Turn your Old PC into a new 4K Blu-ray Dolby ATMOS Streaming Server!

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of transforming an old PC into a powerful 4K Blu-ray Dolby Atmos streaming server using Jellyfin software. By following these steps, you can repurpose your outdated hardware into an efficient media server that streams high-quality content to your home theater setup.

Step 1: Gather Necessary Equipment

Before you begin, make sure you have the following items on hand:

• An old PC (e.g., Dell Optiplex)
• A SATA SSD for booting (recommended)
• Internal SATA storage hard drives for media storage
• A USB drive to create a bootable Ubuntu installation
• Access to the internet for software downloads

Step 2: Install Ubuntu

To set up your streaming server, you first need to install Ubuntu. Follow these steps:

1. Download Ubuntu from the Ubuntu Download Page.
2. Use Rufus to create a bootable USB drive:
   • Download Rufus from Rufus Official Site.
   • Insert your USB drive and select it in Rufus.
   • Choose the Ubuntu ISO you downloaded and click 'Start' to create the bootable drive.
3. Boot your old PC from the USB drive:
   • Restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing F2, F12, or Delete).
   • Set the USB drive as the primary boot device.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Ubuntu:
   • Select the SSD as the installation target.
   • Choose your preferred language and keyboard layout.
   • Set up your user account and password.

Step 3: Install Jellyfin

Once Ubuntu is installed, you need to install Jellyfin, the software that will serve your media.

1. Open a terminal in Ubuntu.
2. Add the Jellyfin repository and install Jellyfin with the following commands:

   sudo apt install apt-transport-https
   wget -qO - https://repo.jellyfin.org/keys/jellyfin.asc | sudo apt-key add -
   echo "deb https://repo.jellyfin.org/ubuntu focal main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/jellyfin.list
   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install jellyfin
   

3. Start the Jellyfin service:

   sudo systemctl start jellyfin
   sudo systemctl enable jellyfin
   

Step 4: Configure Jellyfin

After installation, configure Jellyfin to recognize your media files.

1. Open a web browser and navigate to http://localhost:8096 to access the Jellyfin web interface.
2. Follow the setup wizard:
   • Create your Jellyfin user account.
   • Specify the media library paths (point to your internal storage drives).
   • Configure any additional settings as desired.

Step 5: Add Media Content

Now that Jellyfin is set up, you can add your media files:

1. Rip your 4K Dolby Atmos Blu-rays using software like MakeMKV or HandBrake.
2. Store the ripped files in the directories you specified during the Jellyfin setup.
3. Jellyfin will automatically scan and organize your media.

Step 6: Stream Your Content

You can now stream your media to compatible devices:

1. Use the Jellyfin app available on various platforms (smart TVs, smartphones, etc.) or access it via a web browser.
2. Log in with your Jellyfin account.
3. Enjoy streaming your 4K content with Dolby Atmos support.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you've successfully repurposed your old PC into a 4K Blu-ray Dolby Atmos streaming server using Jellyfin. This setup allows you to enjoy high-quality media playback at home without investing in new hardware. For further enhancements, consider exploring additional plugins or features within Jellyfin to optimize your streaming experience. Enjoy your media server!