Jellyfin on a Raspberry Pi: A Beginner’s Guide

Setting up a media server at home can seem like a daunting task, but with tools like Jellyfin and the affordable Raspberry Pi, it’s easier than you might think! In this guide, we’ll explain what a Raspberry Pi and Jellyfin are, why you’d want to use them together, and how to get Jellyfin up and running on a Raspberry Pi. We’ll also cover storage considerations and some useful tips to get the most out of your media server.

What Is a Raspberry Pi?

The Raspberry Pi is a low-cost, credit-card-sized computer that plugs into a monitor or TV and uses a standard keyboard and mouse. It’s a versatile device often used for educational purposes, DIY projects, and tech experiments. Despite its small size, it is surprisingly powerful, making it suitable for a wide range of tasks, including running a media server.

What Is Jellyfin?

Jellyfin is a free, open-source media server software that allows you to organize, stream, and share your media files such as movies, TV shows, music, and photos. Unlike commercial media server software, Jellyfin doesn’t require any subscription fees and lets you keep complete control over your data. For more in-depth information, read our article on Jellyfin.

Why Run Jellyfin on a Raspberry Pi?

Running Jellyfin on a Raspberry Pi has several advantages:

Cost-Effective: The Raspberry Pi is an affordable device compared to traditional media server hardware, making it a great budget-friendly option for setting up a home media server.
Low Power Consumption: It consumes very little power, which is perfect for a media server that you might want to run 24/7.
DIY Learning Experience: If you enjoy learning about technology and setting up your own projects, running Jellyfin on a Raspberry Pi is a rewarding experience.
Compact Size: The small form factor of the Raspberry Pi means it takes up little space, making it easy to integrate into your existing home setup.
Open-Source Flexibility: Using open-source software like Jellyfin lets you customize your server as you see fit without being locked into a specific ecosystem.

However, running Jellyfin on a Raspberry Pi comes with some considerations.

Considerations When Running Jellyfin on a Raspberry Pi

Performance Limitations: While powerful for its size, the Raspberry Pi is not as capable as a full-fledged computer or server. You may experience performance issues with heavy workloads or 4K streaming.
Networking: If you’re planning to stream media over your home network, a wired Ethernet connection is preferable over Wi-Fi for stable performance.
Storage: The Raspberry Pi’s onboard storage is limited, and SD cards, while convenient, aren’t the most reliable for long-term use. We’ll discuss storage options later in this guide.
Transcoding: The Raspberry Pi may struggle with transcoding high-definition content (converting media to a different format on-the-fly). It’s better suited for direct playback.

How to Run Jellyfin on a Raspberry Pi

There are several ways to install Jellyfin on a Raspberry Pi, but the most common options are using Docker, Raspberry Pi OS, or a pre-configured image like DietPi. We’ll go through these methods step by step.

Option 1: Installing Jellyfin on Raspberry Pi OS

Set Up Raspberry Pi OS
- Download the latest Raspberry Pi OS from the official website.
- Use a tool like Raspberry Pi Imager to write the OS to an SD card.
- Insert the SD card into the Raspberry Pi, connect a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and boot up.
- Complete the initial setup, including updating the system.
Install Jellyfin
- Open the Terminal and update the package list:
  sudo apt update
- Install Jellyfin:
  sudo apt install jellyfin
- Once installed, Jellyfin will start automatically. You can access the web interface at http://<Your-Pi-IP>:8096 in a browser.
Configure Jellyfin
- Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your media libraries, add users, and customize settings.

Option 2: Using Docker to Run Jellyfin

Set Up Docker
- Install Docker on your Raspberry Pi:
  curl -sSL https://get.docker.com | sh
- Add your user to the Docker group:
  sudo usermod -aG docker pi
Install Jellyfin via Docker
- Pull the Jellyfin Docker image:
  docker pull jellyfin/jellyfin
- Run the Jellyfin container:
  docker run -d --name jellyfin -p 8096:8096 -v /path/to/config:/config -v /path/to/cache:/cache -v /path/to/media:/media jellyfin/jellyfin
- Replace /path/to/config, /path/to/cache, and /path/to/media with the appropriate directories.
Access Jellyfin
- Go to http://<Your-Pi-IP>:8096 to complete the setup.

Option 3: Using DietPi for a Pre-Configured Setup

Install DietPi
- Download DietPi from the official website.
- Use Raspberry Pi Imager or Balena Etcher to flash the DietPi image onto an SD card.
- Insert the SD card, boot the Raspberry Pi, and complete the initial DietPi setup.
Install Jellyfin Using DietPi’s Software Optimized Installers
- Run the DietPi-Software tool
  dietpi-software
- Select Jellyfin from the list of available software and install.
- Follow the instructions to configure Jellyfin, and access the web interface at http://<Your-Pi-IP>:8096.

Bonus: Storage Options for Jellyfin on Raspberry Pi

1. External Hard Drive or SSD

Using an external hard drive or SSD connected via USB is a more reliable storage option than an SD card.
Format the drive using a suitable file system (e.g., ext4 for Linux).
Mount the drive and configure Jellyfin to use it for media storage.

2. Network Attached Storage (NAS)

If you have a NAS device, you can configure Jellyfin to access media stored on it.
Use network protocols like SMB (Windows Shares) or NFS to connect the Raspberry Pi to your NAS.

3. USB Flash Drives

While not as fast or durable as SSDs, USB flash drives are still a better option than SD cards for storing media.
Be sure to regularly back up your data, as flash drives have limited write cycles.

Overcoming the Limitation of SD Cards

Use a Quality SD Card: Invest in a high-endurance SD card to reduce the risk of data corruption.
Limit Write Operations: Configure Jellyfin and other software to minimize unnecessary writes to the SD card.
Regular Backups: Keep your media backed up to avoid losing data if the SD card fails.

Conclusion

Running Jellyfin on a Raspberry Pi is a great way to set up a budget-friendly, energy-efficient media server at home. It’s perfect for users who want to experiment with DIY projects or learn more about server software. While the Raspberry Pi has some limitations, such as storage and processing power, the versatility of Jellyfin combined with a few storage enhancements can provide a satisfying media experience. Whether it’s worth your time depends on your needs—if you’re looking for a cost-effective way to organize and stream your media, then Jellyfin on a Raspberry Pi is certainly worth considering!

Now that you have a clear idea of the process and what to expect, you can decide if this setup aligns with your media server needs and technical comfort level.