Linux box with Jellyfin

Fluffybob · 17 Dec 2025 at 13:20

Hi all,

I am currently running Serviio on a Win10 PC so need an alternative, while still using the same hardware. I've had a play with Linux Mint and read that Jellyfin can do the job. Just wondering if it's the best distro to use and if it works over DLNA for ease of use on my Samsung TV.

TIA

Throrik · 17 Dec 2025 at 14:18

Any distro will work fine for the most part - I'd query if you want to run a full desktop environment on a Jellyfin PC, otherwises I'd go with something like Debian minimal.

wigster · 5 Jun 2026 at 13:58

I'm trying to decide if Proxmox is overkill just for Jellyfin, next would be ZimaOS.

I have zero experience in Linux.

Throrik · 5 Jun 2026 at 16:10

wigster said:
I'm trying to decide if Proxmox is overkill just for Jellyfin, next would be ZimaOS.

I have zero experience in Linux.

If it's always just going to be Jellyfin then yes. If not then no. Some of the 'OS' give you quick methods to install stuff like jelylfin as 'apps' but to be honest it's no more difficult than just running it on standard Linux.

aaronyuri · 5 Jun 2026 at 16:13

wigster said:
I'm trying to decide if Proxmox is overkill just for Jellyfin, next would be ZimaOS.

I have zero experience in Linux.

Not worth it. Pick whatever distro you want, run Jellyfin in a Docker container and call it a day.

wigster · 5 Jun 2026 at 17:12

Throrik said:
If it's always just going to be Jellyfin then yes. If not then no. Some of the 'OS' give you quick methods to install stuff like jelylfin as 'apps' but to be honest it's no more difficult than just running it on standard Linux.

Yes it just going to be for Jellyfin, I have never used Linux I think the hardest part will be passing the gpu through.

aaronyuri said:
Not worth it. Pick whatever distro you want, run Jellyfin in a Docker container and call it a day.

Yes I was thinking I should just use docker as a way to install it, using LXC sounds more complicated.

aaronyuri · 5 Jun 2026 at 17:53

wigster said:
Yes it just going to be for Jellyfin, I have never used Linux I think the hardest part will be passing the gpu through.

Yes I was thinking I should just use docker as a way to install it, using LXC sounds more complicated.

Jellyfin HW transcoding isn't too bad (if that's what you mean by GPU passthrough) to setup. Just follow the guide and make sure you complete each step in the correct order.

Installing NVIDIA drivers can be a bit of a pain with UEFI boot enabled as you need to do a key ceremony with the OS. Can't remember what it's called for the life of me in this moment.

Nonetheless, Docker compose with a simple .yml and you'll be watching media before you know it.

wigster · 5 Jun 2026 at 17:59

aaronyuri said:
Jellyfin HW transcoding isn't too bad (if that's what you mean by GPU passthrough) to setup. Just follow the guide and make sure you complete each step in the correct order

Yes HW transcoding,I already have it on my Windows laptop, absolutely easy to setup,but will be getting a Beelink soon so thought it would be better to install it on Linux.

wigster · 6 Jun 2026 at 12:41

I decided Debian,as my media is stored on a Synology NAS is it best to go with NFS or SMB when sharing the media folder.

picnic · 9 Jun 2026 at 15:18

If the only app is Jellyfin what's the advantage of using a Docker install as opposed to an install straight in to the OS?

aaronyuri · 9 Jun 2026 at 15:39

picnic said:
If the only app is Jellyfin what's the advantage of using a Docker install as opposed to an install straight in to the OS?

You don't need to admin your OS install for whatever applications are installed - just run the container. Containers are packaged with the application and all of its dependencies.

You don't need to fart around with the OS at all. It is the easiest and least admin intensive way to run an app nowadays.

Begbie · 9 Jun 2026 at 15:43

aaronyuri said:
You don't need to admin your OS install for whatever applications are installed - just run the container. Containers are packaged with the application and all of its dependencies.

You don't need to fart around with the OS at all. It is the easiest and least admin intensive way to run an app nowadays.

Why?

What messing around would you need to do v putting it in a container?

Seems a lot less hassle to install jellyfin v putting on a docker?

Not saying it's not better, but I can't see how it's less hassle.

aaronyuri · 9 Jun 2026 at 15:59

Begbie said:
Why?

What messing around would you need to do v putting it in a container?

Seems a lot less hassle to install jellyfin v putting on a docker?

Not saying it's not better, but I can't see how it's less hassle.

For the reasons I listed above. Containers are packaged with all of their dependencies and are fully disposable.

I'm not forcing anyone to use containers. Admin your machines in any manner you'd like.

fish · 9 Jun 2026 at 16:04

I have proxmox installed on an n100 box with a docker container for jellyfish with hw pass through for transcoding. Jellyfish runs on base Debian. There were instructions online I found

wigster · 10 Jun 2026 at 05:47

wigster said:
I decided Debian,as my media is stored on a Synology NAS is it best to go with NFS or SMB when sharing the media folder.

fish said:
I have proxmox installed on an n100 box with a docker container for jellyfish with hw pass through for transcoding. Jellyfish runs on base Debian. There were instructions online I found

I actually went with Ubuntu, Yes plenty of instructions out there or even ChatGPT.