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More => Old Versions => JRiver Media Center 21 for Windows => Topic started by: Hendrik on March 16, 2016, 12:08:22 pm

Title: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Hendrik on March 16, 2016, 12:08:22 pm
I managed to make it play Amazon Prime content, only in SD though, not sure whats up with HD playback. It claims my display doesn't do HDCP, but maybe it also requires a more "secure" setup that we don't currently have.
Maybe I should look into making it comply with that, not sure how easy though.

The first time i tried to play, it would still show the missing decryption error, but it would actually download the missing module in the background, so after some patience it eventually started to work.
Title: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: mwillems on March 16, 2016, 12:26:07 pm
I managed to make it play Amazon Prime content, only in SD though, not sure whats up with HD playback. It claims my display doesn't do HDCP, but maybe it also requires a more "secure" setup that we don't currently have.
Maybe I should look into making it comply with that, not sure how easy though.

The first time i tried to play, it would still show the missing decryption error, but it would actually download the missing module in the background, so after some patience it eventually started to work.

This is great news.  If you can get prime working (even in SD) that means there's hope for some of the other services too.
Title: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Awesome Donkey on March 16, 2016, 01:29:03 pm
This is great news.  If you can get prime working (even in SD) that means there's hope for some of the other services too.

Assuming it's using the Widevine CEF method, of course. If so, I also think it needs to be using a current version of Chromium (e.g. 49 stable) or at least within two versions.
Title: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: JustinChase on March 16, 2016, 05:41:03 pm
I managed to make it play Amazon Prime content, only in SD though, not sure whats up with HD playback. It claims my display doesn't do HDCP, but maybe it also requires a more "secure" setup that we don't currently have.
Maybe I should look into making it comply with that, not sure how easy though.

The first time i tried to play, it would still show the missing decryption error, but it would actually download the missing module in the background, so after some patience it eventually started to work.

I would be thrilled with SD vs nothing at all.  Hopefully this is stable enough to get dropped into a new build for testing, then improvements may follow later.

Thanks for looking into this!
Title: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Hendrik on March 17, 2016, 03:51:00 am
HD 1080p also seems to work now on Amazon Prime. Now I just have to figure out how to make the browser fullscreen. I suppose it would do that when I use it from Theater View, huh.
Supporting fullscreen from the standard view browser might be neat, though.
Title: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: v_erich on March 17, 2016, 07:22:53 am
Hi,

is video routed to madvr and audio through the JRiver audio engine?
I have only the HTPC + Power Amps + rme Multichannelsoundcard in my cinema, so everything have to be done in JRiver internally to use it for me.

Thanks and BR,
Erich
Title: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Hendrik on March 17, 2016, 07:27:24 am
Hi,

is video routed to madvr and audio through the JRiver audio engine?

No, and it never will be. This is just not possible. You can use the WDM driver or WASAPI Loopback etc to get audio into MC, but setup of that is always a bit wonky IMHO.
Title: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: mwillems on March 17, 2016, 08:01:34 am
No, and it never will be. This is just not possible. You can use the WDM driver or WASAPI Loopback etc to get audio into MC, but setup of that is always a bit wonky IMHO.

As Hendrik notes, the audio part is definitely possible with the WDM driver if you're clever with your zone switch rules, but I agree that it's a bit fiddly as compared to just launching an external browser via MC.  It will not "just work" without careful zone switch routing.  The wiki on the WDM driver includes instructions that worked for me with Netflix in the past, and should still work.  You'll also need to handle any potential delay introduced, obviously.
Title: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Awesome Donkey on March 17, 2016, 08:40:05 am
HD 1080p also seems to work now on Amazon Prime. Now I just have to figure out how to make the browser fullscreen. I suppose it would do that when I use it from Theater View, huh.
Supporting fullscreen from the standard view browser might be neat, though.

I'm assuming this is being done using Widevine through Chromium here, but has this gotten Netflix to work yet?
Title: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: v_erich on March 17, 2016, 09:07:56 am
Ok, thanks for clarification.
So it is not usable for me.

BR
Erich
Title: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Hendrik on March 17, 2016, 09:18:35 am
I'm assuming this is being done using Widevine through Chromium here, but has this gotten Netflix to work yet?

I don't have netflix, so you tell me!
Title: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: CountryBumkin on March 17, 2016, 09:59:47 am
I don't have netflix, so you tell me!

 :o

Jim, you need to provide your developers all the tools they need.  ;D
Title: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Hendrik on March 17, 2016, 10:01:15 am
There isn't any Amazon specific stuff in there, so either it works now on a multitude of websites, or it won't, not like I can do much more than enable this.

Personally, due to all the hoops one has to jump through to get such streaming services to play, I generally do not have a high interest in using them myself.
Title: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Awesome Donkey on March 17, 2016, 10:42:38 am
Quick, somebody test Netflix and Hulu!

Personally, due to all the hoops one has to jump through to get such streaming services to play, I generally do not have a high interest in using them myself.

Same here, especially after Netflix's VPN crackdown, heh.

Just out of curiosity, what's the current technical setup with Chromium in MC? Does it download/use Widevine? I'm interested in this type of stuff.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Awesome Donkey on March 22, 2016, 02:42:10 pm
Anyone download the latest build and test this yet? You'll need to be using the Chromium web browser setting in MC.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: thecrow on March 22, 2016, 03:21:59 pm
Where do you set the Chromium web browser in MC?
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: thecrow on March 22, 2016, 03:36:47 pm
Found it. It's under "Tree & View".

The good news is with 21.0.64 I get picture from Amazon Prime in Theater View.
The bad news is I cannot make it go full screen and it only streams in SD.

Where as outside MC I can go full screen and get HD 1080p.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: glynor on March 22, 2016, 05:43:23 pm
Anyone download the latest build and test this yet? You'll need to be using the Chromium web browser setting in MC.

Yeah. Without quite a few changes, I don't really see how this is better than just launching in an external browser in any way. Perhaps I'm missing something.

For audio streaming, it is useful, and I suppose for a quick clip here or there, but for watching actual streaming video services, I think it needs more integration before I'd really use it.

Still though, an important step in the right direction. Playing is better than not playing, and all.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Hendrik on March 22, 2016, 05:46:12 pm
This is how our browser integration has always worked. People complained it broke, we fixed it. :)
Playback of these services has worked before, but they moved to new technology which we didn't support yet.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: JimH on March 22, 2016, 05:47:59 pm
And it will get better.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: glynor on March 22, 2016, 06:39:54 pm
This is how our browser integration has always worked. People complained it broke, we fixed it. :)
Playback of these services has worked before, but they moved to new technology which we didn't support yet.

Totally agreed. Sorry if it came across that I was complaining. I wasn't.

Just explaining why I wasn't super pumped to test it. I have Amazon Prime, but because I shop at Amazon all the freaking time, and I've only used their streaming once (and I do not have Netflix or any others).

I will test it with Amazon Prime (and already switched my default browser engine), but I haven't been in a rush.

One thing I should note... It could be my imagination, which is why I didn't report it right away, but I feel like using MC (navigating views and whatnot) is ever-so-slightly more sluggish with Chromium as the browser engine compared to IE.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Hendrik on March 22, 2016, 06:49:23 pm
One thing I should note... It could be my imagination, which is why I didn't report it right away, but I feel like using MC (navigating views and whatnot) is ever-so-slightly more sluggish with Chromium as the browser engine compared to IE.

If you are not actually opening any web views, then it has zero impact and are imagining things. Opening a website is slightly slower on Chromium due to the startup overhead of the engine than its with IE, from my experience.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: HTPC4ME on March 22, 2016, 08:21:20 pm
could we/I get detailed info on how to check this out please... I changed server to latest update 63, and have not found options for prime/flix as like in the past.
I verified browser is chromium
Thanks in advance
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: troopermeade on March 22, 2016, 09:02:45 pm
How do I add a link to Theatre View to watch Netflix?
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: brad-sylvester on March 22, 2016, 09:09:33 pm
I would also like instructions.  I have yet to get it to work.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: JimH on March 22, 2016, 09:47:23 pm
Install the latest build of MC from the top of this board.

Set your browser to Chromium.

Add a link to the page you want in Amazon or Netflix.  Tools > Options > Theater View > Add.

The name you use for the link must be slightly different than Amazon or Netflix.   AMZN or NFLX, for example.  The actual names are reserved.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: brad-sylvester on March 22, 2016, 09:54:42 pm
Thanks, I got it to work but it does not seem to save login data.  Every time I start it I have to login again.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: thecrow on March 23, 2016, 04:53:33 am
One thing I should note... It could be my imagination, which is why I didn't report it right away, but I feel like using MC (navigating views and whatnot) is ever-so-slightly more sluggish with Chromium as the browser engine compared to IE.

If you are not actually opening any web views, then it has zero impact and are imagining things. Opening a website is slightly slower on Chromium due to the startup overhead of the engine than its with IE, from my experience.

I think I am imagining this too.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Araj on March 23, 2016, 06:13:21 am
For some reason, my installation of MC (latest version) refuses to accept "Netflix" as the name of the new Theater View menu item. It took me quite a while to figure out this was why the menu item disappeared when I tried to save it. "NETFLIX" in caps is apparently fine as a name though ;-)

Having succeeded in achieving that, Netflix refuses to play in MC, error message "Whoops, something went wrong... Netflix Video Player Unavailable We're having problems playing Netflix on your browser. Please make sure you're on an official version of Chrome. Error Code: M7355-1203"

There's also a link to a Netflix help page, with no useful information, as Netflix actually runs fine on Chrome  (latest version) outside MC.

Any ideas, folks?

NF won't auto-login for me with MC either, btw
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: JimH on March 23, 2016, 06:49:59 am
Are you using Chromium as MC's browser (not your default browser for Windows)?

Are you using MC 21.0.64 or higher?

http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=103921.0
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Awesome Donkey on March 23, 2016, 07:55:56 am
For some reason, my installation of MC (latest version) refuses to accept "Netflix" as the name of the new Theater View menu item. It took me quite a while to figure out this was why the menu item disappeared when I tried to save it. "NETFLIX" in caps is apparently fine as a name though ;-)

The name you use for the link must be slightly different than Amazon or Netflix.   AMZN or NFLX, for example.  The actual names are reserved.

Quoting and bolding this for importance. It won't work unless you do this! Also you have to make sure the Widevine plugin downloads, or else it won't work.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: HTPC4ME on March 23, 2016, 08:26:38 am
thanx for replies... couple more questions/concerns before i purchase their services.

1. upon creating accounts, i assume one would add links for the pages AFTER login?
2. after setting up would this provide us w/ 10' interface (our logitech harmony remotes up, down, left, right, select would work?) or are we stuck with using a keyboard/mouse for navigation?
3. if this is done just on the server, would all clients have access to these services, or does each client need prime/flix added to their theaterview options?
4. last but not least, does everyone foresee this working for considerably time, or is there a chance we could be locked out again by them in the near future?

Thanks in advance
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Awesome Donkey on March 23, 2016, 08:42:11 am
4. last but not least, does everyone foresee this working for considerably time, or is there a chance we could be locked out again by them in the near future?

Likely not, since it uses Google Chrome's Widevine CDM plugin. The only 'issue' with that is MC will need to update the Chromium engine every month or two (AFAIK Widevine requires using an up-to-date Chrome/Chromium that's within two versions of the latest, or something like that).
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: glynor on March 23, 2016, 03:26:43 pm
1. upon creating accounts, i assume one would add links for the pages AFTER login?

I don't think this would matter, as any token they provide in the URL would (or should) expire. If not, the service has a pretty serious security vulnerability in their server-side code.

2. after setting up would this provide us w/ 10' interface (our logitech harmony remotes up, down, left, right, select would work?) or are we stuck with using a keyboard/mouse for navigation?

No. Not at all. It just displays the website inside MC's built-in browser. The end.

That's what I was talking about above (http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=103935.msg722330#msg722330).

3. if this is done just on the server, would all clients have access to these services, or does each client need prime/flix added to their theaterview options?

Theater View configuration is set on the Server and the server alone. You cannot make alterations to the Theater View setup from a client copy of MC (if you try, the settings are destroyed when you quit and re-launch MC).

4. last but not least, does everyone foresee this working for considerably time, or is there a chance we could be locked out again by them in the near future?

Awesome Donkey answered this, but yeah, I suspect it'll keep working. They only move to HTML5 once. This is a browser that supports DRM-encrusted HTML5. As long as the chromium engine keeps getting updated (which shouldn't be an issue), it will keep working as long as these vendors keep supporting HTML5 playback in a browser of any kind.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: imugli on March 23, 2016, 03:52:59 pm
Yeah. Without quite a few changes, I don't really see how this is better than just launching in an external browser in any way. Perhaps I'm missing something.

For audio streaming, it is useful, and I suppose for a quick clip here or there, but for watching actual streaming video services, I think it needs more integration before I'd really use it.

Still though, an important step in the right direction. Playing is better than not playing, and all.

Agreed.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: brad-sylvester on March 23, 2016, 07:37:34 pm
Having the same problem as Araj, getting error message "Whoops, something went wrong... Netflix Video Player Unavailable We're having problems playing Netflix on your browser. Please make sure you're on an official version of Chrome. Error Code: M7355-1203"
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: brad-sylvester on March 23, 2016, 07:49:43 pm
When trying to view a video in Amazon Prime I get the following error:
Your web browser is missing a digital rights component. In the address bar, go to chrome://plugins and ensure Widevine Content Decryption Module is enabled. If missing, install it by going to chrome://components and under WidevineCdm, click Check for update.
I am not sure how to do this for the internal browser.
The external browsers work fine.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Awesome Donkey on March 23, 2016, 09:27:24 pm
That means the Widevine CDM plugin didn't download.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: brad-sylvester on March 23, 2016, 09:57:07 pm
How do I force it to download?
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Snookboy on March 24, 2016, 07:46:24 am
Based on a few other comments here, I take it that it is not possible to make it full screen even though you are in theater view? 
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: CountryBumkin on March 24, 2016, 07:55:45 am
It was said in the first post, that when you first log on you may get an error message - but just wait a little and the correct files/updates will download. When I first tried with Netflix and Amazon, I did not get an error so I can't say first hand how long to wait (or if this is your problem).

According to JRiver you will not be able to get the Netflix or Amazon in "full screen". At least not now.

On my computer, once I logged in to Netflix and Amazon Prime, my passwords were saved. I do not have to log on each time. If your username/password is not being saved it may be due to you browser settings (external to MC).
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: brad-sylvester on March 24, 2016, 02:06:17 pm
I waited several minutes and still the same error.  I did a search and found a widevinecdmadapter.dll in my users appdata roaming jriver Media Center folder so it looks like it downloaded.  See attached screen shot.
I did notice that chrome has a different file in appdata\local named widevinecdm.dll vice widevinecdmadapter.dll.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: JimH on March 24, 2016, 02:44:27 pm
When trying to view a video in Amazon Prime I get the following error:
Your web browser is missing a digital rights component. In the address bar, go to chrome://plugins and ensure Widevine Content Decryption Module is enabled. If missing, install it by going to chrome://components and under WidevineCdm, click Check for update.
I am not sure how to do this for the internal browser.
The external browsers work fine.
Did you set MC to use Chromium?
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: brad-sylvester on March 24, 2016, 03:05:29 pm
Yes, checked and double checked.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: imugli on March 24, 2016, 05:42:50 pm
Based on a few other comments here, I take it that it is not possible to make it full screen even though you are in theater view? 

That's correct.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Hendrik on March 24, 2016, 05:50:38 pm
I waited several minutes and still the same error. 

There is nothing we can do, the component download is entirely within Chromium, we have no influence on it. It seems to work for most people though.
If its downloaded, it goes into C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\CEF\User Data\WidevineCDM
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: brad-sylvester on March 24, 2016, 07:33:17 pm
If its downloaded, it goes into C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\CEF\User Data\WidevineCDM

Strange I don't have a CEF folder in my appdata\local directory.
For all the locations of WidevineCDM on my computer check my earlier post attachment.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: lepa on March 25, 2016, 06:31:00 am
Now if some thing could scrape the metadata and www address to start the show to somewhere where MC could get it and that metadata would mix with local videos... Maybe with red 'N' above cover art...
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: brad-sylvester on March 25, 2016, 01:42:38 pm
I updated to version 21.0.65 and all started working!  Thanks for your help.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Araj on March 26, 2016, 11:39:29 am
Everything seems to check out as far as the requirements mentioned above are concerned but I still have the same error message when I hit play on Netflix within MC.

I even tried on another PC.

Could the problem be location-related? I'm in Ireland...
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Awesome Donkey on March 26, 2016, 12:32:50 pm
Could the problem be location-related? I'm in Ireland...

Are you using the latest build of MC? Does it work in normal Google Chrome? Is the Widevine plugin downloaded and in the correct folder?
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Araj on March 27, 2016, 04:44:20 am
Hmm. Yes, latest MC and it works in Chrome, but the directory where widevine is installed seems to be different. A search for "widevine" came up with the following:

c:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\File System\Plugins\000\application_x-ppapi-widevine-cdm
c:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\WidevineCDM
c:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\48.0.2564.116\widevinecdmadapter.dll
c:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\49.0.2623.87\widevinecdmadapter.dll
c:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\WidevineCDM\1.4.8.866\_platform_specific\win_x86\widevinecdm.dll
c:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\WidevineCDM\1.4.8.866\_platform_specific\win_x86\widevinecdmadapter.dll
c:\Users\John\AppData\Roaming\J River\Media Center 21\Plugins\chromium\widevinecdmadapter.dll

As where widevine is installed is apparently beyond my control, Netflix in MC still seems to be out of the question for me. Quite honestly, not being able to go full screen would probably annoy me too much anyway...
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Awesome Donkey on March 27, 2016, 08:58:25 am
Odd, the Widevine plugin should be downloaded into C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\CEF\User Data\WidevineCDM

Try deleting widevinecdmadapter.dll inside of C:\Users\John\AppData\Roaming\J River\Media Center 21\Plugins\chromium\ while MC is completely closed, and open it again (so it re-downloads the plugin).
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Hendrik on March 27, 2016, 09:21:09 am
Try deleting widevinecdmadapter.dll inside of C:\Users\John\AppData\Roaming\J River\Media Center 21\Plugins\chromium\ while MC is completely closed, and open it again (so it re-downloads the plugin).

Don't do that, the file ships with MCs Chromium and is not downloaded by Chromium.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: gauchomigo on April 02, 2016, 01:27:00 pm
data point:
I downloaded the widevine plugin for Chrome from here: http://www.widevine.com/download/videooptimizer/index.html (http://www.widevine.com/download/videooptimizer/index.html) installed it, and then figured out the "Chromium vs Chrome" were two different things, and downloaded the newest version of Chromium.  I launched Chromium by itself, and tried to play Netflix, which failed.  but, strangely, after pointing the MC default to Chromium and adding a webpage to Theater View, both Netflix and Amazon Prime play just fine - except not full screen, which (to me) renders the whole idea worthless.  what a disappointment.
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: HTPC4ME on September 12, 2016, 07:05:21 pm
yet to jump back into prime/netflix...

Full screen in theaterview implemented yet?
10' interface?

Thanks
Title: Re: NEW: Amazon Prime and Netflix in MC Now
Post by: Awesome Donkey on September 13, 2016, 08:49:04 am
Full screen in theaterview implemented yet?
10' interface?
Likely not due to how it works through Chromium + the Widevine CDM plugin.