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[JimH]

We now have a new subscription service called Performer, and a player that supports it -- Performer Media Center.

Subscription membership will be $12.95 per month (basic) or $15.95 per month (portable). 

Either one allows you to:

* Play any music as a stream from the library of 3,000,000 tracks.
* Purchase MP3 downloads at 320Kbps (not all tracks will be immediately available, but this will grow)
* Purchase MP3 downloads or CD's
* Access to AMG data on artists and albums
* Purchase music videos in WM DRM format

The Portable subscription adds:
* Sync to a compatible device (most devices other than iPod and Zune)

We will treat this board as a beta forum for PMC.  When builds are stable, we'll move them to the download page at www.performermc.com

Here are a few pictures of the player and service.

[gappie]

this is only for usa, isnt it?
what i was wondering about is the differences in the tree structure between mc12/13 and pmc. was just curious how the two connect, in there development and things like that.

 
gab

[JimH]

I think you need a U.S. address.  I'm not entirely certain yet.

[Deivit]

I will subscribe to a portable membership if it works outside the USA.
Nice job, Jim.

[park]

Does the music catalogue contain audiobooks too?
Does it contain Merlin's (independent music distributor; warp records etc.) catalogue of music?
Is there a timeline for when you'll be able to allow intl cusomers?
Will this service be built in to MC13 in the future, or have the latest MC features bundled in over time ala Media Jukebox?

Questions questions questions.

[vbrook]

Hi There,

This is very timely, as someone recently suggested I look into a music subscription service. I'm not familiar with any of them, but as a happy J River customer, this new subscription service looks like an attractive way to test the waters.

One question, could you explain the differentiation with the player at http://www.performerdigital.com/ ?

When you mentioned Media Net, I did a Google search and found their website. They offer their own media player and subscription service at around $5 less than J River. Not a huge difference to an individual consumer, but I assume the J River software offers some sort of extra benefit. A brief explanation would be helpful and would save me from investigating on my own--which I probably wouldn't get around to doing, or do very well.

Also, will the subscription service be integrated into MC13 at some point?

Thanks

[JimH]

The MediaNet player is one we did for them.  It's based on 11.1.  It doesn't do photos and doesn't do much with videos.  It's not OK with Vista.  Etc.

The new Performer Media Center is based on 13.  It's not as comprehensive as MC.

The best way to get a feel for it is to download and install it.  It won't conflict with our other players, at least from 11.1 on.  Without signing up, you can try streaming.  It will just be limited to 30 seconds of each track.

Eventually (not soon), we may add subscription to MC.

[Marra]

Navigation looks awesome - with genre overview, artist image and bios, album art and review.

Would be great if this layout would apply to existing local files so that when you switch from Performer Media Center to Music the same layout appears.

Another note - the 14 day trial - it is not clear what can be done during trial. Is it just free streaming without downloads? If so what does each download cost?  When does trial period end?

[JimH]

Another note - the 14 day trial - it is not clear what can be done during trial. Is it just free streaming without downloads? If so what does each download cost?  When does trial period end?

It's the full service.  A "download" can be two things:

1.  An MP3 purchase (or in other services a WM DRM purchase -- we don't offer that)
2.  A download of a track you might otherwise stream.  This has WM DRM applied and is really just a cache of the track.  It's not needed or helpful, and we do it automatically if you want to load a device.

The only time #2 is important is the 30 minutes before you leave for the airport.  You can take tracks with you on your notebook.

Where's glynor when we need his DRM blow torch?

[vbrook]

Thank you. The catalog looks very comprehensive. I'll download PMC and try it out. I'm sure I'll wind up subscribing shortly thereafter.

I hope you don't mind me saying, but I really admire you. I have a glimpse of all the great things happening at J River that you're pulling together. On top of that, you're here interacting directly with individual customers, and---oh, man---I see the time stamps on the posts. I don't know how you find the energy!! 

Thanks again.

The MediaNet player is one we did for them.  It's based on 11.1.  It doesn't do photos and doesn't do much with videos.  It's not OK with Vista.  Etc.

The new Performer Media Center is based on 13.  It's not as comprehensive as MC.

The best way to get a feel for it is to download and install it.  It won't conflict with our other players, at least from 11.1 on.  Without signing up, you can try streaming.  It will just be limited to 30 seconds of each track.

Eventually (not soon), we may add subscription to MC.

[JimH]

Thanks.  I'll remember that next time somebody says I'm an overbearing ass or that our software sucks.

I do it, in part, to learn.  There are so many people here who are way smarter than I am.  But don't tell them or they'll take over and I'll be unemployed again.

[JimH]

Is it just free streaming without downloads? If so what does each download cost?  When does trial period end?

I just read this more carefully.  If you click on the $ sign to the right of the track, one of the options (for some tracks) is "Buy MP3".  This works and will download the MP3 and charge your card.  Usually 99 cents.

[Marra]

Thanks JimH for clarification.  Further points :
1. When prompted for credit card details during sign up, I feel you need to emphasis the "security" aspect of doing this.  I trust you, but others/newcomers?
2. Select "Update billing information " leads to "failed" then "unable to retrieve store information".
3. Select "See purchase history" gets stuck on "loading...". Use WTM to shut down. No purchases made to date.

Note streaming service operating  in my country (not USA).  Do I declare where?

[JimH]

Note streaming service operating  in my country (not USA).  Do I declare where?

Please do.

Thanks for the error reports.

[Marra]

 New Performer Subscription Service operating in Australia.  Streaming only, have not tried purchasing tracks yet.

[Marra]

Some feedback on Artist view.

1. Show as standard "Genre" and "Similiar Artists".

2. Option to see images in the artist image frame. If no AMG image, center in frame instead of/under Performer logo.

3. Use icons for Amazon, Wiki etc with appropriate tooltips.

4. Love the recommended tracks  at top of album listings.  This would be great in MC.

5. What does "30 in a box " mean next to certain tracks?

6. Ratings don't appear yet show under Now Playing (or is it Playing Now).

7. Possible to include AMG track selections (those with check).

8. Is it necessary to show artist for every track?

9. No artist details are shown for "Various Artist" albums.

10. How are albums sorted?

[JimH]

5. What does "30 in a box " mean next to certain tracks?

Only a 30 second sample is available because of rights issues.  Often an MP3 download purchase is available.  This will continue to improve.

10. How are albums sorted?

By the CD issue date. 

[Marra]

Thanks JimH. 

Albums are norrmally shown earliest first.

Artists with same name (Paul Kelly - Australian and Paul Kelly ?) are combined yet seperated in AMG.

[JimH]

You can click on the little arrow next to any artist and see just that artist.

[KingSparta]

My Wife Is Not Happy With The 30 Second Videos.

With Yahoo Music (Now Defunct) She Could Watch The Whole Video.

[JimH]

Videos are purchase only.  I'm not sure it works yet.

[Charlemagne 8]

JimH,
You are "an overbearing ass" and your "software sucks".
This is way better than Rhapsody and I was a subscriber to them for years.
The price is slightly lower, the people are MUCH easier to deal with (for instance, I couldn't call them the above and get away with it), the support promises to be excellent and it's always better to deal with a company that actually cares what you think.
The high bit-rate purchases are the seeming exception in the industry and very good to see.
I'm sold.

CVIII

You may be an overbearing ass but you're OUR overbearing ass.

[JimH]

 

[twobadfish]

Will the streaming quality always be 128kbps?

Can you listen to the entire song via streaming?

[KingSparta]

Can you listen to the entire song via streaming?

Once Your A Logged In Member, Yes

[Curtis]

As a longtime MC user, this is great news. But there are two things I need to leave Rhapsody and subscribe to Performer:

1. For years I've wanted seamless integration of MC with *any* of the streaming subscription services I've used. That should not be possible with Performer I hope. I'd like to open MC, search for music on Performer, download it or link it to my existing libraries and then be able to play an artist's tracks, both my own and the ones I've linked to or downloaded from Performer, all showing up in my MC library.

2. I need better streaming quality than 128K, something akin to what Rhapsody and the others are offering.

[JimH]

1.  I believe you can have mixed playlists (local and store).

2.  Streaming quality may increase, but I find it fine for casual listening.  If I really like something and want to listen to it a lot, I use the little $ symbol purchase button to buy an 320Kbps MP3 track or a CD from Amazon.

[razumik]

Curtis,

To answer your first question, you can have existing music and links to music in PerformerMC show up at the same time.  To make it easier to see which is which, I have added a custom field to the library and called it PMC.  The custom field uses the following expression:

if(isEqual([Store Name], Performer Media Center, 1), <<<<, )

It will yields results similar to the following screenshot:

http://pix01.com/WV@ffba

It is not perfect, and it would be nice to have a clearer way of differentiating between music that physically exists on the pc, and music that is linked to within the program.

[KingSparta]

I Was wondering.  Over on the right of the screen on the home page there is a link that has "Top Songs".

The First Song In The List Is

Jingle Bells - Barry Manilow

Did He Reappear In The Music Scene Or Is This "Top Songs" List Generated By The JRiver Team?

[JimH]

What do you have against Barry?

[KingSparta]

I have a Few Of His Albums But I Am Sure He Is Not At The Top Of The Charts.

[boydn]

I guess I'm a little slow.  On #2 if I listen to a track is it d/loaded to my machine as a DRM'd WMA file?
If so, how often does it ck for the subsription before they die?
Thanks

It's the full service.  A "download" can be two things:

1.  An MP3 purchase (or in other services a WM DRM purchase -- we don't offer that)
2.  A download of a track you might otherwise stream.  This has WM DRM applied and is really just a cache of the track.  It's not needed or helpful, and we do it automatically if you want to load a device.

The only time #2 is important is the 30 minutes before you leave for the airport.  You can take tracks with you on your notebook.

Where's glynor when we need his DRM blow torch?

[JimH]

I guess I'm a little slow.  On #2 if I listen to a track is it d/loaded to my machine as a DRM'd WMA file?

  No.  You have to explicitly download it.

If so, how often does it ck for the subsription before they die?

Any tracks that you do download will work for 30 days on your PC or on a portable device (if you have the Portable Subscription) without an Internet connection. 

[boydn]

Thanks I may have to give it a try

[MrHaugen]

Eventually (not soon), we may add subscription to MC.

I really hope so! Just can't stand the idea of two seperate media players. I'd definately use a subscription to discover new music. I'd probably not download much, as I want to buy lossless flac when I first purchase music, but streaming would be most welcome. Maby it would shut up those that complain about my "no, you're not allowed to download single mp3 tracks, possibly adding the rubbish to my library, and playing it at my party" policy; once and for all!

[chirpp]

I love the interface of MC, and cannot stand the slow response in Rhapsody. I would love to move to this service...however, there are things in Rhapsody that I do like and wonder if Performer can accomplish similar tasks.

1)I did a search for Climax Blues Band. It found 1 album (that I never saw in Rhapsody so really cool!).  I then decided to see if Rhapsody knew of this album yet. It did not. However, in Rhapsody, it also shows other albums this artist contributed to.  “Best of British Blues, Vol1” is listed. I went back to PC and searched for that album.  PC has it but Artists were “various”.

I like the feature in Rhapsody that allows me to see all albums by the artist, even if they don’t have it, and what other albums an artist has been on.

2) I also like the feature in Rhapsody that offers “similar artists” to the one I am listening to.  You can choose an artist and the section below the commentary shows similar artists. For me it is a good way, if I like what I am hearing, to get hooked on another artist.

3) Way out there…? Is it possible to make a display view that includes the “review” area of the screen? Similar to views that shows lyrics, and what not.  If songs were playing in theater view, for instance, and a biography of the artist showed up on the screen as well, that may be cool. Crazy? Some days I am!

Hope this input helps!
Pete

[JimH]

Thanks for the feedback.

1)I did a search for Climax Blues Band. It found 1 album (that I never saw in Rhapsody so really cool!).  I then decided to see if Rhapsody knew of this album yet. It did not. However, in Rhapsody, it also shows other albums this artist contributed to.  “Best of British Blues, Vol1” is listed. I went back to PC and searched for that album.  PC has it but Artists were “various”.

There may be such differences between the two catalogs.

I like the feature in Rhapsody that allows me to see all albums by the artist, even if they don’t have it, and what other albums an artist has been on.

2) I also like the feature in Rhapsody that offers “similar artists” to the one I am listening to.  You can choose an artist and the section below the commentary shows similar artists. For me it is a good way, if I like what I am hearing, to get hooked on another artist.

When you've found an artist, you should see a "similar" link on the Link Bar in the upper right.

3) Is it possible to make a display view that includes the review area of the screen? Similar to views that shows lyrics, and what not.  If songs were playing in theater view, for instance, and a biography of the artist showed up on the screen as well, that may be cool. Crazy? Some days I am!

In Obsidian, MC's new skin for Theater View, there is a view that has more info, but not bio.

If you haven't done so, try the Link Bar links to Wikipedia and google.

Thanks again.

[chirpp]

Well ain't that just something! I guess I should look harder before speaking up!

I will continue playing.

[grsteve]

I'm using an RME Fireface which has a custom ASIO driver.  MC12 has no problem recognizing this (selectable via drop-down menu).  Will Performer also recognize it?

[)p(]

I'm using an RME Fireface which has a custom ASIO driver.  MC12 has no problem recognizing this (selectable via drop-down menu).  Will Performer also recognize it?

yes

peter

[JimH]

I'm using an RME Fireface which has a custom ASIO driver.  MC12 has no problem recognizing this (selectable via drop-down menu).  Will Performer also recognize it?

Probably.  Did you try?

If it doesn't, we can probably make it work.  Let us know.

[grsteve]

No, I haven't downloaded it yet.  I'll try it and let you know.

-Steve