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NEW: Zone Sync 2 [Old instructions]

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JohnT:
Summary
This new feature allows simultaneous playback of Linked Zones.  At this time, it works best with zones that run JRiver Media Center.

Details
Build 24.0.5 introduces more precise syncing of audio playback over multiple Media Center zones.  If all zones within a zone link group have this version or newer, they will start playback at the same time. 

Requirements
1. Windows only (at this time)
2. Use WASAPI audio, with a buffer size between 25 and 100 milliseconds, exclusive access.
3. Set playback options for each zone to match the image below.
4. Avoid Bluetooth or wifi audio zones or complicated output chains.
5. Play songs at the same sample rate with the same channel setup (stereo).
6. Turn off conversion in Media Network / Add or configure DLNA servers... / Audio / Mode: "Original"
7. No DSP filters.
8. Important: Make sure the DLNA "SetNext" command is not disabled on your remote zones.  On your main zone computer, right-click on the remote zone and make sure the menu choice "DLNA Controller Options / Disable SetNext support..." is NOT checked.  See image below.

There will be a short pause (a couple seconds) for every Play, Pause, Seek, Next, Previous etc. command.  We expect to be able to shorten this pause in the future.

The zone that starts playback is "main" zone and time server for the remote zones.  If it is running an NTP time server, it will use that.  Otherwise it uses MCWS web service to set the times. 

On the main zone computer, you can manually adjust the timing using the right-click "Adjust link timing" menu option.

Thanks!


Audio settings




Make sure "Disable SetNext ..." option for remote Media Center zone does NOT have a check-mark by it.

AndrewFG:
This sounds very interesting. (Its been on my MC “todo” list for years..)

Are you using the UPNP SyncPlay() command, to ensure the Synchronised starting? If so, are you using it just on JRiver own renderers, or did you find any other third party renderers out there that also support SyncPlay?

JimH:
We wrote it. It's our extension of UPnP / DLNA.  John did it. Hat's off to John.

I hope that we can make the protocol available to other DLNA manufacturers.

RoderickGI:
Some clarification please.

Is this just for DLNA Servers/Renderers, or does this work over a MC Media Network as well.?
Or did synchronised playback always work over linked Zones on a MC Media Network?
Or is playback over a MC Media Network actually playing media using DLNA anyway?

Just a little education for me.

I am interested to test this between my HTPC and Workstation, so that I can wander between the two rooms and hear audio in sync. In future, I would like to be able to do the same with video, particularly Live TV, for example having the news on the HTPC and in a Detached Display on my Workstation.

EDIT1: So it is using UPnP / DLNA, but my questions still stand.  ;)
EDIT2: Based on your answer Jim, I take it that this will only work between MC Renderers, since only they will have the UPnP / DLNA extensions.

Hendrik:
It only works between different MC instances, not third-party DLNA servers (for now).

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