Thinking about switching to emby, a few questions first...

[Edgarj 0]

I've been thinking of switching my local media server to emby but have a few questions. I am looking at streaming training, safety and other videos using it as a server and Amazon Fire TV cubes as clients.

First, do I have to have the server/clients connected to the internet to add/stream content ? All the content is local (I own it) and I create my own metadata. The network is local only though updates can be done via USB thumb drive or temporary internet access, the fire tv cubes will boot directly to emby.

Second, How many devices can I connect to with a premium lifetime subscription ? I need to connect to at least 10 devices.

Third, Is there a way to identify the file name from within the sever application ? I could not find any way to get file information at first look.

Fourth, Is there a way to play a small lead in video (animated company logo) before each media file is played ? I can do this with Plex and it is more convenient than merging it with all of the videos

Fifth, To what extent can I edit the home screen sidebar menu or is that not possible ? I just don't want the "My Media" header, looks unprofessional, just the library names on the clients e.g. Safety, Training, Code of Conduct etc...

Please note that I have just taken a quick first look at emby and have not yet installed it on a Fire TV cube, just need some answers before I take the next step. Plex worked fine in this application for the most part but I am not impressed by their changes to the client interface recently and need to find a workable alternative.

Thanks for your replies in advance.

[Abobader 3470]

Hello Edgarj,

Please wait for someone from staff support or our members to reply to you.

It's recommended to provide more info, as it explain in this thread:

Thank you.

Emby Team

[Edgarj 0]

As a sixth question, Is it possible to move the database to a different drive ? I want to store all media and the database on a secure encrypted drive while having emby on the windows drive.

[Carlo 4561]

16 hours ago, Edgarj said:

I've been thinking of switching my local media server to emby but have a few questions. I am looking at streaming training, safety and other videos using it as a server and Amazon Fire TV cubes as clients.

First, do I have to have the server/clients connected to the internet to add/stream content ? All the content is local (I own it) and I create my own metadata. The network is local only though updates can be done via USB thumb drive or temporary internet access, the fire tv cubes will boot directly to emby.

Second, How many devices can I connect to with a premium lifetime subscription ? I need to connect to at least 10 devices.

Third, Is there a way to identify the file name from within the sever application ? I could not find any way to get file information at first look.

Fourth, Is there a way to play a small lead in video (animated company logo) before each media file is played ? I can do this with Plex and it is more convenient than merging it with all of the videos

Fifth, To what extent can I edit the home screen sidebar menu or is that not possible ? I just don't want the "My Media" header, looks unprofessional, just the library names on the clients e.g. Safety, Training, Code of Conduct etc...

Please note that I have just taken a quick first look at emby and have not yet installed it on a Fire TV cube, just need some answers before I take the next step. Plex worked fine in this application for the most part but I am not impressed by their changes to the client interface recently and need to find a workable alternative.

Thanks for your replies in advance.

Emby is designed to be connected to the Internet but can work when offline for brief periods of time.

Premiere supports 25 devices "out of the box" but can be upgraded if needed.

Not sure what you're asking about file name.  If you don't need movie or show meta-data you might want to try Home Photo and Video Library which may do what you want.

Yes you can play lead in videos.  Check out the Cinema Intro plugin that you can use with a Premiere license.

You can do some things via CSS for web browsers but you can't change apps this way.

7 hours ago, Edgarj said:

As a sixth question, Is it possible to move the database to a different drive ? I want to store all media and the database on a secure encrypted drive while having emby on the windows drive.

Why not just install Emby on the secure drive?  Emby itself is not very big at all.

[rbjtech 5284]

19 hours ago, Edgarj said:

I've been thinking of switching my local media server to emby but have a few questions. I am looking at streaming training, safety and other videos using it as a server and Amazon Fire TV cubes as clients.

First, do I have to have the server/clients connected to the internet to add/stream content ? All the content is local (I own it) and I create my own metadata. The network is local only though updates can be done via USB thumb drive or temporary internet access, the fire tv cubes will boot directly to emby.

Emby needs to infrequently check it's license status - but the key need for an internet connection is online metadata, so if you create your own - then this is not essential and you can remove the metadata providers should you wish to.  

Second, How many devices can I connect to with a premium lifetime subscription ? I need to connect to at least 10 devices.

Some devices go towards your limit, others do not.  Web browser does not count towards for example.

Third, Is there a way to identify the file name from within the sever application ? I could not find any way to get file information at first look.

Depending what client you use - this is listed at the bottom on the web app for example (assuming you are an admin)

Fourth, Is there a way to play a small lead in video (animated company logo) before each media file is played ? I can do this with Plex and it is more convenient than merging it with all of the videos  

Fifth, To what extent can I edit the home screen sidebar menu or is that not possible ? I just don't want the "My Media" header, looks unprofessional, just the library names on the clients e.g. Safety, Training, Code of Conduct etc...  This is fully customisable - you don't need to have the 'My Media' if you don't want it - see below.

Please note that I have just taken a quick first look at emby and have not yet installed it on a Fire TV cube, just need some answers before I take the next step. Plex worked fine in this application for the most part but I am not impressed by their changes to the client interface recently and need to find a workable alternative.

Thanks for your replies in advance.

Further info for you in Red inline with your questions - let us know if you need anything else.

Edited January 19, 2021 by rbjtech

[seanbuff 1318]

20 minutes ago, rbjtech said:

This is fully customisable - you don't need to have the 'My Media' if you don't want it - see below.

I don't believe this will fully satisfy what the OP is asking for. If they get rid of the 'My Media' section - then they will lose the library thumbs for "Safety, Training, Code of Conduct", etc on the home screen (which is what they want)

It also has no bearing on the side bar, it will still show 'My Media' header and the libraries under it.

They will just have 'Latest Safety' or 'Latest Training' horizontal rows if they got rid of the 'My Media' section.

Sounds like just the text of "My Media" is what bothers them and I just don't think there is anything that can be done to remove that title, especially not on clients.