Server-side control for client experience settings across Emby apps (Backdrops etc)

[Duccis 0]

Hi,

I'd like to suggest adding server-side control over some client experience settings across Emby clients, specifically:

• Play theme songs
• Play theme videos
• Enable backdrops

These settings are currently controlled individually on each client (Windows, Mobile, Tablet, TV apps, etc.). While this is useful for personal preferences, it creates a challenge for server administrators who want to provide a consistent experience for their users.

For example, an administrator may spend time setting up theme songs, theme videos, and custom backdrops to make the library feel more immersive. However, users may never enable these options, may not know they exist, or may accidentally disable them and not know how to restore the experience.

Suggested feature:

Add a server-side "Client Experience Settings" section where the administrator can manage how these options behave across connected clients.

Option 1: Default "on"

• The server provides preferred settings when a client connects for the first time.
• Users can still change them locally if they want.

Option 2: Enable/Disable control

• The administrator can allow or disable certain features across clients.
• This helps users enable features they may not know about.
• It also allows administrators to disable features if they become a performance concern.

Option 3: Reset client settings

• Allow the administrator to restore client settings back to the server-defined defaults.

This would be especially useful for family/friends servers where the administrator manages the entire experience and users are not expected to configure advanced settings themselves.

The goal is not to remove user choice, but to give server administrators better control over the intended media experience across all Emby clients.

Thanks!

Edited 51 minutes ago by Duccis
Cleaner title