Topic: Mac Progress Report (Read 87077 times)

JimH · « **on:** October 18, 2012, 02:41:20 pm »

Early this year we began working on a Mac version of JRiver Media Center. I'm happy to say that it's going well and we're on track to begin showing early versions of an audio player ~~by the end of the year~~ around ~~Feb 1, 2013~~Feb 15, 2013.

~~Next week, we expect to release the first stage, an~~ HDtracks Downloader. [Edit -- The OSX version is now available. It's identical to the Windows version of the Downloader that we've just made available for testing: http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=74852.0 ]

This is a major accomplishment by the team. It was a long time coming, a lot of work, and a lot of ugly problems to solve. The biggest obstacle may have been the immense scale of the task for a small group. I'm very proud to have been associated with it though my contribution was only to offer encouragement and a little sympathy from time to time.

The HDtracks Downloader is a deceptively simple program, but it touches almost every aspect of the full audio player. The audio pipeline, decoding, encoding, networking, encryption, GUI, and so on.

We're now within site of the finish line for the full OSX player. Thanks to the team for a great effort.

glynor · « **Reply #1 on:** October 18, 2012, 04:54:38 pm »

glynor · « **Reply #2 on:** October 18, 2012, 06:33:14 pm »

I found an album there I want to buy (first timer) but I'm going to wait for the Mac version so I can test it for you.

darichman · « **Reply #3 on:** October 18, 2012, 08:13:55 pm »

That's great news Jim.

Will the HDTracks downloader be part of MC proper at some point? Or an optional module?

JimH · « **Reply #4 on:** October 18, 2012, 09:16:31 pm »

Quote from: darichman on October 18, 2012, 08:13:55 pm

That's great news Jim.

Will the HDTracks downloader be part of MC proper at some point? Or an optional module?

It is not part of MC, but will be distributed by HDtracks. I believe it will be free of charge.

sunfire7 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 19, 2012, 12:47:47 am »

Great news Jim, I wish you total success with this new project. I can't wait to try it.

JimH · « **Reply #6 on:** October 19, 2012, 04:18:24 pm »

You can get a copy of the new HDtracks Downloader that JRiver has built:

Mac Version

Windows Version

HDtracks is offering a 15% discount for JRiver users through October 28, 2012.

bob · « **Reply #7 on:** October 19, 2012, 05:57:51 pm »

Doesn't work on my 10.6.8 Mac.
Could be a 32 bit issue.
It'd be interesting to see if anyone is running 64 bit on 10.6.8 and if it works or not.

Matt · « **Reply #8 on:** October 19, 2012, 06:15:39 pm »

If there were some way to run OSX in a bottle on my home computer, I'd report that I was able to purchase, download, convert to ALAC, and play in iTunes (but that iTunes didn't read the ALAC tags).

JimH · « **Reply #9 on:** October 19, 2012, 06:49:04 pm »

That would have been good to know.

JimH · « **Reply #10 on:** October 20, 2012, 08:05:20 am »

I've posted the downloader on computeraudiophile.com:

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f11-software/jriver-media-center-mac-12458/index2.html

glynor · « **Reply #11 on:** October 21, 2012, 09:20:02 am »

Quote from: bob on October 19, 2012, 05:57:51 pm

Doesn't work on my 10.6.8 Mac.
Could be a 32 bit issue.
It'd be interesting to see if anyone is running 64 bit on 10.6.8 and if it works or not.

I got one. I'll try a little later today.

glynor · « **Reply #12 on:** October 21, 2012, 09:32:12 am »

Quote from: Matt on October 19, 2012, 06:15:39 pm

If there were some way to run OSX in a bottle on my home computer, I'd report that I was able to purchase, download, convert to ALAC, and play in iTunes (but that iTunes didn't read the ALAC tags).

You mean like this?

Quite easy to do if you have access to a real Mac (or previous VM) somewhere. Everything works fine except for one very specific type of OpenGL drawing (used in Apple's Keynote and iBook Author applications). PM me if you want to know more.

EDIT: Re-reading Matt's post, I realize now that my sarcasm detector was faulty.

JimH · « **Reply #13 on:** October 21, 2012, 12:20:32 pm »

I've moved an HDtracks Downloader bug report to this thread:
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=75151.0

jtwrace · « **Reply #14 on:** October 21, 2012, 03:08:36 pm »

Will JRiver MC18 sound as good on OSX as it does on W8?

JimH · « **Reply #15 on:** October 23, 2012, 06:01:56 pm »

An update for the Mac version of the HDtracks Downloader is in the first post of the following thread:
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=75151.msg509326#msg509326

kiwi · « **Reply #16 on:** October 24, 2012, 02:04:49 am »

Awesome! Love to see any progress and look forward to the upcoming player later this year or early next.

-kiwi

taschi71 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 24, 2012, 10:14:23 am »

...so it's not an april fools prank?! wohooo!!!

moophone · « **Reply #18 on:** October 27, 2012, 01:29:02 pm »

Will the OSX version work as a Remote Control (Client) to a Windows JRiver Server and vise versa?

My setup will be:

Windows audio PC running server. Probably quickly replaced with new Mac Mini running JRiver Server
JRemote ipad retina (Couch Remote)
Some other cheap netbook or tablet for dedicated Theatre View (Client or android remote only)
OSX JRemote (Desktop Client Remote to Windows Server)

Will this be possible?

Now my dream setup is:

All the above, but allowing the imac to act as a zone for video. e.g. I could play audio to server 1 (mac mini), video to server 2 (imac) all controlled by any client or remote. Is that possible?

JimH · « **Reply #19 on:** October 29, 2012, 12:44:26 pm »

Quote from: moophone on October 27, 2012, 01:29:02 pm

Will the OSX version work as a Remote Control (Client) to a Windows JRiver Server and vise versa?

Not initially. Probably later.

sunfire7 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 29, 2012, 11:10:36 pm »

Are you saying that an osx mc would not be able to connect to a Windows library server?? I think that is a must feature!

glynor · « **Reply #21 on:** November 02, 2012, 08:49:42 am »

Quote from: sunfire7 on October 29, 2012, 11:10:36 pm

Are you saying that a osx mc would not be able to connect to a Windows library server?? I think that is a must feature!

I have to say...

I agree. I won't really be able to use it otherwise.

sgomes · « **Reply #22 on:** November 02, 2012, 09:29:31 am »

Quote from: glynor on November 02, 2012, 08:49:42 am

I have to say...

I agree. I won't really be able to use it otherwise.

+1

kiwi · « **Reply #23 on:** November 06, 2012, 11:35:31 am »

Quote from: sunfire7 on October 29, 2012, 11:10:36 pm

Are you saying that an osx mc would not be able to connect to a Windows library server?? I think that is a must feature!

I think that he's saying, the initial version(s) might not, but that it is a feature in the big list of prioritized features that would go in.

I'm guessing that there is a lot of ground work that has to go in before this feature can go in.

haylo75 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 07, 2012, 10:16:08 am »

Connecting to a Windows Library Server is a must-have feature for me as well. That may be a common desired feature amongst existing MC users, since they're using Windows by default today. New MC users looking for an iTunes alternative, perhaps not so much.

JimH · « **Reply #25 on:** November 07, 2012, 06:06:42 pm »

Audio playback is now working. The next step is the player interface itself.

sieges · « **Reply #26 on:** November 07, 2012, 10:25:14 pm »

Quote from: JimH on November 07, 2012, 06:06:42 pm

Audio playback is now working. The next step is the player interface itself.

Is there a list for a "public" Beta team for JRiver OSX ? I cant wait to shove iTunes out the virtual window. I love my MACs for 15 years. But they penalized me because I have over 25,000 songs...HOW DARE I ?? I have 50,000 songs. Why should a real music lover want a concise logical operating envirment like JRiver has for Windowwwwzzzz.

I will burn every iTunes .itl file the day you release the OSX version.

Sieges

glynor · « **Reply #27 on:** November 08, 2012, 01:47:03 pm »

Quote from: JimH on November 07, 2012, 06:06:42 pm

Audio playback is now working. The next step is the player interface itself.

Nice!

Quote from: kiwi on November 06, 2012, 11:35:31 am

I think that he's saying, the initial version(s) might not, but that it is a feature in the big list of prioritized features that would go in.

I'm guessing that there is a lot of ground work that has to go in before this feature can go in.

Yep, I agree.

I think it should be pretty close to top-of-the-heap though. I'll still test it, of course, but I couldn't actually USE it until it could connect to my MC library.

shAf · « **Reply #28 on:** November 11, 2012, 12:02:09 pm »

Quote from: JimH on November 07, 2012, 06:06:42 pm

Audio playback is now working. The next step is the player interface itself.

That's good news! At what point in its development will it be a client to the PC MC server? Do you imagine that it will at some point also become a server?

Just wondering ... my Win7 HTPC is getting a bit long in the tooth, ... as I contemplate replacing it either with a Dell Alienware X51 or with a Mac Mini(??)

lpr · « **Reply #29 on:** November 18, 2012, 10:49:57 am »

Quote from: JimH on November 07, 2012, 06:06:42 pm

Audio playback is now working. The next step is the player interface itself.

This is great news!

Can`t wait to run MC on my Mac, Itunes is killing me!

InflatableMouse · « **Reply #30 on:** November 18, 2012, 11:09:27 am »

Quote from: moophone on October 27, 2012, 01:29:02 pm

Will the OSX version work as a Remote Control (Client) to a Windows JRiver Server and vise versa?

Quote from: JimH on October 29, 2012, 12:44:26 pm

Not initially. Probably later.

Is this still the case? Iow, it won't be able to connect to an MC server on Windows?

shAf · « **Reply #31 on:** November 19, 2012, 11:58:16 am »

Reading elsewhere about Macs as HTPCs, it seems given the current Mac software (... and hardware? ...), Mac are not able to stream DVD HD audio ... which begs a couple of questions ...

(1) Some intelligent topic responses would imply it is only a software issue, but the solution they recommend is to bootstrap Windows 7(?)

(2) If indeed it is a software issue only, does JR imagine they can integrate the capabilities into their MC version for the Mac?

Just wonderin' ... if the Mac version is for real ... shouldn't there be a different forum? IE, just a single thread just doesn't seem to do justice to the many topics(?)

TIA

Vocalpoint · « **Reply #32 on:** November 19, 2012, 12:20:39 pm »

Quote from: JimH on November 07, 2012, 06:06:42 pm

Audio playback is now working. The next step is the player interface itself.

Jim,

Is it fair to assume that if you (JRiver) are putting the requisite effort in to create an actual OSX compliant version of MC - that future versions of both flavors of MC (Windows/Mac) would fully support sync-age of Mac based i-Devices? (iPod/iPhone etc) to MC?

Is there any back and forth between JRiver and Apple on specs, designs, code etc etc - so that you may be able to overcome the long standing cat fight where future Apple firmware updates on said i-Devices end up killing the sync between MC and any given iPod, Nano etc.?

I won't be buying a Mac any day soon but would like to feel somewhat confident that perhaps I could still sync some Nth gen iPod at some future date...

VP
Just wonderin....

JimH · « **Reply #33 on:** November 19, 2012, 12:55:19 pm »

The Mac version doesn't have any relationship with iPod support.

shAf · « **Reply #34 on:** November 21, 2012, 12:15:08 pm »

Quote from: JimH on November 19, 2012, 12:55:19 pm

The Mac version doesn't have any relationship with iPod support.

Presumably, it would (eventually) still provide the means of creating/exporting a playlist compatible with iTunes(?)

JimH · « **Reply #35 on:** November 21, 2012, 12:29:36 pm »

I don't want to say too much about specific features until we see things starting to come to life. I hope you'll understand.

Vocalpoint · « **Reply #36 on:** November 21, 2012, 12:56:05 pm »

Quote from: JimH on November 19, 2012, 12:55:19 pm

The Mac version doesn't have any relationship with iPod support.

Ironic (as written)

but understandable.

Thanks for the update.

VP

margolbe · « **Reply #37 on:** November 23, 2012, 12:12:29 pm »

Will there be support for flac files?

JimH · « **Reply #38 on:** November 23, 2012, 12:37:58 pm »

Yes. Flac is already working in our HDtracks Downloader.

JimH · « **Reply #39 on:** November 27, 2012, 02:15:24 pm »

On the beta forum, we now have a build of MC that removes the last of our dependencies on MFC (Microsoft Foundation Class). Here's what Matt said about this:

Quote

Tonight's build of Media Center 18 removes the remaining vestiges of MFC (Microsoft Foundation Classes) from the main program. MFC is the C++ toolset provided by Microsoft to make building applications easier. It helps with things like building user interface, handling drag-n-drop, catching events, and using system controls like edits and buttons. It also includes the basic data types that make up a program like strings, maps, arrays, rectangles, and dates.

This is the last major obstacle that has prevented compiling MC on OSX. We're now just a few weeks away from having the first OSX version of MC running.

petergraup · « **Reply #40 on:** November 27, 2012, 04:46:21 pm »

Congratulations!

Jim, you know Christmas is around 24.Dec in most countries... And I want my Mac JRiver under the tree. I have been a good boy... ;-)

Pixelplay · « **Reply #41 on:** November 27, 2012, 04:55:35 pm »

Congratulations from Australia,
Can't wait for the mac version to be released.

shAf · « **Reply #42 on:** November 28, 2012, 04:52:53 am »

'13 will be a good year for audiophiles ... lookin' forward

Peter_T · « **Reply #43 on:** November 30, 2012, 08:13:53 am »

Agreed - this is great news! I can't wait!

dknightd · « **Reply #44 on:** December 02, 2012, 09:51:52 am »

I'll bet itunes 11 will be getting you many customers.

If it can read itunes xml file to create JR MC database, and play my existing alac media. I'll definitely buy.

I'll be happy to use itunes only for iphone/ipod synchronization.

arin · « **Reply #45 on:** December 02, 2012, 04:36:41 pm »

I began to really hate iTunes from version 10.6.

Now that v.11 is out I just want to get rid of it for good...

Please let us have a beta of JRiver for Mac as soon as possible!

I'll bring you several friends who will be very happy to leave iTunes behind them when they'll see they don't need to have Windows to use JRiver.

JimH · « **Reply #46 on:** December 05, 2012, 12:52:11 pm »

Here's the status to date.

As said above, we have MC's audio engine working, so we can play audio. We can encode and decode most codec's (ALAC, AIFF, etc.)

The user interface is not working yet. Parts of networking don't work. DLNA, ripping, burning and Theater View don't.

We have not looked at video or TV yet, and they will not be part of the first version.

By commenting out some non-audio features, we're expecting to be able to compile the whole program in the next few weeks. It should take several more weeks to clean things up to the point where we could release an audio only version of MC for testing.

Expect these early builds to be available in late January or February.

JIMV · « **Reply #47 on:** December 06, 2012, 04:38:16 pm »

Outstanding! iTunes seems to be far more interesting in my being routed to the iStore than in any music quality or ease of use I might enjoy....

whgmkeller · « **Reply #48 on:** December 11, 2012, 02:11:15 pm »

Good times indeed - can't wait to get this on my Mac !!!
Keep us posted... please....

:-)

Greetz, Willem
Netherlands

shAf · « **Reply #49 on:** December 11, 2012, 05:22:05 pm »

I'm hoping one of your earlier releases will be able to connect to the Windows-based media server, if only to play from the music library(?)

TIA

INTERACT FORUM

Author Topic: Mac Progress Report (Read 87077 times)

petergraup