Your Docker Media Stack
A modern media center relies on containerization for easy deployment, maintenance, and updates. While we use Jellyfin, the same principles apply to alternatives like **Plex** and **Emby**. Here are the key services running in the lab, all managed with Docker Compose.
🖼️ PhotoPrism
Self-hosted application for browsing, organizing, and sharing your digital photo collection. It uses powerful AI to tag and index images automatically.
View Setup Details →🎬 Jellyfin / Alternatives
Jellyfin is our choice for the Free Software Media System, allowing you to stream your video library to any device. This stack can easily be adapted for popular alternatives like **Plex** or **Emby**.
View Setup Details →⚙️ Radarr/Sonarr
Automation tools for managing and monitoring movie (Radarr) and TV show (Sonarr) libraries. They ensure content is named correctly and organized seamlessly.
View Setup Details →Tips for Organizing Family Media
Consistency is key. A well-structured file system is essential for any media stack.
1. Standardized Naming Conventions
Use tools like Filebot or the built-in renaming features of *arrs to ensure all files follow the industry-standard format (e.g., `Movie Name (Year)` or `Show Name S01E01`).
2. Separate Data Volumes
Map separate Docker volumes for configuration data (`/config`), media files (`/data/media`), and temporary files (`/downloads`). This makes migrations and backups much simpler.
3. Handle Duplicates Immediately (PhotoPrism)
For photo collections, use PhotoPrism's duplicate detection tools. Consolidating your family photos into one source of truth prevents headaches later on.
4. The "Common Media Root" Strategy
Establish a single top-level directory (e.g., `/mnt/media`) and create subdirectories for all media types (`/Movies`, `/TV Shows`, `/Photos`). Mount this single root into all your Docker containers to prevent complex path mappings.
Robust Backup and Recovery
The most important part of any lab: never lose data! A 3-2-1 strategy is non-negotiable for irreplaceable family media.
- 3 Copies of Data: The original on the server, a local backup copy, and an offsite copy.
- 2 Different Media Types: Store copies on different types of hardware (e.g., internal SSD for the original, external HDD for the local backup).
- 1 Offsite Copy: Use a cloud provider (e.g., Backblaze B2, AWS S3 Glacier) or an offsite physical drive rotation for crucial data (especially family photos).
- Container Config Backup: Regularly back up the `/config` folders for PhotoPrism, Jellyfin, and the *arrs. If the media server fails, restoring the config data allows you to rebuild the entire stack quickly.
Related Resources
A comprehensive walkthrough of setting up the *arr stack and Prowlarr.
Plex Media Server DocumentationOfficial guides for setting up and optimizing the proprietary alternative.
Emby Server DocumentationLearn about setting up the feature-rich Emby server and clients.
Official PhotoPrism DocumentationDeep dive into organization and AI-powered indexing.
Jellyfin Community ForumDiscussions on advanced transcoding and client setup.