Lumina media server FAQ
What Lumina does, how it compares with Plex and Jellyfin, Docker requirements, licensing, online sources and optional local AI.
What is Lumina?
Lumina is an open-source, self-hosted household media server for movies, TV, music, YouTube and Twitch. It combines a local library with online video search, playback and yt-dlp saving. Watch in Lumina’s browser player or compatible Jellyfin API clients, including Infuse. The official source is shiftedx/lumina.
Is Lumina an alternative to Plex or Jellyfin?
Yes, for households that want their local files and online creators together. Lumina is a separate server with its own interface. It does not connect to Plex apps, serve jellyfin-web or run Jellyfin server plugins. See Lumina vs Plex vs Jellyfin for workflow tradeoffs.
Is Lumina free and open source?
Lumina is licensed AGPL-3.0-or-later, with no Lumina subscription required. You provide the server, storage and connectivity. Third-party apps and services have their own terms.
Does Lumina need a Jellyfin server?
No. Lumina manages and serves its own library. The optional Jellyfin-compatible API lets supported clients connect directly to Lumina. A separate Jellyfin server is only needed if you choose to retain one, including while importing existing watch history. Check client compatibility and migration.
Can Lumina save YouTube videos and watch Twitch?
Lumina supports search, playback, YouTube and Twitch live streams with chat, and saving supported media through yt-dlp. Public sources are the default. Optional encrypted personal YouTube sessions support recorded-video playback; discovery and downloads remain anonymous. Provider restrictions apply and DRM is unsupported.
What hardware does Lumina need?
The documented deployment uses Docker Compose with native amd64 or arm64 release images. Storage and transcoding needs depend on your library, codecs, devices and concurrent playback. Intel QSV/VAAPI is available with appropriate host configuration. Follow the installation requirements and hardware guide; there is no universal concurrency guarantee.
Can I watch outside my home network?
Yes, after configuring remote HTTPS. Lumina starts loopback-only; LAN HTTP mode is for the local network. Remote playback depends on upload bandwidth, client capabilities and required conversion.
Does Lumina need cloud AI?
No. Recommendations run locally. AI transcripts and summaries are optional and can run on-device. They are not required for the core server. Online playback and metadata lookups still contact their providers. See optional AI setup.
Does Lumina replace Sonarr or Radarr?
No. Lumina integrates household requests with Sonarr and Radarr, which retain responsibility for their release workflows. yt-dlp saving is a separate feature for supported online sources. See connections and requests.
Where do I install Lumina and find updates?
Use the pinned Docker Compose quick start. Find versions on GitHub Releases and review upgrades and backups before replacing a running server.