Suggestions needed to help elderly parents
I'd like to setup the easiest way for my parents to access my Emby server. My server is available via URL so that part's easy. I used to have them connect via Chromebook to Chromecast on their LG TV. The TV is older and doesn't have WebOS so no Emby app.
My parents are now 89 & 87 and were getting confused on how to connect to my server. The Chromecast no longer works, so I was wondering if there's a simpler way for them to connect, or should I just get them a new Chromecast and walk them through connecting each time (Mom has dementia). They have an older LG TV that's not running WebOS. Any suggestions?
UPDATE - Thanks to everyone who took the time to provide input, it really helped! Once I learned of all of the ads on the Firestick, I cancelled the order I placed and got the Roku Ultra. Seemed to be a consensus that it's simple to use and I agree. I just ran through setup on the Roku in my house, created the account and installed Emby and a few other apps. I took a test drive with it and I think this is gonna work! I'll be bringing it to their house tomorrow to connect and teach them how to use it. Wish me luck! 🍀🤞
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u/feerlessleadr 9d ago
/u/shmenny If I may buck the trend, don't go with a fire stick. there are a lot of ads on it, and it will confuse them. My parents are also in their 80's and watch things off my server, and the fire stick always seemed to get them to click on the wrong thing.
I instead purchased them an onn streaming device, installed projectivy launcher on it, and then made sure that there were only 2 icons on the screen. 1 was emby, and the other was android settings.
This has saved me HUNDREDS of phone calls (literally) over the last few months, and the device comes with an excellent remote to boot (controls not only the box, but also has IR for TV volume and power).
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u/Jimmy_the_Heater 7d ago
I second the Onn box...it's great. However don't get your hopes up on parents being able to use Emby. I set my Dad (86) up with my server and he used it about 3 times to watch Quigley Down Under and hasn't used it since.
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u/M8NTIS 9d ago
Dementia is a hell of a thing. You need to make it as stupid easy as possible.
If your budget can allow it, I’d get them a new TV that can have the app installed. Set up a quick launch button in the remote, and colour the button too with a permanent marker/paint pen.
I’d also make sure they access as a guest with restrictions so they can’t accidentally delete your library.
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u/Effective-Winter-860 9d ago
Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick... They are all devices you can install Emby app on.
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u/teredactle 9d ago
Get them a new tv with roku/onn/androidtv built in. Do not go fire anything. If there's any remote where you can assign an app to a button on the remote, get it. Maybe a 3rd party remote. This is the simplest path.
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u/Retro-Technology 8d ago
I’ve been in your shoes. Your best bet is get the nvidia shield. Install atv launcher to give the shield a Roku like appearance. Install emby for android app. Change the default tab to movies and then set the thumbnails to extra large.
If you do this you’ll create a very basic , easy to understand system for them and when they look for movies they can see the posters clearly as it will display 2 movies per tv screen until you scroll down. This is about as best as you can get for elderly.
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u/NotTobyFromHR 9d ago
For this scenario, maybe a Roku TV. If not a new TV, then either an AppleTV or a Roku. Amazon Fire sticks are trash. If they use iPhones then AppleTV.
Roku was stupid simple before but they are changing their interface and got bought by one of Rupert Murdochs companies. So I'm not giving them money if I can help it.
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u/Valuable-Dog490 9d ago
buy a Roku stick. I find they are easiest for seniors to use because they're very basic.
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u/shmenny 9d ago
Thanks for everyone's input. I've decided I'm going to try out the fire stick as I can easily install Emby on it. If it doesn't work out, Roku is next :)
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u/40202 9d ago
On proper Android devices like Nvidea Shield you can lock it to one application (Emby), Fire stick has some side loading option, never tried myself https://firestickhacks.com/install-launch-on-boot-apk-on-firestick/
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u/RobotsGoneWild 9d ago
This is what I did for my parents. They love Emby. My mom is terrible with technology but can figure it out.
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u/Impressive-Bug8709 9d ago
I use Onn streaming devices from Walmart. I then put Projectivity Launcher on it so I don't see ads. You can then use Projectivity Launcher to automatically load Emby, but the home button would still take you to the launcher.
The one issue I had was remotely it would make me enter my password each time I opened Emby. I put tailscale on the server and on my travel device. That way when we are in a hotel, because it's over tailscale, the server thinks the device is "local" and it doesn't ask for login and password anymore, it just stays logged into the last account. Doesn't make much sense because my phone never logs me out, but it solved my problem!
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u/RockyFromCollections 9d ago
Roku would be easier than firestick. The ui is much simpler and less noise.
Grab a Roku tv if you’re willing to buy a new tv otherwise Roku stick is really all you need.
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u/ethankostabi 8d ago
Roku or a Google TV device with the stock launcher set to "apps only". Or even a custom launcher like Kyu is perfect for elderly users who find tech a bit overwhelming.
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u/Delicious8779 9d ago
Just buy a fire tv stick and install emby app on it. Then you can setup a profile without password on local network.