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More => Old Versions => JRiver Media Center 20 for Windows => Topic started by: MidWestDave on August 29, 2014, 02:36:32 pm

Title: JRiver Playback of m4a files and DLNA
Post by: MidWestDave on August 29, 2014, 02:36:32 pm

I use JRiver and the JRemote application for the iPad to stream music from my server to the receiver.  I have a sizeable library of various music formats including m4a and FLACC.  I was using Version 19 (the latest version) when I noticed the iPad skipping songs in the library.  These were all m4a or lossless.   I searched the various boards and noted that 19 should handle this format.  I tweaked the settings but no luck.  I was hoping an upgrade to Version 20 would solve the issue.  But no luck.  Anyone having the same issue?  Do I need to do a fresh install or are there tweaks I can do to solve this. 

Here are my specs:
Operating System:      Windows 8.1
JRiver Version         20.0.10
Media Network:              Generic DLNA
                     Use Media Network to share this library and enable DLNA
Audio Conversion:      Convert Audio if Necessary
Encoder:                  MP3 high Bandwidth

File Types:   Audio:      All Automatic
File Associations:                 All "No" other than AAC, FLACC, iTunes, MPEG and WAV
NAS:                    Synology DS213+
Receiver                 Pioneer SC-55

Thanks in advance. 

MidWestDave

Title: Re: JRiver Playback of m4a files and DLNA
Post by: ferday on August 29, 2014, 04:01:25 pm

Does your receiver allow flac and m4a?

i have the same settings as you, and my DLNA (pushed to either an onkyo receiver, or several different WDTV boxes) never skips files.  it sounds like maybe your receiver won't accept the codec?

edit:  looked up your receiver quick, and it appears to support flac and m4a.  not sure what to say, hopefully someone else can help....but mine is and has always worked fine

Title: Re: JRiver Playback of m4a files and DLNA
Post by: AndrewFG on August 29, 2014, 05:25:46 pm

Instead of "Convert when necessary" try "Always convert". And select media type L16 no header(or MP3)..

Title: Re: JRiver Playback of m4a files and DLNA
Post by: MidWestDave on September 01, 2014, 10:51:11 am

Thanks ferday for checking.

AndrewFG--I am still tweaking the settings.  Didn't get it to work on Saturday--plan on trying again today.  I am optimistic based on your response!

MidWestDave

Title: Re: JRiver Playback of m4a files and DLNA
Post by: MidWestDave on September 01, 2014, 12:03:38 pm

Andrew:
AndrewFG
I am still tweaking, but need some additional guidance:

Under Media Network> Client Options>Audio Conversion>Conversion: Always Convert Audio and Encoder: PCM 16-bit

How does that differ from:

Media Network>Add or configure Audio> Mode: Specified output format and Format: PCM L16 No header.

The above is how I tried to get to your suggestion.  Did I do it right?

MidWestDave

Title: Re: JRiver Playback of m4a files and DLNA
Post by: AndrewFG on September 01, 2014, 12:29:49 pm

L16 no header is the purest form PCM and as such is the format that all DLNA renderers must support. On the other hand PCM with header is essentially the same as WAV so many players support that too. If your player supports both then you can take your pick...

Title: Re: JRiver Playback of m4a files and DLNA
Post by: MidWestDave on September 06, 2014, 03:24:34 pm

AndrewFG:

Thanks for your suggestions.  Unfortunately even with the settings indicated, jriver continues to skip m4a.  I can play such files thru the computer with jriver and I can use a different software and play m4a through my receiver, but no such luck with jriver and my receiver.  It skips m4a files and plays mp3.

I would like to avoid a fresh install.  So..........if there are other suggestions or thoughts I can try...................

MidWestDave

Title: Re: JRiver Playback of m4a files and DLNA
Post by: Dmcxx on November 26, 2014, 02:17:10 pm

I played with settings today to get m4a files to play on MC 20 through DLNA to a Yamaha RX-V775.  

I had no luck until i switched to specify output only when necessary and 24 bit PCM.  

I also installed Quicktime based on a old FAQ and specified the output for m4a file to use the quicktime engine as suggested here: http://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/MP4_and_M4A_File_Support. 

I used these instructions to configure Quicktime:
http://www.codecguide.com/quicktime_installation.htm

Hopefully someone from JRiver will comment on the if the Quicktime installation and configuration steps are still necessary. 

Also I'm not using the generic DLNA server instead I'm using the 24 bit audiophile option.

Title: Re: JRiver Playback of m4a files and DLNA
Post by: Dmcxx on December 01, 2014, 10:50:30 pm

Bump

Hopefully someone from JRiver will comment on the if the Quicktime installation and configuration steps are still necessary. 

Title: Re: JRiver Playback of m4a files and DLNA
Post by: AndrewFG on December 02, 2014, 02:38:59 am

You did not say what kind of M4A files you are trying to play..

M4A is a wrapper format created by Apple (it is similar to MP4 but with some Apple specific tags); it can contain either AAC (lossy) audio or ALAC (Apple lossless); your renderer might be able to play only AAC and not ALAC (or vice versa)..

Anyway, if MC works with conversion to PCM 24 bit then that is fine. (You could try also PCM 16 bit since both AAC and ALAC are usually only 16 bit anyway).

Title: Re: JRiver Playback of m4a files and DLNA
Post by: JimH on December 02, 2014, 06:32:30 am

You could read about M4A on the wiki.
http://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/MP4_and_M4A_File_Support

Title: Re: JRiver Playback of m4a files and DLNA
Post by: MidWestDave on March 23, 2015, 06:35:25 pm

Its been several months, but wanted to post the solution to my question.  The issue was with windows, not with jriver or the receiver.  By setting the driver to jriver in windows, all files play without skipping.

MidWestDave

Title: Re: JRiver Playback of m4a files and DLNA
Post by: JimH on March 23, 2015, 06:38:39 pm

Thanks for posting the solution.