Jellyfin gets a 3D video rental storefront that brings back the VHS era
A Reddit user going by u/halcyon-video has shared a vibe-coded project called Halcyon Video — an open-source, self-hosted app that turns your Jellyfin home theater PC into a full 3D video rental store, complete with aisles, shelves and checkout counters. The code is available on GitHub, and the app is designed to run on your own hardware. It also works with RomM, so if you keep a personal collection of retro video games, those get the same nostalgic storefront treatment.
The developer describes the experience in loving detail: you can wander the aisles, flip over boxes to read the back covers, and rent a title at the counter — and if you pick the "hardcore rental mode," the movie plays in your room, just like it did after a Saturday trip to the local video shop. TV series are shrink-wrapped as season box-sets, and the "Recently Added" shelf in Jellyfin becomes a "New Releases" wall at the back of the store. When you select a movie or a show, the cover and plastic case pop up on screen, and you can even read the fine print on the back, including warnings like "Please rewind after viewing."
The creator says the project is only just beginning: "I will not rest until my childhood has been fully resurrected." Alongside the GitHub repository, they published a 45-second tour on YouTube and set up a live demo so curious users can see how the storefront works before installing anything. The author encourages people to try it out and star the repo if they like it.
The app taps into a deep vein of nostalgia — the ritual of picking out a movie from a physical rack, debating with family members, and reading the back of the case before making a choice. For self-hosters who already run Jellyfin as their media backbone, Halcyon Video adds a layer of charm and personality that modern streaming interfaces lack. It's a reminder that even in an era of instant streaming, the slow, tactile experience of choosing a film can be just as enjoyable as watching it.
