Frequently asked questions

TechStreamTV is a self-hosted personal media server. A Windows 11 x64 computer runs TechStreamTV Media Server, manages your library, and streams your media to the built-in Web UI or a compatible client.

Yes. TechStreamTV Media Server, the bundled Web UI, and the current Windows Player are free for personal, non-commercial use. TechStreamTV is proprietary software, so see the TechStreamTV Software License for usage terms.

Yes. The server stores the active library, serves the Web UI, handles accounts and playback state, and streams the media. Native clients connect to a running server.

Your original media remains in the folders or playlist locations you choose. The server stores library records, settings, users, posters, and playback history locally in its application and library folders.

Core streaming serves files from your own server on your network. TechStreamTV does not upload your media library to a TechStreamTV-operated media cloud. Optional TMDB metadata lookups, GitHub update checks, remote HLS sources, and client downloads can use the internet.

TechStreamTV Media Server officially supports Windows 11 x64. TechStreamTV Web UI supports Chrome 90+, Firefox 90+, Edge 90+, and Safari 15+. TechStreamTV Player for Windows supports Windows 11 x64. See Downloads for Android / Fire OS availability. See Downloads for Roku availability.

Local library browsing and direct LAN playback can work without internet access. Internet access is needed for optional TMDB metadata, update checks, remote IPTV/HLS sources, and downloading software.

Yes. Remote access is supported when you configure your own network to make TechStreamTV Media Server reachable from outside your local network. TechStreamTV Media Server currently uses HTTP and does not provide native HTTPS/TLS, so TechStreamTV does not provide HTTPS/TLS encryption for the connection between a remote client and the Media Server. Authentication is available, but remote connections are not protected by HTTPS/TLS, so use appropriate care when exposing a server to the internet.

The server library recognizes MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, WMV, WebM, M4V, FLV, MPG, MPEG, 3GP, and TS files. TechStreamTV streams original files rather than universally transcoding them, so actual playback depends on the codecs supported by your browser or native player.

The server can listen for discovery requests on UDP port 5051 when broadcast discovery is enabled. Compatible clients can discover it on the same local network. Manual http://server-address:5050 entry is also supported.

Yes. The server includes local user management and per-user playback state. Authentication can be enabled in the server application.

A Theme is an alternate Web UI package for TechStreamTV Media Server. It changes the browser interface without changing the underlying media library. TechStreamTV currently distributes only the default official Web UI; no alternate official themes are currently available.

You can use a custom Web UI with your own installation. It must remain compatible with the Media Server APIs. Custom Web UIs aren't official TechStreamTV releases and aren't guaranteed to work or receive support. Review the TechStreamTV Software License before making changes.

For TechStreamTV Media Server, read the release notes, stop the server, back up the installation and data folder, then replace the application files as directed. TechStreamTV Player for Windows does not currently update automatically or in-app; obtain new Player releases manually through TechStream.tv Downloads. Android and Fire OS compatibility checks can require an update before connecting, but they do not install the update.

TechStreamTV Support at support.techstream.tv is the official destination for technical help, installation questions, compatibility questions, and bug reports involving the Media Server, Web UI, Windows, Android, Fire OS, or Roku when applicable. Troubleshooting also remains available for self-help.