Jellyfin is a free, open-source alternative to paid media streaming services like Plex and Emby. It allows you to stream your personal media library to devices around your home.
Getting Jellyfin on a Samsung Smart TV used to be complicated, involving development environments and command line changes. But thanks to an ingenious Docker container, you can now install Jellyfin on your Samsung TV with just one simple command!
So read on to transform your Samsung TV into a stunning Jellyfin media hub for all your movies, TV shows, music, and more!
What is Jellyfin? A Free, Open-Source Alternative to Plex
Jellyfin is self-hosted media server software that lets you aggregate all your video, music, and photo libraries in one place. You can then stream this content to phones, tablets, smart TVs, media players, and more across your home network.
Key features include:
- Free and open source (MIT license)
- Streams various media formats
- Mobile apps for Android and iOS
- Desktop apps for Windows, Mac, Linux
- Chromecast support
- User management and sharing
- Attractive themes and interfaces
- Extensive plugin system
- Regular updates from a passionate community
Jellyfin is similar to Plex, Emby, and Kodi. But unlike Plex, Jellyfin is entirely free and open source rather than a freemium service. This gives you full control over your media without worrying about future paid tiers or subscription models.
Why Put Jellyfin on Your Samsung TV?
Running Jellyfin directly on your Samsung Smart TV provides several advantages:
Flawless streaming performance – No buffering or quality concerns across your home network. Direct playback gives you the best experience.
Intuitive viewing – Browse and play your libraries using your TV’s interface and remote instead of casting from a phone.
Save resources – Avoid keeping another device like a NAS or PC running just to serve media. Use your TV instead.
Enhanced features – Enjoy Jellyfin’s full capabilities like live TV, DVR, image viewers, and plugins right on your TV.
Simple setup – With Docker installing the Jellyfin app on Samsung televisions is now super quick and easy.
Now let’s look at how to enable Developer Mode and install Jellyfin using the brilliant Docker container method.
Some popular alternatives besides Plex include other Jellyfin alternatives like Emby and Kodi. Compare Jellyfin vs Kodi here.
Step 1: How to Enable Developer Mode on Samsung TVs
The first step is to put your Samsung TV into Developer Mode so you can install unofficial apps like Jellyfin.
Here’s how:
- From your TV’s home screen, select Apps > Settings
- Scroll down and select Support > Contact Samsung > Remote Management
- Enter password 12345
- In the pop-up, enable Developer Mode
- When prompted, read and agree to any disclaimers
- Your TV will automatically restart into Developer Mode
You’ll know it worked if you see a Developer Mode notice at the top of the app menu.
Step 2: Install Jellyfin Using Docker CLI Command
Thanks to an open source Docker container from babagreensheep, getting Jellyfin running on Samsung televisions is wonderfully simple:
- Ensure your TV and computer are on the same local network.
- Open the command line on your computer.
- Type ipconfig and note your TV’s IP address.
- Enter this single Docker command with your TV’s IP:
docker run --rm georift/install-jellyfin-tizen <your tv ip>That’s it! Docker will automatically install the Jellyfin app on your TV. Just use your remote to open Jellyfin from the Samsung app menu.
When first launching, you’ll go through Jellyfin’s setup wizard to create an admin account, add media libraries, connect devices, and customize settings.
And remember Jellyfin is continually evolving, so be sure to keep your Docker container and TV app updated:
docker pull georift/install-jellyfin-tizen docker run --rm georift/install-jellyfin-tizen <tv ip>Now let’s look at some additional configuration and customization options…
Advanced Tips for Running Jellyfin on Samsung TVs
Beyond the basics, here are some powerful tips for customizing Jellyfin to perfection on your Samsung set:
Install plugins – Expand capabilities with Jellyfin plugins like enhanced statistics, webtools, and automated collections.
Customize themes – Change the background, colors, metadata, and more by applying a custom theme.
Set a static IP – Stop breakages from IP address changes by assigning a fixed internal IP address in your router admin console.
Enable automatic sign in – Skip manually entering credentials by enabling automatic login under Settings > Users.
Mount a USB drive – Add massive media storage instantly by connecting an external USB drive to your Samsung TV.
Connect Bluetooth headphones – For private listening, pair Bluetooth headphones to your Samsung TV for direct sound straight from the Jellyfin app.
Enable remote access – Allow streaming outside the home network by setting up remote connectivity.
And if you run into playback issues or lag, first try restarting both Jellyfin and your TV. Samsung also provides a handy built-in app optimizer under Settings > General > Smart Features > App Diagnostics that can clear caches and fix problems.
Jellyfin is also available on other streaming devices like Jellyfin for Roku and Jellyfin on Firestick.
FAQ – Troubleshooting Jellyfin on Samsung Smart TVs
Q: I’m getting a Jellyfin app installation failure. Help!
A: This is generally caused by an incorrect IP address syntax when running the Docker command. Triple check your TV’s IP format against the examples. Also ensure your TV and computer are on the same WiFi network.
Q: Videos are stuttering and buffering in Jellyfin on my Samsung TV
A: Close background apps, disable Bluetooth, and try a lower quality stream. If issues persist, attach a USB 3.0 external SSD for enhanced bandwidth.
Q: How do I uninstall or reinstall Jellyfin on my Samsung TV?
A: First clear Jellyfin app data and cache via your TV system settings. Then rerun the Docker installation command to fully redeploy. Data is saved so your libraries will remain intact.
Q: Can I access region locked content like Netflix on my Jellyfin Samsung TV app?
A: Unfortunately no – geo restrictions still apply within Jellyfin as it merely streams your personal media. You’d need a VPN service to access region-locked streaming platforms.
And there you have it! With Developer Mode enabled and Docker installed, you can now enjoy the full power of your own dedicated Jellyfin Media Server directly on your Samsung Smart TV. No more casting from mobile devices or adding extra equipment.
