media-streaming-workflows

Media Streaming Diagrams

Below are Mermaid diagrams that illustrate different Video Streaming Workflows.

Self-Hosted Library (Usenet/Torrent)

flowchart LR
  User((User)) --> Ombi[Ombi - optional requests]
  Ombi --> Sonarr[Sonarr - TV PVR]
  Ombi --> Radarr[Radarr - Movie PVR]

  Sonarr --> Indexers[Usenet indexers]
  Radarr --> Indexers
  Sonarr --> Trackers[Torrent trackers]
  Radarr --> Trackers

  Indexers --> NZB[NZB file]
  NZB --> Sabnzbd[NZB client]
  Sabnzbd --> Provider[Usenet provider - SSL]

  Trackers --> TorrentFile[.torrent or magnet]
  TorrentFile --> Client[Torrent client]
  Client --> Swarm[Peer swarm]

  Provider --> Download[Downloaded media]
  Swarm --> Download

  Download --> Library[Plex/Emby/Jellyfin library]
  Library --> User

Addon-Based Streaming

flowchart LR
  User((User)) --> Client[Stremio or similar client]
  Client --> Addons[Addons - catalogs and sources]
  Addons --> Sources[Content sources]
  Sources --> Debrid[Debrid API]
  Sources --> Direct[Direct stream]
  Debrid --> Cached[Cached stream or download]
  Cached --> Player[Client player]
  Direct --> Player
  Player --> User

  User -. optional .-> VPN[VPN]
  VPN -. optional .-> Sources

IPTV

flowchart LR
  User((User)) --> IPTVApp[IPTV client app]
  IPTVApp --> Portal[M3U/Portal + EPG]
  Portal --> Provider[IPTV provider]
  Provider --> Stream[Live stream]
  Stream --> Device[Playback device]
  Device --> User

Subscription Streaming Services

flowchart LR
  User((User)) --> App[Netflix App]
  App --> CDN[Netflix CDN]
  CDN --> Stream[Adaptive streaming segments]
  Stream --> Device[Playback device]
  Device --> User

Pros and Cons by Workflow

Workflow	Sample Apps	Pros	Cons
Self-Hosted Library (Usenet/Torrent)	Plex, Emby, Jellyfin	Full library control; automation friendly	More services and setup; storage required
Addon-Based Streaming	Stremio, P-Stream, PlayTorrio	Simple app UX; broad catalogs; fast cached streams	Addon churn; third-party risk; uneven metadata
IPTV	IPTV Smarters, VLC	Live channels; simple client setup	Provider quality varies; unstable lineups
Subscription Streaming Services	Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, etc.	Stable quality; easy setup; consistent UX	Region-locked catalog; ongoing cost; DRM limits