Questions about open/hidden source and more after using Emby for 10 days

[jptestung 1]

Hello,

I've been using emby for 10 days now and I need a bit of clarifications to go further with it. I'm sorry it's a lot of questions/subjects on the same topic

So, a couple of questions, about the open/hidden source, business model, and more :

- I understand that there is hidden code, but can somebody outside of the dev team build an open source version of the server (without additional features from the hidden code), or is it impossible to build without the hidden code ?

- Same question for the client apps ?

- About client apps, is it possible / authorized for anyone to build its own client app ? What for example, if I decide to build a Fluter app, is it possible ? I guess it would be a problem for the business model if the app is totally free and doesn't require an unlock/emby premiere ?

- Is there some data that goes from my personal server to a centralized emby server ?

- Is there some data that goes from clients (user of my personal server) to a centralized emby server ?

- Out of curiosity, let's say a company wants to build a kind of Netflix with thousands of concurrent playbacks, does it sound possible with emby server ?

- Right now, I'm using emby as mini netflix for me and my familly, I miss a feature to highlight some content on the home page, like I would like to show a section "Movies for mam", that everbody can see. Maybe it's already possible, as I'm not yet an emby expert.

- Finally, I'm curious about the dev team, how many (paid?) people ? I'm a dev too (old one), and I wish to know how to contribute, mainly to develop the feature I need first, but that's a good start to  enter the code base and be more useful later.

Edited January 1, 2021 by jptestung

[ebr 16169]

3 hours ago, jptestung said:

I understand that there is hidden code, but can somebody outside of the dev team build an open source version of the server (without additional features from the hidden code), or is it impossible to build without the hidden code ?

- Same question for the client apps ?

No this would not be possible.  Kind of the same way you can't just build your own version of Windows.

3 hours ago, jptestung said:

About client apps, is it possible / authorized for anyone to build its own client app ? What for example, if I decide to build a Fluter app, is it possible ? I guess it would be a problem for the business model if the app is totally free and doesn't require an unlock/emby premiere ?

We have a published API that could allow you to build your own app.  Look at the link at the bottom of your dashboard.

3 hours ago, jptestung said:

Is there some data that goes from my personal server to a centralized emby server ?

- Is there some data that goes from clients (user of my personal server) to a centralized emby server ?

You don't go "through" our servers to get to yours and we do not collect any information about your media or users.  The only data that goes centrally is to validate licenses and enable features such as Emby Connect.

3 hours ago, jptestung said:

Out of curiosity, let's say a company wants to build a kind of Netflix with thousands of concurrent playbacks, does it sound possible with emby server ?

Only if that company could also adhere to our terms of use in doing that.  IOW - they owned the legal rights to distribute the content.

3 hours ago, jptestung said:

Finally, I'm curious about the dev team, how many (paid?) people ? I'm a dev too (old one), and I wish to know how to contribute, mainly to develop the feature I need first, but that's a good start to  enter the code base and be more useful later.

Please send a PM to me and/or Luke with your experience and interest.  We may have an opportunity for you to help out if things line up.

Thanks and welcome!