Topic: [Old Id] Music in another room (Read 39214 times)

JimH · « **on:** January 04, 2011, 12:10:23 pm »

[Edit May, 2014 -- a newer Id is now available:
http://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Id ]

Using the JRiver Id for playback and Gizmo or WebRemote for remote control over your network, you can control and play music anywhere in your home. You're freed from the physical location of your PC:

The Id (rhymes with hid) is a very small device that can play your music in another room wirelessly. MC sends your music to it and the Id plays it through the amp or powered speakers you have there. The Id fits easily in your hand, so it's perfect for mounting out of sight.

The JRiver Id shows up in MC under Playing Now as a device you can drop media on. It doesn't play video or images, but it's perfect for music in another room. It requires and amplifier and a wireless LAN.

We received our first shipment today. (January 4, 2011). Pictures

Please see our wiki for more details and how to order.

Use Gizmo or WebRemote to control it from an Android or iPad.

JRiver Id Instructions

HTPC4ME · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2011, 03:41:01 pm »

This is a great idea.. will pictures and video be available in the future? I'd buy a bunch!

JimH · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2011, 03:47:40 pm »

Quote from: xtacbyme on January 04, 2011, 03:41:01 pm

This is a great idea.. will pictures and video be available in the future? I'd buy a bunch!

Not for this version. Maybe the next.

Fabricio · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2011, 04:34:45 pm »

Good work.

I love JRiver Media Center.

Fabricio, from Brazil.

kewe65 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2011, 04:46:06 pm »

If i had more than one of them, would they appear as multiple devices in the playing now folder? This would be a great alternative for me than the squeezebox devices which have absolute crap for client interfaces.

Matt · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2011, 04:58:51 pm »

Quote from: kewe65 on January 04, 2011, 04:46:06 pm

If i had more than one of them, would they appear as multiple devices in the playing now folder?

Yes. Controlling multiple Ids (or really any other DLNA device) is no problem. You can rename devices in Media Center to keep them straight.

If you use an Android or WebRemote as a remote, your custom names show up like you would expect.

JimH · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2011, 05:37:07 pm »

Also, on the device, you can change its name.

darrenjweiss · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2011, 07:02:13 pm »

Do you have any information on the synchronization compared to music coming directly out of the sound card on the computer that hosts MC?

Thanks,
Darren

JimH · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2011, 07:06:36 pm »

If you mean that you want to sync the Id with another zone, it probably won't work well at this time.

newsposter · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2011, 10:24:35 pm »

What were the thoughts/design points about being wireless only?

JimH · « **Reply #10 on:** January 05, 2011, 07:48:48 am »

Quote from: newsposter on January 04, 2011, 10:24:35 pm

What were the thoughts/design points about being wireless only?

We were involved in the design, but not in control of it.

petrossa · « **Reply #11 on:** January 05, 2011, 12:38:26 pm »

I would love such a device. Really would. But i live not far from THE Nato South European listening post. I can receive their radar on my fillings. My router's wireless (Netgear Rangemax) conks out at 5 meters.

dumpster · « **Reply #12 on:** January 05, 2011, 02:37:31 pm »

The USB port is intriguing. Can I connect my external hard drive and play songs on it via a DLNA controller and server?

JimH · « **Reply #13 on:** January 05, 2011, 02:51:39 pm »

I don't think so. I'm not certain.

dumpster · « **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2011, 03:55:48 pm »

Thanks for the quick response. Since you probably started with an OEM reference design that didn't come with such USB capability enabled, please consider an enhancement or patch to provide such. If providing such a patch voids whatever support arrangment you have with the OEM, I'd still be interested if I had to waive any warranty on the Id to use it. Same decision lots of people made to hack their Apple TVs and the like for similar hard drive capability, and accordingly waived their warranties (in other words, I don't think any voiding would be a big deal to those who want their hard drives connected).

dumpster · « **Reply #15 on:** January 05, 2011, 04:28:58 pm »

I'll bet your OEM is this http://www.ubicom.com/support/pdfs/DLNA_AudioClient_ProductBrief_r13_PUB.pdf

Full USB 2.0 support, so external hard drive support should still be a possibility.

raldo · « **Reply #16 on:** January 06, 2011, 04:34:51 am »

Can anyone recommend a pair of active speakers (speakers with inbuilt amplifiers) for use with the Id?

raldo · « **Reply #17 on:** January 06, 2011, 07:17:01 am »

I'd like to order three units.

Your web site for international orders defaults to one unit. Can I get a shipping cost discount for three units, or do I need to order the units separately?

Btw, good luck with the Id. It looks like a winner together with the Gizmo!

JimH · « **Reply #18 on:** January 06, 2011, 10:43:49 am »

raldo,
Thanks. How about starting with one unit, just to make sure it fits your needs? Then you could email deanna at jriver to make arrangements for the others.

Jim

JimH · « **Reply #19 on:** January 06, 2011, 10:44:43 am »

Quote from: raldo on January 06, 2011, 04:34:51 am

Can anyone recommend a pair of active speakers (speakers with inbuilt amplifiers) for use with the Id?

Powered PC speakers should work. Logitech, for example.

wig · « **Reply #20 on:** January 06, 2011, 11:41:01 am »

Quote from: raldo on January 06, 2011, 04:34:51 am

Can anyone recommend a pair of active speakers (speakers with inbuilt amplifiers) for use with the Id?

I would recommend the M-Audio AV40s

Nice powered speaker system at a good price. These will be the first one's I plug into the ID when it arrives.

raldo · « **Reply #21 on:** January 06, 2011, 02:45:33 pm »

Quote from: JimH on January 06, 2011, 10:43:49 am

Thanks. How about starting with one unit, just to make sure it fits your needs? Then you could email deanna at jriver to make arrangements for the others.

Okeydokey. Done.

JimH · « **Reply #22 on:** January 06, 2011, 02:46:35 pm »

Thanks for the orders, raldo, and everyone else.

bob · « **Reply #23 on:** January 06, 2011, 10:43:08 pm »

I set mine up at home with WCN (I don't have a WPS router).
It was simple with win7 starter on my netbook. I just clicked on the wireless icon in the system tray then right clicked on my primary wireless connection, did properties and selected to write the configuration to a usb drive from the connection tab. Moved the usb key from the win7 box to the Id. Flipped the switch on the back of the Id to the wcn position, powered on the Id, after around 20 seconds the usb key light lit up, flashed a few times and 20 seconds or so later went off. At that point the Id was rebooting. I removed the USB key, flipped the switch back to the wifi position and after another minute the wifi light on the front was blinking and it was showing in my MC. The whole process took about 2 minutes. I'm using WPA2 and a linksys WRT54GL.

rjm · « **Reply #24 on:** January 07, 2011, 12:16:23 am »

How does this behave on a busy wireless network? Say when another system has maxed out up and down with a Torrent. Does the music get priority or do we have to manually choke the network hogs?

fitbrit · « **Reply #25 on:** January 07, 2011, 12:53:46 am »

Feature request for the next version: wired networking too, please!

JimH · « **Reply #26 on:** January 07, 2011, 06:56:27 am »

Quote from: rjm on January 07, 2011, 12:16:23 am

How does this behave on a busy wireless network? Say when another system has maxed out up and down with a Torrent. Does the music get priority or do we have to manually choke the network hogs?

We have a busy network and only saw occasional problems. We don't download a lot though, so it's hard to say just yet. If a Torrent download affects your network now, it will probably cause problems with an Id.

Lobotom1 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 07, 2011, 07:17:36 am »

Wow,

That is so close to what I am looking for since so long !! My only concern is that it is wireless only. I am now so sad, I rely so much on my wired network

Hope the wired version will come soon.

Lobo.

JimH · « **Reply #28 on:** January 07, 2011, 08:59:18 am »

I just hooked an Id up to the multi-room speaker system that the previous owner of the house installed about 15 years ago. I can now select music from my server by using an Android (Samsung Galaxy Tab shown in picture), start it playing, then turn up the volume on the speakers in any room. Pretty nice.

fitbrit · « **Reply #29 on:** January 07, 2011, 12:17:25 pm »

Quote from: JimH on January 07, 2011, 06:56:27 am

We have a busy network and only saw occasional problems. We don't download a lot though, so it's hard to say just yet. If a Torrent download affects your network now, it will probably cause problems with an Id.

To Jim and RJM:
Jim, your network was probably busy with intra-office networking, right? Most internet connections are not fast enough to saturate a 56 Mbps wireless network, but file transfers within the network certainly can.
So if a 10 Mbps internet connection is saturated with torrent downloads, that still leaves plenty of headroom for sending music on a 56 Mbps wireless network. I doubt the ID would suffer from lack of bandwidth in most users' homes. Dropouts and interference is another matter of course.

If, however, you're streaming video or doing file transfers within the network, hence using the full 56 Mbps bandwidth, you may run into trouble.

Vincent Kars · « **Reply #30 on:** January 07, 2011, 02:30:09 pm »

The DAC is said to be 24/192 like so many todays DACs but what does the receiver supports as maximum bit depth and sample rate?

rjm · « **Reply #31 on:** January 07, 2011, 02:53:38 pm »

Quote from: fitbrit on January 07, 2011, 12:17:25 pm

If, however, you're streaming video or doing file transfers within the network, hance using the full 56 Mbps bandwidth, you may run into trouble.

Thanks, that makes sense.

ThatAdamGuy · « **Reply #32 on:** January 08, 2011, 03:48:07 am »

Quote from: wig on January 06, 2011, 11:41:01 am

I would recommend the M-Audio AV40s

Nice powered speaker system at a good price. These will be the first one's I plug into the ID when it arrives.

I concur. Just purchased and set up AV40s today, in fact (and used Media Center to test 'em out with flac rips of my CDs). Mighty fine! Just one thing to be aware of: these really do need to be in front of you, ideally close to ear level, or the sound will be muddier than you'd like.

raldo · « **Reply #33 on:** January 08, 2011, 04:04:19 am »

Quote from: ThatAdamGuy on January 08, 2011, 03:48:07 am

AV40s

I'll be trying out some Audioengine 2 active speakers in the near future.

Vincent Kars · « **Reply #34 on:** January 08, 2011, 06:31:46 am »

Nothing wrong with the A2 but they are not active speakers.
With a passive there is a crossover between the amp and the drivers
With an active the crossover is done before the power amp and each speaker is driven by its own power amp.
The A2 is powered speaker, the amp is in build into 1 box but that is the only difference with a passive system.
The major reason why the pro-world switched to actives long ago is because of the lower distortion.

jaynyc · « **Reply #35 on:** January 08, 2011, 09:14:30 am »

Where do we make product suggestions? I'd like to recommend a digital output (SPDIF, Optical, or both)

shAf · « **Reply #36 on:** January 09, 2011, 07:18:47 am »

On one hand, I can understand your waning support for iPods ... but on the other hand, given the number of iPod docks, aren't you ignoring most portable and remote locations (... and me! ...<g>...). Minimally, maybe you can figure out how to support the current playlist via Webplay(?)

My CA$0.02

rpalmer68 · « **Reply #37 on:** January 09, 2011, 03:08:03 pm »

Hi Jim,

I'm wanting to order an Id and I know the power supply supports 220/240V, but does it come with the Australian pin configuration?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Australian_dual_switched_power_point.jpg

Cheers
Richard

JimH · « **Reply #38 on:** January 09, 2011, 03:52:21 pm »

Hi Richard,
The transformer has a U.S. plug. You would need an adaptor. Sorry I don't have a better solution.

Regards,

Jim

rpalmer68 · « **Reply #39 on:** January 09, 2011, 04:07:56 pm »

Quote from: JimH on January 09, 2011, 03:52:21 pm

Hi Richard,
The transformer has a U.S. plug. You would need an adaptor. Sorry I don't have a better solution.

Regards,

Jim

OK, thanks.

So the power adapter has a cord going to the AC socket? Or is it one of those bricks that plugs straight into the wall?

Richard

JimH · « **Reply #40 on:** January 09, 2011, 04:19:44 pm »

It's a bit of a brick, not too big. You can see it in this picture.

rpalmer68 · « **Reply #41 on:** January 10, 2011, 06:56:23 am »

Quote from: JimH on January 09, 2011, 04:19:44 pm

It's a bit of a brick, not too big. You can see it in this picture.

OK, cool. I'll just order one anyway, it's always fun to play with new toys

R

JimH · « **Reply #42 on:** January 13, 2011, 03:29:32 pm »

Quote from: Lobotom1 on January 07, 2011, 07:17:36 am

Wow,

That is so close to what I am looking for since so long !! My only concern is that it is wireless only. I am now so sad, I rely so much on my wired network

Hope the wired version will come soon.

Quote from: jaynyc on January 08, 2011, 09:14:30 am

I'd like to recommend a digital output (SPDIF, Optical, or both)

We may be able to provide a similar device with wired Ethernet and Optical out. Would you pay $30 more to get those features ($119 + shipping)?

wilfredjg · « **Reply #43 on:** January 13, 2011, 04:06:53 pm »

Yes I would pay $119.00 for wired and a optical out. I bought one ID last night for music only. Would like one that I could send my pictures or video to my TV.

jmone · « **Reply #44 on:** January 13, 2011, 04:38:11 pm »

Jim - Just got mine and it is all setup and working well (it is a bit convoluted as my Intercom System does not have an AUX in so I've had to resort to connecting an FM transmitter up to the ID!)

One early point is the I accidentally played Video to it and then could not stop MC without shutting it down (it keep trying to play the next video etc etc). Would it be possible to in the ID Profile in MC to restrict it as an Audio only device?

jmone · « **Reply #45 on:** January 13, 2011, 04:44:04 pm »

As per the pic below you can see the ID in Win7's Network Map. I could Right Click on the DLNAS device and "Install" it which Win7 then did sucessfully (after contacting the Win7 update site). So....what did I just install?

jmone · « **Reply #46 on:** January 13, 2011, 04:51:15 pm »

Stuff like this is fun...but I know why a others think we are nuts! To get music in a room I now use the following technology: MC "Plays" the music to the ID from a PC via a switch to a wireless router that has a POE device that connects it to the other POE point that feeds the another wireless router that transmits to the ID that is plugged into an FM transmitter that the house intercome system can tune into so that results in the song being able to be heard in a room.

I could get a $10 radio but where would the fun of that be?

HTPC4ME · « **Reply #47 on:** January 13, 2011, 05:50:50 pm »

Quote

I could get a $10 radio but where would the fun of that be?

AMEN... LMAO Love IT!

craigmcg · « **Reply #48 on:** January 13, 2011, 06:55:33 pm »

I would also be interested in a wired network with digital out.

WinoOutWest · « **Reply #49 on:** January 14, 2011, 12:51:44 pm »

agreed - I avoid my wireless at all costs.... $30 would be a small price for me to pay in order to remove the flakiness that is WiFi.

INTERACT FORUM

Author Topic: [Old Id] Music in another room (Read 39214 times)