Topic: Media Server changes in build 97 (Read 7590 times)

Diverdown1964 · « **on:** October 07, 2004, 06:24:12 pm »

Quote

7. NEW: Library Server plugin replaces some of Media Server. Allows converting audio format on the fly to support low bitrate networks.

THANK YOU!!!!!!

JimH · « **Reply #1 on:** October 07, 2004, 06:32:57 pm »

Media Center build 11.0.97 has a new server that will soon replace most of Media Server. You can use it to share the library of one PC to another PC, even across the Internet.

At this time, this is how it works.

In MC, under the tree, under plug-ins, you'll find the Library Manager plug-in. Set the options here and "enable" it.

You can also convert lossless formats to MP3 or WMA or other lossy formats that can be streamed over lower bandwidth collections (home to work, for example). This is controlled in MC's Tools/Options/Library section.

All this is a little rough still, so please be patient. But let us know what you think works well in the current implementation -- and what doesn't.

Remember that both the client PC and the server must be running the same build.

Thanks.

Diverdown1964 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 07, 2004, 06:45:36 pm »

Thanks again.

Right off the bat, what port does it listen on?

JimH · « **Reply #3 on:** October 07, 2004, 06:48:08 pm »

It will default to 80.

Diverdown1964 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 07, 2004, 06:52:42 pm »

Thanks... any place that I can change that? I'm already redirecting 80 on my firewall to a different system.

JustinChase · « **Reply #5 on:** October 07, 2004, 06:53:16 pm »

Thanks guys!!!

Will this allow (either now or in the future) 2 or more people to work on the same library making changes? Or are we still only allowed one person looking at the library at a time?

Thanks again for the streaming.

LonWar · « **Reply #6 on:** October 07, 2004, 06:53:16 pm »

Could someone tell me/explaine the steps to let me listen to my music (on my home computer) on my work computer.. (Diff location)

Thanks,

JimH · « **Reply #7 on:** October 07, 2004, 07:02:52 pm »

It may be a little confusing for a while.

I couldn't get MC to work with "Search for Media Servers". I had to set a hard coded library in MC/File/Library/Library Manager. Then it worked.

JimH · « **Reply #8 on:** October 07, 2004, 07:03:27 pm »

Quote from: funnyguy1964 on October 07, 2004, 06:52:42 pm

Thanks... any place that I can change that? I'm already redirecting 80 on my firewall to a different system.

It's in my first message.

JimH · « **Reply #9 on:** October 07, 2004, 07:04:22 pm »

Quote from: JustinChase on October 07, 2004, 06:53:16 pm

Will this allow (either now or in the future) 2 or more people to work on the same library making changes? Or are we still only allowed one person looking at the library at a time?

It's still read only. Anything else is a very big change.

JimH · « **Reply #10 on:** October 07, 2004, 07:05:27 pm »

Quote from: imjustagamer on October 07, 2004, 06:53:16 pm

Could someone tell me/explaine the steps to let me listen to my music (on my home computer) on my work computer.. (Diff location)

Thanks,

Please try it locally first (just to learn how it works). You can run a client and a server on the same PC if you don't have another.

Diverdown1964 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 07, 2004, 07:10:08 pm »

Thanks Jim, but that's whwere I looked. I see the options to throttle the bit rate, but there's nothing that I can see about the listening port.

Diverdown1964 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 07, 2004, 07:34:35 pm »

OK.... So I missed the obvious. You still NEED media server.. doh!

I'm getting a different problem now. Then I access from the client machine, whenever I try to play any track, I receive an "An Invalid Argument Was Encountered" message.

JimH · « **Reply #13 on:** October 07, 2004, 07:40:02 pm »

Quote from: funnyguy1964 on October 07, 2004, 07:10:08 pm

Thanks Jim, but that's whwere I looked. I see the options to throttle the bit rate, but there's nothing that I can see about the listening port.

Settings are in two places now. That will change. Check in the tree under plug-ins/Library Server.

JimH · « **Reply #14 on:** October 07, 2004, 07:41:01 pm »

Quote from: funnyguy1964 on October 07, 2004, 07:34:35 pm

OK.... So I missed the obvious. You still NEED media server.. doh!

No. Media Server is still there, but you should try using the Library Server under Plug-ins in the tree.

Diverdown1964 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 07, 2004, 07:50:24 pm »

OK, I've checked in both places, and I can't find any port settings. Am I blind? The plugin doesn't appear to be configurable.

Also, my client couldn't connect to it when Media server wasn't running at all. I specified the IP, and both machines are inside the firewall.

paulr · « **Reply #16 on:** October 07, 2004, 08:31:23 pm »

Fantastic! I am going to try it out as soon as my other computer is not busy...

Question: Will it be possible in the future to use the Remote Server to control playback remotely while listening with something like Winamp (for when we are not at home or work)?

JimH · « **Reply #17 on:** October 07, 2004, 08:37:05 pm »

On the Library Server page, look all the way to the right for the Options button.

Diverdown1964 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 07, 2004, 09:11:32 pm »

In the tree. Got it. As in, not in plug-in manager

Thanks

I've got it working on the same machine, and it even "finds" itself, but I can't seem to connect from any other workstations.

paulr · « **Reply #19 on:** October 07, 2004, 09:37:44 pm »

I am getting an "Invalid argument" error when I try to play from my other machine. It connects and downloads the library, but won't play.

JimH · « **Reply #20 on:** October 07, 2004, 10:05:32 pm »

Quote from: paulr on October 07, 2004, 09:37:44 pm

I am getting an "Invalid argument" error when I try to play from my other machine. It connects and downloads the library, but won't play.

I had to reboot. And the "Search for Media Servers" doesn't work. You have to enter an IP address for the server under the Library Manager.

All this will work more smoothly in a few builds.

Matt · « **Reply #21 on:** October 07, 2004, 10:09:39 pm »

Quote from: paulr on October 07, 2004, 09:37:44 pm

I am getting an "Invalid argument" error when I try to play from my other machine. It connects and downloads the library, but won't play.

Both ends need the latest Media Center 11. Also, make sure you're using the new "Library Server" inside MC, not the old "Media Server."

zxsix · « **Reply #22 on:** October 07, 2004, 10:21:11 pm »

Currently I run Media Server as a service under Windows 2000 using the FireDaemon program.

How will these changes affect that configuration? Does media center have to be running now for the server to be listening or is it still a separate executable from media center.exe?

paulr · « **Reply #23 on:** October 08, 2004, 12:08:06 am »

Okay...

Both computers are running 11.0.97. I am using the Library Server (manually set to port 81).

I just got done rebooting both machines and entering the IP address and port for the server (192.168.1.100:81).

I am still getting the "Invalid argument" error message.

Another interesting thing: After the "Invalid argument" message, if I close the client and try to open it again, it crashes. The only fix is to uninstall and reinstall MC on the client.

The client is running on WinXP Home SP2, server is XP Pro SP2

mhwlng · « **Reply #24 on:** October 08, 2004, 03:11:24 am »

I have exactly the same problem

marcel

bytestar · « **Reply #25 on:** October 08, 2004, 06:34:45 am »

When i activate the server (in plugins) MC11 crashes with the error:

ppName: media center.exe AppVer: 11.0.97.0 ModName: server_library.dll ModVer: 1.0.0.1 Offset: 00002278 System is Windows XP SP2

this accours on any port i choose

bytestar · « **Reply #26 on:** October 08, 2004, 07:31:37 am »

i deinstalled the SP2 (update) and the error still accurs with SP1

i deactivate "Respond to Auto-Detection Request" mce starts normally, but the server still isnt reachable

Remote Server still runs fine on Port 80, and Library Server should run on Port 88, but it crashes instantly

JimH · « **Reply #27 on:** October 08, 2004, 07:32:44 am »

Quote from: bytestar on October 08, 2004, 07:32:03 am

Remote Server still runs fine on Port 80, and Library Server should run on Port 80, but it crashes instantly

You can't run two programs on one port. Try moving one.

bytestar · « **Reply #28 on:** October 08, 2004, 07:43:44 am »

sorry that was a typo my mistake, remote ist on port 80, and library is on port 88. this should work, but it wont. ive alse allready tried autoport, allways the same thing

Diverdown1964 · « **Reply #29 on:** October 08, 2004, 08:41:24 am »

I figured out my connection problem (firewall) and corrected it. Now to be clear - My source machine is running .97, is NOT running media server, and DOES have the plug in enabled. My client machine is running .97, and can connect to the source machine and download the library. Trying to play any track results in an invalid argument message.

It appears that my setup is identical to paulr's.

Looking at the plugin status, I can see requests for cover art, but nothing about playing.

If it's a clue, most of my paths use UNC naming (ie \\machinename\sharename\path)

JimH · « **Reply #30 on:** October 08, 2004, 08:55:00 am »

Quote from: funnyguy1964 on October 08, 2004, 08:41:24 am

If it's a clue, most of my paths use UNC naming (ie \\machinename\sharename\path)

That could be the problem. Try a test on a new library with a few local files.

John Gateley · « **Reply #31 on:** October 08, 2004, 09:25:51 am »

Quote from: JimH on October 07, 2004, 07:02:52 pm

I couldn't get MC to work with "Search for Media Servers".

I can't reproduce this.

The "Search" only works for computers on the same network segment. If the path crosses a router, it won't work.

j

John Gateley · « **Reply #32 on:** October 08, 2004, 09:40:54 am »

Quote from: paulr on October 07, 2004, 09:37:44 pm

I am getting an "Invalid argument" error when I try to play from my other machine. It connects and downloads the library, but won't play.

I think I can reproduce this. I'll try to have a fix out today.

j

John Gateley · « **Reply #33 on:** October 08, 2004, 10:50:58 am »

I've fixed a couple of things that could be causing the invalid argument and crashing. It's in the next build coming out soon.

j

salsbst1 · « **Reply #34 on:** October 08, 2004, 12:45:44 pm »

I'm thrilled about this development! ...

...I think.

Actually I haven't seen it yet... could someone answer some questions?

a) does (will) the new Library Server run as a Windows service? (and thus not require someone to be logged in)?
b) can it be made to give network paths (all my paths are UNC) to the music files to clients, and have the clients read those files from the file server, rather than having the app server stream from the file server to the client (and thus allow me to cut down on network traffic since my file server is Linux)?

Anyone care to post screenshots of the config settings for client and server?

Hopes up,
Stuart

mhwlng · « **Reply #35 on:** October 08, 2004, 01:51:19 pm »

no more crashes, but I still see 'An invalid argument was encountered' when trying to play anything... in v .98

Marcel

John Gateley · « **Reply #36 on:** October 08, 2004, 02:14:44 pm »

Quote from: mhwlng on October 08, 2004, 01:51:19 pm

no more crashes, but I still see 'An invalid argument was encountered' when trying to play anything... in v .98

Marcel

Could you copy-and-paste the messages from the status window? Also let me know the path of the track that doesn't play.

Thanks

j

mhwlng · « **Reply #37 on:** October 08, 2004, 02:22:55 pm »

10/08/04 21:19:52 - Starting...
10/08/04 21:19:52 - Starting Auto Detect beacon
10/08/04 21:19:52 - Running on Port 81
10/08/04 21:20:03 - Received request for library
10/08/04 21:20:32 - Received request for a file: c:/Program Files/J River/Media Center 11/Data/Cover Art/Goo Goo Dolls - A Boy Named Goo.jpg
10/08/04 21:20:33 - Received request for a file: c:/Program Files/J River/Media Center 11/Data/Cover Art/Nick Drake - Pink Moon.jpg
10/08/04 21:20:37 - Received request for a file: c:/Program Files/J River/Media Center 11/Data/Cover Art/Goo Goo Dolls - A Boy Named Goo.jpg

the filename I an trying to play (in the client) is
m01p://192.168.1.100:81/C:\mp3\Goo Goo Dolls\Goo Goo Dolls - Slave Girl.mp3

I see 'an invalid argument was encountered' and nothing new happens in the status window on the server

John Gateley · « **Reply #38 on:** October 08, 2004, 02:51:54 pm »

Quote from: mhwlng on October 08, 2004, 02:22:55 pm

10/08/04 21:19:52 - Starting...
...
10/08/04 21:20:37 - Received request for a file: c:/Program Files/J River/Media Center 11/Data/Cover Art/Goo Goo Dolls - A Boy Named Goo.jpg

the filename I an trying to play (in the client) is
m01p://192.168.1.100:81/C:\mp3\Goo Goo Dolls\Goo Goo Dolls - Slave Girl.mp3

I see 'an invalid argument was encountered' and nothing new happens in the status window on the server

Make sure the file is playable (try playing it on the server machine).

Try without the transcoding.

Let me know...

j

mhwlng · « **Reply #39 on:** October 08, 2004, 02:55:06 pm »

file plays fine on the server

'convert audio files' is unchecked (by default, I didn't touch it)
Marcel

JimH · « **Reply #40 on:** October 08, 2004, 03:21:43 pm »

Please use this thread now:

http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?board=3;action=display;threadid=23971

Make sure you have the current version before posting there.

INTERACT FORUM

Author Topic: Media Server changes in build 97 (Read 7590 times)