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[eel]

On any client side opening of video files last more than 5 minutes. Music/Picture streaming works properly o far.

[ThoBar]

Yes, I find this is a major problem also, hence I don't use media server anymore (as much as I'd love too..)

The slowness is caused by the fact that MC doesnt actually stream the video, rather the client actually downloads the entire file into a cache area on the client. I am not sure if it works this way with audio and images as well, but you would most likely not notice it even if it does, due to the much smaller file sizes involved.

To get around the problem you have 2 options. Hunt around on the wiki for instructions on how to make your database accessible from multiple machines. This is effective and speed efficient, if somewhat clunky and inelegant. Your other option would be to use a uPnP capable client, and use MC's built in uPnP server. This is a nice compromise between simplicity and efficiency. In some respects, I think its more how the media server should operate (in terms of streaming etc).

Cheeers,
C.

[paga]

I couldn't agree more, this is a major drawback, which is a petty since I liked the product very much.
I travel a lot and therefore spend a lot of time in hotels.  At home I use Microsoft Media Center to record TV and than a great package called DVRMSToolbox to convert the programs to MPEG and remove adverts, this output director is monitored my MC.  That part works great.

I've tried unsuccessfully to opening video and number of times, sometimes I've left it for considerable periods of time and I still haven't gotten it to work. There's no progress information shown so you have no idea what’s going. Audio works great!
Since I only have a few days of my trial period left, I think unfortunately this will be the end of my experimentation and experience with MC 

The UPnP server worked great, it solved the problems I had with my AE Internet Radio connection to MS Media Player. I’ve not tried video but since I need to connect over the internet this isn’t going to solve my problems .

The Theater view looked great and I was considering it as a replacement for the Microsoft Media Center, which I use extensively.   

[John Gateley]

Some video formats are not streamable, others are. Can you try a different format?

j

[bigcuedaddy]

John, what formats are streamable? Initially, I thought MC only streamed audio files. I have never gotten it to work with video files. MPEG2?  AVI?? Heres a stretch: TIVO???

[sle118]

To get around the problem you have 2 options. Hunt around on the wiki for instructions on how to make your database accessible from multiple machines.

Could you be more specific on search keywords? Or even provide a link to the wiki?

This may be an option for me. I have a media server that records TV and compresses it to DivX automatically. I have to browse through a windows share though because of the streaming issue. I'd like to remain in MC12 to play TV shows.

Thanks

[ThoBar]

Try this...
http://wiki.jrmediacenter.com/index.php/Sharing_a_media_library_with_multiple_users_on_a_home_network_%28LAN%29

I use a setup based on this, where my server automatically imports files into the libray. The drawback to this, is that you are limited to updates based on the auto-import schedule, as well as needing to reload MC on the client to get an updated version of the database (due to client caching). For the most part, it seems to work for me though.

C.

[sle118]

Try this...
http://wiki.jrmediacenter.com/index.php/Sharing_a_media_library_with_multiple_users_on_a_home_network_%28LAN%29

I use a setup based on this, where my server automatically imports files into the libray. The drawback to this, is that you are limited to updates based on the auto-import schedule, as well as needing to reload MC on the client to get an updated version of the database (due to client caching). For the most part, it seems to work for me though.

C.

Thank you for the tip. I tried the solution but I am not convinced yet...

The album pictures don't seem to be cached on the local PC and this makes wireless browsing through the library a painful experience when using a UNC Path. It is almost a necessity to use a shared drive as it enhances the experience.

The good thing though is that it would be possible to rip new CD's on any PC and not just the server (which is currently in a basement closet).

But I have to say that with multiple clients, configuring this is a real pain, with the added problems caused by shared drives that are not re-connected after login.

I guess the best would be a fix in MC 12 to get videos (in my case 800 Meg/Hour XVID) stream to library clients.

[ThoBar]

I agree that its less than ideal, its is essentially just a work around until MC can transcode video on the fly for streaming, so we can all go back to using the MC Server component.

[sle118]

I agree that its less than ideal, its is essentially just a work around until MC can transcode video on the fly for streaming, so we can all go back to using the MC Server component.

I am using orb (www.orb.com) for transcoding. It streams across the internet as well as on local networks, adjusting the quality level according to bandwith. However, this is a web interface so it has its limitations.

Also, streaming on a local network is at expense of quality sometimes...