INTERACT FORUM
More => Old Versions => JRiver Media Center 23 for Windows => Topic started by: Z0001 on January 09, 2018, 05:58:59 am
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Hi
I recently rebuilt my PC and reinstalled MC. I used my pervious library. I have the latest MC (stable) and have internet access (just updated amd graphics drivers).
For every video file tested so far (mkv, DVD and Blu-ray) MC spends ages on "adding required components". Sometimes it does not complete in a useful timeframe.
I disabled graphics hardware acceleration.
It still stalls on this message for each file I try.
Any advice or solution?
Thanks
Z
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Check your firewall. MC needs to download additional components (e.g. LAV Filters, madVR, Chromium, etc.).
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I'm just on w10 home, using defender, no third party firewall or AV. Would I need to tweak the w10 firewall settings ... Or allow MC administrator rights?
Thanks
Z
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Awesome Donkey's advice is good. Something is blocking the download.
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Thanks. I have looked at the W10 Defender Firewall and it looks like MC23 has permission, but still I have this problem.
What else do I need to check? Currently cant play video.
Thanks
Z
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Try removing MC from the firewall rules. Make sure the firewall is in verbose mode, then run MC again.
Antivirus software might also do that.
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Try removing MC from the firewall rules. Make sure the firewall is in verbose mode, then run MC again.
Antivirus software might also do that.
I'm afraid I'm unclear. This is just stock W10 Firewall, no third party firewall or AV app.
Either MC needs permission through a firewall or it doesn't. Every video file trys to add components, which is not right. some take ages but then play, some don't seem to ever play.
What is verbose mode?
thanks
Z
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Verbose means the firewall talks to you when it does something.
It's almost certainly a problem with your firewall settings. Please try what I suggested.
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Thanks Jim, I'll Google how to set verbose settings.
Just to be clear, are you saying I need MC to NOT be an app that has firewall permission in the Windows defender firewall? Just seemed counter intuitive.
Many thanks
Z
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Just to be clear, are you saying I need MC to NOT be an app that has firewall permission in the Windows defender firewall? Just seemed counter intuitive.
It does, but it is the right thing to do. That will force the W10 Firewall to re-evaluate MC and decide whether to allow it access to the internet or not. If in verbose mode, the W10 Firewall should ask if you want to allow MC or not. Also, you will probably get asked more than once, as different components access the internet, or try to get through the firewall to other PCs on the LAN, if there are any.
Once you have answered Yes to all the questions, MC should be able to download the components it needs and play all supported video types.
PS: I don't use W10 Firewall so I assuming it works something like the Norton 360 Firewall.
PPS: Maybe W19 Firewall doesn't pop up a question, but it can write a verbose log of what it does, which would show any block actions. https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff428140(v=ws.10).aspx
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Thanks for your guidance.
Verbose firewall enabled.
MC in administrator mode
MC taken off the allowed apps in the firewall
Still get "adding required components" for each DVD and Blu-ray mkv file, takes ages each time.
Something not right. This is just stock Windows defender firewall and antivirus.
Any pointers for next steps?!
Thanks
Z
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Could be a router firewall? But yeah, something is definitely blocking the component download, it sounds like.
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Did you look in the Windows Event Viewer after creating the issue?
With the Windows Firewall in verbose, if it is the problem there should be records in the Event Viewer.
Just as an aside, do you still have UAC turned on, and not set to "Never Notify"?
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Just as an aside, do you still have UAC turned on, and not set to "Never Notify"?
It's in default, on and Notify Me, not Never Notify
Do I need to allow a port?
Thanks
Z
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Media Center uses ordinary HTTP requests to download the additional components, nothing special at all.
There are two URLs it needs to access, our dispatcher, and the actual file host.
You can try to manually download these files to ensure nothing is preventing that, note however that manual install of the depencencies is not supported, and you'll need to let MC download those itself:
For example, for LAV Filters, one dependency for every video playback on Windows
http://www.musicex.com/cgi-bin/redirects/MC/v23/redirect.pl?type=dependency&prodname=Media%20Center&version=23.0.91&dependency_name=lav&dependency_version=60
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Router (Netgear CG3000, Optus) has port 52199 enabled.
Got no idea what router firewall tweak might be needed.
But I've not changed anything on the router, all I did was clean reinstall W10 and MC and now can't play videos.
Surely MC should work out of the box on just the stock W10 installation, with no third party antivirus or firewall at least with a series of dialogue boxes to get the settings made?
Are there antivirus tweaks I need to make to Windows Defender?
Really need to get this sorted out.
Thanks
Z
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Are there antivirus tweaks I need to make to Windows Defender?
Yeah, I'd exclude the Media Center install directories, executables and DLL files under either Program Files (if using 64-bit MC) or Program Files (x86) (if using 32-bit MC). And exclude %UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\J River\ and all the directories inside where plugins are downloaded too.
Of course, this still may not do anything if a firewall is blocking it. I usually don't get prompted about MC firewall access until I enable Media Network and try the test for it.
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After you removed MC from the firewall, did you try an uninstall and reinstall of MC?
Double check the firewall before you do, since it may have had more than one entry for MC.
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After you removed MC from the firewall, did you try an uninstall and reinstall of MC?
Double check the firewall before you do, since it may have had more than one entry for MC.
I think next I'll try a reinstall. Is there a complete/clean uninstall/reinstall process or just uninstall through Programs?
Thanks
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Another thought.
Is x64 stable now? I have a 64 bit system, so should I try that instead?
If so what is the install routine vis having a 32 bit version running?
Ta
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It's stable. Worth a try, but it's probably a firewall or security software problem on your machine.
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The 64bit version is stable. I have been using it for months. Note though that the Handheld Sync function, and any 32bit plugins, won't work with the 64bit version of MC. There are threads that talk about the details.
If you try it, make sure you backup your library first, as you will probably need to Restore your library to the 64bit version.
As you are having trouble with the 32bit version and want to switch to the 64bit, I would uninstall that and then install the new version. Again, there are threads recommending how to go about switching 32 to 64bit.
You still didn't say if you looked in Event Viewer, but I guess if you switch to 64bit you are starting over and that doesn't matter unless the problem recurs.
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You still didn't say if you looked in Event Viewer, but I guess if you switch to 64bit you are starting over and that doesn't matter unless the problem recurs.
I had a look and can't make head nor tail of event viewer! Where am I to look and am I looking for a MC reference?
Thanks
Z
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This article is for Windows 7, but still seems to be accurate for what you want. https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff428140(v=ws.10).aspx
I just did some Googling to find that. There is quite a bit of information around.
Filter the view using "J River" or "Media Center" and see what shows up, as the events should reference the application and its path that is related to the event. You could also use the drop down list to filter for item related to "Firewall". That may show something.
You could also just look in the "Windows Logs > Security" group and filter by Firewall items. Basic Firewall Events may show up there.
Unfortunately I don't use the Windows Firewall, so I don't have any events under those groups. Someone else who uses Windows Firewall may be able to confirm that the events show up there.
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Thanks for this. The only logs that come up on a search for JRiver in Event Viewer under the firewall are modifications to the rules, not blocked internet requests and firewall verbose has no hits on a search for JRiver. So can't diagnose anything too readily there.
Frustrating, just have to try a reinstall.
Really this should just work with stock Windows 10 Defender unmodified, or there be a dialogue to help set the correct firewall settings.
Thanks for your help guys
Z
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I just tried to completely remove MC from the Defender firewall permissions list and found two entries there with one selected Private and one selected Public. I removed both (not just unchecked), rebooted and then I saw MC was back on the permissions list?!
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Really this should just work with stock Windows 10 Defender unmodified, or there be a dialogue to help set the correct firewall settings.
It usually does.
Make sure you don't have any other "security" software installed. Antivirus, pop-up blocker, etc.
Did you try the Weird Problems thread?
https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,24031.0.html
and the antivirus thread linked in the first post?
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For example, for LAV Filters, one dependency for every video playback on Windows
http://www.musicex.com/cgi-bin/redirects/MC/v23/redirect.pl?type=dependency&prodname=Media%20Center&version=23.0.91&dependency_name=lav&dependency_version=60
Did you try clicking on the above link that Hendrik provided to see if the ZIP file downloaded correctly? It won't install anything, and you can delete the file afterwards. It just tests that you have access to the download site, and it isn't blocked.
Plus reboot the PC and start MC twice to ensure all Windows Updates finished completely, and MC is detected properly by security software. Sometimes that helps.
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Reinstalled MC and all seems well now.
Thanks for all your help
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That's good.
Reinstalling probably forced your firewall to re-detect MC and set up automatic rules for it.
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Just had the same problem appear. Worked fine yesterday (and MC had been properly allowed through the Windows Firewall upon original installation).
I simply switched the web browser engine in Options back to IE and it works fine now.
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I had same issue right after the last update also. Could it be maybe something was not written well in the coding on the update.
Cause I have never had this issue with MC before gets stuck on installing components for like a really long time, I mean really long had to close the app a few times then it finally worked.
MC has permissions on firewall so I know that's not it.
Its working fine now but thought I would let you guys know, its still an issue.