this post was submitted on 17 Oct 2025
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Piracy: ꜱᴀɪʟ ᴛʜᴇ ʜɪɢʜ ꜱᴇᴀꜱ

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I've always felt like the whole docker/jellyfin/plex/loads-of-other-apps stuff is way too overboard just to do a bit of pirating, so I usually just hop on one of the movie/show or anime streaming sites with uBlock Origin installed and watch that way.

Currently I'm looking at what I can setup in the living room, and was thinking of just using an old PC with a wireless keyboard. I would like to use a media center type interface, but I've never actually used Kodi before. Would I be able to just use Kodi to stream from those kinds of services?

Searches so far show that everyone apparently uses Kodi with something called Real Debrid, which I have zero interest in.

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[–] basiclemmon98@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Well, I don't know anything about hooking it up to a streaming service, but I would personally really suggest the overboard way you mentioned tbh. Just set up qbittorrent with a few choice plugins (I literally just have 1337x and that has not failed me yet) and use that PC you mentioned (HDD size permitting) to run a small media server of whatever you'd like. Sorry if that is really not what you want, I've just found it to be the best media setup personally.

[–] Hotrod54chevy@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 days ago

As someone who used the streaming plugins of the early '00s I'd say you're better off running your own media server. As others have said they always broke and you'd have no way of knowing if and when they'd be fixed.

[–] gravitywell@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 days ago

It is, i used to do it for my household, but the problem is that those websites that host pirated content tend to do everything they can to prevent direct streaming outside of their own ad filled websites and the adons for kodi that interface with them tend to get abandoned or shut down after a few months, also Without real debrid they are practically useless.

Its actually way easier and less maintenance to just setup the arrs + jellyfin. There is good reason its become so much more common among pirates these days, it might seem overboard but i once you get past the intial setup its super convient.

[–] theangriestbird@beehaw.org 5 points 3 days ago (2 children)

I wonder if even VLC could run those streams for you? 🤔 Not sure, but whats the appeal for you over just opening the browser on your HTPC?

[–] AnimalsDream@slrpnk.net 4 points 2 days ago

Yeah currently I'm just leaning toward using a docked Steam Deck, and using desktop mode with a wireless keyboard that has a built-in touchpad. The browser as is would be fine.

Maybe if I want to put in the extra effort I can see about adding the browser as a "non-Steam game" and set it to open straight to a streaming site, so that I can open it directly from gaming mode.

[–] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

The streams are not the problem. Sometimes with content that was especially hard to find I'd grab the URL to the stream and download it via curl.

The problem is getting there. You have to navigate through treacherous sites with dubious "Stream now" buttons that bring even the best ad blockers to their limits. With myriad "sorry your stream is in another castle" and CAPTCHAS so complicated they could summon Cthulhu.

I think op doesn't want to navigate that shit with a remote keyboard and mouse and would rather have a nice interface that hides all that shit.

[–] AnimalsDream@slrpnk.net 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

I think you're exaggerating about those sites. With an adblocker turned on they're generally totally fine, and often a nicer viewing experience than some of the big streaming services - especially YouTube.

I actually wouldn't mind playing directly from those sites in fact. My biggest priority is having a convenient home screen or desktop on the TV, and providing easy one-click access to those services to make it easy to use if I have guests over or something.

[–] theangriestbird@beehaw.org 4 points 2 days ago

That makes sense. I'm just not sure how to make that a clean experience, beyond acquiring files and setting up my own server.

[–] SirIglooi@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 days ago (3 children)

I dont know about kodi, but I do know something called stremio has a plug in to stream torrents, and it seems like what you're looking for.

[–] bamboo@lemmy.blahaj.zone 11 points 2 days ago

stream torrents

It's called leeching

[–] prettygorgeous@aussie.zone 3 points 2 days ago

+1 for stremio. Will even work on most smart TV's and etc.

As for debrid services, depending on your usecase, you may find them useful. I explain them to my partner in this way.. Sure, we could use the free torrent sites, but if they want access to their shows and movies sooner and in better quality (not cam or TS or other crap quality) and want reliable streams, then the couple of bucks a month is worth it. Of course if that's not an issue for you, then you don't need access to any debrid type service, just add a few free torrent site add-ons to your stremio

[–] AnimalsDream@slrpnk.net 2 points 2 days ago

This looks promising, I'll look into it more. Thank you.

[–] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

There used to be plugins for that. Don't know if they still exist. But they broke at least once every other year with a short period of uncertainty until a replacement was found.

Sometimes you'd need a companion app to solve CAPTCHAs. And when you just about settled in comfortably everything broke again.

[–] prettygorgeous@aussie.zone 2 points 2 days ago

This was why I moved away from Kodi. The ongoing "maintenance" was just too much effort..

[–] SpikesOtherDog@ani.social 2 points 2 days ago

Way in the past, when I had time to monitor torrents and manage file structures, I used to cultivate a shared network folder and link XBMC/Kodi to it. Nowadays it is dead simple to just set it all up in containers and check in on it periodically.

I hadn't tried them as I'm more type person to store stuff on my USB hard-druve (Not ideal but it's doable) but I have seem people on subbredit called something like r/KodiAddons (and also there's a community of it in Lemmy but seems dead) use some repo that has plugins to allow you to view pirated shows and films.

So in theory, yes you can as long as there's some video plugin to allow to do so but it just finding the repo that's legit. Sorry I can't help you as much but hope it better than no answer at all