Trying to make the switch from Plex to Emby and have some questions

[WBoweIII 7]

Can someone please clarify how the 30 device limit works in Emby? I am trying to make the switch from Plex since they destroyed the Roku app with this last update but, want to make sure I don't goof this up. I currently have an Emby Premiere Lifetime license. 

• Am I correct in saying that only users accessing "premiere features" count towards the 30 device limit? So a user that I share my movie library with that watches from his/her Roku and IPAD would not count correct? (Not currently using Hardware Transcoding, LiveTV, or Downloading).
• If a license is not in use after about a week it clears that license up automatically? 
• Is there some way to tell what devices are using these features?
• Is there a way to make sure a user does not even have access to these features?
• Am I right that if I enable Hardware Transcoding I will have no control over who is using these features since they kind of all will?

I have a second Plex Server on my boat. If I replace that with Emby does my same premiere key work or do I need to purchase a separate one for that? I doubt is really needed since I typically don't use anything but local playback on that server but, I want to understand how it works. 

Are the Roku/IPad/Android apps free to the users I share my library with? I can't tell because the play store says "in-app purchases" 

- Thanks for any help you can give. 

 

[GrimReaper 4739]

11 minutes ago, wboweiii@gmail.com said:

Am I correct in saying that only users accessing "premiere features" count towards the 30 device limit?

Correct. 

11 minutes ago, wboweiii@gmail.com said:

So a user that I share my movie library with that watches from his/her Roku and IPAD would not count correct?

Not. Roku one wouldn't count (unless using LiveTV), iPad one would (unless Unlocked for Full playback only). 

Emby Premiere Feature Matrix

11 minutes ago, wboweiii@gmail.com said:

If a license is not in use after about a week it clears that license up automatically?

Not the license - "slot" (out of 30 slots). 

11 minutes ago, wboweiii@gmail.com said:

Is there some way to tell what devices are using these features?

Not currently. 

11 minutes ago, wboweiii@gmail.com said:

Is there a way to make sure a user does not even have access to these features?

You can restrict user to specific devices (like web browsers only). 

11 minutes ago, wboweiii@gmail.com said:

Am I right that if I enable Hardware Transcoding I will have no control over who is using these features since they kind of all will?

HWA is a server Premiere feature, not clients' one, it does not count against device limit. 

Is there a limit to Emby Premiere?

 

Edited October 14, 2025 by GrimReaper

[GrimReaper 4739]

21 minutes ago, wboweiii@gmail.com said:

I have a second Plex Server on my boat. If I replace that with Emby does my same premiere key work or do I need to purchase a separate one for that?

You can use same key across multiple servers - note that device limit is cumulative, i.e. all devices using Premiere features on all servers will be summed up (you are still under that same 30 devices limit per key, not per server). 

21 minutes ago, wboweiii@gmail.com said:

Are the Roku/IPad/Android apps free to the users I share my library with?

Emby Premiere Feature Matrix

Edited October 14, 2025 by GrimReaper

[WBoweIII 7]

@GrimReaperThanks for the quick reply. That feature matrix clears a lot up.