Topic: MO 4Media - remote control and player with Android TV & Android Auto support (Read 204883 times)

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #100 on:** July 09, 2018, 09:36:51 am »

Been using the new update for a couple days... nothing really to report! The experience has been amazing, so I'm moving forward with my DLNA renderer project soon. The *only* thing still bothering me is the cover art issue (displaying the wrong cover art for albums in the list view), but the clearing image cache option works pretty well.

But, I have three ideas that might help with this. Having one, two (or all three) of these options might be the ideal workaround for this;

- Disable the image cache. Meaning when you change views (e.g. loading up an artist or album) there's no image cache, and it'll have to always reload the cover art.
- Make it where it'll only cache when inside a specific view (e.g. loaded up the albums of a specific artist). If you leave this view by going back to the artists list (which itself the cache would be cleared) or going into a specific album to view the tracks, that previous cache of the album list's cover art is cleared. If you go back and view the album list again, the cache would have to be rebuilt.
- Automatically clear cache after X amount of time. Like every 5 minutes could suffice as a workaround. Having it configurable would be interesting.

Out of these three ideas, I like the second one the most. Only cache when viewing a list (e.g. artist list, or an album list of an artist) and if you go back (or forward) the cache is cleared and everything is reloaded.

But yeah, great work!

cncb · « **Reply #101 on:** July 09, 2018, 02:28:05 pm »

Quote from: Awesome Donkey on July 09, 2018, 09:36:51 am

The *only* thing still bothering me is the cover art issue (displaying the wrong cover art for albums in the list view), but the clearing image cache option works pretty well.

I could add some options for clearing the cache but if it is happening constantly it sounds like it might a bug. Could you PM me some screenshots? Thanks.

hoyt · « **Reply #102 on:** July 09, 2018, 04:05:44 pm »

Quote from: cncb on July 06, 2018, 06:42:43 am

Note that Downloading does not currently work over a SSL connection, at least with the certificate generated by MC (seems to be hoyt's issue). I will try to fix this but it might be that I just have to disable downloading for SSL.

With some troubleshooting help, I was able to get my Let's Encrypt certificates properly loaded into MC and downloading over SSL works - with trusted certificates.

Generating and updating Let's Encrypt certificates isn't too hard, but if you don't have web server experience, it could be a little daunting. And I'm not sure how you'd do it with just MC. I happen to have a web server on my network that I run and keep up to date every 90 days with newly issued certificates, so now I just have to remember to move those certs into MC.

rossp · « **Reply #103 on:** July 12, 2018, 12:15:38 pm »

Any idea if you can get this to work on iOS cncb?

Ross

cncb · « **Reply #104 on:** July 12, 2018, 12:52:48 pm »

Quote from: rossp on July 12, 2018, 12:15:38 pm

Any idea if you can get this to work on iOS cncb?

Yes, I wrote it in such a way that porting should not be too bad (the interface would look and behave the same), but Apple apparently charges $100/year to be in the store so I would have to get ~29 subscribers to just break even. There are currently less than this for the Android version. Also, I don't know if iOS users would have different expectations/requirements for the interface.

tzr916 · « **Reply #105 on:** July 12, 2018, 01:43:29 pm »

Let me know when you get NO CONVERSION working with Tv Shows (ts files). Right now playing a show to my device uses 95% cpu on my Server.

cncb · « **Reply #106 on:** July 12, 2018, 02:27:28 pm »

Quote from: tzr916 on July 12, 2018, 01:43:29 pm

Let me know when you get NO CONVERSION working with Tv Shows (ts files). Right now playing a show to my device uses 95% cpu on my Server.

Are you sure you have set No Conversion for Wi-Fi Video or Mobile Video (whichever you are using)? For .ts, I get high CPU usage on my server when I am converting but nothing when not converting (although it doesn't play because presumably .ts is not supported on my device).

tzr916 · « **Reply #107 on:** July 12, 2018, 02:46:01 pm »

Quote from: cncb on July 12, 2018, 02:27:28 pm

Are you sure you have set No Conversion for Wi-Fi Video or Mobile Video (whichever you are using)?

Ya, when I turn off conversion and try to play a Tv show (ts file) - I just get audio and a black screen

NOTE: My device plays ts files perfectly fine just using smb sharing (VLC player).

cncb · « **Reply #108 on:** July 12, 2018, 03:11:00 pm »

Quote from: tzr916 on July 12, 2018, 02:46:01 pm

NOTE: My device plays ts files perfectly fine just using smb sharing (VLC player).

The app uses ExoPlayer for video playback. I will have to look into whether .ts is supported.

tzr916 · « **Reply #109 on:** July 12, 2018, 03:28:26 pm »

Quote from: cncb on July 12, 2018, 03:11:00 pm

The app uses ExoPlayer for video playback. I will have to look into whether .ts is supported.

Cool, or maybe add option in the app to choose preferred external player.

tzr916 · « **Reply #110 on:** July 12, 2018, 04:23:37 pm »

Wondering about this: In order to "hide" certain files, in MC I setup two USERS under VIEW > USER.

User Admin - has password, and no files are hidden.
User Bedrooms - no password, and under files to show: -[Media Sub Type]="Special".

Right now the app connects with User Bedrooms. I don't see any way to switch to User Admin. This also seems to be the case with MC "Panel".

cncb · « **Reply #111 on:** July 12, 2018, 05:00:57 pm »

Quote from: tzr916 on July 12, 2018, 04:23:37 pm

Right now the app connects with User Bedrooms. I don't see any way to switch to User Admin. This also seems to be the case with MC "Panel".

The web service does not expose "users" so my guess is it just connects with the last user used.

MikeO · « **Reply #112 on:** July 15, 2018, 02:36:44 am »

Hi

How long off is the iOS version?

I primary use JRemote on an iPad Mini , I have an Android phone but I just find the screen too small to use for browsing etc . I even use a Vaio 11 in laptop tablet , I like space.

I am even considering upgrading to a iPad Pro to get a BIGGER screen

I'll give it a whirl on Android though

Cheers
Mike

JimH · « **Reply #113 on:** July 15, 2018, 04:13:42 am »

Maybe you could find an old Samsung Galaxy Tab at a good price.

Here's one for $70, for example:
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/sys/d/samsung-galaxy-tab-2-101/6642976856.html

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #114 on:** July 18, 2018, 04:35:45 am »

Just asking before I try it myself... how well does this app currently work on an Android TV box? I know support for Android TV is on the to-do list, but does the app function enough for it to work right now (I'm expecting the UI issues, of course)?

cncb · « **Reply #115 on:** July 18, 2018, 11:38:38 am »

Quote from: Awesome Donkey on July 18, 2018, 04:35:45 am

Just asking before I try it myself... how well does this app currently work on an Android TV box? I know support for Android TV is on the to-do list, but does the app function enough for it to work right now (I'm expecting the UI issues, of course)?

I just tried it on my Shield TV and it crashes on startup. You can, of course, cast your phone to Android TV which works fine for playing music.

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #116 on:** July 18, 2018, 12:19:03 pm »

It actually works on mine. It's not technically a true Android TV box (it's a T95Z Plus with a Amlogic S912 that runs stock Android with a TV launcher, AFAIK) and it actually works there.

rec head · « **Reply #117 on:** July 19, 2018, 09:14:40 am »

I just came across this app. I have only been using for a couple minutes but I'm really impressed so far. Thanks.

cncb · « **Reply #118 on:** July 22, 2018, 02:20:04 pm »

v1.3.1 is now available which adds a seek bar, custom file details, and option for video playback in an external player.

tzr916 · « **Reply #119 on:** July 22, 2018, 04:08:58 pm »

Nice! Option for external video player works great for Tv (ts files).

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #120 on:** July 23, 2018, 03:40:05 am »

Initial testing has been good thus far. Quite like the seekbar implementation too.

Right now I'm testing for the issue with the image cache displaying wrong cover art for albums. So far, it's displaying them correctly. It'll take a couple days until I can say for sure that it's fixed now (thanks to clearing the cache when connecting).

hoyt · « **Reply #121 on:** July 23, 2018, 04:04:06 pm »

Quote from: cncb on July 22, 2018, 02:20:04 pm

v1.3.1 is now available which adds a seek bar, custom file details, and option for video playback in an external player.

Cool!

I haven't played with the custom file details yet, but I like the option.

Just tried to use the external video playback, but it's not working consistently for me. I have VLC set as the default video playback device on my android. What happens:

1) Change the preference to use external
2) Find video, hit play
3) Popup asks me to sign into Panel, I do
4) Immediately VLC closes, and I see a popup on the bottom that says "The location https://blahblah.com:52200/MCWS/v1/File/GetFile%3FFile=1162157&Conversion=Android&Quality=High&Resolution=1724x1080&Token=ABC cannot be played.

If I open that link on my mac it shows:

<Response Status="Failure" Information="Function 'File/GetFile%3FFile=1162157&Conversion=Android&Quality=High&Resolution=1724x1080&Token=ABC' not found."/>

At one point I changed it to not convert video and the next time it played, then I did it again and it failed with a similar message. I did notice that the %3F should be a ?. If I copy that link and change it to a ?, the file starts to download (on my computer).

cncb · « **Reply #122 on:** July 23, 2018, 04:36:27 pm »

Quote from: hoyt on July 23, 2018, 04:04:06 pm

Just tried to use the external video playback, but it's not working consistently for me. I have VLC set as the default video playback device on my android.

Could you try a different video player? I think VLC is displaying the URL incorrectly or messing it up when it makes you log in (which is unnecessary).

hoyt · « **Reply #123 on:** July 23, 2018, 05:59:27 pm »

Quote from: cncb on July 23, 2018, 04:36:27 pm

Could you try a different video player? I think VLC is displaying the URL incorrectly or messing it up when it makes you log in (which is unnecessary).

Just tried with MX Player and it worked. Then I flipped back to VLC and it worked, so I had to know what I did that gave that message.

I think I nailed it down to what causing that error in VLC. If I play file 1, then go back to MO and play file 1 again, I get that error. But If I move to another file, it's fine. If I play file 1, then file 2, then file 3, I can't go back to any of them. I even closed MO and VLC and still get the Panel login popup and file not found error. If I go into VLC and "clear history" then file 1 will work again, so it must be a problem inside of VLC.

I don't have a chromecast, so I can't test casting (I thought the Roku could do this, but I guess not), but I assume I could then do that from VLC. Looks good! Thanks!

tzr916 · « **Reply #124 on:** July 23, 2018, 09:03:40 pm »

Not having any of those issues with VLC playing Tv shows (ts files).
Appears VLC has no ff/rew ability for ts files, so I might try MX Player.

EDIT: MX Player has ff/rew/jump and resume but out of the box it does not play AC3 audio in Tv shows... good thing there's a hack codec for that (google it).

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #125 on:** July 24, 2018, 02:00:54 pm »

Quote from: Awesome Donkey on July 23, 2018, 03:40:05 am

Right now I'm testing for the issue with the image cache displaying wrong cover art for albums. So far, it's displaying them correctly. It'll take a couple days until I can say for sure that it's fixed now (thanks to clearing the cache when connecting).

Pretty sure this has been addressed. Usually it only takes me a couple minutes to get it to happen (by opening/closing the app then reopening/closing, etc.). Also, I can see this remote easily surpassing JRemote/Gizmo/eos as the best JRiver remote for Android. For me, it already has as this is now my main remote. I really recommend people to try this out, as having gapless playback alone makes this worth it.

For those potential iOS users, let cncb know you're interested in having this on iOS. Voice your support! The more potential users, the better. Of course, I can see this easily surpassing JRemote on iOS as well.

Great work, as always.

P.S. I plan on writing a (glowing) review once I get some time to write down my thoughts.

amsco15 · « **Reply #126 on:** July 24, 2018, 02:19:42 pm »

Please an iOS version! I'll buy it straight up on release day.

hoyt · « **Reply #127 on:** July 24, 2018, 02:28:22 pm »

Quote from: Awesome Donkey on July 24, 2018, 02:00:54 pm

Also, I can see this remote easily surpassing JRemote/Gizmo/eos as the best JRiver remote for Android. For me, it already has as this is now my main remote. I really recommend people to try this out, as having gapless playback alone makes this worth it.

P.S. I plan on writing a (glowing) review once I get some time to write down my thoughts.

Agreed!

I am surprised that not more people have at least rated it in the Play Store.

cncb · « **Reply #128 on:** July 24, 2018, 02:43:49 pm »

Thanks to Awesome Donkey, hoyt, and others for your support.

oie · « **Reply #129 on:** July 25, 2018, 03:00:59 am »

Hi,
Interested on a iOS version.
Many thanks,
Oscar

okey · « **Reply #130 on:** July 28, 2018, 05:52:19 am »

Hi, very nice remote with a lot of potential, I can't seem to get the add to playlist to work, when I add to playlist I get an error saying, failed, make sure you have write access to library.

Any ideas

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #131 on:** July 28, 2018, 05:57:06 am »

Quote from: okey on July 28, 2018, 05:52:19 am

Hi, very nice remote with a lot of potential, I can't seem to get the add to playlist to work, when I add to playlist I get an error saying, failed, make sure you have write access to library.

Are you using read only authentication, perhaps?

okey · « **Reply #132 on:** July 28, 2018, 11:33:39 am »

Not sure tbh, where do I look for that

JimH · « **Reply #133 on:** July 28, 2018, 04:08:03 pm »

Options > Media Network

okey · « **Reply #134 on:** July 29, 2018, 03:20:36 am »

I've looked in media network but there is nothing about write options only authentication which is un ticked as well

Thanks all sorted now, ticked the authentication box and now all working, brill

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #135 on:** August 09, 2018, 06:25:48 am »

Any chance of seeing streaming (Radio Paradise and Radio JRiver) support? I'm sure there'd be some interested users in having those available in a remote.

cncb · « **Reply #136 on:** August 09, 2018, 07:30:17 am »

Quote from: Awesome Donkey on August 09, 2018, 06:25:48 am

Any chance of seeing streaming (Radio Paradise and Radio JRiver) support? I'm sure there'd be some interested users in having those available in a remote.

I will have to look into this as I haven't tried either in MC.

Preliminary Android TV support for video is coming very soon.

Ekpen · « **Reply #137 on:** August 09, 2018, 09:58:01 am »

Quote from: cncb on August 09, 2018, 07:30:17 am

I will have to look into this as I haven't tried either in MC.

Preliminary Android TV support for video is coming very soon.

When will you add chromecast support ?
George

cncb · « **Reply #138 on:** August 09, 2018, 11:09:29 am »

Quote from: Ekpen on August 09, 2018, 09:58:01 am

When will you add chromecast support ?

Probably still several weeks out.

cncb · « **Reply #139 on:** August 09, 2018, 03:02:25 pm »

v1.3.2 is now available. Preliminary Android TV support was added for video playback. See the first post for details. Note that the same subscription is shared for both mobile and TV.

Ninouchka · « **Reply #140 on:** August 09, 2018, 05:55:19 pm »

If you port this to IOS, and landscape format for Ipad, I have no problem to buy it. I always used JRemote to watch my tv series in mkv format in my bed, but for some reason the mkv files stops playing, sometimes each minutes, sometimes five minutes.
Now I use Air Video Server HD on my windows HTPC/Server together with the app for it on IOS 11.4.1, and it works superb, so I don't need to change. But I will if you can make me use JRiver Media Center again as server, and MO 4Media on my Ipad.
I do need subtitle support and color support for the subtitles. Air Video HD IOS app has it, so it should be possible.

I think you can make your price bigger, I would gladly pay 10 dollar a year for something that does work via wifi.

rec head · « **Reply #141 on:** August 10, 2018, 07:14:12 am »

Quote from: cncb on August 09, 2018, 11:09:29 am

Probably still several weeks out.

It's great to hear that you're planning on it. I was looking around the app yesterday to see if I could cast.

cncb · « **Reply #142 on:** August 11, 2018, 10:59:27 am »

For anyone who might have interest in Android TV, note that in the US they sell the Mi Box for ~$60 at Walmart so it might be worth a try without having to pay significantly more for an NVidia Shield TV or a new set with Android TV built in. I tested on a Shield TV so I am not sure how the playback of the Mi Box compares.

rec head · « **Reply #143 on:** August 12, 2018, 07:17:43 am »

Sorry if I missed it but are you playing full res MKV's on the Shield? UHD? HDR?

cncb · « **Reply #144 on:** August 12, 2018, 07:44:26 am »

Quote from: rec head on August 12, 2018, 07:17:43 am

Sorry if I missed it but are you playing full res MKV's on the Shield? UHD? HDR?

Full-res UHD should work but, unfortunately, I don't have a 4K TV so hopefully someone can test and report back. I think the Shield TV is missing the Dolby version of HDR but other than that I think it should work.

rec head · « **Reply #145 on:** August 12, 2018, 02:20:56 pm »

Cool, thanks for the info. Basically whatever the Shield can handle the app will play?

I've been looking for an excuse to get one for a while.

jmone · « **Reply #146 on:** August 13, 2018, 01:13:37 am »

I've ordered a Shield and have a 4K HRD setup to test on (when it arrives) ...

cncb · « **Reply #147 on:** August 13, 2018, 07:16:49 am »

Quote from: rec head on August 12, 2018, 02:20:56 pm

Basically whatever the Shield can handle the app will play?

Yes, it should support whatever the device does.

Quote from: jmone on August 13, 2018, 01:13:37 am

I've ordered a Shield and have a 4K HRD setup to test on (when it arrives) ...

Cool. Let us know how it goes with 4K.

Hilton · « **Reply #148 on:** August 13, 2018, 07:44:00 am »

I should be picking up a Shield tomorrow if they come in to stock as planned.

PS. the app works ok on Android TV on the Sony but it doesnt go back from video properly to navigate without going all the way back out to the start screen.
On Android TV you also dont seem to support switching subtitles on/off and switching audio streams. (understand it's first release)

When setup for external player it works ok with the native Sony player it and does support switching subtitles off and changing audio streams in the native Sony player.
I confirm that all forms of 4K HDR also work both in app and when using external player. Nice work.. Just a few more tweaks and we have a good alternative to other server/app products that works natively with MC on Android TV.

The navigation is also pretty good.

nwboater · « **Reply #149 on:** August 13, 2018, 09:44:28 am »

If I understand correctly you presently only support Video on Android TV. Do you know when you will have support for Images?

Really glad you are developing this program for Android TV!

Cheers,
Rod

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Author Topic: MO 4Media - remote control and player with Android TV & Android Auto support (Read 204883 times)