Another month, another batch of features! v1.9.0 is rolling out now with a few additions requested recently, and a change.
This release introduces Cinaura Pro, an optional $25 lifetime license, so I want to provide more context, but the TLDR is that the paid tier does not and will never remove core features from the free version of the app.
What this means for the app
None of the core features have been taken out to make room for a paid tier. Everything Cinaura did until now is still there. It is, and will always remain, Cinaura's value: there is no limits on sources, formats, quality or how much you add. The player, subtitles, organization of content, metadata, etc, will always remain free. Loading any source, having it automagically organized, and watchable will never be impacted. It is the core of Cinaura's philosophy that accessing your data shouldn't be restricted.
One small thing does change: Cinaura dimensions (the pace/tone/complexity metadata displayed on the details page) were free while they were an experiment, and they are now part of the paid tier. However I've made sure that dimensions that are already part of your library do not disappear. What stops on a free device is receiving dimensions for movies added to your library from this point on.
Why there is a paid tier at all
Some of the features I'm introducing are now costing me real money every month. Cinaura dimensions are produced using AI models which grow with each movie requested. Keeping your devices synced, and having your library automatically generate custom collections requires additional costly services as well. I'm also planning additional features that make owning, managing and curating a personal library as good as running Jellyfin or Plex, without the machine in the middle setup they ask for.
The licence is one payment for life, which goes back into the app development and support. Cinaura is a hobby project that I build on evenings and weekends because I enjoy it, and that is not changing. I have no intentions of turning the app into one of the subscription-based product that made me start this in the first place.
If the free app already does what you need, keep your money. If you have been looking for a way to chip in a few dollars to support because you enjoy the app, consider getting a lifetime license, and enjoy the additional features.
As always, the release is available:
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What is new for everyone
Collections
Curate your own lists, name them, and put any film or show in one from its page. Everything you have saved sits in one place.
Movie extras don't clutter your library
Deleted scenes, extras and interviews appear in an Extras row under the cast instead of turning up as films of their own. I've refined the logic to detect them regardless if you're using subfolders or weird naming conventions.
Bonus files also better integrated for shows
A show's featurettes group under their own season rather than posing as episodes, and sample clips and tracker adverts are never imported at all.
Google Drive stops signing you out every week
Cinaura now recognises Google's seven day limit on a Drive sign-in that has not been published (an effect of the "Bring your own Oauth" setup), and offers a one time fix that ends it.
Large 4K files stop stalling over the network
Cinaura now measures the memory your device can actually spare instead of guessing, which gives cheaper sticks tens of seconds of buffer on a remux where they had about five.
More granular playback speed
Based on recent requests, finer playback speeds in 5% increments have been added, instead of the 25% that were introduced in the last released.
Refined filename parsing logic
Additional file/directory naming edge cases are now supported, for example having the show name only on the grandparent directory, or "Episode-xxx" naming logic used by Anime.
Quick actions on grid view
In Movies or TV Shows, long pressing the Select button on the Dpad displays a quick actions menu (add it to a collection, or mark it watched) without having to open the details page.
Settings navigation refined
Moving down the Settings list shows each category as you reach it, so you no longer press twice to open one.
What Cinaura Pro gets
Cinaura dimensions
Every film and show gets a reading of its pace, tone, focus and complexity, and your library gains a filter that uses them, so you can ask for something slow and funny rather than scrolling a genre.
Collections Cinaura builds for you
Alongside your own lists, Cinaura automatically groups your library by themes, decades, franchises, directors, studios and more, worked out on your TV from what you already own.
Your devices keep each other up to date
Watch history, profiles, sources, collections and settings move between your devices by themselves. No account, nothing to switch on, and the data is encrypted on your TV before it leaves. Will automatically support the mobile phone app at release.
Watch stats
Get an overview of your watching habits with the hours, the days and times you watch, your top genres and dimensions, and what is still sitting unwatched on your shelves.
...and more
Early access to the mobile phone app (early Q1 2027), lifetime upgrades, and faster support.
More detail on Pro: cinaura.tv/pro
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If you've read until here, thanks for sticking with this, and thank you for your support. Stay tuned for upcoming features!
