Do you have a DVD or Blu-ray collection that you've digitized over the years? Are your video files scattered in anonymous folders on your computer? HomeGenie Server 2.0 introduces HomeFlix, the intelligent interface that transforms your local file collection into a premium streaming experience worthy of the best on-demand platforms.

Your Personal Cinema

HomeFlix creates a stunning wall of posters from your files.

Open media

Who is it for?

HomeFlix is designed for those who own a personal movie library and want to enjoy it on their TV, tablet, or smartphone with the convenience of Netflix, but without subscriptions, without tracking, and without the cloud. Your data stays home, private and always accessible, even if the internet goes down.

Requirements: Prepare the Popcorn

To make the magic of HomeFlix work, you need to ensure your library is ready. Follow these 3 simple steps:

1. The Files

If you already have your movies stored as digital files (MP4, WebM, MKV), you are ready to go. If you still have physical discs (BluRay, DVD), you will need to convert them to files first.

2. "The Name is Everything"

For HomeFlix to work its magic—automatically downloading high-quality posters, plot synopsis, cast info, and ratings—it needs to understand what file corresponds to what movie.

You must rename your files following this simple Golden Rule:

Movie Title (Year).ext

Examples:

• ✅ Back to the Future (1985).mp4
• ✅ The Matrix (1999).mkv
• ✅ Blade Runner 2049 (2017).webm

Why the year? It is essential to distinguish films with the same title (e.g., the 1933, 1976, and 2005 versions of "King Kong").

3. Sharing (UPnP/DLNA)

HomeGenie Server does not access your hard drive directly. Instead, it acts as a smart client for the standard UPnP/DLNA protocol. This means you need to "share" your movie folder on your local network using a DLNA Server software.

Here are our recommended solutions based on your operating system:

🐧 Linux / Raspberry Pi

• Native Sharing (Ubuntu/GNOME): If you are using a desktop environment like GNOME (standard on Ubuntu), you can simply go to Settings > Sharing > Media Sharing, enable it, and select your folders. This built-in feature uses Rygel under the hood.
• Rygel: (Recommended for CLI/Headless) It is lightweight, widely supported, and is the reference implementation used to develop HomeFlix.
• MiniDLNA (ReadyMedia): A very lightweight, command-line alternative perfect for low-power devices.

🪟 Windows

• Native Streaming: Windows has a built-in DLNA server! Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Media Streaming Options and turn it on. Point it to your "Videos" library.
• Universal Media Server (UMS): If you want more control or need to handle transcoding for older files, UMS is a powerful open-source choice.

🍎 macOS

• Universal Media Server (UMS): The best free and open-source option for Mac.
• Kodi / Plex: If you already use these media centers, you can enable the "UPnP/DLNA Server" option in their settings to share your existing library with HomeFlix.

The HomeFlix Experience

Once your DLNA server is running and your files are named correctly, open the Media Server widget on your HomeGenie dashboard.

1. Select the HomeFlix source.
2. Enjoy the show: HomeGenie will scan the network, match your files with online databases, and automatically download Posters, Fanart Wallpapers, Synopses, and Ratings.

Open media

Premium Features (Included)

• Continue Watching: Start a movie on the TV in the living room, pause it, and resume exactly where you left off on your tablet in bed.
• Smart Trailers: Hover over a movie poster (or select it with a remote) to see a random 42-second preview of the actual video file. No internet buffering, just instant preview.
• 10-Foot UI: The interface is optimized for big screens. You can navigate the entire library comfortably using a standard Smart TV remote, a keyboard, or a Gamepad.

It's a "Smart" Cinema

Since HomeFlix is part of HomeGenie, it connects your entertainment to your automation. Using the Automation Programs, you can create intelligent scenes triggered by media events:

• "Cinema Mode": Automatically dim the lights to 10% and lower the blinds when a movie starts playing.
• "Snack Break": Raise the lights slightly when you hit Pause.
• "The End": Turn the lights back on when the movie finishes.

// Example: Cinema Mode Automation (C#)
When.ModuleParameterChanged((module, parameter) => {
    // Check if the event comes from the Media Server module
    if (module.Is("MediaCenter") && parameter.Is("Status.Playback")) {
        if (parameter.Value == "Playing") {
            // Movie started: Lights down to 10%!
            Modules.InGroup("Living Room Lights").Level = 10;
        }
        else if (parameter.Value == "Paused" || parameter.Value == "Stopped") {
            // Movie paused/stopped: Lights up to 50%!
            Modules.InGroup("Living Room Lights").Level = 50;
        }
    }
    return true; 
});