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AR VR · head to head

Bigscreen vs Emby

Bigscreen logo

Bigscreen

AR VR

Watch movies and hang out in VR

From
$1019/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Emby logo

Emby

Entertainment

Your personal entertainment server

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Emby has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Bigscreen accessory pricing not published separately; Emby hardware accelerated transcoding requires Emby Premiere, so a server GPU sits unused without a subscription
  • They diverge on capability: Bigscreen covers Virtual theaters, Emby covers Personal media server.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bigscreen and Emby actually diverge.

Attributes where Bigscreen and Emby differ
AttributeBigscreenEmby
Starting price$1019/one-timeFree
Pricing modelone-timefreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsVr, Pc, Quest, PsvrWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop
CategoryAR VREntertainment

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), founded (2014).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Bigscreen

  • Virtual theaters
  • Social viewing
  • Desktop streaming
  • 3D movies
  • Pluto TV
  • Paramount+
  • Desktop apps
  • Vr support

Only in Emby

  • Personal media server
  • Streaming
  • Library management
  • Sync
  • Remote access
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Mobile devices

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Bigscreen

  • VR Gamingnot Emby
  • AR Marketingnot Emby
  • Virtual Trainingnot Emby
  • 3D Visualizationnot Emby
  • Immersive Experiencesnot Emby

Emby

  • Running a personal media server for films, television and musicnot Bigscreen
  • Streaming a home library to phones, tablets and televisionsnot Bigscreen

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Bigscreen

  • Accessory pricing not published separately
  • Custom-fit cushion via face scan cost not specified
  • Shipping costs vary by international destination

Emby

  • Hardware accelerated transcoding requires Emby Premiere, so a server GPU sits unused without a subscription
  • The mobile, Fire TV, Xbox and PlayStation apps need Premiere for full access, with only basic playback unlockable per app
  • Offline downloads to phones and tablets are Premiere only
  • Premiere is $4.99 a month or $54 a year, with a lifetime option at $119

Pricing, plan by plan

Bigscreen

$1019/one-time
  • Beyond 2$1019/one-time
    • 5m Fiber Optic Cable
    • Soft Strap
    • Link Box
  • Beyond 2e$1219/one-time
    • Beyond 2 features plus
    • Eye tracking capability
    • 1-year warranty (2 years in EU)

Emby

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Media server
    • Local streaming
  • Premiere$4.99/month
    • Cloud sync
    • Remote access
    • Sync to devices

Which should you pick?

Choose Bigscreen if

  • You need virtual theaters.
  • You work on Vr, Pc, Quest, Psvr.
  • You also want social viewing.
Bigscreen review

Choose Emby if

  • You need personal media server.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop.
  • You also want streaming.
Emby review

Questions people ask

Is Bigscreen or Emby better?
Neither clearly leads. Bigscreen starts at $1019/one-time and Emby at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bigscreen or Emby?
Emby has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $1019/one-time for Bigscreen and Free for Emby.
Does Bigscreen or Emby run on more platforms?
Bigscreen runs on Vr, Pc, Quest, Psvr. Emby runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop.
Can I use Emby for free?
Yes. Emby has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Bigscreen starts at $1019/one-time.
What is Bigscreen best used for?
Bigscreen is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization. Of those, vr gaming and ar marketing are not what Emby is typically brought in for.
What can Bigscreen do that Emby cannot?
Bigscreen covers Virtual theaters, Social viewing, Desktop streaming, 3D movies. Emby covers Personal media server, Streaming, Library management, Sync.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Bigscreen: How much does Bigscreen Beyond 2 cost?

Bigscreen Beyond 2 starts at $1019 one-time purchase. Beyond 2e with eyetracking capability starts at $1219. Both ship in 1-3 days and include a 5m fiber optic cable, soft strap, and link box with a 1-year warranty (2 years in EU).

Source
Emby: How much does Emby cost?

Emby does not publish pricing information on its website. The service mentions Emby Premiere as an optional premium tier with bonus features including mobile downloads and hardware accelerated transcoding, but no cost is specified.

Source
Bigscreen: What's Bigscreen's return policy?

Bigscreen offers a 14-day return policy for both Beyond 2 and Beyond 2e models. International customers cover return shipping costs for items sent back outside the home country.

Source
Bigscreen: What warranty does Bigscreen provide?

Both Beyond 2 and Beyond 2e include a 1-year limited warranty. European customers receive a 2-year warranty to comply with EU consumer protection requirements.

Source
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