I used to have a jellyfin server on an old desktop but now my only spare computer is a raspberry pi. It should be able to install the app but would a raspberry pi 3b+ actually be able to run a jellyfin server at a usable level? I’ll probably mainly use it for CD rips, so it shouldn’t be super demanding but the raspberry pi isn’t super powerful either. What do y’all think?
I have done it for one stream at a time. However, transcoding gave it a hard time. If at all possible I would recommend a Pi 4.
So it should be ok if it’s just going to my phone then?
I’d suggest 1080p downloads as your max resolution. Also setup a VPN running on another device. Should do you fine for a while.
I thought Pi 4 can’t do transcoding for jellyfin? Am I mistaken? Or maybe it’s only 4K it can’t do?
It doesn’t have a proper GPU
the pi 5 lacks hardware transcoding. pi 4 could do it, but it was deprecated by jellyfin.
maybe consider picking up a (used) mini pc instead.
If you are getting new hardware get something with a GPU and proper storage. Even a 6 year old desktop will run better.
If you aren’t relying on transcoding, you’re good. I am sure it can handle one or maybe even two streams. Most modern devices can decode H.264 and H.265/HEVC easily, and some even AV1. Watching videos with these codecs on any Smart TV or phone won’t give you a hard time.
@[email protected] in my experience you can definitely play music and watch movies as long as the client doesn’t need transcoding
How would I know if the client needs transcoding?
If the client doesn’t support the codec or resolution of the media then it’ll need transcoding
Technically yes
Would you want to? It depends
Used a 3b+ for years. I just use the Jellyfin client like the android apps on phone/TV as some videos cause it to struggle in the web player.
Sure, it can serve files up to players that can decode them. You’re going to be absolutely unable to do any transcoding at all and if you try to serve up anything with a bitrate higher than the network adapter can handle you’re gonna have problems. I bailed on using a Pi4 as a jellyfin server and got a chepo N-100 based box off Amazon (BeeCee something something with 2 NICs) for under $250 and haven’t looked back.
You might be fine if you’re sticking to small files that are handled natively by their players. It only costs your time to try it out.
