I Quit Every Streaming Service… Forever.

Goal / Concept

Replace multiple subscription services by self-hosting media locally using a cheap Windows 10 PC that can be repurposed as a home server.

Why Cheap Windows 10 Hardware Exists

• Windows 10 is end-of-life (EOL), meaning no more security updates.
• Businesses generally upgrade to Windows 11, creating a supply of discarded but functional Windows 10 PCs.

Hardware Acquisition (Tutorial-Style Notes)

Attempts for finding hardware:

• Craigslist: mostly useless listings
• Facebook Marketplace: many upgrades/add-ons, but felt risky
• eBay: large supply of bulk Windows 10 work PCs

Example purchase:

• Dell OptiPlex with 7th-gen i5 and 8GB RAM for about $55
• Bonus: toolless access for upgrades

Important detail:

• The selected listing didn’t include a hard drive
• The build therefore required installing a spare drive/SSD

Platform Choice (OS + Security Tradeoff)

Two options:

1. Keep Windows 10
   • Downside: no security updates
2. Chosen approach: switch to Ubuntu Desktop
   • Avoids Windows auto-reboots
   • Provides easier access to Linux support and community help

Server / Media Software Stack

Plex (Netflix Replacement)

• Plex was chosen as the central “Netflix replacement.”
• Installed on Ubuntu using a native Ubuntu installer
• Setup flow described:
  1. Create an account
  2. Configure the server
  3. Choose watched folders

Major Plex Hurdle: Linux + Docker Permissions

Problem:

• Plex initially failed to “see” the media folder.

Cause:

• Plex running via Docker lacks full file/folder access due to container user permissions.

Fix:

• Use a command (sourced from a Reddit thread) to grant Plex access to the target folder.
• After permissions are corrected, the library appears normally in Plex.

Media Ingestion / Ripping (DRM / Encryption Caveats)

Playback targets:

• Uses the OptiPlex DVD drive to rip discs
• Aims for 4K playback by ripping Blu-rays

Additional hardware:

• Adds a USB Blu-ray drive (~$40 on sale)

Ripping Complexity by Media Type

• CDs
  • Generally trivial ripping (less heavy protection)
• DVDs
  • Encrypted, but typical drives can usually rip them
• Blu-rays
  • Complicated encryption
  • Some discs require special drives/firmware
  • Worst-case: certain discs may be un-rippable

Tool Choices

• Avoids HandBrake for Blu-rays due to encryption handling issues
• Uses MakeMKV for Blu-ray ripping

Workflow

• Rip discs (one-time effort/cost)
• Place ripped files into the correct Plex media folders
  • Plex then automatically picks them up
• Outcome: plays movies on local devices (described as working with a projector setup)

Music Replacement (Spotify Replacement)

• Uses Plex’s built-in music player
• CD ripping is described as near drag-and-drop / minimal effort

Cloud Replacement (iCloud Replacement)

Goal:

• Replace iCloud-style photo/video storage and enable remote access via self-hosting.

Chosen tool: immich

• Reads as “image” (per subtitle text)
• Free and open-source
• Supports Linux and has documentation
• Installation was simplified by following a short YouTube walkthrough instead of doing everything from the official docs

Mobile App Connection Troubleshooting

• The app required the correct server address
• Local IP setup on Ubuntu was confusing
• Used Linux tools/hostname info to determine the correct IP

Sync / Remote Behavior

• Default: sync when the phone is on the same Wi‑Fi as the server
• With remote access enabled: sync also works via mobile data

Outcome

• Photos/videos synced (~5,000 items)
• Organized with search (e.g., by person)
• Supports live photos

Big-Picture Result / Analysis

• Targeted cost: under $100 for the computer
• Even with extra costs (OS/storage/drive/media), it’s still framed as far cheaper than ongoing subscriptions
• Key limitation warning:
  • Many modern shows have no physical media availability
  • So some streaming titles may not be replaceable via local ripping
• Conclusion:
  • Even an older low-cost machine can work well as a media server
  • Mentions that many use Raspberry Pi, but this setup provides more ports/power

Main Speakers / Sources

Main speaker

• Unspecified solo YouTuber narrator (likely the video creator; described as a “31-year-old YouTuber”)

Sources referenced

• Microsoft (Windows 10 end-of-life context)
• Reddit thread (Plex-on-Docker folder permission solution)
• Thomas Wild (YouTube video used for Immich/“image” installation)
• Plex / Ubuntu docs (setup references and media folder expectations)