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[HandLogger]

We have been trying to start a Mac-based entertainment media file sharing network for a while now, but have run into some road blocks. 

As we have no high-speed internet access, here in the mountains, we set up a wireless router and have been able to share files between two [older] MacBook Pro (MBP) laptops running El Capitan (10.11.6), which is a good thing...but, once we added our media player, an Oppo BDP-105D, to the network, via a physical ethernet cable, we can only get so far.

To clarify, the Oppo player has a dedicated HDMI connection to our TV, which allows us to see a graphic interface, which includes a section called "Network."  After we physically connected the Oppo player to our internal LAN, we can see a graphic proving that both of our MBP laptops are connected to the Oppo player.  Unfortunately, once we attempt to select music files from one of those MBPs, we immediately see a screen prompting for a Username and a Password.  In short, we've tried every Username and Password we can find, to no avail.

So, after much research online, we seem to have what those in the know call a "Server Message Block" (SMB) file sharing protocol issue...as in the Oppo player employs SMB 2.0 and the Mac MBPs use SMB 3.0.  This being the apparent case, it has been suggested that we try a 3rd party file management software package like JRiver. 

Before I download JRiver, though, I'd like to know if it requires a "dedicated client."  Based on my reading, a dedicated client is the machine that stores and transfers files [music files in this case], so, seeing how all of our music files are presently stored on an Apple MBP laptop, I don't see how one gets around it, but I've been warned not to use file management software that requires a dedicated client, so I'm doing my best.

Perhaps I need to go back to basics and get a better understanding of what's required to obtain the "digital jukebox" we have in mind; hence, the request for a primer on the subject.

By the way, our ultimate goal is to have entertainment file storage with our A/V gear in one room and the media interface in another.  Put another way, we hope to someday have a digital jukebox that can be controlled wirelessly...and, needless to say, we're hoping that JRiver is the answer to our file sharing issues.        

[JimH]

Start at the Media Network topic on our wiki.

What you want is possible.

Separate the Oppo issues from playback between the two Mac's.

The fastest way to learn is to install JRiver and try.

[HandLogger]

Start at the Media Network topic on our wiki.

What you want is possible.

Separate the Oppo issues from playback between the two Mac's.

The fastest way to learn is to install JRiver and try.

Thanks for the post, Jim.  I already did some reading on the Wiki site and have decided to give JRiver a trial run.  Unfortunately, we use OS X El Capitan with our MBPs, which seems to conflict with the 64-bit download I see on the "Download a Free Trial" page.

I see that the download is predicated on "at least MacOS El Capitan 10.11.X," but, once again, the "64-bit" part is giving me pause.  We've had bad experiences with downloading software that is incompatible; hence, the hesitation.  If I'm misunderstanding the wording, please let me know. 

Thank you for any advice you may offer - HL   
 

[JimH]

Using 10.11.x or higher, you're fine.

[Awesome Donkey]

macOS has been capable of running 64-bit apps since 10.5, and the system kernel has supported 64-bit since 10.6. Since 10.8, macOS has been a 64-bit kernel only.

You'll be fine running the 64-bit version of Media Center.

Though, the MacOS 64 bit part on the download page can probably changed now since it's all 64-bit only now on both Intel and Apple Silicon-based Macs thus that part doesn't really matter anymore, however it could be altered/updated. For example the 64 bit part could be removed and Intel/Apple Silicon Universal app could replace it, since that will matter to people these days.