EU
  
You are currently viewing the European Union version of the site.
Would you like to switch to your local site?
1 MIN READ TIME

Add-ons and extra features

Pushing systems beyond their basic media server functions.

As it’s a network-based server, Universal Media Server doesn’t have a lot of scope for adding utilities. However, you can add streaming video feeds. In particular, the official wiki explains how to add YouTube channels, which present themselves via the interface of the DLNA client you are using.

Kodi has an extensive add-ons ecosystem consisting of official and third-party modules, and these are installed from within the configuration user interface. In fact, the selection is so extensive that it borders on overwhelming. The add-ons consist of smaller utilities such as a weather app and game changers such as support for emulators and other ways to play games. Adding a web browser can be useful,too. It can be fiddly to locate a plugin and configure it, but nearly anything is possible once it’s working.

Plex isn’t just a conduit to your own private media stash, it’s also a significant source of ad-supported films and TV shows, and your own media is mixed in with all of this when using the official app. If you’re already watching Plex, it might push you in favour of using the Plex server for your own media. Plex has an add-on system that is largely made up of utilities to improve interoperability with other services.

Unlock this article and much more with
You can enjoy:
Enjoy this edition in full
Instant access to 600+ titles
Thousands of back issues
No contract or commitment
Try for €1.09
SUBSCRIBE NOW
30 day trial, then just €11,99 / month. Cancel anytime. New subscribers only.


Learn more
Pocketmags Plus
Pocketmags Plus

This article is from...


View Issues
Linux Format
November 2024
VIEW IN STORE

Other Articles in this Issue


LINUX FORMAT
MEET THE TEAM
This issue, we’re setting up Qubes OS for total privacy. What little thing do you do to help bolster your privacy or security either on or offline?
LINUX FORMAT
The #1 open source mag Future Publishing Limited,
WELCOME
Reassuringly expensive
Linux Format has cost £6.49 for over
REGULARS AT A GLANCE
Linux summit points to Rust and RISC future
PLUMBERS CONFERENCE
Rust vs C out of control
The promise of memory-safe Rust code provokes ugly debates leading to police intervention.
Snapdragon support improving
ARM64 image of Ubuntu 24.10 to support X13s.
MANY TONGUES
Italo Vignoli is one of the founders
REDISCENT EVILS!
Dave Stokes is a technology evangelist at
Linux is finally a real-time OS!
The culmination of decades of hard work was realised in September.
Microsoft adopts SPIR-V
In a surprise move, Microsoft moves to the open format.
MS hands over Mono to Wine
Microsoft donates Mono to Wine, urging migration to modern .NET.
Distro Watch
What’s behind the free software sofa?
SMART AUDIO
Julian Bouzas is a senior software engineer
RT ARTISTS
Jon Masters is a kernel hacker who’s
Kernel Watch
Jon Masters summarises the latest happenings in the Linux kernel, so that you don’t have to.
Answers
Got a burning question about open source or the kernel? Whatever your level, email it to answers@linuxformat.com
Mailserver
LoRa, LoRa laughs As an LXF fan/reader, I’m
Helpdex
shane_collinge@yahoo.com
Snoop
THE BEST NEW OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE ON THE PL ANET
Nuclear
MUSIC PLAYER
Media Downloader
Version: 5.0.1 Web: https://mhogomchungu . github.io/media-downloader/
Concessio
LEARN FILE PERMISSIONS
Endless Key
Version: 0.9 Web: www.endlessos.org/key
Tuta
EMAIL CLIENT
Fire Dragon
Version: 11.18.1-1 Web: https:// firedragon.garudalinux.org
AntiMicroX
JOYSTICK BUTTON MAPPER
LibreQuake
Version: 0.07-beta Web: https://librequake.queer.sh
NNN
FILE MANAGER
Micro
Version: 2.0.14 Web: https://microeditor.github.io/index.html
REVIEWS
Framework 13
Brandon Hill loves what this is doing for his eyes!
4MLinux 46.0
Nate Drake dives into this innovative, lightweight Polish distro to pose the burning question: are you 4M or against ’em?
Liya 2.0
Nate Drake takes a gander at this rolling Arch-based distro offering powerful performance and a slick interface. Shame about the updates.
PorteuX 1.6
Nate Drake delves into this Slack-based distro. Does it live up to its claims of being fast, small and portable?
RebeccaBlackOS 2024
Nate Drake is getting that Friday feeling as he discovers all that’s awesome about this celebrity-themed distro with Wayland support.
World of Goo 2
Recycling goo has The Management ecstatic at the chances it’ll give Kerry Brunskill to reuse all of their old work to increase profits.
ROUNDUP
Media servers
Without wishing to turn into a couch potato, Michael Reed examines five media servers that mean he could become one if he decided to.
Basic server install options
Hopefully, you’ve got a good array of options for setting up the server.
Initial setup process
Let’s get some folders set up, media shared and cover other basics.
Network access to content
Open standards over the network.
Access over the internet
For when you want to access your media wherever you are.
Support and documentation
Help to get it set up, make it work how you want and troubleshoot issues.
Official client app
The clients are front-ends that allow you to interact with your content.
Media servers
T he reason we chose Kodi as our winner
ALSO CONSIDER
Emby ( https://emby.media ) is a media
Build Your LINUX FORTRESS!
Chronically insecure and unreasonable Jonni Bidwell needs reasonable operational security. With Qubes, and containment and isolation, he finds a solution
The Qube-ic formula
What on earth is Qubes? How can it stop your traitorous activities being noted by hostile governments?
Stacking secure Qubes
Enough with the waffle, we hear you cry. Fine, let’s get this Qubes thing installed and set up.
Configure your Qubes
Find out where Qubes differs from other distros and join the single-use society with Disposable qubes.
Sending packets over Qubes tubes
Get Qubes working the way you want, find out how networking works, and start making your own qubes.
Free AI courses from Pi Foundation & Google
The hottest current topic can now be picked up by educators for free online.
Pi Rust
Embedded stability.
Pico VS Code
Easy coding time.
THE IMPRESSIVE POWER OF PI
Les Pounder works with groups such as
Recalbox 9.2
Les Pounder travels back to a time when a pocket full of change could open the door to whole new worlds.
Ultramarine Linux
Les Pounder knows that good looks will only get you so far, and Ultramarine Linux has the looks, but sadly none of the performance.
Work with Pi Pico temperature sensors
HEAT SENSORS
THE DHT11 AND DHT22
OK, one more sensor. The venerable DHT11, the
Power projects with the best Pi Pico LEDs
RGB LEDS
IN DEPTH
OPEN PROTOCOLS MATTER
Google and Amazon might be behind the latest IoT protocol, but Tam Hanna is just the guy to bring it to the masses, with a little help from Arduino…
TUTORIALS
Clean up filenames
You don’t have to get up at 4am and practise yoga to find balance in life. Shashank Sharma found inner peace by cleaning up filenames.
Secure the Linux system and its files
The ever-watchful Nick Peers discovers how Linux is built from the ground up to help keep you and your data secure.
IRC: the oldest chat system going on strong
Chatterbox Nate Drake walks you through how to set up and secure your very own IRC server, as well as master its many commands.
Radio astronomy – tune in to the aurora
Radio astronomy isn’t as difficult as you might think. Mike Bedford shows how to get going with just your PC audio system and some free software.
Upgrade it: Enhance your viewing pleasure!
It’s worth spending more on a good display, because you could be using it longer than any other component, says Neil Mohr.
Pixio PXC277 Advanced
The best budget 1440p display to grab right now.
Gigabyte M32UC
An “entry-level” 4K high-refresh gaming display.
Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q
The best choice for budget 4K gaming.
BenQ 23.8” MOBIUZ EX240N
1080p displays aren’t dead or buried yet!
Dell S3221QS
Best all-round choice if you fancy curves in your life.
BenQ SW321C PhotoVue
A 4K display targeting photo and video professionals.
Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP
The best gaming OLED display – but at a price.
Dell UltraSharp UP3218K
For extreme 8K resolution and price, this is for you!
ADMINISTERIA
Simplify network configs with Tailscale
No one calls Stuart Burns a simple man, but he appreciates tools that simplify his admin life, especially for networking.
MAXIMISE YOUR SEED SPEEDS!
Nate Drake introduces you to one of the internet’s best kept secrets to turbocharge your downloads and uploads.
CODING ACADEMY
Using Osquery to explore your system
Ever-curious David Bolton shows how to use the Osquery application to view your system via a series of SQL select queries.
Add some history to the LXF Shell
Refusing to ever learn from anything, Ferenc Deák realises that adding history to the LXF Shell will help him repeat his mistakes.
ADVERTISEMENT
GO. COMPARE
LINUX FORMAT
www.linuxformat.com
MAGAZINES DIRECT
www.magazinesdirect.com/linux-format
TECHRADER
www.techrader.com
MAGAZINES DIRECT
www.magazinesdirect.com
MAGAZINES DIRECT
www.magazinesdirect.com/linux-format
LINUX FORMAT
magazinesdirect.com
Code Club
www.codeclub.org.uk
LINUX FORMAT
EFF
EFF.ORG
THE BRAIN TUMOUR CHARITY
thebraintumourcharity.org
Chat
X
Pocketmags Support