Comment on My first jellyfin setup
JASN_DE@feddit.org 2 weeks ago
Transcoding is taking an already encoded file, e.g. in H.265 and “re-encoding” it to something else, e.g. to H.264.
This is usually done for clients that cannot natively play back the originally encoded files, or for reasons like bandwidth restrictions, subtitles, etc.
In theory you can get around that by originally encoding your DVDs to a format which all of your devices can play natively. Nowadays, on most modern devices you should be good with H.265. Best way would be simply to try: encode, copy over, play.
H.264 is supported by basically every not ancient device.
Remote streaming inside the same network is as easy as pointing the Android app to the server and logging in.
gigachad@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
How do I find out what codec a file has? I guess there is a ffmpeg command to check and also to convert?
Does that mean I can rip all my DVDs to the H.264 format to be sure all devices can play the file? Is there a disadvantage using H.264?
With remote streaming I mean of course streaming outside of my network.
JASN_DE@feddit.org 2 weeks ago
H.264 for DVD content is perfectly fine. H.265 will save a little storage, but that’s basically it.
If you need to go outside your network it will suddenly be a lot more effort. I’d suggest a Wireguard tunnel, but in theory you could also open up the server to the internet. But you better know what you’re doing in that case.
gigachad@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
Okay, so without the need of transcoding I gather a Pi 4 or 5 may actually be fine? What about the rare case I get hands on a Blu-Ray, H.264 would not work?