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[laerm]

Hi all --

For the first time, I have use for the library server/client features, and I am quite impressed and pleased with its stability and feature set. There are some things I am surprised I can't do from the client, though...

- analyze audio
- add/alter/remove album art
- import files
- rename/move/copy files

The lack of functionality on the last I can understand (sort of), but the first two I can't understand. Can I get an explanation please? Perhaps there should be an ability to set permissions on the server for what clients can and cannot do. For those of us running our servers without input (eg. like me not having a keyboard connected) and running a client elsewhere (eg. like me, with my laptop in my office), it would be pretty handy to have full control from the client.

Thanks --
Micah

[cncb]

You also can't delete files (from disk) from a client or save last watched position for videos/tv recordings.  There has been talk of improving this (even having user accounts/permissions was discussed) so we can only hope it is being worked on...

[laerm]

You also can't delete files (from disk) from a client or save last watched position for videos/tv recordings.  There has been talk of improving this (even having user accounts/permissions was discussed) so we can only hope it is being worked on...

Oh yes, I forgot about deleting files as well, thanks for pointing that out. (I don't deal with video, so glad you added that as well.)

Micah

[burre]

I noticed that ratings for files input on the client are not sent/updated to the server. Is this another limitation or is something else wrong with my setup?

there is a setting under network that says "automatically sync changes made on client back to server on shutdown". What is this for then?

[raldo]

I noticed that ratings for files input on the client are not sent/updated to the server. Is this another limitation or is something else wrong with my setup?
there is a setting under network that says "automatically sync changes made on client back to server on shutdown". What is this for then?

Some changes are synched back on shutdown of the client but not ratings, as far as I understand.

To me, ratings are of very high value so they should definitely be synched back, preferably immediately.

I also feel that newly imported files (on the server) should be made visible on the client. You can, of course, implement a "reload library" button on the client to see changes on the server, but I'd have to remind my wife everytime new content has arrived.

All in all, I feel that the server/client in MC should get some attention. Too many missing features.

[burre]

Agreed. No rating of files makes Rivermote a better option for me. too bad, just invested in a new netbook. hope this is improved soon..

[laerm]

Even though my question remains unanswered, I'm glad to see others are having issues (well, you know what I mean) so I hope that we get a good update from JR soon.

Micah

[zxsix]

I noticed that ratings for files input on the client are not sent/updated to the server. Is this another limitation or is something else wrong with my setup?

there is a setting under network that says "automatically sync changes made on client back to server on shutdown". What is this for then?

Ratings absolutely sync back to the server version.  I do it every day from work.
I rate a few dozen songs throughout the work day.  At the end of the day, I simply choose File > Close.
The MC main window closed, and then I get an info box showing that it's checking for changes.
That closes a little while later.
When I get home, those albums I rated at work are all correctly marked with stars.

Make sure you run exactly the same build of MC at both ends.  I'm using version 15, build 115.
I have this setting checked: "automatically sync changes made on client back to server on shutdown".
Perhaps you could uncheck it on yours, close MC, restart MC, then check that option again.

[skeeterfood]

- analyze audio
- add/alter/remove album art
- import files
- rename/move/copy files

Here's how I handle a few of those items.  I rip new CDs on the client to a network drive that the MC library is set up to auto-import.  I have MC set to automatically analyze any audio it imports and automatically find cover art.  Unfortunately item #2 is a royal pain, since it requires me to remote desktop into my Windows Home Server Machine if MC doesn't automatically find a decent cover art photo when importing the file.  Item #4 can cause a big mess, since MC doesn't prevent you from running rename/move/copy files on the client but it can end up generating some really strange file paths.

-John

[laerm]

I haven't played with auto-import yet...I think I like to have more control over my import process. The computer I have running MC isn't very speedy, so analyzing audio at the same time as playing can be a pain (all of my files are on a NAS). If I could schedule the auto-import, that'd be one thing...

#4 there...I wonder if that is why I have random duplicates on my client. Maybe I tried to move or rename something at one point? Can anyone else think of any reason why there'd be random duplicates on the client?

Thanks --
Micah