Plex API
Jellyfin
Emby Server
WebDAV / Nextcloud
Trakt.tv Scrobble
TMDB MetadataFind what to watch by mood, not title.
Describe a mood, a visual style, or a narrative theme — and Velis matches titles using an on-device CoreML embedding model running directly on Apple's Neural Engine against a curated vector catalog. When exploring results, rich posters and metadata are retrieved via our secure edge proxy. For open-ended natural queries, you can optionally configure your own cloud AI provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, OpenRouter) with your personal API key stored securely in Apple Keychain.
Every server. Every drive. One library.
Connect your Plex, Jellyfin, and Emby media servers directly with zero server plugins required. Mount personal WebDAV and Nextcloud endpoints. On macOS, Velis utilizes the native system file picker (.fileImporter) with persistent security-scoped bookmarks to directly access local video folders, external USB-C / Thunderbolt NVMe storage drives, and OS-mounted SMB shares. On Apple TV 4K, stream over your local network.
Direct stream fidelity. Uncompromised audio.
Velis combines Apple's native VideoToolbox hardware decoding via AVPlayer with VLCKit/KSPlayer software decoding for wide container compatibility (MKV, MP4, MOV, WebM). Lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA tracks are software-decoded into bit-for-bit uncompressed multichannel Linear PCM (up to 7.1) for loss-free output over HDMI eARC.
Hit pause in the living room.
Resume on the train.
Your Apple TV remote just works — smooth scrolling, parallax artwork, and instant Siri Remote focus response. Apple TV Top Shelf integration keeps your Continue Watching queue front and center. Playback progress syncs automatically via iCloud Key-Value Store (KVS), while favorites and library records sync via private CloudKit.
Engineered specifically for the Apple ecosystem
Velis plays your personal media files directly across Apple devices with zero advertising, zero telemetry, and universal purchase availability.
| Feature / Pipeline |
Apple TV 4K
Available Now (App Store)
|
Mac
Available Now (App Store)
|
iPhone & iPad
Pending App Store Review
|
|---|---|---|---|
| App Store Availability | Live Now (tvOS 17.0+) | Live Now (macOS 14.0+) | In App Review (iOS 17+) |
| Architecture & Silicon | Apple Silicon A10X–A15 | Apple Silicon (M1–M4) & Intel 64-bit | A12–A18 & M-Series Chips |
| Video Decode Engine | VideoToolbox (AVPlayer) + VLCKit | VideoToolbox (AVPlayer) + VLCKit | VideoToolbox (AVPlayer) + VLCKit |
| High Dynamic Range | Dolby Vision (P5 & P8.1), HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision (P5 & P8.1), HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision (P5 & P8.1), HDR10, HLG |
| Lossless Audio Decode | TrueHD & DTS-HD MA → 7.1 LPCM (eARC) | TrueHD & DTS-HD MA → 7.1 LPCM Output | TrueHD & DTS-HD MA → Multichannel LPCM |
| On-Device Vibe Search | Apple Neural Engine (ANE) | Apple Neural Engine (M-Series) & AVX2 | Apple Neural Engine (ANE) |
| Local Storage & Drives | Local Network Streaming | Native File Picker, USB-C/Thunderbolt & SMB | Files App & USB-C External (In Review) |
| Spatial Audio | AirPods Dynamic Head Tracking | AirPods Dynamic Head Tracking | AirPods Dynamic Head Tracking |
| Media Servers & Cloud | Plex, Jellyfin, Emby, WebDAV | Plex, Jellyfin, Emby, WebDAV | Plex, Jellyfin, Emby, WebDAV |
| Local Storage & Drives | Network Streaming Only | File Picker & OS-Mounted SMB | Files App, USB-C Drives & SMB |
| Multi-Device Continuity | iCloud KVS + Top Shelf Continue Watching | iCloud KVS Resume State | iCloud KVS Resume State |
| Profiles & Privacy | Multi-Profile Libraries · Private CloudKit | Multi-Profile Libraries · Private CloudKit | Multi-Profile Libraries · Private CloudKit |
| License & Source Release | Universal App Store Purchase | Universal App Store Purchase | Universal App Store Purchase |
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Velis, playback architecture, and privacy.
Does Velis include movies, TV shows, or streaming channels?
No. Velis is a standalone media player for your personal video files and media servers. It plays user-provided media files and connects directly to your own Plex, Jellyfin, Emby, or WebDAV servers. No movies or TV content subscriptions are included.
Does Velis require media server transcoding?
Velis aims to direct-play and direct-stream your media natively. By utilizing VideoToolbox hardware decoding alongside VLCKit/KSPlayer software decoding, Velis decodes modern 4K HEVC, AV1, and container formats directly on your Apple device, eliminating server CPU transcoding overhead when your network bandwidth and client hardware support the stream.
How does Vibe Search work, and what data leaves my device?
On-device Vibe Search uses an optimized CoreML vector embedding model running on Apple's Neural Engine to match descriptions against a curated title catalog. When browsing titles, artwork and enriched metadata are retrieved online via our secure edge proxy (api.velisapp.com). For broader conversational queries, you can optionally configure your own third-party AI provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, or OpenRouter) with your personal API key stored in Apple Keychain. Your query text is sent only to the provider you choose, and third-party AI usage fees apply.
How does audio decoding work with Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA?
Because tvOS and macOS do not support bitstream passthrough of Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD MA, Velis decodes these lossless formats in software into bit-for-bit uncompressed multichannel Linear PCM (up to 7.1 channels). The audio is transmitted losslessly over HDMI eARC to your AV receiver or soundbar without quality degradation. Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking is supported on compatible AirPods.
What are the minimum system requirements and platform availability?
Velis is available now on the Apple App Store for both Apple TV 4K (tvOS 17.0+) and Mac (macOS 14.0+ Sonoma, supporting Apple Silicon M1–M4 and Intel). Companion builds for iOS 17.0+ (iPhone) and iPadOS 17.0+ (iPad) are in Apple App Review and will release under the same Apple Universal Purchase. Playback state syncs seamlessly across all devices via your Apple ID and iCloud.
How does multi-device synchronization and viewing profiles work?
Velis syncs lightweight playback resume positions via iCloud Key-Value Store (KVS), while favorites and library records sync via your private Apple CloudKit database. Multiple profiles allow family members to maintain separate watch histories and saved titles without interfering with each other's progress. Note: Profiles are designed for library organization and do not enforce parental control restrictions.
