 4K streams, Emby users around the world are crafting some incredible configurations. In our upcoming feature, “Meet the Emby Community: Users Share Their Setups,” we’ll take a look at how different people are using Emby — and why they love it. Want to be featured? We’re inviting Emby users to share their setups over on the Emby Forums. Tell us about your hardware, streaming devices, and what makes your setup unique. You might just see your system featured in the next blog post — with full credit (if you want it). Visit the forum thread now and tell us your story. We can’t wait to highlight the amazing things the Emby community is building.

Why would you want to customize your home screen and how to do it! Your Emby home screen is the gateway to your entire media world but for some the default layout isn't the perfect setup. The good news? Emby gives you powerful tools to transform your home screen into a clean, personalized, and intuitive hub that perfectly fits your viewing habits. In this guide, we’ll walk through everything from organizing libraries and smart collections to customizing artwork and user profiles. Whether you’re new to Emby or looking to take your setup to the next level, this article will help you design a home screen that looks and feels like your own streaming service. Organizing Your Libraries and Content Types A clear library structure is the foundation of a great Emby experience. Create dedicated libraries: Separate Movies, TV Shows, Kids, Documentaries, Music, and more. This makes browsing faster and lets you apply different metadata settings for each type. Use descriptive names and icons: Rename generic libraries and assign custom icons or cover images for visual appeal. Fine-tune sorting: Use filters and sort by release date, genre, rating, or watch status to keep your content organized and accessible. Pro Tip: Keep kids’ content in its own library with separate age restrictions and artwork for a cleaner home screen. Customizing Artwork and Posters Visual design has a massive impact on user experience — and Emby gives you full control. Replace default artwork: Swap in your own posters, backdrops, and logos for each title. Use consistent visuals: Download high-quality images from sources like The Movie Database (TMDb) or Fanart.tv for a cohesive look. Customize library icons: Apply themed icons for each library (e.g. a film reel for Movies, a TV icon for Shows). Hiding or Rearranging Home Screen Sections A cluttered home screen can be overwhelming to some. Streamline your layout by: Disabling unused sections: Turn off “Latest Media,” “Trailers,” or “Music” if you don’t use them. Reordering content rows: Move “Continue Watching” or “Favorites” to the top for fast access. Simplifying for guests or kids: Remove advanced sections on non-admin profiles for a more focused view. This keeps your home screen clean and purpose-driven. Themes, Skins, and Display Options Give your Emby interface a personal touch with display tweaks: Enable Dark Mode or Light Mode: Choose a theme that fits your environment. Adjust poster sizes: Larger posters are more visual, smaller ones fit more on screen. Tweak text and layout: Adjust font size, spacing, and aspect ratio for optimal readability on TVs, tablets, or phones. Personalizing User Profiles If you share your server with family or friends, user profiles let each person have their own home screen experience: Individual layouts: Each profile can show different libraries, collections, and sections. Parental controls: Restrict content ratings, block libraries, or set watch schedules for kids. Profile pictures and colors: Add custom avatars and themes for a personal touch. This keeps everyone’s experience separate and clutter-free. A well-designed Emby home screen can make your entire media experience feel faster, cleaner, and more personal. By organizing libraries, building smart collections, customizing artwork, and tailoring profiles, you can create a setup that feels like your own private streaming platform. Spend a little time experimenting — you’ll be amazed at how much more enjoyable Emby becomes when it’s designed just for you.

Learn more about Emby for Amazon Alexa.

If you’re new to the world of media servers, you might be wondering what they are, why people use them, and where Emby fits in. Whether you have a collection of movies, TV shows, music, personal videos, photos, or all of the above, a media server helps you take control of your entertainment. Let’s break it down. So, What Is a Media Server? A media server is simply a system that allows you to store your media in one place and access it from anywhere — your TV, phone, tablet, computer, or even while on the go. Instead of hunting through drives, folders, or different apps, a media server organizes and presents your library in a clean, familiar interface with artwork, descriptions, cast info, and more. Think of it as your personal streaming service that is built around your collection, not someone else’s. An important note and one we can not stress enough, is that Emby does NOT provide any movies, shows, channels or other media. Emby is only for organizing and streaming YOUR own content. Why Choose Emby? There may be several media server solutions out there, but Emby has a philosophy that sets it apart: Your Media. Your Way. With Emby, you are in control! Your library is yours, your privacy is yours, and your server is yours. No forced cloud accounts. No data harvesting. No locked-down ecosystem. Emby is built around choice and customization, allowing you to decide: Where your media is store How your library looks Who can access it What devices you stream to Whether you want to manage media manually or automatically All while keeping your experience intuitive and easy. Beautiful and Powerful Emby automatically fetches artwork, metadata, and episode information to make your library look amazing. The apps are clean, fast, and available across: Smart TVs Streaming boxes like Fire TV, Apple TV, Shield, Android TV Android, iOS, and tablets Game consoles Web browsers And with Emby Premiere, there's even more! You can unlock powerful features like: Offline downloads DVR with Live TV Advanced parental controls Hardware transcoding for smooth streaming Whether you're just starting or you're a longtime media enthusiast, Emby scales with you. This Is Just the Beginning Over the next few days, we’ll walk through: How to install Emby How to add your media Tips for organizing your library And how to stream anywhere So stay tuned — your personal media journey is just getting started. Your Media. Your Way. Welcome to Emby.

Your Emby server is the heart of your home entertainment system, the engine that delivers your vast media library to all your devices. But what kind of hardware does it take to run a smooth and powerful Emby server? Let's dive into the essentials, from basic requirements to advanced setups. The Foundation: Operating Systems and Supported Platforms Emby is designed to be versatile, running on a wide range of operating systems, including: Windows: A popular choice for its ease of use and broad hardware compatibility. Linux: Offers flexibility and performance, favored by many power users. macOS: Seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem. Docker: For containerized deployments, providing portability and isolation. NAS Devices: Many NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices support Emby, simplifying setup and storage management. This platform flexibility allows you to choose the operating system that best suits your needs and existing hardware. The Core Components: CPU, RAM, and Storage The performance of your Emby server hinges on three key components: CPU (Central Processing Unit): The CPU is crucial for transcoding, the process of converting media files to a format compatible with your playback devices. For basic streaming of direct play content (where no transcoding is needed), a modest CPU is sufficient. However, if you plan to transcode multiple streams simultaneously, especially high-resolution content like 4K, a more powerful CPU (with built in iGPU or a dedicated graphics card) can be essential. RAM (Random Access Memory): Emby uses RAM for caching metadata, buffering streams, and other operational tasks. For most users, 8GB of RAM is a good starting point. If you have a large library or plan to transcode multiple streams, consider 16GB or more. Storage: The size of your storage needs depend on the size of your media library. Consider using dedicated hard drives or a NAS device for ample storage capacity. SSD storage for the Operating system and Emby metadata can drastically improve the responsiveness of the web interface. For optimal performance, use high-speed drives (e.g., 7200 RPM HDDs or SSDs). Hardware Acceleration: Dedicated Transcoding Performance Hardware acceleration offloads transcoding tasks from the CPU to dedicated hardware, significantly improving performance and reducing CPU usage. Intel Quick Sync Video: Integrated into many Intel CPUs, Quick Sync Video provides efficient hardware-accelerated transcoding. Quick Sync is also available on Intel's dedicated graphics cards. NVIDIA NVENC: Available on NVIDIA GPUs, NVENC offers high-quality hardware-accelerated transcoding. AMD VCE/VCN: AMD's hardware acceleration solutions on AMD GPUs. If you plan to transcode frequently, especially 4K content, taking the time to set up dedicated hardware transcoding can significantly improve performance. Choosing the Right Hardware for Your Needs The optimal hardware for your Emby server depends on your specific use case: Basic Streaming: A modest CPU, 8GB of RAM, and sufficient storage are adequate for streaming direct play content. Moderate Transcoding: A mid-range CPU with dedicated hardware acceleration (Intel QuickSync), 16GB of RAM, and high-speed storage will handle moderate transcoding loads. Heavy Transcoding: A powerful CPU with multiple cores and robust hardware acceleration or dedicated GPU as mentioned above, 32GB or more of RAM, and fast storage are essential for heavy transcoding of high-resolution content. NAS Devices: many modern NAS devices can run Emby. Research the specifications of your NAS to ensure it meets your performance requirements. Optimizing Your Server Beyond hardware, optimizing your Emby server involves: Network Connectivity: A stable and high-speed network connection is crucial for smooth streaming. Regular Updates: Keep your Emby server and operating system up-to-date for optimal performance and security. Server Location: Place your server in a well-ventilated area to prevent overheating. Conclusion Building a powerful Emby server is about understanding your needs and choosing the right hardware. By carefully considering CPU, RAM, storage, and hardware acceleration, you can create a seamless and enjoyable media streaming experience for your entire household. Also, always keep in mind the wonderful community of Emby users and admins that you can find always active on our forums that can help with any questions you may have about hardware and initial setup.

Emby for Apple TV 1.9.9 has been released. Here are the highlights: Support playback correction in the video player Support sleep timer in the audio player Support subtitle offset in the video player Support new youtube trailer playback (in the 4.9 server) Fix home top tabs not being translated

Emby for Amazon Fire TV 3.4.65 has been released. Here are the highlights: The download feature is back ! Improve performance Fixes for gamepad input Add playback option to disable direct play of various formats Add option to configure to login as specific user on startup Fix video rotation on Fire TV devices when direct playing Add convert unsupported audio option Play vtt subtitles directly without conversion from the server Support playback correction Add a-z picker to add to collection/playlist Fixes for closed caption rendering Fixes related to autoplay episodes options Add video screen up action option to control up button press behavior Add option to control video player long press action

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.

An updated version of the Emby Open Subtitles plugin is currently rolling out. We have switched from opensubtitles.org to the newer opensubtitles.com This means you will need to create an account on opensubtitles.com and configure that in Emby Server settings. Until you do that, you won't get any subtitle downloads. Stay tuned for more developments on subtitle downloading !

Welcome back to our Emby Community Spotlight series where we showcase real users and the powerful, creative, and often surprising ways they use Emby across different environments. In this edition, we’re featuring everything from a professionally calibrated home theater server to a budget friendly setup that just works. Whether you're building a server in your basement or streaming from a single-board computer, there's something to learn from each one of these users. 1. Modular, Scalable, and Always Moving Forward This user built their Emby setup with future expansion in mind, combining Unraid with Docker-based services, remote access capabilities, and a clean, efficient hardware layout. Motherboard: ASRock B550 Extreme4 CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X RAM: 32GB GPU: NVIDIA Quadro P620 (for transcoding) Storage: 250GB SSD for Docker containers and VMs 4.5TB SSD media cache pool 4x12TB HDD array (36TB usable) HBA: LSI 9211-8i Chassis: Inter-Tech 4U-4410 Power: Corsair RM750i PSU Remote Access: Sipeed NanoKVM PCIe OS: Unraid Clients include a NVIDIA Shield TV for local playback, Emby for PC, Infuse for mobile, and Chromecast for travel. About 10 remote users also access the server via web and TV apps. 2. Professionally Tuned and Built for Total Reliability This setup blends enterprise-grade storage, a calibrated video pipeline, and TrueNAS reliability — all focused on delivering uncompromising playback quality through a single, optimized client device. CPU: Intel Xeon E-2124G RAM: 96GB ECC DDR4 Motherboard: Supermicro X11SCH-LN4F Storage: Boot OS (TrueNAS 25.04.1): 2x WD Red 500GB SATA SSD (mirrored) Emby App Storage: 2x WD Red 1TB NVMe SSD (mirrored) Media Storage: 6x 8TB WD Ultrastar DC HC510 SAS HDDs in RAID-Z2 HBA: IBM M1215 (IT firmware) Network: LACP trunked to switch, isolated subnet Power: Platinum Seasonic PSU + UPS Location: Basement, rack-mounted with adjacent core network gear Client: One — but it’s a serious one. A NVIDIA Shield TV Pro (2019) connects to a Lumagen Radiance Pro video processor, which handles upscaling, tone mapping, and color calibration before outputting to a professionally calibrated Panasonic 4K OLED. 3. Small Footprint, Big Results Proof that a setup doesn’t have to be expensive or complex to be effective, this user keeps it simple — and functional — with a low-cost SBC and NAS combo. Server Device: OrangePi 5+ Storage: 256GB eMMC CPU: 8-core RAM: 16GB Storage Backend: Synology DS224+ (2x 8TB WD Red drives) Networking & Extras: Ubiquiti UCG Ultra External backup drive System76 Meerkat for other services Clients: Android phones and tablets Roku Chromecast Web browsers Have a Setup Worth Sharing? We’re always on the lookout for more community submissions. Whether your Emby server is built for performance, portability, or just personal fun, we’d love to feature it in an upcoming spotlight. Submit your setup on the forums or reach out directly to be considered for a future blog post.

Emby for Samsung Smart TVs 2.1.0 has been released. Here are the highlights: Fix playback error when resuming multi-version episodes from Continue Watching Add tabbed Books view Support sorting playlists and collections by Date Added Various fixes related to auto-skip intros Various fixes to the profile pin feature Various fixes to rewinding and fast forwarding by holding down left and right Fix photos not showing in collections Fix top portion of home screen cut off when scrolling down (only on certain models) Increase allowed range of subtitle offset Fix parental rating multi-select filter Fix series status filter Some models were on much older versions prior to this, and for those the list of changes will be much longer as it will incorporate a year's worth of development in some cases.

Long Promised — Long Awaited — Finally Here! We are excited to announce the first release of our all-new range of Emby apps, starting today with Windows and Xbox. With a fully redeveloped native foundation, this update delivers improvements across the board: from remote control and gamepad support to background downloading (Windows), as well as refresh and HDR mode switching, and most importantly, enhanced video playback. The new app also comes with a name change from Emby Theater to simply Emby. The name is the only simplification though: On Windows it supersedes and replaces both current apps, "Emby Theater Desktop" and "Emby Theater" from the Windows store, combining the best of both in a single app. It provides enhanced video playback driven by MPV player under the hood, like and even better than "Emby Theater Desktop", and the Download features which were previously available in the Windows store app only. A primary design goal has been to ensure that users of either previous app encounter no drawbacks when moving to the new version. Video Playback (Windows) Video options in the previous ET Desktop app were not always straightforward. The new Emby app adopts a fundamentally different approach to video playback configuration, which accommodates to a range from least to most knowledgeable users by boiling quality options down to three simple and easy understandable presets alongside a custom mode which allows to control all the underlying options in detail. The main presets are: High Quality A no-compromise choice for the best possible quality, regardless of resource usage. Recommended for powerful PCs with high-end GPUs. Video decoding and filtering occur in software for optimal quality, and output scaling uses custom GPU shaders. Balanced The default and recommended choice for most users. Similar to ET Desktop and a standalone MPV player with default settings. Efficiency Mode MPV player is generally focused on quality rather than power saving, and even with the Balanced preset, you can get short of energy rather quickly when running on batteries. This mode is not built-in or available in the regular MPV player. All video operations are fully performed in hardware while scaling at the video output (no shaders/gpu kernels) gets disabled. Too simplistic for you? Enter the Customize mode where you can control all options in detail to find your perfect setup. Video Playback (Xbox) In the new Xbox app, we have a new playback implementation which is based on ffmpeg and takes place of the HTML video playbaback which which had limited codec and format support. By combining ffmpeg decoding with elements from Windows Media capabilities, it combines the best of both worlds: The rich format and codec support from ffmpeg and the built-in hardware acceleration of the Xbox for playing 4k and HDR videos in the best possible way Automatic Refresh and HDR Mode Switching (Windows & Xbox) Refresh rate switching is now as simple as enabling or disabling a single option. The new app can track its window position across multiple monitors and adapt the refresh rate accordingly. On both Windows and Xbox, it can also automatically toggle HDR mode based on the video content and the capabilities of your monitor and graphics hardware. Download Feature (Windows) With the download feature, you can transfer media from your Emby Server to your client device in a suitable format and size, so you can enjoy your media when you're on the road or without an online connection and even automatically synchronize items based on the watched status. The new Windows app implements this with a completely different approach. Instead of periodically polling and running in the background, it uses Windows Push Notifications for server-side activation and the Windows BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer) service for downloads. As a result, the app runs only briefly whenever the server notifies it about newly available items or when BITS reports a completed download. If you don't use this feature, nothing runs in the background at all. Enhanced Support for Remote Control and Gamepad Input (Windows & Xbox) Remote Control support has been extended to cover almost all functions defined in the Windows Media Center remote button schema. For game controllers, mapping has also been expanded to assign functions to all available controls. New options pages provide a reference for button assignments and allow you to test inputs to ensure everything works as intended. Windows Theme (Windows) As a visual highlight, the Windows app features a new and exclusive Windows theme with Mica material background (Win 11) and seamless integration with your Windows desktop appearance, matching theme colors and dark/light switching accordingly. High Contrast Themes (Windows) As part of the Windows theme, the new Emby app also supports the Windows High Contrast settings. Fonts adjust in size and weight for better visibility, and fewer — but thicker—lines are drawn to enhance readability for those who need it.

Emby for Apple TV 1.9.7 has been released. Here are the highlights: Fix play next episode automatically option not being honored in certain situations

WELCOME TO THE HISTORY OF EMBY! A lot of our users are new to Emby and we thought it would be a good idea to share some of the backstory of how Emby came to be, where we started and where we are headed. We have grown significantly since our inception. Once a humble open-source project, Emby has evolved into a sophisticated platform that allows users to organize, stream, and enjoy their media libraries with ease. In this post, we'll take a look back at the history of Emby, explore its development journey, and highlight the key milestones that have made it what it is today. The Early Days: An Open-Source Beginning Emby started its life as Media Browser, an open-source project focused on creating a simple, user-friendly interface for accessing digital media collections. Originally, Media Browser was a plugin for Windows Media Center, and its primary goal was to offer users a better way to manage and play their media files. Back then, it was a community-driven project, with developers and enthusiasts contributing code, features, and plugins to expand its capabilities. Media Browser gained a loyal following among tech-savvy users who appreciated its customizable nature and flexibility. The Shift to Emby and the Rise of the Media Server In 2014, Media Browser underwent a major rebranding and evolved into what we now know as Emby. This change wasn’t just about a new name—it marked a shift in focus from a media center add-on to a full-fledged media server solution. Emby’s developers wanted to create a standalone server capable of managing large media libraries, transcoding content, and streaming to multiple devices. The introduction of the Emby Server brought a range of new features: Library Management: Users could organize and manage their media files with a sleek web interface. Metadata Scraping: Automatic fetching of metadata like cover art, descriptions, and ratings. Transcoding: On-the-fly transcoding for seamless streaming to any device, regardless of format. Multi-Device Support: Streaming became possible on a variety of devices, including smartphones, smart TVs, web browsers, and gaming consoles. This new direction attracted more users who were looking for a flexible media server that could handle diverse formats and provide a unified experience across different platforms. Open Source to Closed Source: In 2018, Emby made a significant decision: it moved from being an open-source project to a proprietary, closed-source model. The change allowed the development team to maintain greater control over the codebase, improve security, and introduce features more rapidly. Key Milestones in Emby’s Development As Emby transitioned to a proprietary model, the development team pushed forward with a series of updates and improvements: Emby Premier: The introduction of a paid subscription model called Emby Premier brought exclusive features like DVR support, cloud sync, offline media, and hardware-accelerated transcoding. Emby Premier gave the development team a sustainable revenue stream to fund further development. Improved Mobile and TV Apps: Over time, Emby released a series of polished apps for mobile platforms (Android, iOS) and TV devices (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire). These apps received regular updates to improve stability, user experience, and customization options. Live TV and DVR Integration: Emby expanded its offerings to include Live TV and DVR functionality, allowing users to integrate live broadcast channels, schedule recordings, and manage live content alongside their media libraries. Enhanced Transcoding and Streaming: Emby has continuously improved its transcoding capabilities to support modern formats like 4K, HDR, and Dolby Atmos. These improvements allow for a high-quality viewing experience regardless of the device being used. Security and User Management: Emby introduced advanced user management features, including user profiles, parental controls, and access restrictions. This makes it easier for families to share media without compromising on privacy or security. Emby Today: A Comprehensive Media Experience Today, Emby is a mature and feature-rich media server solution that caters to a wide range of users—from casual media consumers to serious home theater enthusiasts. It supports a broad spectrum of devices, offers robust customization options, and remains focused on providing a powerful yet easy-to-use interface. Some of Emby’s standout features today include: Unified User Interface: A sleek, modern interface that makes browsing and streaming media a joy. Customizable Libraries: Tailor your media collections with custom artwork, genres, and metadata. Cross-Platform Syncing: Keep your media in sync across multiple devices and platforms. Comprehensive Live TV Support: Access live TV, manage recordings, and watch DVR content effortlessly. Community Engagement: Emby continues to value its user base, with an active community forum, feature requests, and beta testing for new updates. The Impact of the Community and the Road Ahead Despite its shift to a closed-source model, the Emby community remains strong. Many long-time users contribute by creating plugins, themes, and offering technical support. The Emby team regularly interacts with the community, implementing feedback and adjusting features based on user needs. Looking forward, Emby is set to continue expanding its feature set while focusing on performance enhancements and cross-platform support. Emby’s development is driven by innovation and user feedback, ensuring that it remains a competitive choice in the world of media servers. Conclusion Emby’s journey from a simple open-source plugin to a leading media server solution is a testament to its adaptability and the passion of its developers. While the shift from open-source to closed-source was a turning point, Emby has continued to evolve, delivering a reliable and customizable media experience for millions of users worldwide. The history of Emby is one of growth, change, and a dedication to providing users with a comprehensive and enjoyable way to manage their digital media.

If you're running Emby Media Server to manage and stream your personal media collection, you probably have heard about hardware transcoding. But what exactly is hardware transcoding and why should you enable it on your Emby setup? In this blog post, we'll break down the benefits of hardware transcoding and explain why it’s a game changer for your media streaming experience. Please keep in mind that hardware transcoding is an Emby Premiere feature and can be purchased HERE. What is Transcoding? Transcoding is the process of converting media files from one format to another, optimizing the content to suit the device you're watching on. For example, if you have a high-bitrate 4K movie on your server, but you’re streaming it on a phone or a non 4k TV over a slow internet connection, Emby will transcode the file to a lower resolution or bitrate to ensure smooth playback. By default, this transcoding happens in software, meaning the CPU does all the heavy lifting. But that’s where hardware transcoding comes into play and can be incredibly helpful. What is Hardware Transcoding? Hardware transcoding uses a dedicated component in your computer, such as a GPU or integrated graphics, to handle the transcoding process instead of relying solely on your CPU. This results in faster, more efficient media conversions, and frees up your CPU for other tasks. Below, we will go into detail as to why hardware transcoding is so important for Emby Media Server. Top 5 Benefits of Hardware Transcoding in Emby 1. Faster Transcoding and Smoother Playback Hardware transcoding significantly speeds up the process of converting video files. Since dedicated hardware like GPUs are designed to handle parallel processing, they can manage transcoding tasks much faster than your CPU. This means no more waiting for videos to buffer when streaming to devices that require transcoding. For users streaming in 4K or on multiple devices at once, the speed boost from hardware transcoding can make a huge difference in ensuring uninterrupted, smooth playback across your media library. 2. Lower CPU Usage, More Efficiency When you use hardware transcoding, you’re offloading the intense workload of video conversion from your CPU to your GPU or dedicated hardware. This reduces the strain on your CPU, freeing it up to handle other tasks more effectively. For home servers running on lower-end hardware or even NAS devices, this can be a crucial benefit. With reduced CPU usage, your system can run more efficiently, leading to better performance for other applications and even energy savings in the long run. 3. Better Multi-Stream Performance If you have multiple family members or friends streaming from your Emby server at the same time, hardware transcoding is a must-have if not every file can be direct played on their client devices. Software transcoding is limited by the power of your CPU, which can quickly become overloaded when handling several streams at once. With hardware transcoding, your server can manage multiple transcoding tasks simultaneously without lagging or crashing. Whether you’re streaming on a tablet in one room and a TV in another, or your family is accessing your media library remotely, hardware transcoding ensures a seamless experience. 4. Support for High-Resolution Content (4K and HDR) Streaming 4K HDR content is demanding, and transcoding such high-quality files puts a significant load on your server. Without hardware acceleration, many servers struggle to downscale 4K videos, leading to stutters, buffering, or even failed streams. Hardware transcoding, especially with modern GPUs and iGPUs, is optimized for high-resolution content. It can handle 4K, HEVC, and other high-bitrate formats much more efficiently than software transcoding, providing smoother playback for high-res media. 5. Energy Efficiency and Longevity Since hardware transcoding is faster and more efficient than software transcoding, it uses less power overall. When your server doesn’t have to push its CPU to the limit, it consumes less electricity, which can be a big plus for those concerned about their energy bills. Additionally, since the hardware is doing the heavy lifting, your CPU experiences less wear and tear over time. This can prolong the life of your system, especially if you're running your Emby server 24/7. How to Enable Hardware Transcoding in Emby Enabling hardware transcoding in Emby is straightforward, but it requires compatible hardware. Many Intel CPUs with integrated graphics, as well as dedicated NVIDIA or AMD GPUs, support hardware transcoding. Check Your Hardware: Ensure your CPU or GPU supports hardware transcoding. Intel Quick Sync, NVIDIA NVENC, and AMD VCE are popular options. Install Necessary Drivers: Make sure the correct drivers for your GPU are installed and up to date. Enable Hardware Acceleration in Emby: - Go to Server Dashboard in Emby. - Navigate to Transcoding settings. - Check the option to Enable hardware acceleration when available. - Select your preferred hardware transcoding engine (e.g., Quick Sync, NVENC) under the advanced tab if preferable. Test Your Setup: Start streaming from a device that requires transcoding or force transcoding and monitor your server's CPU and GPU usage to confirm that hardware transcoding is active. If you’re serious about getting the most out of your Emby Media Server, hardware transcoding is a must. By leveraging the power of your GPU or integrated graphics, you can enjoy faster transcoding times, smoother playback, better multi-stream performance, and energy savings. Whether you’re streaming 4K movies or sharing your media library with family, hardware transcoding ensures that your server runs efficiently and delivers the best possible viewing experience.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to ask the Emby team questions across all of the different platforms including here on the forums. There were a lot of great questions that were thrown our way and we've been excited to get the answers out to you. While some of the questions we were not able to answer, we did our best to give you the most accurate and clear answers possible. Now without further ado, here is the first series of questions and answers for you to look over! Please keep in mind more questions and answers will be coming in additional blog posts in the coming days, so not all questions are being answered today. Who owns Emby? Emby LLC owns the Emby product and is a private entity. The owners are undisclosed but note that the development team has full control over the direction of the product. We are not beholden to or under the influence of any investor or investment group. What is the history of Emby? Emby grew out of an open source project called MediaBrowser. Emby's origin in concept came out of that project but there is actually none of that code base still within it. Emby ended up being completely built from the ground up to be a server-based ecosystem as opposed to just a single app as the old MediaBrowser was. Around 2011 what is now the core development team for Emby were contributors to MediaBrowser. We saw the opportunity to build something more flexible than the WMC environment would allow and embarked on creating what we then called MB 3. The core developers spent over a year furiously writing code before anything was released to the public. It was then probably another two years of dedicated development before anything was truly usable as a system. In 2015 it was decided that we had moved so far away from what MB originally was that we needed a new name. A few of the devs got together and came up with "Emby". There are a few reasons behind that name but one of the main ones was that you needed something that wasn't already trademarked and domained. Emby fit that bill and has the benefit of sounding like "MB" when you say it. With the new name, we needed a new logo and we actually held a contest in the forum taking contributions from users and that finally landed us on the logo you see now. Since 2015 we have expanded the team and worked diligently to try and continue to craft the best truly personal media server system we can. We still have a long way to go but have also come a long way to where we are. What are the most popular Emby clients? We do not have exact data on this, due to sideloading and the such, but through the app store platforms we can gain general ideas. Android is the most popular amongst our userbase (both mobile and TV) with iOS in second place as the most downloaded app. What Emby clients do the development team use most for personal use? Our development team uses a wide variety of apps just as our user base does. We have people on the team using Android on mobile and TV, iOS, Apple TV, Roku and Xbox as well. As you can see our dev team really is as diverse as our user base when it comes to how we use the server. These were just a few of the questions about Emby as a product and who we are. In the next blog post we will be covering a few different things such as some of the future goals of Emby as well as release schedules and more!

Emby for Apple TV 2.0.3 has been released. Here are the highlights: Improve performance of detail screens Fix playback crash related to live tv subtitles Add resume button for in-progress recordings Support new auto remote quality option in 4.9.2 server

Emby for LG 1.0.47 has been released. Here are the highlights: Improve ASS/SSA subtitle rendering Add text size setting Improve the startup behavior option related to remembering login info Add option to auto-open single items in folders

Keeping Entertainment Family-Friendly: Setting Up Kid Accounts and Parental Controls in Emby One of the most powerful features of Emby is the ability to create individual user accounts. This becomes especially useful for families as parents can give kids their own profiles while keeping control over what content they can access. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to set up kid accounts and enable parental controls in Emby, step by step. Why Create Kid Accounts? Age-appropriate viewing: Ensure younger family members only see content suited to them. Personalized experience: Kids can have their own watchlists, progress tracking, and favorite shows. Peace of mind: Parents maintain control over what media is available while keeping the main library unrestricted. Step 1: Create a New User Log into your Emby Server Dashboard. Go to Users in the left-hand menu. Click + Add User. Give the account a name (e.g., “Kids” or your child’s name). Choose whether it will be a local user or linked to an Emby Connect account (for remote access). Step 2: Assign Libraries When setting up the account, you’ll have the option to choose which libraries the user can access. For example: Allow access to “Kids Movies” and “Cartoons.” Block access to “Horror,” “Adult Shows,” or any other unsuitable libraries. This ensures your child only sees the content you approve. Step 3: Enable Parental Controls Within the user’s settings, navigate to Parental Controls. Here you can: Set movie and TV show ratings (e.g., allow only PG or below). Restrict unrated content if you prefer. Block specific titles that you don’t want accessible, even if they meet rating criteria. Step 4: Add Playback Restrictions Emby also lets you manage how and where kids can watch content: Limit streaming devices (e.g., only the living room TV, not mobile). Set time restrictions for viewing. Disable certain features like live TV or external plugins. Step 5: Test the Account Once set up, log into the kid’s account yourself to confirm: Only age-appropriate content is visible. The playback settings behave as expected. The account has a fun, personalized feel for your child. This way, you can make adjustments before turning it over to your kids. Conclusion By creating dedicated kid accounts and using Emby’s robust parental controls, you’ll give your children a safe and customized experience while maintaining control over the family media server. It’s simple, effective, and ensures that everyone enjoys Emby their way.

The Emby team hopes you and yours are enjoying a Happy Holiday Season. We would like to announce a couple of changes that will hopefully increase the value of Emby in all of your households. First, to aid in the transition from our old TV-only Android TV app to the new Standard Android app on that platform, we will be eliminating the need for the app unlock by allowing free playback for up to five TV devices per Emby Server. Devices beyond that limit will require Emby Premiere. Previously purchased unlocks will still be honored. This should allow most households to move to the new app more easily. Second, recognizing that today's households have more and more devices, we are increasing our standard Emby Premiere License device limit from 25 to 30. We will then also increase the extended premiere plans from 45 to 50 and 75 to 80. Existing extended subscriptions will remain the same but new ones will be at these new levels. All standard licenses will be automatically updated to the new 30 device limit immediately. You should see all of these changes rolling out over the next week or so. Happy Holidays from the Emby Team!

Emby for Apple TV 1.9.8 has been released. Here are the highlights: Fix video player back button behavior when paused Fix movie trailers tab only showing one item

A lot of people when watching movies or TV shows utilize subtitles. They can be for watching a movie in a foreign language or helpful for those with hearing difficulties to enjoy their favorite TV show. Whatever your reason for using subtitles, Emby has a few great options that individuals can set up at the user level to make subtitle usage easier for themselves every time they watch their favorite media. Did you know that every user on your server can set up different subtitle settings that best fit their individual needs? They can edit the preferred language, change the color, positioning and more to best suit their needs. One of our favorite features here at Emby are the various subtitle modes that a user can take advantage of. This setting allows them the ability to have the same subtitle settings for every media file they play and is very helpful for those that use subtitles every time they watch something on Emby. The individual settings are as follows for subtitle mode: Default - Subtitles are loaded based on the default and forced flags in the embedded metadata. Language preferences are considered when multiple options are available. Smart - Subtitles matching the language preference will be loaded when the audio is in a foreign language. Only forced subtitles - Only subtitles marked as forced will be loaded. Hearing Impaired - Subtitles matching the language preference will be loaded, with a preference given to tracks that are marked as hearing impaired (SDH). Always play subtitles - Subtitles matching the language preference will be loaded regardless of the audio language. No subtitles - Subtitles will not be loaded by default. They can still be turned on manually during playback. These settings can be changed by going to the app settings and under the subtitles section, clicking on subtitle mode. These are great options for users to take advantage of when someone commonly uses subtitles for a variety of reasons.

We would like to make a quick announcement that Emby Server 4.8.9 has been released. This is an incremental update over 4.8.8 that had various improvements and fixes. For those that are curious on how to find the release notes, it is as simple as clicking on the server version on your Emby dashboard. This will bring you to the the release notes and you can scroll through the various versions to see the continual work by the Emby team on each subsequent release.

Emby for Apple TV 1.7.0 Released - OSD Info Tab, Next Episode Playback This is the latest release of Emby for Apple TV. It's a small maintenance release, containing new OSD features and improvements as well as a fix to existing identified issues. New Information tab in video OSD. Emby for Apple TV 1.7.0 adds the information tab to the OSD (On Screen Display) as shown in the pics below. Next Episode Button near the end of episode playback. New to the Emby for Apple TV apps is the ability to jump to the next episode when watching TV Shows. You can set or adjust Next Episode functionality such as manual vs automatic use as well as showing information about the next episode from the playback menu in each app. Fix error when returning from YouTube trailer playback. A fix has been implemented to seamlessly return back to the app when YouTube trailer playback has concluded. Emby for Apple TV is available in the tvOS app store.