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[Qythyx]

Hi all,

I used to use MediaCenter exclusively a number of years ago, but migrated to Mac and had to give it up (there wasn't the Mac version back then). I'm now considering coming back, but have some questions...

• iOS Support - I know I can't directly sync to my iPhone with MC, but I'm wondering how well JRemote will work for me. My main question is, can I use JRemote to sync/cache media to my iPhone? I know I can do streaming, but I don't want to eat up my cellular data plan streaming all the time, especially video. If JRemote isn't a good solution for this, is there an alternate way to sync media to my iPhone to be played via some app, it doesn't need to be the built in Music or Video apps.
• Library Management - What's the recommended way to manage a library that will be shared by multiple people (my family)? Specifically, I suspect I could do most management on my Macbook, but if it is turned off (or I'm traveling with it) I assume my family would loose access. Is getting one of the JRiver Id a good solution for this?
• Ripping Media - What support does MC have for ripping CD/DVD/BD? What about protected media? I already have all of by existing CD/DVD/BD ripped to files for easy access and syncing to devices and I'm hoping MC supports this.

Thanks.

[Awesome Donkey]

As far as I know, JRemote can't sync/cache. iTunes is probably your only option for managing iOS devices (thanks, Apple).

And no, MC can't (legally) rip protected DVD/BD discs. You'd have to use something like MakeMKV to rip DVD/BD discs to MKV and play them through MC that way.

[robertus3]

Library management: I've been using a Mac Mini as media server for about five years now. Advantages:

- server always available for the whole family (because you never take it with you)
- music management through another iMac/Macbook (so no screen necessary.)
- auto backup to another ext. disk by using Time Machine

[Qythyx]

Thanks for the replies.

Given the lack of caching in JRemote, what is the best way to access media from an iOS device? I believe there are some scripts/hacks to sync your library from MC to iTunes, and then sync from there normally, but this sounds like a pain. I also know I can just stream from JRemote, but I'm concerned with hitting my cellular data limit. Is there really no solution to this currently? Are people just not using MC with iOS devices?

[johnkaess]

Robertus,

Do you use the Mac mini in server mode, or just as a regular Mac?

[robertus3]

I use my Mac Mini as a dedicated video and music server. No other usage. You can compare it to the JRiver Id, but I like to be mine a Mac.

Setup:
- Ethernet connected to my LAN (UPNP)
- Optical connection to my Musical Fidelity M1 Clic (Streamer/DAC).
- Iphones and IPads: JRemote
- iMacs: JRiver installed, playing the library from the Server (Mac Mini)
- I don't use internet to get access to my music when I'm not at home.
- I store music files on my iPhone and listen with the Kaisertone app (excellent HRes music player)
- For maintenance on the Mac Mini I use an iMac (standard Apple screen sharing)
- For maintenance on the Mac Mini I can also use the Remotix app on my iPad/iPhone
 
Works like a charm for about 5 years now.

Regards, Robert.

[johnkaess]

Thank you for the heads-up about Kaisertone!