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[Stof]

Hi, I've been using JRiver V32 as a DLNA server to feed my Marantz AV for years.  I had to recreate my Win OS due to SSD failure and ended up having to install a trial version of V33 of JRiver, (because I couldn't find the v32 download).  Still everything was working fine.  Once the trial ran out and I had to revert back to v32, I now get this error:

Playback Error, unsupported format

The server is being seen on Heos and every album is showing up with proper icons, it just won't play any music.

On my Heos player.  Since nothing has changed on that front, I assume it must be something I'm not configuring right on the JRiver side.  I have included the JRiver Media Network setup in attachment.   Any help is appreciated.

[Awesome Donkey]

Old versions of Media Center can be found on the forums in the Old Versions section at the bottom or on the Old Versions wiki page here: https://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Old_Versions

Also check your DLNA settings under ...Add or configure DLNA servers... near the top.

[Stof]

Thanks.  Here are the settings.  I didn't change anything

[markf2748]

Check the Audio Path shown in top level DSP popup (hover on 3rd button to the right of the Player Progress Bar) and also found under DLNA settings, while the track is playing in MC.

First tab in that menu:  DSP Studio... > [x ] Output formats > Sample rate ?  Start with all outputs "No change", unless you know of something else required by the Heos player.  Also check other settings in this popup.  Test with a simple source format.

Playback Error, unsupported format

This type of error message can be misleading.  Sometimes it occurs when MC cannot find the output device.  Like its turned off, wrongly or not connected, etc.

Check left panel Playing Now > Overview to verify the playlist for Heos.

Check MC Volume Slider.  If you are using a Remote App to control MC then make sure Heos is selected as renderer and Volume is up.

Power cycle everything is always worth a try.

[Stof]

Thanks for the reply.  The player does not move along long enough for me to check the path.  It gives that error very quickly.  I get the error regardless of whether I use the JRiver to send the selection to the HT unit, or if I use the Heos app on my cell phone.  At this point I'm certain it has nothing to do with the format as the error indicates.

As for DSP Studio, I had nothing chosen as I don't really want JRiver to do any encoding (leaving it up to my Marantz).  Just for testing, I selected an output format (like below) and unfortunately didn't make any difference.  I have turned all relevant units and software off and on.

[Richard Martin]

Remove your access key from your first screen shot if you have port 51299 open and haven't got authentication set up.

[markf2748]

Under DLNA setup, Audio > Format:, have you tried another format like PCM 16-bit (presumably with header)?

If the MC33 trial worked fine as you say, consider upgrading!

But since you reverted back to MC32, have you tried restoring an MC32 library backup including all settings?  Assuming your MC backups are stored on another drive, other than the system drive that crashed  .

[Scobie]

Is your player actually associated with the Server? Sometimes that can go missing.

Also make sure your controller options have come across too.

Right click on the device in Playng Now and validate those settings at the bottom of that menu

[Stof]

Under DLNA setup, Audio > Format:, have you tried another format like PCM 16-bit (presumably with header)?

If the MC33 trial worked fine as you say, consider upgrading!

But since you reverted back to MC32, have you tried restoring an MC32 library backup including all settings?  Assuming your MC backups are stored on another drive, other than the system drive that crashed  .

I took your advice and loaded MC33.  Since the trial had already expired I shelled out more money to get this version's license and I'm still having the same problem.


Is there no actual tech support people associated with JRiver that I can talk to?

If there isn't, how do I get my money back?

[dtc]

Check the Audio Path shown in top level DSP popup (hover on 3rd button to the right of the Player Progress Bar) and also found under DLNA settings, while the track is playing in MC.

Unfortunately, DSP Studio does not work with DLNA. It did for a while but the feature was removed for some reason. Wish it would come back. It would be useful when diagnosis DLNA issues.

[markf2748]

The server is being seen on Heos and every album is showing up with proper icons, it just won't play any music.

On my Heos player.  Since nothing has changed on that front, I assume it must be something I'm not configuring right on the JRiver side.  I have included the JRiver Media Network setup in attachment.   Any help is appreciated.

Puzzling indeed.  Nevertheless, there are some further sanity checks you can do to determine whether the MC Server is properly finding your HEOS.  I suggest looking at:
https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,140648.msg975519.html#msg975519
and subsequent discussion re individual MC Servers and Ports.

3/11/2025.  A quick check:  hovering your mouse over the HEOS device listed under Playing Now should raise a ToolTip showing the device's Zone and IP address.  Confirm the latter is correct.
RMB click on the device opens a long context menu with many options re zone, server association, DLNA Controller Options, Zone Switch, etc.

[Stof]

Puzzling indeed.  Nevertheless, there are some further sanity checks you can do to determine whether the MC Server is properly finding your HEOS.  I suggest looking at:
https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,140648.msg975519.html#msg975519
and subsequent discussion re individual MC Servers and Ports.

3/11/2025.  A quick check:  hovering your mouse over the HEOS device listed under Playing Now should raise a ToolTip showing the device's Zone and IP address.  Confirm the latter is correct.
RMB click on the device opens a long context menu with many options re zone, server association, DLNA Controller Options, Zone Switch, etc.

MY HEOS device shows up as "Theater" which is what I called my Marantz AV.  I just setup the server and run the Heos from the app on my phone.  It's been working for years.  The IP address is fine.

It's not a network issue.  Through the HEOS app I see all my albums on my computer.  The entire library and all the songs are available to me.  I just get the error message Playback error.  Unsupported format.  I get the same error trying to play on "Theater" using the JRiver software.

[markf2748]

Are you able to test playback on the MC Server itself, using built-in sound or external wired DAC?
Do you have a phone app which can play locally to the phone as renderer (Gizmo, JRemote3, JRiver Panel, Mo 4Media, BubbleUPnP app, etc.)?  Does it come through as FLAC?
Have you tried playing different audio formats, starting with simple FLAC 44.1 KHz and WAVE files?
Remove the device from Playing Now.  Reboot and let MC find the device fresh.
Have you tried the 4 different DLNA controller options?
Try Options > Media Network > Add or configure DLNA servers... > Audio > Mode: Specified Output format only when necessary.

[Stof]

Are you able to test playback on the MC Server itself, using built-in sound or external wired DAC?
Do you have a phone app which can play locally to the phone as renderer (Gizmo, JRemote3, JRiver Panel, Mo 4Media, BubbleUPnP app, etc.)?  Does it come through as FLAC?
Have you tried playing different audio formats, starting with simple FLAC 44.1 KHz and WAVE files?
Remove the device from Playing Now.  Reboot and let MC find the device fresh.
Have you tried the 4 different DLNA controller options?
Try Options > Media Network > Add or configure DLNA servers... > Audio > Mode: Specified Output format only when necessary.

I can play music using JRiver on my own computer, yes

I have not used any other remotes
.
Don't know what the DLNA controller options are.  The only DLNA controller I see has a check mark on the Media Network option that says DLNA controller (control other DLNA devices) and it's checked

I have tried adding a DLNA server (along side Original Format) and chose Generic DLNA and it didn't work

My audio files are all in burned lossless in WAV format

[markf2748]

I can play music using JRiver on my own computer, yes

This implies MC has no trouble accessing your music library files.

Don't know what the DLNA controller options are.  The only DLNA controller I see has a check mark on the Media Network option that says DLNA controller (control other DLNA devices) and it's checked

RMB Click on HEOS device under Playing Now > DLNA Controller Options > (4 options, first try one at a time).
Also at the bottom of that dropdown menu:  Check that "Associate with DLNA Server" is grayed out.  Confirm Zone Switching is disabled in the Zone Switching popup. 
(@Scobie referred to these settings in Reply#7)

I have tried adding a DLNA server (along side Original Format) and chose Generic DLNA and it didn't work.

OK, but experiment with Audio > Mode: and Format: in their DLNA server settings, as suggested above.

I have not used any other remotes.

Are you using anything besides the HEOS app?  Your posts made it sound like you had tried a JRiver app, maybe JRemote2/3?
Panel is JRiver's web interface.  Gizmo is old and a bit clunky, but should also be a simple test.  Both are free and widely used (though not my usual personal go-tos).  Test them with the HEOS app completely shut down.  If these play music on the phone ("local"), try pointing them to the Marantz.

3/14/2025 Note that Panel and Gizmo both depend on MC server's Playing Now, so they may also fail when targeting the Marantz.  OTOH Bubble has an independent DLNA server/renderer.

[Stof]

Thanks for the detailed reply:

This implies MC has no trouble accessing your music library files.
RMB Click on HEOS device under Playing Now > DLNA Controller Options > (4 options, first try one at a time).
Also at the bottom of that dropdown menu:  Check that "Associate with DLNA Server" is grayed out.  Confirm Zone Switching is disabled in the Zone Switching popup. 

Tried each option one at a time and all 4 at once.  None worked.  The DLNA server is grayed out and Zone switching is not enabled

(@Scobie referred to these settings in Reply#7)
OK, but experiment with Audio > Mode: and Format: in their DLNA server settings, as suggested above.

If you're referring to thee DNLA server options, I added a Generic DLNA and played around with the Audio format, didn't work.  All Audio formats to convert are checked.

Are you using anything besides the HEOS app?  Your posts made it sound like you had tried a JRiver app, maybe JRemote2/3?
Panel is JRiver's web interface.  Gizmo is old and a bit clunky, but should also be a simple test.  Both are free and widely used (though not my usual personal go-tos).  Test them with the HEOS app completely shut down.  If these play music on the phone ("local"), try pointing them to the Marantz.

Downloaded Gizmo as the JRiver remotes cost money.  Pointed it to my server key and it did not work.  It tried to cycle through all the songs in an album, but didn't play anything and didn't give an error

3/14/2025 Note that Panel and Gizmo both depend on MC server's Playing Now, so they may also fail when targeting the Marantz.  OTOH Bubble has an independent DLNA server/renderer.

[markf2748]

You say:
"Downloaded Gizmo as the JRiver remotes cost money.  Pointed it to my server key and it did not work.  It tried to cycle through all the songs in an album, but didn't play anything and didn't give an error"

Was this for local playback on the phone or targeting the Marantz?  If Gizmo truly does not render music locally on your phone, then there is another problem, since Gizmo does not depend on DLNA for local playback. 

Also try JRiver Panel.  Start with a web browser on your MC Server PC, entering (server IP Address):52199/Panel.  The number following the IP Address is MC's typical Library Server Port.  You can confirm the port by looking at Library Server in Tree > Services & Plug-ins > Media Network > Servers.  Whatever works (hopefully) on the server, copy the same to a browser on your phone.  Very simple.  If it plays locally on phone, then try targeting the Marantz. 

Gizmo and Panel absolutely should work for local playback where they both avoid DLNA.  If they don't, then there is a security/router issue wrt the Library Server Port, or something is really off in your MC install/setup, or poor Wi-Fi network performance in the case of using the phone.

[BTW, I don't give a lot of weight to testing with the HEOS app (I know, it worked previously, nevertheless...).  I prefer DLNA testing with one of the JRiver apps, or if necessary with Bubble, assuming the Marantz itself runs a functional DLNA Renderer over Wi-Fi (I have not looked into that).]

Which Windows version on the server?  Are any Windows Updates sitting around waiting to be installed?  If so, install them, reboot, and try again.  Which anti-virus?  JRiver strongly recommends Windows Defender, with any other AV uninstalled.  Personally I have no issues with McAfee Total Protection (which nowadays uses Windows Defender Firewall).

The Media Network View for DLNA is probably set up sensibly since you report seeing the library remotely.  But to cover the bases, I attached a screenshot of mine, since this Option path is easily missed.  Test DLNA with a simple Album or Artist view.

Consider changing your MC Network Access_ ID. 

Verify there is only a single version, JRiver Media Center 33 Service, running in Computer Management Services (type Services into Windows search bar).

Consider uninstalling / reinstalling MC 33 (after saving a backup). 

If still failing, I suggest recording a log file and see if it reveals anything to you.  Otherwise, send the log to JRiver with a reference to this thread and your answers.
1) Open Help > Logging > Reset Log (at bottom of popup).
2) Follow Steps 1 & 2 in the popup.  Immediately play an album from Gizmo -  presumably it will connect to MC server but skip through the tracks without playing, per your description.
3) As soon as Gizmo is "done", go to Step 3 "Report the Problem", which will save a time-stamped text log file, probably to your desktop.

Repeat for Panel in a separate log file.

Unless of course someone else chimes in with another idea. 

3/15/2025 Additions + edited for clarity.  (Note: Window Control Buttons (upper right corners) have been resized and repositioned since the screenshot).

[Stof]

Ok so the easy answer first:

I'm running Win 11 and JRiver 33.0.71 64 bit.  It's the latest since I just downloaded it 2 weeks ago.  I don't think I have a router/firewall/AV issue because it asked me upon install if I should let JRiver make changes to the port and I allowed it.  Windows is completely updated.  Again: All of these were working before I had to move back to 32.

I opened the portal as you suggested and I have no problem playing the albums.  But again I'm playing it on my computer which is not a problem, but I can see if you wanted to know that particular port 52199 is open and it seems to be. 

Gizmo did not play on the marantz.  I didn't try to play it on my phone, since that wasn't the point. 

I have already uninstalled and installed v33.  There are no other versions installed or running in the Services

"Consider changing your MC Network Access_ ID.  "   Not sure what that is. 

"I suggest recording a log file and see if it reveals anything to you.  Otherwise, send the log to JRiver with a reference to this thread and your answers."  How do I do that?  I don't see any mention of help on their website except a pointer to this site.

Again thanks for your help.

[markf2748]

Gizmo did not play on the marantz.  I didn't try to play it on my phone, since that wasn't the point.

Playing locally on the phone is just a troubleshooting logical first step to insure the phone and server are properly communicating/playing over Wi-Fi without DLNA.  If that succeeds, the next logical step is to have the phone direct the server to play to the Marantz using DLNA, via the server's Playing Now listing.

That being said, if you cannot play to the Marantz over DLNA directly from the MC Server, then commanding it to do so from an MC phone app which depends on the server's Playing Now will almost certainly fail as well.  The best test I know of for an independent assessment is playing locally on the phone with Android Bubble, and if successful, try Bubble targeting the Marantz over DLNA.

An old, somewhat quirky, but still effective tool for examining networked DLNA targets suitable for MC is the Media Renderer Analyser by Whitebear:  https://www.whitebear.ch/dmra.htm
Install/run it (see screenshot) to search for DLNA renderers.  If your Marantz is listed, there is hope.  Select it, select a media type to test (wave or flac), and let it run the tests.  If successful, you should hear test signals on your speakers!  Closing the app may require a trip to Task Manager > RMB on "Renderer Analyser (32 bit)" > End task.

"Consider changing your MC Network Access_ ID.  "   Not sure what that is. 

AKA Access Key:  Options > Media Network > Access Key.
Clicking the Access Key in Options tells MC to generate a new value, in which case you must then manually inform the clients.
This is rarely necessary, but hey, with several version switches we're pulling straws here.

"I suggest recording a log file and see if it reveals anything to you.  Otherwise, send the log to JRiver with a reference to this thread and your answers."  How do I do that?  I don't see any mention of help on their website except a pointer to this site.

Attachment shows the logging process.  In the best of circumstances someone from JRiver would have replied to this thread by now.  I'll take the liberty of suggesting you email both the log and a link to this thread to (matt at jriver dot com).  He may direct it to someone else at JRiver.

If you do finally solve this, please report back on the solution.  Thanks.

Trick:  When replying to a post, try hitting the "Quote" button in the post's upper right corner.  Then edit as needed between [quote ....] and [/quote].  Check with Preview button before Save.

[Stof]

Thanks again Mark.  I didn't do what you suggested, because I just don't believe this is a network issue.  However I did make some progress.  As the error suggest, it's a format problem.  Now one thing I had not tried was just to play straight MP3 song vs the WMA that most of my music is burned to.  The HEOs player does play MP3's.  The errors come in with the WMA.  So I went back to the Media Network settings and changed the following to allow Audio Conversion to MP3 if necessary and also set to Always 

That didn't work, but let me know if you have any other ideas.

[JimH]

Try converting to FLAC always.

[Stof]

Try converting to FLAC always.

Doesn't give me that option.  It's MP3 Low, Mid or High

Ok an update.  I went to the DLNA servers and under Audio options and  it seems to work with WMA files setting Format to MP3 High bandwidth, PCM 24 bit and PCM L24 no Header, but it doesn't work with the default PCM L16.  This is without changing anything under DSP Studio.  I left it at PCM 24 bit as it seems like the highest resolution possible.

With that change the Audio Conversion under the Clients option to MP3 High Bandwidth is not necessary. 

I guess this was the solution.  Going back it seems somebody had recommended it before.  I must have glossed over it. Thank you anyway. 

[markf2748]

Thanks again Mark.  I didn't do what you suggested, because I just don't believe this is a network issue.  However I did make some progress.  As the error suggest, it's a format problem.  Now one thing I had not tried was just to play straight MP3 song vs the WMA that most of my music is burned to.  The HEOs player does play MP3's.  The errors come in with the WMA.  So I went back to the Media Network settings and changed the following to allow Audio Conversion to MP3 if necessary and also set to Always 

That didn't work, but let me know if you have any other ideas.

I am not surprised that this did not work.  These are supposed to be options which you set on a JRiver client which is connected to a MC server (if I interpret the options description correctly), and the Marantz is not a JRiver MC client as such.  It's just a non-JRiver DLNA renderer.

Edit:  I stand corrected on this one, per Jim's comments below (Reply#26).  As I understand it now, all the Media Network options are set per server, with multiple servers allowed.  The server is then selectable for each DLNA renderer (MC client or not) under Playing Now > RMB on DLNA renderer > Associate with DLNA Server (grayed out for the case of only 1 MC Server defined).  Thanks Jim.

...
My audio files are all in burned lossless in WAV format

Ok an update.  I went to the DLNA servers and under Audio options and  it seems to work with WMA files setting Format to MP3 High bandwidth, PCM 24 bit and PCM L24 no Header, but it doesn't work with the default PCM L16.  This is without changing anything under DSP Studio. 

From previous posts, I concluded you had already explored these settings.  Does this mean it works with WMA but not with WAV?  It is possible that the Marantz is fussy about what formats it accepts over DLNA.  You might also try with a FLAC file for kicks, as Jim suggests.   I suggested testing with FLAC earlier, but you previously stated that most of your library is WAV.  So I thought it was WAV that worked for years.  Sounds like you have some more exploring to do here with formats.

[Stof]

I am not surprised that this did not work.  These are supposed to be options which you set on a JRiver client which is connected to a MC server (if I interpret the options description correctly), and the Marantz is not a JRiver MC client as such.  It's just a non-JRiver DLNA renderer.
From previous posts, I concluded you had already explored these settings.  Does this mean it works with WMA but not with WAV?  It is altogether possible that the Marantz is fussy about what formats it accepts over DLNA.  You might also try with a FLAC file for kicks, as Jim suggests.   I suggested testing with FLAC earlier, but you previously stated that most of your library is WAV (Post#10) and so I thought it was WAV that worked for years.  Sounds like you have some more exploring to do here with formats.

Sorry my mistake.  Yes they are WMA and you did suggest previously that I try a different setting under Audio Format.  Thanks.  I still don't understand what changed from my previous setup that did work and when it didn't since I didn't mess with those settings at all, but hay.  I'm glad it's working now and I can listen to Amy Winehouse like I'm doing now 

[JimH]

These are supposed to be options which you set on a JRiver client which is connected to a MC server (if I interpret the options description correctly), and the Marantz is not a JRiver MC client as such.

Conversion of DLNA works regardless of what the DLNA Renderer is.

[markf2748]

Conversion of DLNA works regardless of what the DLNA Renderer is.

Well this is what I find confusing in the Options popup for Media Network (see attachment):

(1) Are both the 3 red boxed and 3 blue boxed (Conversion) subitems meant to be set only on the server and then applied to all its connected clients and renderers?

(2) Or are some of the items meant to be set on individual clients, on a client by client basis, and applied to any JRiver MC Server the client is connected to?  In this case, I would think in general they can only be set on a JRiver MC Client, and may not be settable by a generic DLNA renderer.

Should it say "(when connected to this Library Server)", and some grayed out on a pure MC client?  Please clarify the text and correct indentation if necessary.

[JimH]

If you use multiple clients, you can create multiple servers and set them differently.

[bob]

Well this is what I find confusing in the Options popup for Media Network (see attachment):

(1) Are both the 3 red boxed and 3 blue boxed (Conversion) subitems meant to be set only on the server and then applied to all its connected clients and renderers?

(2) Or are some of the items meant to be set on individual clients, on a client by client basis, and applied to any JRiver MC Server the client is connected to?  In this case, I would think in general they can only be set on a JRiver MC Client, and may not be settable by a generic DLNA renderer.

Should it say "(when connected to this Library Server)", and some grayed out on a pure MC client?  Please clarify the text and correct indentation if necessary.

All of those only apply to that MC client. They do NOT change the server it's connected to for other clients.

[markf2748]

All of those only apply to that MC client. They do NOT change the server it's connected to for other clients.

?? Are you saying (1) the settings apply to one particular client, no matter what server it is connected to, and that they can be different for another client connected to the same server? (2) Or are they unique to the server, no matter what client it is connected to? (3) Or does every client get to set its own unique settings for every server?

Is my Edit, quoted below, correct or incorrect?   Was my original statement (shown crossed out) correct or incorrect?

I am not surprised that this did not work.  These are supposed to be options which you set on a JRiver client which is connected to a MC server (if I interpret the options description correctly), and the Marantz is not a JRiver MC client as such.  It's just a non-JRiver DLNA renderer.

Edit:  I stand corrected on this one, per Jim's comments below (Reply#26).  As I understand it now, all the Media Network options are set per server, with multiple servers allowed.  The server is then selectable for each DLNA renderer (MC client or not) under Playing Now > RMB on DLNA renderer > Associate with DLNA Server (grayed out for the case of only 1 MC Server defined).  Thanks Jim.

Obviously I still find the wording/display for these options (shown boxed in my attachment to Reply#25 Media Network settings.png) very ambiguous.  Please, it should not be this difficult to figure out what is going on between clients and server for these options, and their relationship in Playing Now > (DLNA Client RMB) > Associate with DLNA Server.

[bob]

?? Are you saying (1) the settings apply to one particular client, no matter what server it is connected to, and that they can be different for another client connected to the same server? (2) Or are they unique to the server, no matter what client it is connected to? (3) Or does every client get to set its own unique settings for every server?

Is my Edit, quoted below, correct or incorrect?   Was my original statement (shown crossed out) correct or incorrect?

Obviously I still find the wording/display for these options (shown boxed in my attachment to Reply#25 Media Network settings.png) very ambiguous.  Please, it should not be this difficult to figure out what is going on between clients and server for these options, and their relationship in Playing Now > (DLNA Client RMB) > Associate with DLNA Server.

They apply only to the client they are running on.