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[Dmcxx]

I finally connected my Windows 7 - 64 bit machine to my YAMAHA receiver via an HDMI connection.  On my display on the receiver, when connected via DNLA, I used to see Album titles and artist name.  Now when connected via the HDMI all I get is on the display is "PCM".

What do I need to tweak in JRiver to have the album data flow to my receiver's display?

I love finally having a stable input and not having the annoying drop outs.  Oddly, the Yamaha can only connect to a PC via a direct ethernet wired router, via DNLA which was erratic in my house,  or via HDMI.  The msny USB ports are chargers or only equipped to take info from small devices like a phone.

I'm wondering if I need to buy a cheap router and connect to the PC that way to get album data on the Yamaha display again.  Would that even work?

Any thoughts?  Thanks

[6233638]

DLNA is sending the file to the receiver for playback.
HDMI is sending an audio stream without metadata.
 
So you would have to switch back to DLNA if you wanted that.

[Dmcxx]

Would running it through a router give me back Metadata?

[6233638]

Yes, as long as you're still using DLNA.
The thing is that HDMI just sends an audio signal.
 
DLNA does not send an audio signal - it send a file which the receiver decodes itself.
And in this case, your AVR is also displaying the track name. Another receiver might simply display "DLNA" rather than the track name.

[Dmcxx]

You're being very kind with your help and I appreciate it. 

The folks at the Yamaha hotline told me that either method of connecting would give the same result.  Yeah I guess that's true if the only result you want is is just music coming out of your speakers.  Very unhelpful.

When I first bought the receiver I played around with creating a closed network (computer wired via ethernet cable to router connected via ethernet cable to the receiver) with an old Motorola cable router of unknown origin and it didn't work correctly.  I think that was a function of the age and type of the router. 

I know that the ethernet port on the receiver works fine because the DNLA connection worked other than the normal problems with several walls and distance creating issues.  The Yamaha has a little separate wireless adaptor that runs into the ethernet connection in the receiver.   

The Media PC runs inside a difficult to reach cabinet without a monitor normally hooked up so stability its paramount for me.

I think I should do the closed loop wired network again. 

Do you have any idea of what I need in terms of a router?  Am I crazy thinking I can just buy basically any router to handle this task?  Is there anything special I need to look for in terms of moving media files and speed? 

Long term, I want to have the Media PC that runs Windows 64 bit Ultimate be viewable on one of the other computers on my home network through that Remote View Option built into Windows Ultimate.  That requires a clean install of Ultimate on another machine since everything I currently runs Windows 64 bit Home Premium so that's a project for another week.

Thanks again for your help.  It's been a great day of listening to uninterrupted music. 

[6233638]

If it is a wireless range or bandwidth issue, buying a newer router may help, but at the same time, it may not.

If you cannot simply run an Ethernet cable between the AVR and the router - which would be the most reliable option, you may want to consider Powerline network adapters.
 
A pair of these are reasonably inexpensive these days (kits seem to start about $40 or so on Amazon) and should essentially give you a wired connection to the router, utilizing your home's electrical wiring.
 

Long term, I want to have the Media PC that runs Windows 64 bit Ultimate be viewable on one of the other computers on my home network through that Remote View Option built into Windows Ultimate.  That requires a clean install of Ultimate on another machine since everything I currently runs Windows 64 bit Home Premium so that's a project for another week.

You could always try installing a VNC server/client on the machine rather than using remote desktop, as that would not require you to upgrade the OS.
 
If you have a smartphone, you might want to look into the JRemote app for control, rather than remotely connecting to the system running MC.

[Dmcxx]

I'm thinking a stand alone router just connecting in the middle from my Media PC to my receiver. 

Thanks for the suggestion on ways to control JRiver.  I love the JRemote when my kids let me touch the IPad and use Gizmo on my phone to control JRiver pretty much constantly.  Still, at least once a month something pops up where I need to look at the computer and see what's going on.  I have a video cable connected to the back that I uncoil when I need to drag a monitor over and look at why something isn't working.

[Dmcxx]

I can pick this up for up $12 on Ebay.

Do you think it would do the trick?

NetGear ProSafe FS105 5-Port 10/100 Fast External Ethernet Network Switch

Detailed item info
Product Information
NETGEAR's FS100 series Fast Ethernet Switches provide your LAN with high-speed, 10/100 Mbps auto-sensing connectivity for as many as 5, 8, or 16 users. Just plug in your Ethernet cables, connect a power cord, and you're ready to go there's no software to configure. Engineered without the need for internal fans, they operate silently. And each of these very compact switches is housed in a sturdy metal case for years of dependable use.When you want greater bandwidth and increased network access for your growing business, plus the added benefit of quiet operation, NETGEAR's FS105, FS108, and FS116 are your best choices for quality, convenience, and smooth-running usability all at very affordable prices.

Product Identifiers
Brand   NetGear
Model   FS105 10/100 Desktop Switch
MPN   FS105
UPC   606449006865

Key Features
Form Factor   External
Ports Qty   5
Data Transfer Rate   100 Mbps
Data Link Protocol   Ethernet, Fast Ethernet
Compatibility   Mac, PC, Unix

Features
Other Features   Flow control, full duplex capability, auto-sensing per device, Flow control, full duplex capability, auto-sensing per device, auto-negotiation, auto-uplink (auto MDI/MDI-X), store and forward, wall mountable, Full duplex capability, Full duplex capability, auto-sensing per device
Status Indicators   Link activity, collision status, port transmission speed, port duplex mode, power, Link activity, port transmission speed, power, link OK, Port status, collision status, port duplex mode, power, Port status, link activity, collision status, port duplex mode, power

Networking
Networking Type   Switch
Connectivity Technology   Wired
Switching Protocol   Ethernet
Remote Management Protocol   None
MAC Address Table Size   1K entries

Connectors
Interfaces   5 x network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45, 5 x network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45 - 5, 5 x network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45 female - 5, 5 x network node - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45

Power
Power Consumption Operational   7.5 Watt
Power Source   AC 110/220 V ± 10%
Power Supplay   Power adapter - external

Memory
RAM Memory   5 MB

Dimensions
Width   6 in.
Height   1 in.
Depth   4 in.
Weight   1 lbs

Miscellaneous
Enclosure Type   External
Humidity Range Operating (Range)   0 - 90%
Max Operating Temperature_Display   104 ˚F
Min Operating Temperature_Display   32 ˚F
Rack Mounting Kit   Included

[6233638]

An Ethernet switch is for wired connections only, not wireless.

[Dmcxx]

If data is data (except when data is coming out of an HDMI port I guess) then tell me if this makes sense:

When I run the DNLA connection via the Yamaha wireless adapter, it grabs the Wi-Fi signal and then funnels it via an Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port in the back of my receiver.  For one reason or the other, the Yamaha can't take an Ethernet connection directly from the computer to the receiver.  It's probably obvious to everyone else why that doesn't work but that alone starts to explain why I believed them when they told me I could connect the external hard drive directly too.

What I'm thinking of doing is using that same Ethernet port to send it information from the computer with a new router in between.  I think the data would then be coming into the receiver the same ways as it was from the wireless adaptor before, with the new router hard connected via cables playing the role now served by my home network and the wireless adapter.  I don't care that it's it own little closed world and that the router won't be visible on main home network.  I'll still be able to connect to the computer via its own wireless adapter.  And the receiver will see the incoming connection as being served up DNLA style again and I get my songs titles back on my display.

[AndrewFG]

Note that there is a different between an ethernet switch and an ethernet router. Unless you really know what you are doing, you need a router and not just a switch...

[Dmcxx]

Thanks.  I figured that out last night doing a little reading.    I think I'm just going to pick up a used wireless router on ebay (and just use the wired ports) and see if it works.  I'm kicking myself for giving one away a year ago. 

[Dmcxx]

Just an update:

On Tom's Hardware's Network Forum I posted a similar question.  I followed their Super User Kanewolf's suggestion and picked up a gigabyte switch (NETIS ST3105G Unmanaged 5 Port Gigabit Ethernet Desktop Switch) from New Egg for $15.  It sits in the middle between the receiver and my Media PC creating it's own LAN network.  I also plugged the Yamaha's wireless network (YWA-10) into the switch as well.  

I can happily report everything seems to be communicating with each other fine and I have full network functionality back. My display on the Yamaha RX V775 AV receiver is picking up album and artists names again and the connection is rock steady as it is now on hardwired local area network.  Since the PC also has a wireless card, it also is connected to my home wireless network and still fully visible to all the other computers on my home network.  Very convenient because it allows me to add music to my central JRiver library from any computer in my house.  I've installed Team Viewer on my now headless media PC and I'm controlling it via another room (when I need to see if there is a problem, which hasn't happened so far).  

The wireless functionality of the Yamaha wireless adapter also is still communicating with the rest of my house network, as is the wireless card in the PC. An unexpected bonus is that I also now have the ability to watch some types video files on a Vizeo TV located in another room over DNLA via my wireless home network.  

Thank you all so much for your help and patience as you walked me through my options and possibilities.