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.
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/ [https://makemkv.com/] - To support MakeMKV and get all the
advanced features: https://www.makemkv.com/buy/ [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
[https://forum.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=79712#p79712] - Handbrake:
https://handbrake.fr/ [https://handbrake.fr/] - Asunder:
http://littlesvr.ca/asunder/ [http://littlesvr.ca/asunder/] - Jellyfin:
https://jellyfin.org/ [https://jellyfin.org/] - Kodi: https://kodi.tv/
[https://kodi.tv/] - Finamp (via GitHub): https://github.com/jmshrv/finamp
[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
[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
[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/
[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
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raAOW1pP66E] - Video about smart TVs by
@LonSeidman : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TPV9yQvcIQ
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TPV9yQvcIQ] - My PeerTube (watch this video
without ads or tracking): https://tinkerbetter.tube/c/veronicaexplains/videos
[https://tinkerbetter.tube/c/veronicaexplains/videos] - My blog post about how I
use Handbrake: https://vkc.sh/handbrake-2025/ [https://vkc.sh/handbrake-2025/]
Lastly, links to support my very unsponsored videos: - Patreon:
https://patreon.com/VeronicaExplains [https://patreon.com/VeronicaExplains] -
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/VeronicaExplains [https://ko-fi.com/VeronicaExplains] -
Bandcamp: https://thestopbits.bandcamp.com/ [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.
