Configure NZB streaming

NZB Streaming lets you watch content directly from usenet without downloading the entire file first. Cinephage handles streaming natively - the only requirement is a configured NNTP server. SABnzbd integration is an optional path for users who prefer external mount tools.

What is NZB streaming?

Traditional usenet workflow:

1. Send NZB to download client (SABnzbd/NZBGet)
2. Wait for full download, repair, and extraction
3. Import completed file to library
4. Play file

NZB Streaming workflow:

1. Configure an NNTP server in Cinephage
2. Add content with the Streamer quality profile
3. Cinephage streams segments on-demand as you watch
4. Playback starts in seconds - no waiting

How it works

Cinephage-native streaming

Cinephage fetches NZB segments directly from your usenet provider and serves them as an HTTP stream:

Player / Media Server
        ↓
Cinephage Streaming Server
        ↓
Segment Cache (local disk)
        ↓
NNTP Server (your usenet provider)

No download client is involved. Cinephage connects directly to your NNTP server using the credentials you configure.

SABnzbd connector (optional)

If you already use SABnzbd and want to leverage its mount mode (via external tools like NZBDav or Altmount), you can configure SABnzbd as a download client with Mount Mode enabled. In this path, streaming is handled by SABnzbd rather than Cinephage:

Player / Media Server
        ↓
.strm file (generated by Cinephage)
        ↓
SABnzbd (NZBDav / Altmount)
        ↓
NNTP Server (your usenet provider)

See SABnzbd mount mode for setup details.

Requirements

Usenet provider

Your usenet provider must support standard NNTP:

Requirement	Specification	Notes
Protocol	NNTP	Port 563 (SSL) or 119
Retention	1000+ days recommended	Older content may be unavailable
Bandwidth	50+ Mbps	Smooth streaming requires speed
Completion	99%+ article availability	Missing segments interrupt playback

Provider recommendations

Look for providers with 3000+ days retention, multiple backbone connections, SSL on port 563, and unlimited or high data cap plans.

System requirements

Component	Minimum	Recommended
CPU	2 cores	4+ cores
RAM	2 GB	4+ GB
Disk (cache)	10 GB free	50+ GB SSD
Network	25 Mbps	100+ Mbps

Setup guide

Step 1: Configure NNTP server

This is the only required step for Cinephage-native streaming.

1. Go to Settings > Integrations > NNTP Servers
2. Click Add Server
3. Fill in connection details:

Field	Description	Example
Name	Display name	"UsenetServer"
Host	NNTP server address	news.usenetserver.com
Port	Connection port	563 (SSL) or 119
Username	Account username	your_username
Password	Account password	your_password
SSL	Encrypt the connection	Enabled (recommended)
Connections	Concurrent connections	16-32

4. Click Test then Save

Connection count

More connections improve streaming throughput. Stay within your provider's connection limit - typically 10-50 connections.

Step 2: Set up Streamer quality profile

1. Go to Settings > Profiles > Quality
2. Find the built-in Streamer profile or create a new one
3. Set preferred qualities (1080p WEB-DL recommended as cutoff)
4. Ensure File Type is set to .strm

STRM files

The Streamer profile creates .strm files instead of video files. These are small pointer files that your media server uses to stream directly from Cinephage.

Step 3: Configure cache settings (optional)

In NNTP Server settings, expand Cache Settings:

Setting	Description	Default	Recommended
Cache Size	Max disk space for segments	10 GB	20-50 GB
Cache TTL	How long to keep segments	24 hours	24-72 hours
Prefetch	Download segments ahead of playback	Enabled	Enabled
Prefetch Segments	How many segments to prefetch	5	5-10

Cache location:

# Native install
data/nzb_cache/

# Docker
/config/data/nzb_cache/

SSD recommended

The cache benefits significantly from SSD storage due to frequent small random reads and writes.

Using NZB streaming

Method 1: automatic (recommended)

When adding content to your library, select the Streamer quality profile. Cinephage will:

1. Search for NZB releases matching the profile
2. Create a .strm file instead of downloading
3. Stream from usenet on demand when you play it

Method 2: manual stream from search

Stream a specific release on-demand without adding it to your library:

1. Search via Discover or the search bar
2. Find an NZB release in results
3. Click Stream instead of Download
4. Playback starts immediately

When to use this

Good for previewing content before adding to your library, or for one-time viewing.

Method 3: manual NZB via Activity queue

For an NZB file you already have:

1. Go to Activity > Queue
2. Click Add NZB
3. Select the NNTP server to use
4. Cinephage mounts and streams the NZB

SABnzbd mount mode

This section covers using SABnzbd with external mount tools (NZBDav or Altmount) as an alternative streaming path. This requires SABnzbd to be running separately.

How it differs from native streaming

	Cinephage native	SABnzbd connector
Requires SABnzbd	No	Yes
Streaming handled by	Cinephage	SABnzbd
Setup steps	NNTP server only	SABnzbd + NNTP server
STRM files	Yes	Yes

Setup

Step 1: Configure SABnzbd in Cinephage

1. Go to Settings > Integrations > Download Clients
2. Click Add Download Client and select SABnzbd
3. Enter your SABnzbd host, port, and API key
4. Under Client Behavior, choose Altmount / NZBDav (Mount Mode)
5. Click Test then Save

Step 2: Configure your NNTP server in SABnzbd

Add your usenet provider credentials directly in SABnzbd's server settings - SABnzbd handles the NNTP connection in this path.

Step 3: Use the SABnzbd client

When grabbing a release, select the SABnzbd (Mount Mode) client. Cinephage will generate .strm files pointing to SABnzbd's streaming output.

Stream quality and performance

Bandwidth requirements

Quality	Bandwidth needed
480p	2-4 Mbps
720p	4-8 Mbps
1080p	8-15 Mbps
4K	25+ Mbps

Performance tuning

More NNTP connections - Increases parallel segment downloads, reduces buffering. Stay within your provider's limit.

Prefetch - Downloads upcoming segments before they are needed. Increase prefetch count if you experience mid-stream buffering.

Multiple providers - Add a backup NNTP server at a lower priority. Cinephage falls back automatically if the primary fails.

Provider limits

Exceeding your provider's connection limit can result in throttling or account suspension. Check your provider's documentation.

Cache management

Segments are cached to disk so re-watching does not re-download from usenet.

Clear cache: Go to NNTP Server settings and click Clear Cache. The cache rebuilds on next stream.

Monitor cache: Settings > Integrations > NNTP Servers shows current cache size, hit/miss ratio, and cleanup schedule.

Troubleshooting

Stream will not start

• Verify NNTP credentials and test the connection in settings
• Check you have not hit the provider's connection limit
• Try a different NZB for the same content - some uploads have missing segments

Buffering or stuttering

1. Lower quality (720p instead of 1080p)
2. Increase NNTP connection count (if your provider allows)
3. Enable prefetch with more segments
4. Check actual network speed - run a speed test during streaming

Article not found errors

• Content may have passed your provider's retention period
• Try an alternative upload of the same release
• Add a second usenet provider as a backup
• Enable PAR2 repair in NNTP server settings to recover from missing segments

High memory usage

• Reduce NNTP connection count
• Disable prefetch or lower the prefetch count
• Reduce cache size in NNTP server settings

Download vs. stream comparison

	Traditional download	NZB streaming
Startup time	Minutes to hours	Seconds
Disk usage	Full file size	Cache only
Bandwidth	Paid once on download	Paid each time you watch
Re-watching	Instant (local file)	Re-streams from usenet
Best for	Content you will keep	One-time or preview viewing

Integration with media servers

Media servers that support .strm files work automatically once Cinephage's library folder is added:

• Jellyfin - Add Cinephage library folder; .strm files are recognized natively
• Emby - Same as Jellyfin
• Plex - Supported; note Plex may transcode, configure passthrough if possible
• Kodi - Add library as a video source and scrape with the TMDB scraper

See Also

• Configure NNTP Servers - NNTP settings reference
• Configure Download Clients - SABnzbd setup (for mount mode path only)
• Quality Profiles - Configure the Streamer profile