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[simplextech]

I have been going through the Wiki and reading the forums for the last several days.  However I'm at a pause before I decide to purchase.

- Unsupported browser error with Hulu streaming section.  How/where can I change the browser or can I?

- Main JRiver page says Netflx very clearly but I can find nothing in MC25 nor the Wiki on how to stream NetFlix

- Amazon Video is nowhere to be found.  Is this possible?

- Sonos DLNA/UPNP.  I can see my Sonos players but Sonos does not see JRiver at all.  Sonos can see my MediaMonkey library just fine though.  Yes I started the DLNA server and rechecked those settings.  Any plans for fixing this?

My main goal is a revamp of my home media and I feel as though I'm somewhat going backwards with a HTPC vs the Roku Ultra and FireTV boxes in regards to streaming video.  However a HTPC setup is far more capable at delivering the DVD/BD quality and experience than streaming through Plex which is what I have been doing for the last several years.  I'm looking some guidance and opinions on whether JRiver can meet what I'm looking for at the cost of it vs going with Kodi or similar.

[tij]

- internet explorer and chrome are option available for browser ... edge is not available (Microsoft thingy ... if MC could offer edge it would have been done already)
- I don’t think you can stream Netflix through JRiver video engine ... in my understanding none of streaming services provide API needed for this ... you can pass streaming audio through MC audio engine though using WDM drivers
- screenshot of your DLNA setting might help to troubleshoot your problem with Sonos

Like you I started with Kodi then moved to Plex (lifetime member) ... now on JRiver

For me JRiver was choice mainly because of MadVR ... Kodi has dropped official support for DSplayer and with it support for MadVR

JRiver offers very flexible tagging that let you organize your media (important if you have lots and lots of media) ... it is not as easy to set up as Plex since JRiver does not have apps for smartTV or Roku or Shield or AppleTV

So you have these options:

1. Have one HTPC for each TV ... not cheap

2. MC does have web interface (Panel) that let u browse and play your media on anything that has web browser ... but personally I don’t like the interface

3. Use DLNA .. then smartTV can access your library ... but I don’t like this too as interface varies from device to device (and on my LG E6 it’s ugly)

4. Browse your library on tablet (iPad, Android, iPhone) ... then cast your selection to DLNA renderer (which most smart TVs are)

Personally ... I put HTPC on things that needs 3D and critical movie viewing ... and use method 4 for all other TVs

[Awesome Donkey]

edge is not available (Microsoft thingy ... if MC could offer edge it would have been done already)

Even if adding Edge as a browser engine was possible, it'd be kinda pointless adding it now since the current EdgeHTML version of Edge is on Microsoft's chopping block, and is going to be replaced with the Chromium version of Edge. Which, of course, MC already has Chromium as a browser engine option.

However, the main issue with the embedded browsers, especially Chromium (MC uses the Chromium Embedded Framework or CEF for short), is it doesn't ship with the Widevine CDM plugin anymore, which is required to get video streaming services that use DRM (which is more-or-less all streaming services including the "big" three; Netflix, Amazon and Hulu) working in MC. If I recall correctly, I don't think MC right now will work with Netflix, Amazon or Hulu in the embedded Chromium browser due to lack of the plugin needed for DRM'd video playback not being shipped with CEF anymore. Not sure if it'd work switching to the Internet Explorer engine, but since IE is a dead browser itself, I wouldn't be surprised if Netflix/Amazon/Hulu/etc. has already dropped all support for playback in IE.

MC did have native Netflix support, until a couple years ago when Netflix closed their public API for developers. Basically all the big streaming services have closed off their APIs available only to cherry picked partners, e.g. Roku, Apple, Amazon, Nvidia, etc.

[simplextech]

After lots of digging I found where I can select between IE and Chromium for the Streaming sites and yup I hit the widevine issue.  Why can't I use Chrome and not Chromium?  Unless it's due to the deep embedding.  Now raises the question of why JRiver doesn't license things and that comes back to money.

I went through the standard DLNA settings again and still nothing visible from Sonos Controller from JRiver but I enabled DLNA from Kodi without any configuring and there is the Kodi listing in the Sonos Controller and I can see everything.  As I can see my media from Sonos Controller from MediaMonkey, Kodi, miniDLNA and every other DLNA server I've tried this leads to it being a JRiver MC issue. 

I do like the extensive media management capabilities within JRiver MC and it looks to have a lot of great Audio functionality just not as much for Video unless I'm missing something.  The organizing, tagging, etc is great however reality is nobody sitting in front of the TV cares about that.  They just want to pick up a remote (any remote) and have a nice menu system to choose a media to browse, listen to, watch, etc. 

I'm going to continue poking around however I'm not finding anything that pops out making JRiver a definitive winner versus Kodi.  Please help if I'm missing something. 

[JimH]

As I can see my media from Sonos Controller from MediaMonkey, Kodi, miniDLNA and every other DLNA server I've tried this leads to it being a JRiver MC issue. 

Or firewall or antivirus problem.

[Awesome Donkey]

Why can't I use Chrome and not Chromium?

 
Chrome is based on Chromium, which is an open-source browser, which CEF is derived from. Chrome itself isn't open-source and can't be embedded into an application like Chromium via CEF can, so that's why it's not and can't be used.

[simplextech]

Or firewall or antivirus problem.

No FW or AV issue.  JRiver issue and I found other posts about this as well.

[simplextech]

 
Chrome is based on Chromium, which is an open-source browser, which CEF is derived from. Chrome itself isn't open-source and can't be embedded into an application like Chromium via CEF can, so that's why it's not and can't be used.

Yes I know the differences.  Widevine is a DRM component that is licensed and is not specific to Chrome and it is possible to use in Chromium with a manual install.  Yet I'm sure none of that is discussed on this forum so it's back into the JRiver corner to license and support which comes back to money.

I'm getting the sense that MC is not a whole package for current day media center but that's ok.  I'm just trying to see what is available or not to set proper expectations.

- Currently MC is not out of the box working with Sonos DLNA (presenting to Sonos Controller)
- No support for online streaming services which are all that I use (no OTA TV or cable/satellite)
- Good media management of pictures, music, video
- Media playback for encoded and raw DVD/BD content
- Limited number of plugins, theater skins available (I've looked around and things are scattered so maybe I'm missing something)

JRiver really should update the main landing page and other pages and remove Netflix from all pages as it's non functional/available and warrants refunds to people who purchase without proper testing, which happens all of the time.

I'm not trying to be contrary but I'm trying to see why/what makes MC worth my $80.  I've been using various HTPC and set-tops for a long time so this is nothing new but I'm too busy and cranky to want to deal with Kodi but so far it's more functional from a base install than MC.  Current value of MC having the superior media organizing which I like but nobody in front of the TV cares about.

[blgentry]

This is just my perspective as a customer of JRiver, who does NOT use MC on an HTPC:

* MC is not a set top box, nor is it really designed as one.
* Streaming video services aren't really supported.  They can be hacked in here and there, but they aren't part of the core functionality of MC.
* MC has a 10 foot interface like other popular HTPC products, but it's not as customizable and skinable as the others.

* Sonos support in MC has been reported to be a little unusual, as Sonos apparently does not implement the DNLA standard very well.  Generally speaking, MC can see Sonos renderers and can be directed to send music to a Sonos renderer.  I have not followed any discussions about having Sonos use MC as a DLNA media source.

* MC has incredible media management customization.  If that appeals to you, I know of nothing better.
* MC has best in class video quality on the Windows platform.  I'm told you can tweak the hell out of it for advanced features like 10 bit video and various upscaling modes.  I have no personal experience with this, but the Windows video guys seem to think that MC's video quality is near the top of the top.

Generally speaking, MC is designed for the collector.  Someone who has a media collection.  Files on local disks that they organize, browse, and play.  This includes audio and video files and even images.

* MC's audio support is quite advanced and considered to be one of the audiophile standards. 

So that's what your investment buys you, from my limited perspective.  MC does a ton of things well.  But it doesn't do everything.  You might want a set top box for streaming and MC for super high quality video of your local collection.  But, if what you said is true, and you have no collection, or a very limited one, MC might not be the proper video product for you.

Still, MC is amazing for audio and might appeal to you on that front.

Good luck with your shopping and decision.

Brian.

[dtc]

- Currently MC is not out of the box working with Sonos DLNA (presenting to Sonos Controller)

MC sees Sonus speakers, but it sees them individually. That means Sonus's ability to sync to multiple speakers is not available.  You can play to all of them - they just do not sync as nicely as Sonus does directly.

You can create your own library within Sonus just by pointing the  Sonus app to the folders on your PC. It will scan the folders and create a library of the files it finds there.  The files just need to be tagged appropriately.

I do the latter because of the sync issues.

[JimH]

Split Sonos Doesn't See JRiver

[JimH]

Closing this now since it turned into a Sonos thread, and that's now split to a new thread.

Please copy and paste to a new thread with an appropriate subject if needed.