Topic: JRiver on Android -- Development Discussion, Questions, & Answers (Read 81310 times)

JimH · « **on:** November 30, 2018, 04:37:17 pm »

It's on the Play Store now as beta. It's $9.98.

https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,118399.0.html

Working Now
Audio playback to the device, using files from the device.

Audio playback to another DLNA device, using files from the device.

Supported audio file types are the same as MC.

It's still a little fragile and probably will be for a few weeks.

Not Working Yet
Radio

Future Plans
Playlists, Video, Images

Known Problems
On startup, volume may be muted. Just adjust the volume. Turn phone sideways if needed.

Why Android
https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,118438.msg819359.html#msg819359

Audio Quality
The first few builds used the browser for playback. Beginning with 24.0.7, audio is played in the new Android JRiver engine.

JimH · « **Reply #1 on:** November 30, 2018, 04:39:45 pm »

Quote from: DJPS on November 30, 2018, 04:33:38 pm

Using the navigation buttons for search, playlist etc at the top of the screen causes dropouts in the file currently playing.

Twice so far (about 1 hour) when I hit the 'Home' button, it deleted the playlist and stopped the currently playing file mid track.

It's still fragile. That should improve quickly.

Quote

The orange button on the home page takes me to a page that says 'Radio JRiver' but it has no controls and nothing happens.

Not yet working.

Quote

The pink button says 'no car radio buttons have been saved' but I have no idea what this means or how to make it work. There doesn't seem to be any way of setting them up.

Not yet working.

Quote

Is it possible to import, create (non current) or save a playlist?

Not yet. Play with Play Doctor should work.

Thanks for the report.

DJPS · « **Reply #2 on:** November 30, 2018, 04:46:36 pm »

Thanks for the reply. Looking forward to enjoying such a great app on my phone

JimH · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2018, 04:53:14 pm »

Thank you.

xpto · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2018, 05:01:51 pm »

Congratulations on your 1st public beta of JRiver for Android. My initial report follows.

I installed it on a Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo, Android 6.0.1 and all went fine.

Browser opens pointing to localhost (the phone) and is able to display the Panel interface (yay!)

Good news: My phone shows up as a DLNA zone on my computer (running MC) identified as SM-G903F

I then try to play a regular FLAC track residing on my PC to my phone:

a) the phone somehow receives the information about the track from the MC desktop - it is able to display its name - good.
b) however it is not able to play it. Attempts (via the phone interface) to play it are also fruitless - the time display starts counting up (usually up to 5 seconds) and then resets to 0:00. In any case there is no sound coming out of the phone.

Went back to the entry on the desktop with the DLNA entry SM-G903F referring to the phone. Right click on it.

Device address is displayed correctly -> good
Clicking "Show device webpage" takes me to my phone and to Panel's user authentication page -> good
However if I input my user / password combination into Panel's interface and press the "Login" button nothing seems to happen -> not good.

Not sure how much of the above is expected / not expected.

I'll keep on exploring it a bit more and reporting what I see.

Cheers,

xpto

JimH · « **Reply #5 on:** November 30, 2018, 05:15:25 pm »

As you've found, DLNA is only partially working at this point. You can play from the phone to any DLNA Renderer, but you can't yet play from another DLNA device to the phone. We should be able to get this going soon.

Thanks for the report.

syndromeofadown · « **Reply #6 on:** November 30, 2018, 05:23:55 pm »

I installed on a few devices.
Samsung Tab A running Android 5.1.1. JRiver crashes when starting.
FiiO X5III running Android 5.1.1. JRiver crashes on when starting.
Nokia 6.1 running Android 9.0 starts up fine but none of the music on the phone shows up. Should it show up automatically or do I need to import music somehow? Please advise.

JimH · « **Reply #7 on:** November 30, 2018, 05:38:16 pm »

It will import from the default music folder.

syndromeofadown · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2018, 05:48:54 pm »

Quote

It will import from the default music folder.

Thanks. I moved some music from the SD card to onboard storage. Music shows up now. And Plays.

syndromeofadown · « **Reply #9 on:** November 30, 2018, 07:29:40 pm »

On my Nokia 6.1 running Android 9.0. When playing local files to DLNA device I have no control over the volume of my DLNA device through panel. The volume buttons on my phone have no affect. I also tested with JRemote and it's working fine and has volume controls.

indieke · « **Reply #10 on:** December 01, 2018, 04:35:14 am »

I installed it on my phone and a Zidoo player. It is totally useless for the moment. I not have a real app opened, but a internetpage. All is empty. Normal, as I read above, it will scan the usual libraries on the unit, and not an external hard disc, or sd card.

As my phone memory is to small in size, and have a large sd card in phone , and a external hard disc, on my Zidoo, I hope, soon, the library, as with the Windows program, will be chosen in the settings. ..

JimH · « **Reply #11 on:** December 01, 2018, 06:57:44 am »

indieke,
The audio must be in the default music directory for now.

Very old versions of Android may not work.

JimH · « **Reply #12 on:** December 01, 2018, 07:02:44 am »

Quote from: syndromeofadown on November 30, 2018, 07:29:40 pm

On my Nokia 6.1 running Android 9.0. When playing local files to DLNA device I have no control over the volume of my DLNA device through panel. The volume buttons on my phone have no affect. I also tested with JRemote and it's working fine and has volume controls.

Try turning the phone sideways (landscape mode). There is a volume slider there.

daveman · « **Reply #13 on:** December 01, 2018, 01:46:12 pm »

Hi There,

Just downloaded the beta.

Installed ok. However, my library did not seem to load as everything is empty.

any setting I need to set?

indieke · « **Reply #14 on:** December 01, 2018, 09:08:18 pm »

Quote from: JimH on December 01, 2018, 06:57:44 am

indieke,
The audio must be in the default music directory for now.

Very old versions of Android may not work.

Yes, I understand that, but if this not change, it is useless to me. Nothing in my default directory, and no, not an old version, phone from last year and media player Zidoo Z9, out only a few months.

JimH · « **Reply #15 on:** December 01, 2018, 09:39:52 pm »

Could you try moving a few files to the default music directory?

This will change in a future build.

mb2k · « **Reply #16 on:** December 02, 2018, 04:08:49 pm »

Sorry if this has been addressed or doesn't apply, but is this something that can be used on a Shield? I don't see it as an option in the play store.

JimH · « **Reply #17 on:** December 02, 2018, 04:50:17 pm »

Quote from: mb2k on December 02, 2018, 04:08:49 pm

Sorry if this has been addressed or doesn't apply, but is this something that can be used on a Shield? I don't see it as an option in the play store.

Not yet.

Facel · « **Reply #18 on:** December 03, 2018, 09:15:40 am »

Hi Jim
Will this offer remains valid untill the Android TV version will available for download on google play store ?

JimH · « **Reply #19 on:** December 03, 2018, 09:36:48 am »

It's not possible to say yet.

styxx10 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 03, 2018, 05:49:44 pm »

If you have an Android Phone, or tablet, with JRemote connected to your network.... what benefit or difference or useability will be gained by JRiver for Android ? It seems to be a bit like reinventing the wheel.
I saw a comment that JRemote is the past, which I think might be unsettling for many given that JRemote is for many users the most useful add on to their using JRiver.

JimH · « **Reply #21 on:** December 03, 2018, 06:02:50 pm »

It's the JRiver engine ported to Android, so anything JRiver Media Center can do will be potentially available on Android. Playback of any media file, for example. Serving files through DLNA or with Library Server. Playing files as a Renderer.

Most people think of Android as an OS for a phone, but Android is moving to television and laptops. It's a major OS and JRiver is starting to support it.

slerch666 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 04, 2018, 01:32:39 pm »

Issue 1:

JRiver uses the default web browser, not Chrome, for rendering the web page. I say this knowing that 99.97% of all Android users are likely just using what Google gives them. I am not normal and actually use Firefox, Chrome and Edge at times and switch often. Edge renders the page but has oddness. Firefox seems OK for now. And yes, I realize that every browser in the Play Store has to use Google's rendering engine. That doesn't change the fact that, for some things like this, there are odd things that don't look right in those browsers.

Your fix will likely be "just use Chrome." My response will be, who are you to tell me how to use my phone? I don't tell you to use Internet Explorer on your Windows 10 PC, don't tell me what browser to use on my phone please.

My current workaround is to just copy the URL and open the browser I want to use. I do not know if there is a way per app to require a specific app be spawned, in this case, Chrome, when you try to open JRiver. If there is, I would say might be a good idea to configure that.

Issue 2:

I have seen it asked several times but not answered. Will JRiver use the default audio path on Android devices or can it use the advanced audio options afforded to devices like LG G6? Or if I plug in a USB-C DAC, can it use that? My understanding is that app have to be specifically coded to allow this capability and not all apps offer it. If JRiver can do today or will be done in the future to offer this, then I would say it could be close to the 1:1 player we have on Windows (eventually). If it doesn't or won't, then I would say the name should be changed as the pedigree will be lost with this new product. My opinion, of course.

Sorry if it sounds like I am bitching. I am not. I can work around the issue I experienced but not sure I should have to.

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #23 on:** December 04, 2018, 02:20:18 pm »

Quote from: slerch666 on December 04, 2018, 01:32:39 pm

And yes, I realize that every browser in the Play Store has to use Google's rendering engine.

No, that's Apple and iOS. Android browsers can use their own rendering engine (Gecko/Quantium for Firefox, EdgeHTML for Edge... until they switch to Chromium/Blink, etc.)

On iOS all web browsers have to use Safari's rendering engine, WebKit, instead of their own they use on other platforms.

slerch666 · « **Reply #24 on:** December 04, 2018, 02:30:42 pm »

Quote from: Awesome Donkey on December 04, 2018, 02:20:18 pm

No, that's Apple and iOS. Android browsers can use their own rendering engine (Gecko/Quantium for Firefox, EdgeHTML for Edge... until they switch to Chromium/Blink, etc.)

On iOS all web browsers have to use Safari's rendering engine, WebKit, instead of their own they use on other platforms.

Ah. I was thinking Google had a similar requirement.

Though for the record, Edge on Android already uses Blink. The announcement was blah blah blah, browser is like an OS in and of itself, blah blah blah, we'll use what we know works on Android, blah blah blah.

https://blogs.windows.com/msedgedev/2017/10/05/microsoft-edge-ios-android-developer/#ppPAY3EWG06siI1S.97

And now it is irrelevant as they move to Blink for Windows 10 Edge.

JimH · « **Reply #25 on:** December 04, 2018, 03:24:56 pm »

It's still very early, so please be patient.

slerch666 · « **Reply #26 on:** December 05, 2018, 07:54:53 am »

Quote from: JimH on December 04, 2018, 03:24:56 pm

It's still very early, so please be patient.

Hey Jim.

No worries.

I use JR MC from my PC for listening to music, I don't NEED the Android version. It would be a nice to have and I am happy to wait.

Only reporting what I am seeing in the spirit of a beta/pre-release from the perspective that if it can be fixed, your team will fix it or give an acceptable reason why XYZ can't be made to work and so on.

Can you confirm if MC is using or can use advanced audio paths as opposed to just the default? If only the default, to match the pedigree I would definitely love to see support. Examples being the LG G6 and external audio options, etc.

Thanks Jim.

JimH · « **Reply #27 on:** December 05, 2018, 08:37:01 am »

I can't give you any definite answer. It's still in transition. It should be clearer soon.

JimH · « **Reply #28 on:** December 05, 2018, 04:44:49 pm »

JohnT got audio working in the app, so we won't need the browser for playback in the next build.

I believe we'll then have support for the formats that MC itself can play.

Misukasten · « **Reply #29 on:** December 08, 2018, 02:42:53 am »

Hello,
unfortunately JRiver on Android (newest version) doesn't show any of my mp3-files which I have on my device, neither from internal storage nor from my SD-card (Android 6.0.1 on a Samsung S5).
Please help, because I really would like to enjoy JRiver sound on my phone too like I already do on pc!
Best regards,
Misukasten

I'm sorry, I figured it out: I lost my default android music folder. So I recreated it, put some songs into it and JRiver shows them. Nevertheless it would be great to use my sd-card for playing music, where about 30gb tracks are waiting for JRiver

wig · « **Reply #30 on:** December 08, 2018, 08:44:26 am »

Hey JRiver team,

The app is progressing nicely. It's great to have the audio playing from the app itself!

I know it's early, but I'd like to put this bug in your ear.

Using the phone during my morning commute, I'm usually running late and don't have much time to mess with my music. Half the time it doesn't make it out of my pocket.

With the app, JRiver now starts automatically when phone pairs with the car Bluetooth.

My request - When I click the Play button on my Bluetooth controller, I want playback to start every time. A default radio button, playlist, Play Doctor, whatever. I just don't want to have interact with my phone, or browse a level or two deep into the interface to start playback.

As always, thanks for your work!

JimH · « **Reply #31 on:** December 08, 2018, 08:52:49 am »

It makes lots of sense. I agree.

I think our highest priority now is stability. It's too fragile.

Brad thinks he's close to getting playlists working. That's also important.

Maybe a default playlist or set of playlists would help for your case. Car 1, Car 2, ...

Thanks for the feedback.

2minikan · « **Reply #32 on:** December 08, 2018, 10:20:13 am »

Is it possible to change the music folder at this time? My Music is on my SD card not in the default music folder.

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #33 on:** December 08, 2018, 10:43:37 am »

Not yet.

newbluesman · « **Reply #34 on:** December 08, 2018, 10:57:51 am »

Quote from: JimH on November 30, 2018, 04:37:17 pm

It's on the Play Store now as beta. It's $9.98.

So it's not covered under my Master License?

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #35 on:** December 08, 2018, 11:21:40 am »

It's not covered by a master license, no. Likely because it's for sale in the Play Store and there's probably restrictions in place by Google not allowing "external" registration of apps. Not sure about that though, but I know with Apple that is indeed the case.

Richard Martin · « **Reply #36 on:** December 09, 2018, 04:55:08 pm »

I have used the Gizmo app, for free, for many years to play music on my android phone, either to headphones or via Bluetooth to a speaker. Can anyone tell me what I will gain by paying for the new JRiver Android app? Is there any way to try it before I buy?

JimH · « **Reply #37 on:** December 09, 2018, 05:41:32 pm »

You probably could wait and try it later. There is no trial, but you can get a refund from the Play Store in the first 2 hours (one time only).

Read the first post to learn more. Other than design being more touch friendly, the major difference at this time is that you can play files from your phone.

DocLotus · « **Reply #38 on:** December 10, 2018, 03:09:31 pm »

As I read that the music files must currently be on the default music folder... that must be why none of the files on my NAS play?

Any idea when NAS playback will be available ?

JimH · « **Reply #39 on:** December 10, 2018, 03:24:38 pm »

You could do that now by using Panel.

DocLotus · « **Reply #40 on:** December 10, 2018, 03:47:43 pm »

Quote from: JimH on December 10, 2018, 03:24:38 pm

You could do that now by using Panel.

Yes but isn't there a browser code required to enter to play through Panel ?

Any timeline for Android playback from NAS (something like JetAudio Plus does) ?

JimH · « **Reply #41 on:** December 10, 2018, 03:50:18 pm »

Quote from: DocLotus on December 10, 2018, 03:47:43 pm

Yes but isn't there a browser code required to enter to play through Panel ?

I'm not sure what you mean. Panel can load the library from a DLNA Server like a NAS. It can play locally on the device where it was started or it can play to a DLNA Renderer. https://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Panel

Quote

Any timeline for Android playback from NAS (something like JetAudio Plus does) ?

At least a few weeks away.

DocLotus · « **Reply #42 on:** December 10, 2018, 04:18:45 pm »

AHHHHH.... Thank you so much, Jim. THAT is GREAT news indeed. I can wait

JimH · « **Reply #43 on:** December 10, 2018, 04:58:00 pm »

Did you try Panel?

wig · « **Reply #44 on:** December 11, 2018, 05:52:41 am »

Hey Jim,

I agree this is low priority at the moment; I just wanted to throw it out there before I forgot.

The more I think about it, I like the idea of using the Car Radio buttons. The queue could populate from a default Car Radio button whenever it's empty. Long press a Car Radio button to set it as the default ( i.e change the channel). Or just set the last choice as the default.

Quote from: JimH on December 08, 2018, 08:52:49 am

It makes lots of sense. I agree.

I think our highest priority now is stability. It's too fragile.

Brad thinks he's close to getting playlists working. That's also important.

Maybe a default playlist or set of playlists would help for your case. Car 1, Car 2, ...

Thanks for the feedback.

DocLotus · « **Reply #45 on:** December 11, 2018, 10:58:54 am »

Quote from: JimH on December 10, 2018, 04:58:00 pm

Did you try Panel?

No. According to the Wiki, MC needs to be up & running on my Windows PC before Panel will work. My Windows PC is currently down (bad MB) so I need a standalone application like MC for Android.

I use Silicone Dust HD HomeRun Connect Quarto for all my TV viewing & recording. It is connected to my NAS & WiFi router & will record anytime of day even with my PC turned off. That is one really neat feature... no PC needed

I'm looking for a similar solution for all my music which is also on my NAS running through WiFi. So far jetAudio Plus does that for me but would really like to have the ultimate control of MC at my disposal.

So, hopefully you can see why I can wait for a NAS solution as that would be for me the ultimate fix.

JimH · « **Reply #46 on:** December 11, 2018, 11:09:21 am »

Quote from: DocLotus on December 11, 2018, 10:58:54 am

According to the Wiki, MC needs to be up & running on my Windows PC before Panel will work.

Or Mac or Linux. The Id, for example, has Panel built in.

Docker on your NAS might work.

DocLotus · « **Reply #47 on:** December 11, 2018, 01:22:04 pm »

I have looked at Synology Docker, much too complicated for me at the moment. I'll just wait for full NAS support.

cavediver · « **Reply #48 on:** December 12, 2018, 04:00:44 pm »

Will JRiver on Android work with Android Auto and be able to play music in my car when Android Auto is on?

JimH · « **Reply #49 on:** December 12, 2018, 04:16:40 pm »

Quote from: cavediver on December 12, 2018, 04:00:44 pm

Will JRiver on Android work with Android Auto and be able to play music in my car when Android Auto is on?

Not yet.

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Author Topic: JRiver on Android -- Development Discussion, Questions, & Answers (Read 81310 times)