> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/awesome-selfhosted/awesome-selfhosted/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Media Streaming - Video

> Self-hosted video streaming servers and platforms

# Media Streaming - Video

[Video](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video) streaming tools and software for hosting and streaming video content.

<Note>
  Related categories: Video Surveillance, [Media Streaming - Multimedia](/categories/media-streaming-multimedia), [Photo Galleries](/categories/photo-galleries), [Media Management](/categories/media-management)
</Note>

## Featured Video Streaming Platforms

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="PeerTube" icon="video" href="https://joinpeertube.org/">
    Decentralized video platform using P2P in the browser
  </Card>

  <Card title="Owncast" icon="broadcast-tower" href="https://owncast.online/">
    Live streaming server similar to Twitch
  </Card>

  <Card title="Invidious" icon="youtube" href="https://github.com/iv-org/invidious">
    Alternative YouTube front-end
  </Card>

  <Card title="MediaCMS" icon="camera" href="https://mediacms.io">
    Modern video and media CMS
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## All Video Streaming Applications

### Live Streaming Platforms

**Owncast** - Decentralized single-user live video streaming and chat server for running your own live streams.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/owncast/owncast)
* License: `MIT`
* Platform: `Go`

**OvenMediaEngine** - Streaming Server with Sub-Second Latency.

* [Demo](https://demo.ovenplayer.com) | [Source Code](https://github.com/OvenMediaLabs/OvenMediaEngine)
* License: `AGPL-3.0`
* Platform: `C++/Docker`

**Restreamer** - Access H.264 real-time video streaming on your website without a streaming provider.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/datarhei/restreamer)
* License: `Apache-2.0`
* Platform: `Nodejs/Docker`

**SRS** - Simple, high efficiency and real-time video server, supports RTMP, WebRTC, HLS, HTTP-FLV and SRT.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/ossrs/srs)
* License: `MIT`
* Platform: `Docker/C++`

### Video Sharing Platforms

**MediaCMS** - Modern, fully featured open source video and media CMS, written in Python/Django/React.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/mediacms-io/mediacms)
* License: `AGPL-3.0`
* Platform: `Python/Docker`

**PeerTube** - Decentralized video streaming platform using P2P (BitTorrent) directly in the web browser.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/Chocobozzz/PeerTube)
* License: `AGPL-3.0`
* Platform: `Nodejs`

**Tube** - Youtube-like video sharing app with automatic transcoding to MP4 H.265 AAC.

* [Demo](https://tube.mills.io) | [Source Code](https://git.mills.io/prologic/tube)
* License: `MIT`
* Platform: `Go`

### Video Watch Together & Sync

**CyTube** - Synchronize media, chat, and more for an arbitrary number of channels.

* [Demo](https://cytu.be) | [Source Code](https://github.com/calzoneman/sync)
* License: `MIT`
* Platform: `Nodejs`

**SyncTube** - Lightweight and very simple to setup CyTube alternative to watch videos with friends and chat.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/RblSb/SyncTube)
* License: `MIT`
* Platform: `Nodejs/Haxe`

### Video Archiving & Download

**Tube Archivist** ⚠ - Organize, search, and enjoy your YouTube collection. Subscribe, download, and track viewed content.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/tubearchivist/tubearchivist)
* License: `GPL-3.0`
* Platform: `Docker`

### Alternative Frontends

**Invidious** ⚠ - Alternative YouTube front-end.

* [Demo](https://docs.invidious.io/instances/) | [Source Code](https://github.com/iv-org/invidious)
* License: `AGPL-3.0`
* Platform: `Docker/Crystal`

### Torrent Streaming

**Rapidbay** - Videostreaming service/torrent client that allows searching and playing videos from torrents in the browser or from a Chromecast/AppleTV/Smart TV.

* [Source Code](https://github.com/hauxir/rapidbay/)
* License: `MIT`
* Platform: `Python/Docker`

### Media Players

**VideoLAN Client (VLC)** - Cross-platform multimedia player client and server supporting most multimedia files as well as DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols.

* [Source Code](https://code.videolan.org/videolan/vlc)
* License: `GPL-2.0`
* Platform: `C/deb`

## Streaming Protocols Supported

### Common Protocols

* **RTMP**: Real-Time Messaging Protocol (traditional streaming)
* **HLS**: HTTP Live Streaming (Apple standard, widely supported)
* **DASH**: Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP
* **WebRTC**: Real-time communication for browsers
* **SRT**: Secure Reliable Transport

### Protocol Recommendations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="For Low Latency Streaming">
    **Best Choice**: WebRTC, SRT

    **Servers**: OvenMediaEngine, SRS, Owncast (WebRTC support)

    Sub-second latency for interactive streaming.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="For Maximum Compatibility">
    **Best Choice**: HLS

    **Servers**: Most modern servers support HLS

    Works on all modern browsers and devices.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="For Traditional Broadcasting">
    **Best Choice**: RTMP

    **Servers**: Restreamer, SRS, Owncast

    Compatible with OBS Studio and other broadcasting software.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Use Case Recommendations

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Personal Live Streaming" icon="user">
    **Owncast**

    Easy setup, Twitch-like interface, built-in chat
  </Card>

  <Card title="Video Hosting Platform" icon="server">
    **PeerTube** or **MediaCMS**

    Full-featured with social features
  </Card>

  <Card title="Watch Parties" icon="users">
    **CyTube** or **SyncTube**

    Synchronized viewing with chat
  </Card>

  <Card title="YouTube Alternative" icon="youtube">
    **Invidious** (frontend)

    **Tube Archivist** (archive)
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Broadcasting with OBS Studio

Most live streaming servers support OBS Studio:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install OBS Studio">
    Download from [obsproject.com](https://obsproject.com/)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Stream Settings">
    In OBS, go to Settings > Stream:

    * Service: Custom
    * Server: `rtmp://your-server:1935/live`
    * Stream Key: (your stream key)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start Streaming">
    Click "Start Streaming" in OBS
  </Step>

  <Step title="View Your Stream">
    Access your stream via the server's web interface
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Performance Considerations

<Warning>
  **Transcoding Requirements**

  Video transcoding is CPU/GPU intensive. Consider:

  * Hardware acceleration (NVIDIA NVENC, Intel Quick Sync, AMD VCE)
  * Multiple quality levels require more resources
  * Live transcoding needs powerful hardware
</Warning>

<Tip>
  For personal live streaming with limited resources, use Owncast. It's optimized for single-user streaming and includes built-in transcoding with hardware acceleration support.
</Tip>

## Storage & Bandwidth

### Video Storage

* **HD (1080p)**: \~3-5 GB per hour
* **4K**: \~15-20 GB per hour
* Plan storage accordingly for archives

### Bandwidth Requirements

* **HD streaming**: 5-8 Mbps upload
* **Multiple viewers**: Consider CDN or P2P (PeerTube)
* **Recording + Streaming**: Double the bandwidth

## Integration with Media Servers

Many video streaming platforms integrate with:

* **Jellyfin**: Via plugins or direct file access
* **Plex**: Limited support, mainly via files
* **Emby**: Similar to Plex

For a complete media solution, combine with multimedia streaming servers from the [Media Streaming - Multimedia](/categories/media-streaming-multimedia) category.