I'm one of those hipsters who doesn't use streaming services.
I did, a while ago, but I quit using them because the experience is kind of awful, and I'm happier now for it. I collect physical media and watch it using Jellyfin on my Linux-based home theater PC, and I'm completely satisfied with how it works.
I'm making this video because I am really troubled by algorithmic helplessness, and I feel like corporate-centralized streaming media makes that worse. Maybe this video will encourage someone else to cut the cord and rediscover an appreciation for owning your media and being choosy about what to "watch next". Or maybe I'm just wasting time. Who knows? I suppose, you know, you're reading this description, right?
If you read the description, say "algorithmic helplessness sucks" in the comments. That'll make me feel better.
Oh right, I need to tell you about the things I mentioned in the video.
Software:
- MakeMKV: https://makemkv.com/
- To support MakeMKV and get all the advanced features: https://www.makemkv.com/buy/
- That LibreDrive forum post on the MakeMKV website which is hard to find (contains list of LibreDrive compatible drives): https://forum.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=79712#p79712
- Handbrake: https://handbrake.fr/
- Asunder: http://littlesvr.ca/asunder/
- Jellyfin: https://jellyfin.org/
- Kodi: https://kodi.tv/
- Finamp (via GitHub): https://github.com/jmshrv/finamp
Hardware I mentioned - not sponsored and no affiliate links.
(These drives might not be currently available at Micro Center, but I'm providing these links as they're probably the most helpful if you want to find one yourself.)
- My LG portable Blu-Ray drive, a BP60NB10: https://www.microcenter.com/product/607144/lg-slim-portable-blu-ray-dvd-writer-w-3d-blu-ray-disk-playback-and-m-disc-support
- And my internal Asus BW-16D1HT drive: https://www.microcenter.com/product/435513/asus-16x-blu-ray-disc-drive
- FLIRC receiver (I don't remember if I bought it here but maybe): https://www.pishop.us/product/flirc-rpi-usb-xbmc-ir-remote-receiver/
Other links of note:
- 13 minutes of videotaped footage of the Wii Netflix app: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raAOW1pP66E
- Video about smart TVs by @LonSeidman : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TPV9yQvcIQ
- My PeerTube (watch this video without ads or tracking): https://tinkerbetter.tube/c/veronicaexplains/videos
- My blog post about how I use Handbrake: https://vkc.sh/handbrake-2025/
Lastly, links to support my very unsponsored videos:
- Patreon: https://patreon.com/VeronicaExplains
- Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/VeronicaExplains
- Bandcamp: https://thestopbits.bandcamp.com/
Chapters:
0:00 My motivation for ditching streaming
3:21 Physical media is awesome
4:05 Ripping media
5:59 Serving with Jellyfin
7:09 Bookstores and libraries are lit (get it?)
8:10 I don't want an algorithm programming us.
I don't even have Jellyfin. I stream directly to VLC from my media server, and I track my shows with a spreadsheet. Like a crazy person.
You’re one crazy bastard
Don't make eye contact, you'll never be rid of him!
They told you to kneel and you chose violence.
Every time biatch, the way of the samurai.
You’re absolutely mad
Self awareness is important.
This is a bit like what I do, though I don't have a media server either; I plug my 12 year old Lenovo laptop into the TV.
I download stuff, put a copy on a backup drive, and after watching an episode I just delete it from the local drive.
I don't want more technology (or stuff in general) and the last thing I want to do with my spare time is configure software!