Plex or Jellyfin - what should I choose?

Plex is easier to set up and has better apps, but requires payment for the best features. Jellyfin is 100% free and open source, but requires more technical effort. Start with Jellyfin if you're budget-conscious.

Which streaming device is best for Home Assistant?

Chromecast with Google TV and NVIDIA Shield have the best integration. Apple TV also works well. Fire TV requires ADB debug mode for full control.

Can I use IKEA SYMFONISK with Sonos?

Yes! SYMFONISK speakers are fully compatible with the Sonos system and app. They can be grouped with other Sonos speakers and work identically.

What's better for Plex server - Shield or NAS?

Shield is cheaper and easier to set up, but limited storage. NAS (Synology/QNAP) provides more space and flexibility, but costs more. Shield is fine for libraries under 10TB.

Can I control my TV with Home Assistant?

Yes! Most modern TVs (LG, Samsung, Sony) have native HA integrations. Older TVs can be controlled via the streaming device (Apple TV, Chromecast, Shield).

How do I get audio to follow me around the house?

With Sonos or similar multi-room system you can group speakers. Combine with presence sensors in Home Assistant to automatically move music to the room you're in.

Media & Entertainment

Media Streaming Multiroom

Smart entertainment is about unifying all your media - streaming, local content, and music - into one system that integrates with your smart home. This guide covers streaming devices, media servers, and multi-room audio.

📺 Streaming Devices

2025 Comparison

Device	4K/HDR	Price ~	HA Integration	Best for
Apple TV 4K	✅ DV/HDR10+	$180	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Apple ecosystem
NVIDIA Shield Pro	✅ DV/HDR10+	$200	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Power users, Plex
Fire TV Stick 4K Max	✅ DV/HDR10+	$70	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Budget 4K
Chromecast Google TV	✅ DV/HDR10+	$50	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Google ecosystem
Roku Streaming Stick	✅ DV/HDR10+	$55	⭐⭐⭐	Simple interface

Why Apple TV 4K?

Price: ~$180

Apple TV 4K is the most polished streaming experience:

✅ Best UI and performance
✅ No ads in interface
✅ AirPlay for iPhone/Mac casting
✅ HomeKit hub function
✅ Apple Arcade gaming
✅ Siri voice control
✅ tvOS apps (Netflix, Disney+, etc.)

Disadvantages:

❌ Expensive
❌ Requires Apple ecosystem for best experience
❌ No Plex server function

HA Integration

Apple TV integrates via Apple TV integration:

# Auto-discovery - or manual addition
# Settings → Devices → Add Integration → Apple TV

# Entities:
# - media_player.apple_tv_living_room
# - remote.apple_tv_living_room

# Example automation
automation:
  - alias: "Dim lights during movie"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: media_player.apple_tv_living_room
        to: "playing"
    condition:
      - condition: template
        value_template: "{{ state_attr('media_player.apple_tv_living_room', 'media_content_type') == 'movie' }}"
    action:
      - service: light.turn_on
        entity_id: light.living_room
        data:
          brightness_pct: 10

Buy: Apple.com, Amazon, Best Buy

🥈 NVIDIA Shield TV Pro

Why Shield TV Pro?

Price: ~$200

Shield TV Pro is the power user’s favorite:

✅ Built-in Plex Media Server
✅ AI upscaling (HD → 4K)
✅ Dolby Vision + Atmos
✅ GeForce NOW cloud gaming
✅ Kodi support
✅ 2x USB 3.0 ports
✅ 16GB storage + 3GB RAM
✅ Android TV with all apps

Disadvantages:

❌ Expensive
❌ Old hardware (2019)
❌ Unknown when next generation comes

HA Integration

Shield integrates via Android TV integration:

# Auto-discovery via Android TV
# Settings → Devices → Add Integration → Android TV

# Entities:
# - media_player.shield_tv
# - remote.shield_tv

# Start Plex movie
automation:
  - alias: "Movie night"
    trigger:
      - platform: event
        event_type: call_service
        event_data:
          domain: script
          service: movie_night
    action:
      - service: media_player.select_source
        target:
          entity_id: media_player.shield_tv
        data:
          source: "Plex"

Buy: Amazon, Nvidia.com

💰 Budget: Fire TV Stick 4K Max

Price: ~$70

The best value in 4K streaming:

Pros	Cons
✅ 4K HDR, Dolby Vision	❌ Ads in interface
✅ Wi-Fi 6E support	❌ Amazon-centric UI
✅ Alexa built-in	❌ No USB ports
✅ Sideloading possible	❌ Limited storage
✅ Kodi support
✅ Good Home Assistant integration

Home Assistant

# Fire TV integrates via Android TV Debug Bridge
# Requires ADB debugging enabled on Fire TV

# Settings → Devices → Add Integration → Android TV

# Entities:
# - media_player.fire_tv_living_room
# - remote.fire_tv_living_room

Buy: Amazon

🎬 Media Servers

Plex vs Jellyfin vs Emby

Feature	Plex	Jellyfin	Emby
Price	Freemium	100% Free	Freemium
Open Source	❌	✅	❌
Interface	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Metadata	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hardware Transcoding	Plex Pass	Free	Premiere
Live TV/DVR	Plex Pass	Free	Premiere
Client Apps	All platforms	Most	All platforms
Remote Streaming	✅ Easy	⚠️ Requires setup	✅ Easy

🆓 Jellyfin - Free & Open Source

Why Jellyfin?

Price: 100% Free

Jellyfin is the best free alternative to Plex:

✅ Completely free - no premium tier
✅ Open source
✅ No tracking
✅ Self-hosted (full control)
✅ Hardware transcoding free
✅ Live TV and DVR
✅ Home Assistant integration

Disadvantages:

❌ Fewer polished client apps
❌ Remote access requires more setup
❌ Less automatic metadata

Docker Installation

# docker-compose.yml
version: "3"
services:
  jellyfin:
    image: jellyfin/jellyfin
    container_name: jellyfin
    network_mode: host
    volumes:
      - /path/to/config:/config
      - /path/to/cache:/cache
      - /path/to/media:/media
    restart: unless-stopped
    # Hardware acceleration (Intel)
    devices:
      - /dev/dri:/dev/dri

Home Assistant Add-on

Jellyfin is also available as a HACS Add-on for easy installation.

HA Integration

# Settings → Devices → Add Integration → Jellyfin

# Requires:
# - Jellyfin server URL
# - API key (Dashboard → API Keys)

# Entities:
# - media_player.jellyfin_living_room_tv
# - sensor.jellyfin_watching

# Automation example
automation:
  - alias: "Pause Jellyfin on doorbell"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: binary_sensor.doorbell
        to: "on"
    condition:
      - condition: state
        entity_id: media_player.jellyfin_living_room_tv
        state: "playing"
    action:
      - service: media_player.media_pause
        entity_id: media_player.jellyfin_living_room_tv

📀 Plex - Most Popular

Overview
Home Assistant

Why Plex?

Price: Free / Plex Pass $120/year

Plex is the most popular media server:

✅ Best metadata and interface
✅ Client apps for all platforms
✅ Easy remote streaming
✅ Plex Discover (streaming guide)
✅ Large community

Plex Pass features:

Hardware transcoding
Live TV & DVR
Offline sync
Intro skip

Disadvantages:

❌ Best features require payment
❌ Cloud-dependent auth
❌ View tracking

HA Integration

# Plex auto-discovered
# Settings → Devices → Add Integration → Plex

# Entities per client:
# - media_player.plex_living_room_tv
# - media_player.plex_bedroom

# Sensor for what's playing
# - sensor.plex_watching

# Automation: Movie lights
automation:
  - alias: "Theater mode"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: media_player.plex_living_room
        to: "playing"
        attribute: media_content_type
    condition:
      - condition: template
        value_template: "{{ trigger.to_state.attributes.media_content_type == 'movie' }}"
    action:
      - service: scene.turn_on
        entity_id: scene.theater_mode

🔊 Multi-room Audio

Systems Comparison

System	Protocol	HA Integration	Price/speaker
Sonos	WiFi/AirPlay	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	$200+
IKEA SYMFONISK	Sonos/AirPlay	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	$130
HomePod mini	AirPlay	⭐⭐⭐⭐	$99
Google Nest	Chromecast	⭐⭐⭐⭐	$80+
Amazon Echo	Alexa	⭐⭐⭐⭐	$55+
Chromecast Audio	Chromecast	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Discontinued

🔈 Sonos - Premium Multi-room

Why Sonos?

Sonos is the standard for multi-room audio:

✅ Excellent sound quality
✅ Robust multi-room sync
✅ All streaming services
✅ AirPlay 2 support
✅ Easy setup
✅ Unmatched Home Assistant integration

Popular models:

Model	Type	Price ~
Era 100	Compact	$280
Era 300	Spatial Audio	$490
Beam Gen 2	Soundbar	$490
Arc	Premium Soundbar	$1,050
Sub Mini	Subwoofer	$490

Budget Sonos: IKEA SYMFONISK

IKEA SYMFONISK is Sonos at half price:

Model	Price	Best for
Bookshelf	$130	Shelf, desk
Picture Frame	$180	Wall decoration
Floor Lamp	$250	Living room corner
Table Lamp	$210	Nightstand

Fully compatible with Sonos app and all Sonos features!

HA Integration

# Sonos auto-discovered
# Settings → Devices → Add Integration → Sonos

# Entities per speaker:
# - media_player.sonos_living_room
# - media_player.sonos_kitchen
# - media_player.sonos_bedroom

# Group speakers
automation:
  - alias: "Morning music whole house"
    trigger:
      - platform: time
        at: "07:00:00"
    condition:
      - condition: state
        entity_id: binary_sensor.workday
        state: "on"
    action:
      - service: sonos.join
        data:
          master: media_player.sonos_kitchen
          entity_id:
            - media_player.sonos_living_room
            - media_player.sonos_bathroom
      - service: media_player.play_media
        target:
          entity_id: media_player.sonos_kitchen
        data:
          media_content_type: "music"
          media_content_id: "spotify:playlist:37i9dQZF1DXcBWIGoYBM5M"

🏠 Media Automations

Basic: Lights on playback

automation:
  - alias: "Dim lights on TV playback"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: media_player.living_room_tv
        to: "playing"
    action:
      - service: light.turn_on
        entity_id: light.living_room
        data:
          brightness_pct: 20
          transition: 5

  - alias: "Restore lights on pause/stop"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: media_player.living_room_tv
        from: "playing"
    action:
      - service: light.turn_on
        entity_id: light.living_room
        data:
          brightness_pct: 80
          transition: 3

Advanced: Theater Scene

# scenes.yaml
scene:
  - name: Theater Mode
    entities:
      light.living_room:
        state: on
        brightness_pct: 5
        color_temp: 500
      light.tv_backlight:
        state: on
        brightness_pct: 30
        rgb_color: [50, 50, 100]
      cover.living_room_blinds:
        state: closed

automation:
  - alias: "Activate theater on movie start"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: media_player.plex_living_room
        to: "playing"
    condition:
      - condition: template
        value_template: >
          {{ state_attr('media_player.plex_living_room', 'media_content_type') == 'movie' }}
      - condition: sun
        after: sunset
    action:
      - service: scene.turn_on
        entity_id: scene.theater_mode

TTS Announcements

automation:
  - alias: "Announcement on doorbell"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: binary_sensor.doorbell
        to: "on"
    action:
      # Pause music
      - service: media_player.media_pause
        entity_id: media_player.sonos_living_room
      # Announcement
      - service: tts.google_translate_say
        entity_id: media_player.sonos_living_room
        data:
          message: "Someone is at the door"
      # Wait and resume
      - delay: "00:00:05"
      - service: media_player.media_play
        entity_id: media_player.sonos_living_room

🛒 Buying Strategy

Starter (~$280)

1x Fire TV Stick 4K Max ($70)
1x IKEA SYMFONISK Bookshelf ($130)
Jellyfin on existing PC (free)
Total: ~$200

Mid-range (~$700)

1x Apple TV 4K ($180)
2x IKEA SYMFONISK ($260)
1x Sonos Beam Gen 2 ($490)
Plex Pass ($120/year)
Total: ~$1,050

Premium (~$2,100)

1x NVIDIA Shield TV Pro ($200)
1x Sonos Arc ($1,050)
1x Sonos Sub Mini ($490)
2x Sonos Era 100 ($560)
NAS for Plex/Jellyfin ($400)
Total: ~$2,700

🛒 Where to Buy?

Streaming Devices

Apple.com - Apple TV
Amazon - Fire TV, Shield
Best Buy - Everything

Multi-room Audio

Sonos.com - Sonos products
IKEA - SYMFONISK
Crutchfield - Premium audio

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Ofte stillede spørgsmål

Plex or Jellyfin - what should I choose?: Plex is easier to set up and has better apps, but requires payment for the best features. Jellyfin is 100% free and open source, but requires more technical effort. Start with Jellyfin if you're budget-conscious.
Which streaming device is best for Home Assistant?: Chromecast with Google TV and NVIDIA Shield have the best integration. Apple TV also works well. Fire TV requires ADB debug mode for full control.
Can I use IKEA SYMFONISK with Sonos?: Yes! SYMFONISK speakers are fully compatible with the Sonos system and app. They can be grouped with other Sonos speakers and work identically.
What's better for Plex server - Shield or NAS?: Shield is cheaper and easier to set up, but limited storage. NAS (Synology/QNAP) provides more space and flexibility, but costs more. Shield is fine for libraries under 10TB.
Can I control my TV with Home Assistant?: Yes! Most modern TVs (LG, Samsung, Sony) have native HA integrations. Older TVs can be controlled via the streaming device (Apple TV, Chromecast, Shield).
How do I get audio to follow me around the house?: With Sonos or similar multi-room system you can group speakers. Combine with presence sensors in Home Assistant to automatically move music to the room you're in.

📚 Next Steps

Presence Sensors

Automate media based on location.

See guide →

Smart Lighting

Sync lights with media.

See guide →

Last updated: December 2025

Media & Entertainment

📺 Streaming Devices

2025 Comparison

🥇 Apple TV 4K

Why Apple TV 4K?

HA Integration

🥈 NVIDIA Shield TV Pro

Why Shield TV Pro?

Shield as Plex Server

HA Integration

💰 Budget: Fire TV Stick 4K Max

Home Assistant

🎬 Media Servers

Plex vs Jellyfin vs Emby

🆓 Jellyfin - Free & Open Source

Why Jellyfin?

Docker Installation

Home Assistant Add-on

HA Integration

📀 Plex - Most Popular

Why Plex?

HA Integration

🔊 Multi-room Audio

Systems Comparison

🔈 Sonos - Premium Multi-room

Why Sonos?

Budget Sonos: IKEA SYMFONISK

HA Integration

🏠 Media Automations

Basic: Lights on playback

Advanced: Theater Scene

TTS Announcements

🛒 Buying Strategy

Starter (~$280)

Mid-range (~$700)

Premium (~$2,100)

🛒 Where to Buy?

Streaming Devices

Multi-room Audio

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Ofte stillede spørgsmål

📚 Next Steps

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