Plugin: Home Screen Companion

[mike165 1]

32 minutes ago, soderlund said:

I completely understand, and want to be able to achieve exactly the same. 
This worked in the early Emby beta to assign a tag to that collection, but they removed that option in an update. 
 

I believe this might still be available under the hood, for example to add a subtitle is still possible to achieve even though Emby removed that option from the native menus. 
 

I have focused on other things for the plugin, but now might be a good time to start investigate this a bit more! 

That would be awesome!
I do know the ACdb has an option to add tags to collections?
I'm not sure if it actually does that in Emby as well, but it seems like tags for collections still exist in some type of way?

Either way, for the customization I'm going for, a feature like this would massively simplify my collections!

[Jdiesel 1440]

Is there a way to apply playstates to each user automatically? For example if I create a new source and add the filter "unplayed" I can choose the user or all users. This requires that a unique playlist for each user to incorporate their watched status. If I create a home screen selection through the Emby UI I can add the playstate filter and it applies to that user. If I copy the setting to any other user it will apply their own watched status.

Does that make any sense?

[crusher11 1171]

Tags are universal, not per-user. 

[soderlund 137]

On 4/4/2026 at 5:42 PM, Aleas said:

It showed the new tags, I think I figured it out..  it's not showing the meta data from the theme.mp3 files.  maybe also backdrops/theme.mkv files too?

I built the plugin with movies and series in mind, music was added later on. I’m guessing music etc isn’t included because I overlooked it in the cleanup menu. 
this is a theory and I have to look at the code if this is included or not. 
 

Either way, this is on the “to-fix”list! 

On 4/4/2026 at 6:05 PM, mike165 said:

That would be awesome!
I do know the ACdb has an option to add tags to collections?
I'm not sure if it actually does that in Emby as well, but it seems like tags for collections still exist in some type of way?

Either way, for the customization I'm going for, a feature like this would massively simplify my collections!

We can still put tags on collection, that’s not the problem. The problem is that Emby Home Screen UI won’t show these items as we want to. 
Unless I have missed something with later version? 

With the first 4.10 beta we could do this, but then it was removed. Both me and the creator of Acdb plugin has requested they would bring it back. 

10 hours ago, Jdiesel said:

Is there a way to apply playstates to each user automatically? For example if I create a new source and add the filter "unplayed" I can choose the user or all users. This requires that a unique playlist for each user to incorporate their watched status. If I create a home screen selection through the Emby UI I can add the playstate filter and it applies to that user. If I copy the setting to any other user it will apply their own watched status.

Does that make any sense?

I think I understand.. Let me know if this doesn’t answer your question

You can make a Home Screen section with individual play states. The plugin mimics the Emby menu for this, so if you go to the Home Screen section tab you will see “play states”. If set to unplayed it show on individual basis on the Home Screen. 
 

so for example you make a new tag/collection named “movies you must watch”, all movies that the individual user already have seen will be hidden on the home screen. But if the user go into the collection all movies will be displayed. 
 

But if you want to create an individual “my list” you will probably need to create one per user. (Recommend using playlist as source for this) 
 

To summarize: yes, the plugin works the way you describe. The Home Screen tab in the plugin mirrors the menu and settings from the native Emby. 
change a setting in the plugin - it also shanges in embys settings, and vice versa. 

[soderlund 137]

On 4/4/2026 at 6:05 PM, mike165 said:

That would be awesome!
I do know the ACdb has an option to add tags to collections?
I'm not sure if it actually does that in Emby as well, but it seems like tags for collections still exist in some type of way?

Either way, for the customization I'm going for, a feature like this would massively simplify my collections!

I have played around a bit and am finalizing this feature. As I suspected, the options are still available (but not in the Emby UI), so we can utilize this hidden feature and expose it in the plugin. I have built a proof of concept that works quite well, but it needs some polishing before release.

[soderlund 137]

New minor release -  Version 3.3.2.0
Download .dll and full release notes: https://github.com/soderlund91/HomeScreenCompanion/releases/tag/v3.3.2.0

This updates contain some fixes and some requested features. 
Biggest one is that we are now able to build a home section row of selected collections as image below:

 

IMPORTANT! 
Minimum required Emby server v4.10.0.8

Note
Make sure to back up your settings before updating, just in case. 

Note
Included a .NET V6 release, this is for MacOS or legacy support. This version is NOT tested.

Release notes

Improvements/updates

• Added ability to only show selected collections as a Home screen section. This way you can choose one or multiple collections to show on the home screen (no need to display all of them). See below how to set this up
• Cleanup menu
  • Made the tags and collections clickable links to its own view (open in new tab)
  • Added a filter for Tags
  • Added a small popup/hover over the name that simply explains where the tag originated

Fixes

• Fixed an issue in the cleanup where tags for some media types didn't populate the list. (Extras is now included with an "include extras" option.)
• Fixed an issue where blacklist didn't get applied when running a single group sync

UI

• Remade the "Update available" to be dismissible. If dismissed a smaller discreet text will still be visible.

_____________________________________________

 

Below is how to set up a home screen section with selected collections:

Source = local collection / *Select what collections to include* 
Tag = *random tag name* (the selections on what level to tag will be ignored by the plugin) 
Collection tab: leave blank 
Blasklist tab: will probably not work 
**Important!** Home screen section tab: set media type to "Collections", you can play around with all other options

 

Special thanks to @Aleasfor helping out with testing! 

HomeScreenCompanion.dll HomeScreenCompanion_NET6_MacOS.dll

Edited April 9 by soderlund

[Aleas 77]

Perfect, thank you so much! The extras option is rock solid.

[Boni340 7]

Hi,
Great plugin, really useful.

Would it be possible to add the following fields:

• TVDB ID

• Folder path contains (for example: C:\Movies\Kids\Dub)

• Country

Thanks!

[mike165 1]

absolute legend for adding the selected collections option so quickly!
This will push my home screen exactly into the direction I had in my mind

[soderlund 137]

21 hours ago, Boni340 said:

Hi,
Great plugin, really useful.

Would it be possible to add the following fields:

• TVDB ID

• Folder path contains (for example: C:\Movies\Kids\Dub)

• Country

Thanks!

Should be possible, I'll look into it! 

[soderlund 137]

I have noticed a bug in the plugin with Emby 4.10.0.10 regarding playstate. It does no longer sync to Emby when set in the plugin, I'm working on a fix but I'm a bit busy so it might take some days before i get time to fix it. Thanks for your patience! 

[soderlund 137]

New bugfix release -  Version 3.3.2.1
Download .dll and full release notes: https://github.com/soderlund91/HomeScreenCompanion/releases/tag/v3.3.2.1

This update contains fixes to match Emby server 4.10.0.10 and other bugs.

IMPORTANT! 
Minimum required Emby server v4.10.0.10

Note
Included a .NET V6 release, this is for MacOS or legacy support. This version is NOT tested.

Release notes

Fixes

• Updated Playstate function to work with Emby 4.10.0.10

• Fixed an issue where private/locked list from MDBList didn't get accepted by the plugin even though correct API key was entered.

HomeScreenCompanion.dll HomeScreenCompanion_NET6_MacOS.dll

Edited April 13 by soderlund
Added .dll

[Aleas 77]

For the AI created lists, can you add in support for Ollama (self hosted version), It's a pretty popular AI service a lot of Home lab people like to use.

Edited April 18 by Aleas

[soderlund 137]

On 4/18/2026 at 5:55 PM, Aleas said:

For the AI created lists, can you add in support for Ollama (self hosted version), It's a pretty popular AI service a lot of Home lab people like to use.

This would be a really nice addition! I'm not using it my self but have been thinking about getting into Ollama, so it might be a good way for me to try it out! 

I will absolutely put this on the to-to list, but currently I'm trying to create a way to create a "Top 10-list" with icon/number overlay on the poster. Kind of the way that the old "Top picks" plugin did.  I'm struggling a bit with this so before getting into more things I'm gonna see if i can get this done first. 

Thanks for the idea! 

Edited April 20 by soderlund

[mainsupport 2]

Hi @soderlundhope you are good, would it be possible to make the plugin work on v4.8.3

[soderlund 137]

2 hours ago, mainsupport said:

Hi @soderlundhope you are good, would it be possible to make the plugin work on v4.8.3

Probably not. Depends on what features you are looking to use. The tag and collection would probably work, but all the Home Screen features depends on 4.10+. 
 

I guess I could try to make a version for you that 4.8.3 will install, but other than that I can not guarantee any functionality. I’ll see what I can do for you after work today! 

[soderlund 137]

8 hours ago, mainsupport said:

Hi @soderlundhope you are good, would it be possible to make the plugin work on v4.8.3

I'm sorry, I get to many errors when trying to build with the old server. There are too many references in my code to new functions within Emby for me to fix this.

May I ask why you are still on a pretty old server version? 

[mainsupport 2]

1 hour ago, soderlund said:

I'm sorry, I get to many errors when trying to build with the old server. There are too many references in my code to new functions within Emby for me to fix this.

May I ask why you are still on a pretty old server version? 

Thanks for trying would it work on 4.9.3.0 as that is the current stable version?. 

I have a few plugins that I use for that specific version.

[soderlund 137]

15 minutes ago, mainsupport said:

Thanks for trying would it work on 4.9.3.0 as that is the current stable version?. 

I have a few plugins that I use for that specific version.

The latest version of the plugin requires 4.10.0.10. This is due to the functionality with home screen update with Emby that the plugin heavily implements. 

If i remember correctly you can use plugin v2.3.2.0 with the stable Emby. 
https://github.com/soderlund91/HomeScreenCompanion/releases/tag/v2.3.2.0

[soderlund 137]

New major release -  Version 4.0.0.1-BETA
Download .dll and full release notes: https://github.com/soderlund91/HomeScreenCompanion/releases/tag/v4.0.0.1-beta

This update bring some new exciting functionality. We can now create a "Top 10" sort of list with numbers overlay on the poster directly from the plugin. Just choose from existing tags (that are managed from the plugin) what list you want and give it a name, the plugin fixes the rest. There is no limit how many movies you can have, the numbers go (at least) to 99. 

Also abandoning .NET v8 version for now. The v6 gives full functionality and will be easier for the user and also for me to maintain.

 

IMPORTANT! 
Minimum required Emby server v4.10.0.10

IMPORTANT! 
Make sure to back up both Emby and the plugin settings, as this is a BETA there will be bugs!! 

 

Release notes

NEW

Create Top-list based of tags and collections
You can now create a "Top 10 movies of the week" based of an existing tag or collection to present as a home screen section. The plugin will then create new home screen section and new posters with numbers.
This is done by creating a new library with only the movies that will populate the top-list, sorting them in order and writing new posters.
Why a separate library? To ensure that the posters with numbers don't end up in another ordinary section, this is also needed to ensure that the sort order is correct. In other word, not to interfere with other views when browsing Emby.

There is also a new scheduled task for this. When creating a new library Emby automatically adds this to all home screen sections (dynamic media). But with the Top-list we only want to use the library that is connected to the top-list. To clean this up - run the task after adding/creating a new library. Otherwise the top list will populate with movies from the new library as well.

The plugin will handle library access for already existing home screen sections.

Also added a badge in the TAG & COLLECT menu to easy see what tag is used for a top-list

 

NOTE

• For top-list to collect the correct sort order, you first need to run a "Sync tags and collections" or "Full Sync". This will then save the order the list is downloaded and use for top-list.
• Due to limitations with Emby, Top-list function only works for movies.

Updates

• Added support for TMDb

Fixes

• Smaller UI fix (widen the Tag & Collection page, changed some colors on the flags for Tag, Collection, etc.)

 

 

Some thoughts about this update
The hardest part with this update/function is the way Emby now handles libraries in the home section. When a new library is created it automatically applies to all home sections. But for the top-list to work we can not have another library adding movies to the list, and we do not want the top-list library to be added to another home section. So this is something to keep an eye on for those who test the beta. 
If everything is done by the plugin it should be handled correctly, but when we manually add a new library or home section things start to get complicated. So i created a new "Scheduled run" that will try to cleanup all the library settings. 

For example:
I first create a new top-list called "Top 10 of the week". The plugin will then create a new home section and a new library with .strm files. It will also tell all existing home sections to NOT use this library (as we don't want to mix in these movies with another home section).
I then manually create a new library called "kids movies". This is then automatically added to the home section of the top-list by Emby. 
Running the new scheduled task called "Top-list section sync", the task will remove "kids movies" from the top list home section.

 

HomeScreenCompanion.dll

Edited Wednesday at 09:16 PM by soderlund
Updated to v4.0.0.1

[soderlund 137]

Heads up! Just noticed when updated the plugin on my production server that all home sections that has been created manually outside of the plugin looses the filters. It seems to be a one-time fix and then it stays there. Not sure why this happens... 
 

Found the bug and pushed v4.0.0.1.
Updated the post above with new .dll 

 

Edited Wednesday at 09:23 PM by soderlund
Found the bug and updated

[Aleas 77]

Question, you have the tab to create a collection, can we also get an option to create a playlist?  

[soderlund 137]

21 hours ago, Aleas said:

Question, you have the tab to create a collection, can we also get an option to create a playlist?  

That would probably be pretty easy to fix, I’ll put it on the to-do list! 
 

Edit: asked for help on an issue but i managed to fix it  

Edited Saturday at 07:23 PM by soderlund

[soderlund 137]

New patch release -  Version 4.0.1.0
Download .dll and full release notes: https://github.com/soderlund91/HomeScreenCompanion/releases/tag/v4.0.1.0

Version 4 going stable. I have tested quite a lot but there is probably some bugs to be found. Pls help me by reporting them!  
This update contain some new functionality with top-list, and bug fixes.

IMPORTANT! 
Minimum required Emby server v4.10.0.10

Release notes

NEW (introduced in v4.0.0.1-BETA)

• Top-List
  You can now create a "Top 10 movies of the week" based of an existing tags to present as a home screen section. The plugin will create the new home screen section and new posters with numbers.
  

 

Updates

• Support for TMDb (introduced in v4.0.0.1-BETA)
• TMDb: Added better support to be able to use their API calls, for example copy/paste this url into the plugin:

  https://api.themoviedb.org/3/trending/movie/day?language=en-US

  More examples can be found here: TMDb API Docs

• Top-list: Added functionality to build a manual top-list
• Top-list: Added ability to edit top-lists
• Top-list: Created different styles on the number badge. Neutral (black), Green, Blue, Red, Violet and Gray (not in picture)
  

Fixes

• Top-list: Fixed an issue where library access was not granted for all users. When creating a new top-list a new library is created and now all users defaults to have access to this.
• UI fix and improvements
• Rewritten the "Help/Get started" to make it easier to read and understand.

 

HomeScreenCompanion.dll

Edited Sunday at 08:23 PM by soderlund
Forgot to add .dll

[Aleas 77]

Great job!

So far, I've only noticed 1 issue

When creating a reoccurring schedule, it loves to change the dates on you.

Here's an example:

Create the schedule and save.
Refresh the page and check the schedule.

I've come back in and it's decided on its own to even completely change the month for me.