MagicMirror² Module: MMM-Emby

A module for MagicMirror² to display the status of your Emby servers. Now with more features than you can shake a stick at, and fewer bugs than a roach motel.

Features

• Monitors multiple Emby servers. It's a digital harem, and you're the sultan.
• Real-time stream tracking. Shows who's watching what, where, and how hard your server is working for it.
• Smart session detection. Only counts streams that are actually playing something, not every device that's breathing on your network.
• Futuristic stream indicators. Sci-fi dashboard vibes that would make Blade Runner jealous.
• Detailed "Now Playing" Info. Shows what's being watched, by whom, on what device, with poster art, progress bar, stream type (Transcode, Direct Play), and even the damn end time.
• Per-Server Configuration. Each server can have its own layout, display order, and settings. Because one size never truly fits all.
• Visual Flair. Subtle animations and a clean design that doesn't look like it was made in 1995.
• Smarter TV Art. An option to show the main series poster for episodes, which usually looks better than a random thumbnail.
• Honest Error Handling. If a server goes offline, the module will tell you. No sugarcoating, no false hope.
• Highly configurable. Because commitment is for suckers and your mirror should be as fickle as you are.

Installation

1. Navigate into your MagicMirror's modules folder and execute git clone https://github.com/LindsayCole/MMM-Emby.git.
2. Navigate to the new MMM-Emby folder and run npm install. If you can't handle that, maybe this isn't for you.

Using the module

To use this module, add the following configuration block to the modules array in your config/config.js file. This example shows how you can give each server its own personality.

{
    module: "MMM-Emby",
    position: "top_left", // or wherever you want to stick it
    config: {
        servers: [
            {
                // This one is the full-blown experience.
                name: "The Mothership",
                host: "http://192.168.1.100",
                port: 8096,
                apiKey: "YOUR_SECRET_HANDSHAKE",
                layout: "detailed", 
                displayOrder: ["stats", "nowPlaying", "recentlyAdded"],
                showServerStats: true,
                showNowPlaying: true,
                showRecentlyAdded: true,
                recentlyAddedCount: 5,
                useSeriesPoster: true
            },
            {
                // This one is just the facts, ma'am.
                name: "The Backup Plan",
                host: "http://192.168.1.101",
                port: 8096,
                apiKey: "ANOTHER_KEY_FOR_ANOTHER_DOOR",
                layout: "compact",
                showNowPlaying: false, // We don't care what's playing here.
                showServerStats: true
            }
        ],
        updateInterval: 60000, // How often to bug the servers
        fontAwesomeVersion: 5,
        layoutDirection: "vertical" // or "horizontal" if you're feeling adventurous
    }
},

Configuration Options

Global Options

Option	Description	Default
servers	An array of your Emby server objects. This is the main event.	[]
updateInterval	How often to poke the servers for new info (in milliseconds).	60000
fontAwesomeVersion	Set to 4 or 5 depending on your core MagicMirror setup. Mismatching is a bad look.	5
layoutDirection	'vertical' for stacked servers, 'horizontal' for side-by-side. Choose your fighter.	'vertical'

Per-Server Options

These can be set for each server in the servers array. If you don't set them, they'll use a reasonable default.

Option	Description	Default
name	What to call this server. Be creative, or don't.	Required
host	Server URL (e.g., http://192.168.1.100). Don't forget the http part.	Required
port	Server port. Usually 8096, but you do you.	Required
apiKey	Your Emby API key. Guard it with your life.	Required
layout	'detailed' for the full experience, 'compact' for a quick glance.	'detailed'
displayOrder	An array to set the order of sections. Options: 'stats', 'nowPlaying', 'recentlyAdded'.	['stats', 'nowPlaying', 'recentlyAdded']
showServerStats	true to show active streams and transcode counts.	true
showNowPlaying	true to show the glorious "Now Playing" section.	true
showRecentlyAdded	true to show the list of new arrivals.	false
recentlyAddedCount	How many new items to show. Don't get greedy.	5
useSeriesPoster	For TV episodes, true shows the main series art. false shows the episode thumbnail.	true

Layout Options

Vertical Layout (Default)

Servers are stacked vertically, one after another. Classic, reliable, like a good bourbon.

Horizontal Layout

Servers are displayed side-by-side. Perfect for wide screens or when you want to show off multiple servers at once. Set layoutDirection: 'horizontal' in your config.

Compact View Features

The compact layout now features a futuristic active streams indicator with:

• Stream Counter: Shows total active streams in a sci-fi style display
• Transcoding Badge: A subtle blue indicator when transcoding is happening (no more eye-searing yellow)
• Online Status: Clean display when no streams are active but server is online
• Offline Indicator: Clear warning when shit hits the fan
• Centered Layout: Everything lines up nicely because we're not animals

Getting Your API Key

1. Log into your Emby server's web interface
2. Go to Settings → Advanced → API Keys
3. Create a new API key
4. Copy it and paste it into your config
5. Don't share it with strangers on the internet

Dependencies

• request - For talking to your Emby servers

Installed automatically when you run npm install. Don't worry your pretty little head about it.

Troubleshooting

Server shows as offline?

• Check your host, port, and API key
• Make sure your Emby server is actually running
• Verify network connectivity

No streams showing?

• The module only shows actively playing content, not paused or idle sessions
• Check that someone is actually watching something

Transcoding indicator not showing?

• Only appears when Emby is actually transcoding content
• Direct play streams won't trigger the indicator

Contributing

Sure, why not. Send a pull request. Just make it good, and don't break anything that already works.

Authors

• Lindsay Cole

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. Go nuts, but don't blame us if your mirror catches fire.