No, We Have Netflix at Home

Dec 18, 2024 4 min

The Beginning of an Obsession

It all started with a simple thought: “Why am I paying for so many streaming services?” Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Apple TV+, and the list goes on. Each one offering just enough exclusive content to justify its monthly fee, but collectively draining my wallet.

That’s when I decided to take matters into my own hands and build my own media server. Little did I know this would be the gateway to a much deeper homelab obsession.

The First Steps

I started with a simple Plex server running on an old laptop. It wasn’t much, but it was mine. I could store my legally obtained media and stream it to any device in my home. The convenience was immediately apparent, and the satisfaction of building something myself was addictive.

But as with any tech hobby, it didn’t stop there. Soon I was researching NAS solutions, RAID configurations, and the best hard drives for 24/7 operation. My simple media server was evolving into something much more complex.

Expanding Horizons

As my collection grew, so did my ambitions. I found myself exploring other self-hosted applications:

  • Sonarr and Radarr for managing TV shows and movies
  • Jackett for indexing
  • Ombi for allowing family members to request content
  • Tautulli for monitoring Plex usage

Each new addition made my system more powerful and more tailored to my specific needs. I was no longer just replicating Netflix; I was building something better.

The Current Setup

Today, my homelab has expanded well beyond just media. It now includes:

  • A proper NAS with redundant storage
  • Docker containers for various services
  • Home automation integration
  • VPN for remote access
  • Automated backups

The journey from “I don’t want to pay for Netflix” to “I need more hard drives for my server rack” happened almost without me noticing. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Lessons Learned

If you’re considering starting your own homelab journey, here’s what I’ve learned:

  1. Start small - You don’t need enterprise hardware to begin
  2. Document everything - You’ll thank yourself later
  3. Backup, backup, backup - Data loss is painful
  4. Join the community - r/homelab and other forums are invaluable resources
  5. Enjoy the process - The learning is half the fun

So while my family jokes about having “Netflix at home,” I smile knowing that what we have is so much more than just another streaming service. It’s a hobby, a learning experience, and a constantly evolving project that brings me joy.

And yes, it’s probably cost me more than just paying for those streaming services would have. But where’s the fun in that?

code html homelab

~Justin Deal