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[JimH]

Copying this here from the Big Picture Discussion because I think it's a good road map for where we go next.

--------------------------

Topics that came up several times each...

Privacy
That was a surprise to me, but I understand.

Documentation
Moved to a new thread for discussion.

Theater View Customization
Big topic.  It would require a re-write and I'm not sure even then it would satisfy everyone.

Phones
Lots of different pieces.  I agree it's important.

Services
Too many to support well.  A generalized method that provided the structure for others to implement might work.  Big project.

Voice Control
As I said above, I'm not confident it will remain important after the novelty wears off.  I can see the utility in some situations.

Networking
Airplay, Chromecast, Sonos.  We'd like to do a better job here.

Amazon Music HD
Important, too soon to know what it would take.

Learning Curve
Frustration for users and for JRiver.  Maybe something can be done here.

Client/Server Sync
We can do a better job.

Whole Home Solution
I agree.  We're working on it.  It has a lot of moving parts.  Hopefully, Android TV will help.

[kensn]

Learning curve should be based on what a user "wants" to do. I believe this goes hand in hand with documentation.

It would be beneficial, upon installation of the software, if a user knew what to expect. I am sure all the details are cover in documentation already, but are they aware of where to find it and what to read. We, as seasoned users, take so much for granted.

I always remember the task of writing step by step instructions for tying shoe laces for someone. It is a monumental task.

If a new user decides to try the software, maybe the basics of the functionality should be presented.

• Files wont be modified
• Files wont be moved
• A database is created reflecting current file location and meta data
• Start off with a basic audio configuration
• What is presented in to the user is based on the meta data

From looking at posts from a few years now, this should alleviate some of the confusion.
 

[AndrewFG]

The doc should say “right click on your renderer and disable SetNext”

[DrKNo]

Please let me emphasize the media network related stuff: Whole home solution, Client/Server Sync and Networking here. I truly believe that it is currently too complicated for many users (after spending the better part of a year to figure out all the moving parts). I truly do believe that a better easier and more seamless integration would be attractive to many.

And finally, please keep making the great product we have come to expect of you. MC is the one software most central to my life.

[JimH]

Split Feature Requests

Please use that thread for specific things you need, and this one for general industry trends that JRiver should accomodate.

[CadErik]

Services
Too many to support well.  A generalized method that provided the structure for others to implement might work.  Big project.

Would you be able to share more details on what services you have in mind? Is this something like Spotify/Pandora or Tidal integration?

[grewterd]

Awesomesauce! Pre-ordered. As always . Can't wait to see what's coming!

Documentation, how-tos are something that I would benefit from. I barely scratch the surface of what MC can do because I can't figure it out. About all I do is music. I understand it can do pretty much everything that Kodi can but I'll be darned if I can get anywhere with it so I stick with Kodi for video on my HTPC which has been replaced with my Nvidia Shield. So, an Android TV app would really make me happy. Anywho, keep up the great work, see you again next version.

[JimH]

Awesomesauce! Pre-ordered. As always . Can't wait to see what's coming!

Thank you!

[HK_sends]

Learning curve should be based on what a user "wants" to do. I believe this goes hand in hand with documentation.

It would be beneficial, upon installation of the software, if a user knew what to expect. I am sure all the details are cover in documentation already, but are they aware of where to find it and what to read. We, as seasoned users, take so much for granted.

I always remember the task of writing step by step instructions for tying shoe laces for someone. It is a monumental task.

If a new user decides to try the software, maybe the basics of the functionality should be presented.

• Files wont be modified
• Files wont be moved
• A database is created reflecting current file location and meta data
• Start off with a basic audio configuration
• What is presented in to the user is based on the meta data

From looking at posts from a few years now, this should alleviate some of the confusion.

I agree this is very important.  Not everyone has the time (or desire) to dig into a lot of documentation as soon as a product is released.  That's why hardware Quick-Start guides are so popular.  You have an initial basic working audio and video configuration set up quickly...then you can dig into the details at your leisure. I find many of the media server software out there assumes some level of advanced computer skills.  I do understand there are streaming boxes for the "average" user, but I have several perfectly good computers capable of running MC.  I just need an "idiot's guide" to get me started.  I can't speak for the other users, but MC still seems a bit intimidating.  Hope I'm not beating a dead horse here...

Cheers and Thanks!
-HK sends

P.S. - And I just upgraded too!

[tij]

Feature that can help new users is ability to save/load MC settings ... and restore settings to default values

XML style files can be useful ... then can use MS Word to compare two setting files and see what changes caused trouble

[Axilian]

My main use of MC is audio playing  via PC server to a dedicated system. In that context so me none of the topics mentioned above would be a major factor in me choosing MC. One thing I would like to be considered (and I have brought this up previously) is a better interface to allow the use of the various internet radio stations that are available around the world.

I know we have radio paradise and streaming of BBC  as options (among others) but there's so much more available out there and a way of playing these stations without having to resort to individual playlists (which is how I seem to have to do it now) would be great.

[Dmytro]

Thanks, Jim - preordered.
I hope you would resume JRemote (or alternative) development

[Awesome Donkey]

At least for Android, Hendrik has been working on a major JRemote update that's still actively being developed. Once it's ready, it should be pretty darn good.

[Cinelder]

At least for Android, Hendrik has been working on a major JRemote update that's still actively being developed. Once it's ready, it should be pretty darn good.

I've also pre-ordered MC 26 and also hope there'll be work on the IOS version of JRemote as part of the long term roadmap for MC.  I regard them together as a value proposition.  My everyday experience with MC is mostly through JRemote - to access and control MC and to stream media.  I hope JRiver will show it some love to fix known existing bugs (like the search text/window disappearing in IOS 13) and to include long-requested new functionality (like ability to download files with offline playback), especially now that it appears tht MO 4Media - remote control and player (iOS) may be discontinued (per cncb's comment today in https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,119879.0.html).

[luvmich]

Please let me emphasize the media network related stuff: Whole home solution, Client/Server Sync and Networking here. I truly believe that it is currently too complicated for many users (after spending the better part of a year to figure out all the moving parts). I truly do believe that a better easier and more seamless integration would be attractive to many.

And finally, please keep making the great product we have come to expect of you. MC is the one software most central to my life.

I never found it to be too complicated,  I just didn't realized it was there for years.  I started out running the client on all my computers at home.  Zero sync.   Now it is simple.  I have an old Laptop that runs as a server, it imports everything.  I then go to all my other computers and enter the key.  I import nothing into the clients.   They are sync to the server.

I think what need to be improved is the importing of music.  I've got all my options on library imports ticked correctly, but things still don't always work as I would like.   Example is after importing new music it should show up at the top of the screen when viewing "Recently Albums".  It does that for a few day, but randomly it will re-import and "Recently Albums" will be Alphabetize starting with A's.  MC17 was the last time the library imports seemed to work flawlessly.   I realize it could be something on my end... Maybe I have too much music:)

[RD James]

I never found it to be too complicated,  I just didn't realized it was there for years.  I started out running the client on all my computers at home.  Zero sync.   Now it is simple.  I have an old Laptop that runs as a server, it imports everything.  I then go to all my other computers and enter the key.  I import nothing into the clients.   They are sync to the server.

I think what need to be improved is the importing of music.  I've got all my options on library imports ticked correctly, but things still don't always work as I would like.   Example is after importing new music it should show up at the top of the screen when viewing "Recently Albums".  It does that for a few day, but randomly it will re-import and "Recently Albums" will be Alphabetize starting with A's.  MC17 was the last time the library imports seemed to work flawlessly.   I realize it could be something on my end... Maybe I have too much music:)

It sounds like something in your setup is causing the albums to be re-imported as new when auto-import runs. That shouldn't be happening.
I've had many issues like that with SACD ISO and CUE files, and have banished them from my library; splitting to separate tracks where possible.

[luvmich]

It sounds like something in your setup is causing the albums to be re-imported as new when auto-import runs. That shouldn't be happening.
I've had many issues like that with SACD ISO and CUE files, and have banished them from my library; splitting to separate tracks where possible.

Running a w2k8 server with a read-only share to the MC25/26 server (Just upgraded to a mc26 license).  I will see if this upgrade to mc25 helps any.  I have heard that read-only might be my problem, but since when does "Pandora" allow you to write to there files.  It worked fine on MC17. 

Anyway my auto import is as follows.
no  - Analyze audio for audio files
yes - Build thumbnails
no  - Get cover art
yes - Update for external changes
      > Fix broken links: yes (protect files on missing drives)
no  - Write file tags when analyzing audio, get cover art, and applying folder-based tags

I only import audio (only *.mp3).  It seems as if "Fix broken links" is not functioning as intended. 

Again a refresh to the client server sync may not fix my exact problem, but it is a start in the right direction.
My last mc server didn't have this problem, it has a problem displaying "album cover art" to the clients.  I wiped the library clean and started fresh.  Now the "Recent Albums" don't seam to work, but I have have cover art on my clients now.

[RoderickGI]

Now the "Recent Albums" don't seam to work, but I have have cover art on my clients now.

That is very fixable. Start a thread and ask for help. It will get lost in this thread.

[MrGrymReaper]

Not everyone may be using EnGen for home automation though, it's great to see it. However have you considered working on allowing use of Home Assistant (https://home-assistant.io). Another home automation server only this one is open source. As well as supports many more device integrations and can provide the possibility of working with custom user defined scenes.