Movie & TV server

Getting set up on EMBY

Look for this iconThis is what the Emby app looks like in your TV's app store, on your phone's home screen, or in your app list.

This page walks you through connecting your TV, phone, tablet or computer to my Emby server. It takes about five minutes per device.

Before you start

Your own usernameEveryone has their own. Use yours so your "continue watching" list stays yours.

Your passwordSent to you separately. Don't share it.

The server addressBelow. It's different for a web browser and for the Emby app.

Skip "Emby Connect". Many apps ask you to sign in with an Emby Connect account first. I don't use it. Choose Skip, Manual Connect or Add Server instead, whichever your app shows.

Server address

Which address you use depends on how you're watching: in a web browser (Safari, Chrome, Edge, Firefox) or in the Emby app.

Web browserSafari, Chrome, Edge, Firefox Type this into the bar at the top of Safari, Chrome, Edge or Firefox, on a computer, phone or tablet. This also sometimes works from a TV's web browser app if you can't or don't want to install anything on your TV.

Web address

https://emby.dc509west.org

For the Emby app on a TV, phone or tablet, use one of these. Some apps have one box for the address. Others have separate Host and Port boxes. Try option 1. If the app can't connect, try option 2.

App option 1Try first Note it starts with http, not https.

One address box

http://emby.dc509west.org:8096

Host box

http://emby.dc509west.org

Port box

8096

App option 2 Same as app option 1 on a different port. Some apps prefer this one.

One address box

http://emby.dc509west.org:8097

Host box

http://emby.dc509west.org

Port box

8097

If the Host box won't accept http:// or https://, type just emby.dc509west.org and use port 8096 or 8097. When it connects, the server name will show as UltraEMBY.

Pick your device

The steps are the same on every TV. Only where you find the app differs.

Install the free Emby app from your TV's app store (see below for where to look).
Open it. If it asks you to sign in with Emby Connect, choose Skip.
Choose Manual Connect or Add Server.
Enter the address from app option 1 (port 8096). Use the arrow keys on your remote to move between the Host and Port boxes. Select Connect.
If it says it can't connect, go back and try app option 2 (port 8097).
When you see UltraEMBY, choose Manual Login and type your own username and password.
Turn on Remember me if you see it, so you won't have to sign in again.

Samsung or LG smart TV

Press the Home button, open Apps (Samsung) or LG Content Store (LG), and search for "Emby".

Roku

Press Home, go to Streaming Channels → Search Channels, search for "Emby" and select Add channel. Roku's Emby app has separate Host and Port boxes.

Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick

From the home screen, choose Find → Search, type "Emby", and select Get or Download.

Android TV, Google TV, Chromecast with Google TV, NVIDIA Shield

Open the Google Play Store on the TV (or say "Emby" into the remote's voice search) and install Emby for Android TV.

Apple TV

Open the App Store on the Apple TV, search for "Emby" and select Get.

Xbox or PlayStation

Search the console's store for "Emby" and install it. Then follow the steps above.

Install Emby from the App Store (iPhone, iPad) or Google Play (Android). The icon is green with a white play button.
Open it. If it asks for an Emby Connect sign-in, tap Skip.
Tap Add Server or Manual Connect.
In the Host box, type http://emby.dc509west.org. In the Port box, enter 8096. Tap Connect.
If it can't connect, change the port to 8097 and try again.
When UltraEMBY appears, tap Manual Login and enter your own username and password.

Prefer not to install an app? Open Safari (iPhone, iPad) or Chrome (Android), type https://emby.dc509west.org in the bar at the top, and sign in there.

Ask for a movie or show

Want something that isn't on the server yet? Go to the requests site and sign in with the same username and password you use for Emby. Search for the title and select Request.

Requests site (open in Safari, Chrome, Edge or Firefox)

https://requests.dc509west.org

If something goes wrong

"Unable to connect" or "Server not found"

Check the address for typos, especially dc509west. In the Emby app, make sure the port is 8096, then try 8097. In a web browser, use https://emby.dc509west.org with no port.

Make sure the TV or phone is connected to the internet. Opening another app like YouTube is a quick test.

It wants an Emby Connect email or account

Look for Skip, Manual Connect or Add Server. On some TVs it's at the bottom of the screen and you need to scroll down to it with the remote.

"Invalid username or password"

Passwords are case-sensitive, so check Caps Lock. Usernames are not. If it still fails, ask for your password to be reset.

I see the server but not my name

That's normal. Choose Manual Login and type your username.

Videos stop after a short preview on my phone or tablet

Some Emby phone apps limit playback unless the app is unlocked. Let the person who sent you this page know which device you're on. Using the web browser (Computer tab) works in the meantime.

Video keeps buffering or looks blurry

Open the video's settings (the gear icon while playing) and choose a lower Quality. Lower quality uses less internet.