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Accessing Jellyfin server from Roku on a different network - Printable Version

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Accessing Jellyfin server from Roku on a different network - Leo Strangman - 2023-10-06

I'm trying to find a good way of getting my jellyfin server to work with a Roku TV in the living room of a dorm.

At this university, there is a WiFi network that is used for computers/phones or similar devices that is faster, and there is also a guest network that is also used for devices such as the Roku. As a result, I can't directly connect to the server through the Roku jellyfin channel.

I have tailscale setup on all of my devices so I can access the server from different locations, but I can't do that on the Roku TV. To get around this, I have been plugging in my laptop to the TV through HDMI and using remote desktop on my phone to control the mouse/keyboard to get around the lack of remote, since I don't have a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse. However, I would rather just be able to directly stream from the Roku TV and use the normal TV remote.

Does anyone know if there is a good way of doing this? I would rather not spend money on a raspberry pi or something similar to connect the TV through to make it work, although I do think that it would be possible that way.

Also, if anyone has any better suggestions for controlling the computer from my phone other than moonlight/sunshine or chrome remote desktop, that would be appreciated as well.


RE: Accessing Jellyfin server from Roku on a different network - TheDreadPirate - 2023-10-06

I was typing out a complicated response, but I kept running into roadblocks that would prevent whatever I was about to suggest from working.

IMO, your best option might be to setup your own router and WiFi in your dorm.

Check your university's policy on this kind of setup first. You don't want to get in trouble with them.


RE: Accessing Jellyfin server from Roku on a different network - bitmap - 2023-10-06

Even just an unmanaged switch might allow you to connect one to the other with an Ethernet cable. In my experience, having worked with (and being friends with) two higher ed wireless guys, they might not care if you set up your own AP but will likely make you shut it down or at least will investigate why it exists. The tools they have will lead them directly to you. So you'd better have a good explanation as to why you need your own private network.


RE: Accessing Jellyfin server from Roku on a different network - Leo Strangman - 2023-10-07

(2023-10-06, 06:44 PM)TheDreadPirate Wrote: IMO, your best option might be to setup your own router and WiFi in your dorm.

Unfortunately I have already looked into that, which I forgot to mention in the post, as I had originally planned to try that due to the number of servers I have running on my main PC. Using routers or private wireless access points on their network is not allowed, so I cannot do that.

I may try to set up something with subnet routing or possibly just get a firestick or something like that, as supposedly they can run tailscale which would solve my problem just by avoiding the roku part entirely.