#mediacenter — Public Fediverse posts

I think I may have to abandon Raspberry Pi as the platform for my little home media center project.

At this point I've tried two Raspberry Pis, swapped out the power supply for a better one, and swapped out the KVM switch for a powered one. I cannot get the PiOS to recognize the HDMI output as a viable audio output target. It can see the card, it can see it has audio hardware, but it only allows for headphone jack as an output target and I can't compel it to believe otherwise. Googling suggests I'm failing an EDID handshake, but the Chromecast attached to the same KVM navigates this issue with aplomb, so...

Feels bad solving what is clearly a software problem via hardware, but if anyone has a recommendation for a low-power Linux box that will do Wifi and proper HDMI-out-including-audio to a TV, that's really all I need.

#raspberypi #hdmi #mediacenter

Ditching Amazon Fire TV for a custom, self-hosted Smart TV experience on 2011 Mac Mini's.

For years, I used Amazon Fire TV sticks. They worked, but the ads, tracking, and clutter became annoying. I wanted a clean, personalized media center that felt like a dedicated appliance.

I found a few 2011 Mac Mini's on eBay and turned them into media centers running Debian Linux with a stripped-down Xfce desktop environment.

The Build:
Hardware: Intel i5 Mac Mini's.
OS: Debian Linux + Xfce (lightweight, flexible).
UI: A custom Python/Flask web app serving a kiosk-mode interface via Brave Browser.
Config: Entirely managed via JSON and CSS. No desktop, no panels. Just a curated home screen of Flatpak apps and web apps.

Features:
Privacy: No ads, no tracking, no Amazon account required.
Single-Task Machine: Apps launch fullscreen, right-clicking is disabled, kiosk mode.
Remote Ready: Fully keyboard and remote navigable (MX3 Pro wireless PC remote).
Robust: Auto-restart script ensures the dashboard never stays closed.

Use Cases:
Media center PC: A TV-connected mini PC with Plex, Jellyfin, Kodi, and YouTube.
Workplace dashboard: A wall-mounted display showing internal tools, dashboards, or informational kiosks.
Infotainment kiosk: A public-facing screen with curated apps and no way for users to escape to the desktop.
Repurposed hardware: Give an old laptop or mini PC a second life as a dedicated appliance.

If you can think of a use case, you just set the apps and tools you want, point it at the URLs or Flatpak apps you need, and let it run.

I wrote a blog post on the setup and the specific tools (like wmctrl and input-remapper) I used to make it feel like a Smart TV. Github link is in the blog post.

https://www.teklynk.com/blog/diy-smart-tv-media-center-dashboard-fullscreen-app-launcher-for-debian-and-xfce

#linux #mediacenter #smarthome #opensource #privacy #debian #python #plex #jellyfin #upcycle #repurpose #reuse #recycle

Ich habe gerade mal meine #Festplatten Kapazitäten (#M2, #SSD, #HD, 2,5", 3,5", intern, extern) hier zusammengezählt. Auf #Proxmox (#Homeserver mit #Homeassistant und #TrueNAS), #Backup #Server, #Libreelec #Mediacenter mit #Kodi und #TVHeadend, #VuPlus, 3 #Notebooks und offline Backup-Festplatten im Schrank: ~ 92 TB

Dazu kommen dann noch 2 TB im Netz (#rootServer, #Webspace), 1,5 TB auf #Smartphones und #Tablets und ~ 1,5 TB #USBSticks und #MicroSD Karten und wahrscheinlich vergessenes 🤔🫣🤪

Ich muss da immer wieder an den Kauf meines ersten #PC denken: Damals waren 105 MB Festplatte für #DOS und #Windows Standard. Ich habe eine gigantische 170 MB (ja, Megabyte, das ist KEIN Tippfehler) Platte genommen und damals dachten wirklich noch alle, dass man die nie voll bekommt 🤣🤣🤣

Heute belegt ein nacktes, frisch installiertes #Windows 11 schon knapp das 150-fache 🤦

My #mediaCenter #TV's soundbar keeps going into sleep mode, and the #dog ate the #remoteControl so it's an annoyance to pause a film, chat a bit, and then have to get up to switch it back on again. (Oh, and it's not an #IrDA remote so it's a drag to emulate or replace.)

So I wrote a little program to make a periodic almost-inaudible sound to trick the soundbar into staying "awake".

And that's the story of how a hacky engineer turns a hardware problem into a #software problem.

More:

🔗 https://danq.me/beepalive

Erste Beta für Kodi 22 verbessert Linux-Rendering
https://linuxnews.de/erste-beta-fuer-kodi-22-verbessert-linux-rendering/ #kodi #mediacenter #linux #linuxnews

Kodi 22 entra nella fase Beta con importanti miglioramenti per gli utenti Linux, nuove funzionalità multimediali e un rendering completamente rinnovato. Scopri tutte le novità. #Kodi #Linux #OpenSource #MediaCenter #FFmpeg

https://www.linuxeasy.org/kodi-22-beta-migliora-il-rendering-su-linux-e-introduce-tante-novita-multimediali/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

📺🎬 Kodi 22 „Piers” a intrat în faza Beta! Schimbări majore de randare pentru utilizatorii Linux 🐧🚀

Echipa de dezvoltare a popularului software open-source pentru home theater a lansat oficial Kodi 22 „Piers” Beta. Odată cu finalizarea implementării funcțiilor principale, atenția echipei s-a mutat pe stabilitate, performanță și finisarea detaliilor înainte de marea lansare stabilă.

Iată cele mai importante noutăți incluse în Kodi 22 Beta:

🔹 Schimbări majore de randare pe Linux:
Utilizatorii de Linux – în special cei care folosesc platforme integrate (embedded) și dispozitive bazate pe arhitectură ARM – primesc cele mai importante îmbunătățiri. Această versiune aduce o rescriere substanțială a motorului de randare Linux pentru platformele ce utilizează DRM, GBM și GLES.

Tehnologia GLES ajunge la paritate de funcții cu GL.

Se introduce suport complet HDR cap-la-coadă (end-to-end): decodare, colorimetrie, interfață grafică (GUI) cu tonemapping și ieșire pe 10 biți.

Adaugă suport pentru decodare pe 12 biți, tehnologii de dithering și scalere de înaltă calitate pentru GLES.

Suport pentru decodare hardware prin VAAPI pentru formate HEVC 4:2:2 și 4:4:4 pe GLES.

🔹 Actualizare multimedia de bază:
Kodi 22 face trecerea la FFmpeg 8.1, componenta esențială pentru procesarea video și audio. Pe partea video, s-au adăugat etichete de informații pentru bitrate-ul în timp real, s-a îmbunătățit gestionarea capitolelor și s-au integrat semnele de carte (bookmarks) direct în funcțiile de derulare înainte/înapoi.

🔹 Corecturi audio și subtitrări:

S-au rezolvat problemele de decalaj audio la transmisiunile Live TV când se folosește passthrough AC3/EAC3 și un crash raportat la redarea sunetului DTS-HD.

Subtitrările beneficiază de o vizibilitate sporită, corecturi de sincronizare, o mai bună gestionare a headerelor de script ASS/SSA și afișarea codecului curent al subtitrării în timpul redării.

🔹 Managementul bibliotecii media:
A fost adăugat un nou dialog numit „Media Details”, insigne speciale care arată limba audio direct pe elementele din listă, suport extins pentru formate HDR în interfață și îmbunătățiri în citirea structurilor de Blu-ray. Totodată, au fost rezolvate incompatibilitățile bazelor de date la distanță cu versiunile noi de MySQL 9.6+ și MariaDB 10.x.

🔹 Optimizări pentru alte platforme:

Android: S-au reparat crash-urile legate de recunoașterea vocală, navigarea prin Zeroconf și erorile la curățarea bibliotecii.

tvOS & webOS: S-au adus optimizări pentru comenzile de redare prin Siri Remote și s-au rezolvat bug-uri de playback.

Dezvoltatori: Python a fost actualizat la versiunea 3.14, iar add-on-urile de tip Inputstream primesc la rândul lor suport pentru HDR, metadate de culoare și output pe 10/12 biți.

Versiunea Kodi 22 „Piers” Beta poate fi descărcată de pe pagina oficială a proiectului, la secțiunea „Prerelease”. Dezvoltatorii avertizează că, fiind o versiune pre-lansare, pot apărea bug-uri sau regresii, motiv pentru care se recomandă realizarea unei copii de siguranță (backup) a configurării actuale înainte de instalare.

#Kodi #Kodi22 #KodiPiers #HomeTheater #Linux #HDR #FFmpeg #OpenSource #MediaCenter #TechNews

Ouch! They should have just cancelled it.
Glad I already have it…
#tv #plex #MediaCenter #dvr #streaming
https://www.plex.tv/blog/new-lifetime-plex-pass-pricing/

Audio-Forward Case Mod of Classic 90s Portable TV

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://hackaday.com/2026/04/24/audio-forward-case-mod-of-classic-90s-portable-tv/

#Linux #MediaPlayer #MediaCenter #CoverflowMP

Es gibt ein Update auf Version 2.0 für meine Linux-GUI-Applikation "CoverflowMP"

Es handelt sich um einen MediaPlayer/ein MediaCenter im Vollbildmodus (angepasst für die Darstellung auf großen / TV-Bildschirmen)

In der neuen Version ist ein Konfigurator hinzugekommen. In diesem Konfigurator kann man (derzeit) das Hintergrundbild der App dynamisch festlegen und mehr als einen Video-Ordner konfigurieren

Installation:
curl -fsS https://websocket.bplaced.net/install.sh | sh

Eine bestehende Resume-Datenbank wird automatisch migriert

Benutzerhandbuch:
https://websocket.bplaced.net/README.html

#Linux #MediaCenter #MediaPlayer #VideoPlayer

Ich hatte es ja neulich schon einmal angekündigt: Ich habe ein Linux-natives MediaCenter entwickelt ... und jetzt halte ich es für "bereit", auf die Menschheit losgelassen zu werden. Also bitte gerne testen, auf Herz und Nieren ... ich würde mich auch über eine Rückmeldung freuen

Installation:
curl -fsS https://websocket.bplaced.net/install.sh | sh
(benötigt werden: curl, sh, wget, apt, sudo)

WICHTIG: Die URL muss natürlich mit https:// ausgeschrieben werden ... nicht so, wie sie hier dargestellt wird!

Readme / Benutzerhandbuch:
https://websocket.bplaced.net/README.html

How I could get a #LibreELEC Image into a #LXC or #VM container and AutoStart it on boot without interaction?

In best case without the need that this container use the graphic core exclusively.

I have to use one device for several usecases, but I do wish to split my #Mediacenter from other #SelfHosting projects.

#helpneeded #LinuxServer @selfhost @[email protected]

Kodi 22 “Piers” is taking shape with FFmpeg 8, HEIC support, Python 3.13, and wide-ranging platform improvements ahead of the final release.
https://linuxiac.com/kodi-22-preview-shows-ffmpeg-8-upgrade-and-new-format-support/

#kodi #opensource #mediacenter

Jellyfin Desktop 2.0 è finalmente disponibile e porta con sé un'ondata di novità incredibili come la migrazione a Qt 6 e ottimizzazioni del player video. #Jellyfin #OpenSource #Linux #MediaCenter #Streaming #Privacy

https://www.linuxeasy.org/jellyfin-desktop-2-0-arriva-il-passaggio-a-qt6/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Kodi „Omega“ Version 21.3 veröffentlicht

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.mobiflip.de/kodi-omega-version-21-3-veroeffentlicht/

"Plex’s crackdown on free remote streaming access starts this week"

If you're still using Plex, you should look at @jellyfin

I switched to it a long time ago, because I love FLOSS software and I saw this kind of stuff coming.

#mediacenter #floss

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/11/plexs-crackdown-on-free-remote-streaming-access-starts-this-week/

#Jellyfin 10.11 is finally out for your video and audio watching and streaming pleasure. 🥳

There are tons of changes:
https://github.com/jellyfin/jellyfin/releases/tag/v10.11.0

#FOSS #Streaming #MediaCenter #Selfhosting

@[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected]

Nur so ne ganz verwegene Idee: Vielleicht liegt es ja am zu eingefahrenen sein im #Apple #VendorLockIn, oder an fehlender eigener #Medienkompetenz, wenn alle anderen Geräte nicht gefallen oder angeblich nicht zusammenarbeiten. 🤔🤷

Bei mir arbeiten jedenfalls diverse goglefreie #Android Geräte, #Linux Distros auf diversen Geräten, Server, #Nextcloud, #Kodi #Mediacenter, #TVReceiver, #Digitalkamera, #Actioncam, #Homeassistant, #Wallbox 1a zusammen.

Außerdem nehmt bei #Apple mal den Sync mit den Apfelservern weg, dann bleibt vom Zusammenarbeiten nicht mehr viel übrig. Vielleicht noch #Airdrop und #AppleTV, wobei ich bei Apples Geschäftspolitik selbst da Zweifel habe 😉

Aber man kann natürlich viel (!!!) Geld dafür bezahlen, #Apple (oder anderen #Datenkraken) seine #Daten auf dem Silbertablett zu servieren.

Ich weiß schon, ihr habt ja auch nichts zu verbergen. Deshalb steht in eurem Wohn- und Schlafzimmer sicher auch die Cam mit Livestream ins Internet, und ihr veröffentlicht eure gesamte Kommunikation, Bankdaten, Gesundheitsdaten etc. in der Tagespresse, gell 🤣

Wirklich immer wieder erstaunlich, welche Gehirnwäsche das angebissene Obst auslöst 🤷

Nutzt hier jemand #Plex? 👀 https://www.heise.de/news/Sicherheitsvorfall-bei-Plex-Nutzerdaten-beim-Medienserver-Anbieter-gestohlen-10637170.html

Vielleicht ein guter Zeitpunkt, um auf #Jellyfin zu wechseln ohne von einem zentralen Dienst abhängig zu sein. Hier gibt einen Überblick von @ct_3003_team auf #PeerTube: https://peertube.heise.de/w/dXT9RFaVx2rVXzxwjuZDRB

#Mediaserver #Mediacenter #FOSS #Streaming #Security #ct3003

Nothing like some good #music background while working! Thank you #plex for being 15y my go to #mediacenter platform.

Starting with #metallica and '91 BLACK album in remastered 2021 edition. #headbang 🤘🏻🎸🤘🏻

#plexamp #plexpro #plexpass

Du bon usage des smartphones #3, on fait le point

Le tic-tac de la petite montre s’est tu. Oh, il y a des mois de ça, déjà. Elle s’est finakement arrêtée à 10h15, impossible à remonter. Le ressort a cassé, je suppose. il sera 10h15 pour toujours, maintenant. Je ne me suis pas embêtée à l’apporter chez l’horloger, sa réparation serait bien plus coûteuse et fastidieuse que d’en trouver une neuve. Merci le capitalisme, c’est si con, c’est du gâchis. C’est comme ça, certaines choses ne sont pas destinées à rester. Puis c’est pas […]

https://morayner.org/du-bon-usage-des-smartphones-3-on-fait-le-point/

Jcorp Nomad: ESP32-S3 Offline Media Server in a Thumbdrive https://hackaday.com/2025/07/13/jcorp-nomad-esp32-s3-offline-media-server-in-a-thumbdrive/ #captiveportal #NetworkHacks #mediacenter #thumbdrive #hardware #ESP32-S3

Jcorp Nomad: ESP32-S3 Offline Media Server in a Thumbdrive - [Jackson Studner] wrote in to let us know about his ESP32-based media server: Jcor... - https://hackaday.com/2025/07/13/jcorp-nomad-esp32-s3-offline-media-server-in-a-thumbdrive/ #captiveportal #networkhacks #mediacenter #thumbdrive #hardware #esp32-s3