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[ChrisS]

Hi there, first time poster here I've got a question about Media Server that I couldn't find an answer for in the FAQ or in a search (unless I overlooked it).

I gave Media Server a try (MJ Version 8.0.26?) between my desktop and my laptop. Though on my desktop I have several hundred ripped CDs in my media library, my laptop, acting as the client, only saw 10 CDs. Is this a limitation, or his there an enhanced media server version that should be purchased? I wish I could verify this again, but my laptop has just gone back in the shop for repairs today.

BTW, I have to say, I've been extremely impressed with MJ. You folks have done an outstanding job with this product.

Thanks again and sorry if I'm rehashing the obvious with my question.
Chris

[JimH]

Hi Chris and welcome.

If you see any, you should see all that MJ can stream.

What file types are they?  mp3, wma?

While we're in beta, the build is important.  8.0.267 was just released.

[ChrisS]

Jim,

I think it was build 8.0.265 (whatever the latest build was as of Monday), client and server running W2K. 99% of my files are WMA (ripped either with Windows Media Player or with Media Jukebox) with some MP3 files. Now that you mentioned the file type, I think the files/albums shown on the client may have all been MP3s. I wish I could verify this for you but I don't have my laptop available. However, I may be able to temporarily confiscate one of my family member's computers on our LAN and install MJ on it to see if I can reproduce the problem.

Chris

[JimH]

Could be a loose end on our part.  We'll check.

[Raymond]

Chris,
     I am sorry, wma files cannot be streamed across the Internet or network because there are limitation on the wma tool itself. Movie files such as mpg or mpeg cannot be streamed also.


Ray

[ChrisS]

Thanks for the explanation Ray though I'm a bit confused. Is this a limitation of the WMA tool MJ uses or within WMA itself? I say this because I can stream WMAs to WinAmp (I've got a Nomad Jukebox with WMAs on it and am currently using the built in http server in Red Chair's Notmad Jukebox Explorer).

Chris

[JimH]

I think this is a requirement of our license with Microsoft.

Try using the convert feature of MJ to convert your WMA files to a new library copy with MP3.  You will lose a little quality, but for streaming, it should be OK.

[Ce.D]

Chris,

As I understand it, you are using Media Server to dispatch your beloved MP3/WMA files on your home network. As I am doing the same and had problems with Media Server, I reverted to the first solution I used:

Add a library (using the library manager) which is actually the one on your workstation, using either network path ( '//workstation/sharename/...') or mapped network drive ( ': -> '//workstation/sharename/...' ).
NOTA: This solution allows you to play whatever format you have, even M$ WMA !

The only drawbacks I found so far are:
1. If your network suffers from glitches (which is my case because my laptop's network adpater is too old and does not handle 100mbit/s too well), the playing will be interrupted and MJ will say it is unable to access the file.
2. Do not try to make changes in the library at the same time on your laptop and on your workstation, since the latest changes on one machine would override those from the other (unless you EXPLICITELY reload the library after changes are made on the other machine).

This is it. 'Hope it helps!

Enjoy MJ-listening

[shdbcamping]

i know that this may be already looked at by all, but is the WMA box checked in the "file associations" tab of the "options" under the "settings" of the machine that you are trying to run the streaming from on your network?
the machine that is running MJ has to be set up for the file types on the other machine.
hope this helps.

[IRONPANTS]

Chris,

Why WMA? I am not stuck on a specific format and I love hearing comments from users who swear by a particular fle format.

IRONPANTS

[hyslopc]

I avoid WMA like the plague, or any other proprietary formats for that matter.  Do you really want your entire media library held captive by Microsoft's latest licence agreement amendments?  The only formats I would recommend are the truly open ones: OGG (lossy) and APE (lossless).  In addition to being open, these two formats are truly excellent in most respects.  If I were you, I'd re-rip all of your CDs using OGG.  MP3 is of course semi-open, but in the long term who knows what will happen to it with Fraunhofer holding the important patents.

[KingSparta]

I like WAV format and you only need a t3 connection to stream it

[davidH]

>>I like WAV format and you only need a t3 connection to stream it

Actually if you place the laptop on one side of the Atlantic, you can hear the WAV at the other side.
Almost prefect streaming of surf sounds.  Bass does not travel as well.  I tried this last month.  Worked great until the plastic bag (used to waterproof the laptop) sprung a leak.  Laptop is being repaired. Will double bag from now on.  Hello King!

[ChrisS]

CE.D, thanks for the file share suggestion. That's exactly what I'll probably do. It should work fine for me since my nic cards are pretty good. I just want to do this on my own internal home LAN so I don't have to get up and go to the desktop each time I want to play something different.  Again thanks for the idea.

Chris

[ChrisS]

Ironpants, as to why I use WMA, its simply because of the number of cds I have a limited amount of space, both physical and virtual. I don't swear by it, its just a matter or pragamtism. I've got close to 2000 CDs (I've been buying CDs regularly since the mid 80s, though I don't intend to rip them all. I've found WMA 64 bit gives me a small filesize footprint and sound quality that I find acceptable for the majority of my CDs (the majority of my playback usually occurs in less-than ideal audio conditions). In addition, I have a 6 gig Nomad Jukebox which plays WMA. Using WMA 64 let's me maximize the nomad's disk space. This was especially important to me last year as I did alot of cross-country flying (125,000 miles) and I wanted to take as much music with me as possible.

As for a philosophical descision of a proprietery codec over a non or semi properietery codec, the choice is yours. I take a pragmatic view rather than a religious view on this. Weigh the options and choose what's right for you. I'd rather use open-spec codec but if it doesn't meet my needs then I'm not going to soley on the sake of "openness". Yes, I run a potential risk that MS could do something which restricts my usage but I'm not going base my decision on something that might happen at some unknown point in the future. If ultimately I end up having to re-rip stuff in another format due to a change in WMA or if there's an open-spec codec that meets might needs, then so be it. I'll do it without hesitation and move on
Chris