Topic: JRemote2 is Coming for Android (Read 10418 times)

JimH · « **on:** November 02, 2019, 11:46:59 am »

Hendrik has been working on a total re-write of JRemote. We've called in JRemote2. It should be available for beta testers in a week or two. I'm using it now and it seems good already.

It won't be a free upgrade. It will have taken half a man year before it's done, so we need to charge for it.

I hope we'll be able to offer a reduced price for those who bought the orginal version, but we don't have complete control over it because everything goes through the Play Store.

We've removed the old version from the Play Store.

mattkhan · « **Reply #1 on:** November 02, 2019, 12:04:33 pm »

What is different about the new version?

JimH · « **Reply #2 on:** November 02, 2019, 12:07:58 pm »

Let's wait for the beta now. Should be soon enough.

Castius · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2019, 10:55:47 pm »

I'm looking forward to it!
Thanks for the heads up.

ZenOli · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2019, 06:32:53 am »

Great news, I have been waiting for this for a while

Would love to be part of the beta testers on this if it's open (I do not use JRemote at the moment, but I use Gizmo and Panel daily).

franswilco · « **Reply #5 on:** November 08, 2019, 10:10:11 am »

Is mc26 required?

JimH · « **Reply #6 on:** November 08, 2019, 10:45:45 am »

sdmarquart · « **Reply #7 on:** November 08, 2019, 04:41:47 pm »

Does this mean the Apple IOS JRemote will get some revamping also?

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #8 on:** November 08, 2019, 05:25:12 pm »

I like to point out I'm not a developer, in fact I'm just another user. That said, I do know people who have developed apps on both Android and iOS and I've been told that iOS is a completely different beast compared to Android in regards to the limitations and what can and can't be done on iOS. I'm not sure if much if any of the JRemote2 stuff could even be ported to iOS without needing additional (extensive?) development. Like the native audio and video stuff, probably couldn't be ported and would have to rewritten (again) for iOS.

Personally, I think the best idea would be to look into the current JRemote for iOS issues (especially newer iOS issues, iPad issues and video issues) and work on those. I think Bob has mentioned that's on the eventual to-do list.

If anyone says JRemote development has ended, it hasn't. JRemote2 is coming for Android, and the devs have said they plan on fixing iOS issues too.

darichman · « **Reply #9 on:** November 15, 2019, 09:05:13 pm »

Oh, great! I just posted in another thread asking about JRemote, as I could no longer see it on the play store. I can wait if there's a cool new version coming

Look forward to trying it (and happy to pay to support it).

gabeg · « **Reply #10 on:** November 16, 2019, 02:07:13 pm »

How does one become a beta tester?

wer · « **Reply #11 on:** November 19, 2019, 11:27:37 am »

Will it run on Android TV?

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #12 on:** November 19, 2019, 11:38:55 am »

Eventually, maybe. Right off the bat? Nope.

JimH · « **Reply #13 on:** November 19, 2019, 12:09:49 pm »

Android TV has special requirements that would make it impractical. It requires navigation with the arrow keys and OK button, for example.

wer · « **Reply #14 on:** November 19, 2019, 03:27:14 pm »

That's very disappointing news. It would seem a lot simpler to port JRemote than MC itself, and yet MC now runs on Android TV (with limitations of course).

Android TV really needs the ability to access an MC library, with "play to this device" functionality, much more than an Android TV needs its own local library and local media playback, which is what the ported MC will be providing. (I know about MO 4Media, but it is a subscription and has issues with video playback, so not an option.) A simple interface like Theater View pointed at an MC library on the network would be an ideal solution for Android TV.

Thanks...

styxx10 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 20, 2019, 05:00:03 am »

I assume that seeing that JRemote is being tested by JRiver , that it is at a stage where we can
see some screenshots of the interface.
Would it be possible to preview the application.

tyler69 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 20, 2019, 05:21:06 am »

Quote from: sdmarquart on November 08, 2019, 04:41:47 pm

Does this mean the Apple IOS JRemote will get some revamping also?

Being interested in the answer to this question as well, could JRiver please comment?

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #17 on:** November 20, 2019, 05:50:47 am »

Quote from: styxx10 on November 20, 2019, 05:00:03 am

I assume that seeing that JRemote is being tested by JRiver , that it is at a stage where we can
see some screenshots of the interface.

Well, chances are it'll look exactly like the original JRemote, which would be preferred since the original JRemote UI is pretty aesthetically pleasing, IMO. Regardless if it looks like the original JRemote or not, it was re-written completely from scratch.

Quote from: tyler69 on November 20, 2019, 05:21:06 am

Being interested in the answer to this question as well, could JRiver please comment?

Pretty sure they've said that's not in the cards for the time being. The iOS version is still being maintained, but it likely won't get a revamp like the Android version anytime soon. And the Android version of JRemote2 can't simply be ported to iOS, it'd have to be re-written from scratch as well, which likely would take another 6 months of development time (not to mention it may not be able to support everything that's possible on Android, due to how restrictive iOS is). It's probably more cost effective to fix the currently known issues in the original JRemote for iOS.

JimH · « **Reply #18 on:** November 20, 2019, 12:25:10 pm »

JRemote2 is now being tested by the beta group. In two weeks or so, it should be available on this board.

The cost during the initial test period will be $4.98. It's only available for Android.

Ekpen · « **Reply #19 on:** November 20, 2019, 12:33:54 pm »

Quote from: JimH on November 20, 2019, 12:25:10 pm

JRemote2 is now being tested by the beta group. In a week or so, it should be available on this board.

The cost during the initial test period will be $4.98. It's only available for Android.

Greetings:
Can I test ?
I will pay .
My shield pro is on its way.
George.

JimH · « **Reply #20 on:** November 20, 2019, 12:38:31 pm »

It doesn't work on the Nvidia Shield or on Android TV, in general. Android TV has special navigation requirements.

wer · « **Reply #21 on:** November 21, 2019, 03:18:51 am »

Here's an idea: develop "JRTV" which is JRiver Theater View that runs on TV's and Roku devices. The Theater View interface that connects to an MC server. Simple up/down/left/right/select navigation and uses the JRemote/Gizmo views/hooks built into to play all your media on your TV. Android TV, Samsung, LG WebOS, Roku, even AppleTV as target platforms.

TV DLNA clients mostly suck. Not having JRemote functionality for AndroidTV also sucks. People would buy this. I would.

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #22 on:** November 21, 2019, 04:14:58 am »

Having yet another app isn't exactly a good idea though. It'd be one more app that'd need maintained further stretching the limited development resources, when it just makes more sense to add Android TV support to JRemote2 which should suffice for most use cases.

I think it's best to limit the number of apps to the current number; JRemote2 for Android, JRemote for iOS and JRiver for Android.

styxx10 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 21, 2019, 01:50:03 pm »

I installed it, tried it, saw no visible differences, and to be honest inthought was not any different to
the original JRemote appeared to work and function the same.
Also when installed on tablet, when going to play store on phone asked for me to
purchase again on phone.
Is the app allowed to be installed on more than one device ?

wer · « **Reply #24 on:** November 22, 2019, 02:44:43 am »

Quote from: Awesome Donkey on November 21, 2019, 04:14:58 am

I think it's best to limit the number of apps to the current number; JRemote2 for Android, JRemote for iOS and JRiver for Android.

But having additional platforms supported IS a good idea.

The problem with your solution is that it's not a solution. Android TV isn't on your list, because Jim said no to JRemote2 supporting Android TV. That would make the most sense if it did, I agree. But it won't.

I think it's best that Android TV (and SmartTVs in general be supported), and also that it's more important to provide JRiver client (remote) functionality on additional platforms than it is porting the actual MC engine to Android.

It would be great if the existing Android app could support Android TV. Jim said no. So it's either add a new app, or abandon that market. I don't want my market abandoned.

Hendrik · « **Reply #25 on:** November 22, 2019, 04:53:44 am »

To be accurate, Jim said "not now".

JimH · « **Reply #26 on:** November 22, 2019, 05:57:03 am »

I believe in Android. I think it is becoming a very capable OS and may soon challenge Windows and OSX. One of my two main machines is a Pixelbook which runs ChromeOS, Android, and Linux.

At the right time, we might see the full MC running on Android. But right now, Hendrik is finishing JRemote2, and then has a long list of video related work to do.

For now, take a look at JRiver for Android. It runs on Android TV.

DivBy0 · « **Reply #27 on:** November 23, 2019, 08:58:29 am »

In testing the audio streaming of JRemote2, I'm noticing that my dsf files are being automatically converted to mp3

even when "Use native audio format" is selected. Other app's that I have, seem to allow me to steam the dsf without transcoding them. This is especially nice when hooked up to Wi-Fi.

Although "Use native audio format" option is nice, if selected and used on my Sprint 5 bars cell reception, I'm finding any flac over 24bit 48kHz is stopping in mid song and buffering. Therefore, flac 24bit 96-192kHz won't play continuously in this mod, using standard cell reception. It will work fine however using Wi-Fi.

May I suggest a radial button that perhaps when selected, uses a different conversion setting or no conversion, when Wi-Fi is detected. This would allow a user to listen to mp3 transcoded music when using standard cell reception while similarly allow the user to then listen to HQ 24bit 192kHz and dsf when user is in Wi-Fi.

pinky0328 · « **Reply #28 on:** November 25, 2019, 02:00:24 pm »

Does anyone know if it will be possible to "View Assets" on JRemote2 (like it works with iPad)?

rec head · « **Reply #29 on:** November 25, 2019, 02:31:18 pm »

I just downloaded it.

I never used JRemote 1 but holy smokes is Jremote2 FAST. I have only had it for a couple minutes and haven't done anything but browse around audio and select random songs but it is the most responsive remote app I've used.

HTPC4ME · « **Reply #30 on:** November 25, 2019, 07:20:03 pm »

downloaded as well...
very very fast loading and playing!
nice that video can be played in landscape and portrait!

bugs/wishes:
1. editing of servers does not work/nor ability to rename servers
2. when closing recently used apps/ if something was played, the player controls stay in your notification pulldown/only way to kill the notification pulldown is to go into notification settings/disable jremote2/then re enable...then it disappears
3. volume control/media volume does not work (volume keys side of phone/galaxy s7)
4. no chromecast/please
5. no theaterview remote/please
6. no sleep timer/please
7. no widget for homescreen/please
8. ability to adjust volume increments by 1% instead of 5 in original jremote/first volume button / media volume seems to loud for lowest setting
9. no ratings/or editable ratings on video playback

Ekpen · « **Reply #31 on:** November 25, 2019, 07:55:56 pm »

Greetings:
Jremote2 looks good.
It is very fast.
It looks like Chromecast is built in.
I was able to send 1080p and Uhd mkvs from my Sony Xperia 1 directly to my Sony Bravia 930D.
Uhd played , but the playback was not smooth due to buffering on the server.
The remote did not have to go through linking to hook up the tv.
Cons:
No theaterview remote.
Thanks for the update.
George.

RoderickGI · « **Reply #32 on:** November 25, 2019, 07:58:08 pm »

Quote from: xtacbyme on November 25, 2019, 07:20:03 pm

2. when closing recently used apps/ if something was played, the player controls stay in your notification pulldown/only way to kill the notification pulldown is to go into notification settings/disable jremote2/then re enable...then it disappears

If something is playing when the main App window is closed, the Notification remains in place so that you can Pause/Skip etc. This is by design.
If the Notification gets "stuck" and doesn't disappear when playback stops, just open JRemote2 and then close it again, without playing anything.

Of course a Notification shouldn't get "stuck", and it does go away eventually, when playback stops. But it should be possible to swipe it away as well if it gets stuck and nothing is playing.

HTPC4ME · « **Reply #33 on:** November 25, 2019, 08:11:18 pm »

awwwha, a pause of player once open, then close of recently apps, and a swipe in notification panel, now removes the player cntrl...TY

rec head · « **Reply #34 on:** November 25, 2019, 08:44:08 pm »

I tried using it to control video playing on my server/HTPC. The first video played OK. Everything after that didn't work that great. The problems seemed random but I don't know if they were. Some videos would play with in a smaller box with the options such as Play still visible at the top. The background art was visible around the edges. Once I was able to hit Stop and then it played full screen. Sometimes I only had a blank screen with audio. In retrospect that may have been when a zone switch was supposed to trigger.

One thing I think is weird with the interface is that the progress bar is at the top and the volume is down by the controls Play FFWD etc. Makes more sense to me to have the volume at the top and the progress near the other controls.

DJLegba · « **Reply #35 on:** November 25, 2019, 09:02:41 pm »

Well done. I really like the speed. I'm sure the other things (server edit, metadata display/edit, view extras, etc) will come eventually.

Abbra Cadabra · « **Reply #36 on:** November 26, 2019, 10:13:53 am »

I do not find a Download/Purchase link in the Android Store, it just says "Early Access".

So then contrary to the thread from JimH's post yesterday "JRemote2 is Now on the Play Store for $4.98" it is not available?

HTPC4ME · « **Reply #37 on:** November 26, 2019, 10:47:05 am »

i didnt find it either.. i searched for jriver in play store/ showed apps available, then i clicked on any of them(gizmo) then i clicked on the owner name/JRiver, then it showed the jremote 2/early access/$4.95-98*

Abbra Cadabra · « **Reply #38 on:** November 26, 2019, 12:46:40 pm »

found it, thanks

audunth · « **Reply #39 on:** November 26, 2019, 02:00:33 pm »

Hi,

I don't understand, sorry, but what's the point of spending development time on JRemote2 now that JRiver for Android exists? Why do you need two apps? Don't JRiver also work as a remote? It says in the description it has most of the network funcitonality of Media Center...

Logic800 · « **Reply #40 on:** November 27, 2019, 04:06:18 am »

Paid for, downloaded, installed and working fine with MC25, seemingly all within 10 minutes. Well done team.

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #41 on:** November 27, 2019, 05:17:50 am »

Quote from: audunth on November 26, 2019, 02:00:33 pm

I don't understand, sorry, but what's the point of spending development time on JRemote2 now that JRiver for Android exists? Why do you need two apps? Don't JRiver also work as a remote? It says in the description it has most of the network funcitonality of Media Center...

JRemote2 and JRiver for Android serve two different purposes. JRiver for Android is an actual media player for Android capable of playing files locally on the device, JRemote2 on the other hand can either control MC running on a server, or stream music from a server to JRemote2 to watch media on the Android device without needing the files to be present on the device itself. Yes, there's some feature overlap since JRiver for Android can now act as a client to a server and load a library from a server, but for a lot of users they prefer to use JRemote instead. So there's justification for both applications.

JRemote2 is incredibly fast and very, very stable. It just works. JRiver for Android still has little issues and quirks, it's faster than it was previously but it has issues with rebuilding thumbnails constantly and I can't load my library of over 110,000 music files from my Raspberry Pi server without JRiver for Android locking up for a very long time. But that feature is still pretty new, I expect it to improve as time passes.

MellowVelo · « **Reply #42 on:** November 27, 2019, 07:29:22 am »

Thanks for the clarification. I had a similar question. I’m still a little confused about the difference. It sounds like both apps can be used to play music on remote Android devices. Personally, I have a Sony NW-ZX2 Walkman, and I’d like to have the ability to play music on the Walkman by accessing my home server. Which app should I use for this purpose? Is there a difference in sound quality between the two apps, or a difference in the way that the files are processed?

Quote from: Awesome Donkey on November 27, 2019, 05:17:50 am

JRemote2 and JRiver for Android serve two different purposes. JRiver for Android is an actual media player for Android capable of playing files locally on the device, JRemote2 on the other hand can either control MC running on a server, or stream music from a server to JRemote2 to watch media on the Android device without needing the files to be present on the device itself. Yes, there's some feature overlap since JRiver for Android can now act as a client to a server and load a library from a server, but for a lot of users they prefer to use JRemote instead. So there's justification for both applications.

JRemote2 is incredibly fast and very, very stable. It just works. JRiver for Android still has little issues and quirks, it's faster than it was previously but it has issues with rebuilding thumbnails constantly and I can't load my library of over 110,000 music files from my Raspberry Pi server without JRiver for Android locking up for a very long time. But that feature is still pretty new, I expect it to improve as time passes.

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #43 on:** November 27, 2019, 07:42:14 am »

Can you even install Android apps from the Play Store on the Walkman? If you can, I'd recommend JRemote2 if you're wanting to play media from a server running MC to the Walkman running JRemote2.

Philippe Mtl · « **Reply #44 on:** November 27, 2019, 07:51:34 am »

JRemote 2.0.4 doesn't seem to offer JRemote alphabet display in vertical scroll (see attached pic)

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #45 on:** November 27, 2019, 07:53:50 am »

It doesn't have feature parity with the original JRemote yet. It will, give it time. Hendrik already knows about that one, but it's not implemented yet.

DrKNo · « **Reply #46 on:** November 27, 2019, 09:01:46 am »

Very, very snappy. I like it a lot already! Very cool of you to enable family media sharing, so my wife doesn't have to pay again. Initial controls are very accessible and a huge step up from gizmo. Everything feels very intuitive. Excellent Work, Hendrik!

I do not want to start a big discussion around this, but I live in a digital wasteland (Germany) and we actually have to save our bandwidth.... is there any way we could get more varied option for media transcoding? These day, thanks to better buffering and the capability to transcode in one piece, VBR is actually a valid choice for streaming and would be very much appreciated (VBR0 and VBR2 especially, I think). Otherwise, could we get CBR bitrates between 320 and 128 (Which is an option between "pretty clearly audible artifacts" and "the streamed file may be larger than the FLAC").

Matias · « **Reply #47 on:** November 27, 2019, 07:48:44 pm »

Having used Gizmo since MC version 15, I decided to try this JRemote2. I have never used or even seen JRemote before, so the learning curve would be from zero.

Alright, search Play Store, found some other similar apps, until I found the right one. Purchase, install.

Server added, ok. Found the "zones" circles down there to switch from "This Device" to "Player", very convenient.
Chose Audio - Recent and BAM, all covers instantly loaded. Wow, that was fast! Scroll up and down, all covers instantly there, niiiiice.
Hit play, it plays. Damn rating stars, tried to hide them in settings, but there is no option to. But I found dark mode, nice.

Used volume buttons up and down, does not work. Hit the "i" button, nothing happens (still don't what it is for).
Accidentally roll to the right, ah, there it is the "playing now list". Interesting options down there.
Go back left to the playing now album cover and ah, the slider down there is the volume. Way better than the buttons. And that makes the slider up there the current position cursor. Ok, things are making sense now.

These are my first minutes with the app.

DJLegba · « **Reply #48 on:** November 27, 2019, 07:54:08 pm »

Quote from: Matias on November 27, 2019, 07:48:44 pm

Damn rating stars, tried to hide them in settings, but there is no option to.

Come to think of it, I would like the option to hide that entire line, as I never use shuffle, ratings, or repeat. But I guess this isn't the place to make feature requests.

aerie · « **Reply #49 on:** November 29, 2019, 09:45:08 am »

Been using for a few hours...One thing I noticed, it plays all my playlists except one....my favourite that has 10,000+ songs in it....all the other shorter ones work... BTW, Gizmo has no trouble with the long list...

INTERACT FORUM

Author Topic: JRemote2 is Coming for Android (Read 10418 times)