JRiver Media Center

[alanchow]

Please utilise this thread to post any information/queries about J-River.  This thread is created to release some tension within the forum and keep other posts clean to ensure that information is easily found rather than scattered through various posts.

 

Keep this thread clean.  if it is not about JRiver please refrain from posting.

[qVAMPIREp]

I am curious about Bluray playback. I can see that AnyDVD HD is used to playback what appears to be physical Bluray media. I'm assuming that this means that JRiver decodes the physical media for its display. That would also mean that an already ripped Bluray Disc would be ready to go? Does it support full Bluray menus?

[pstuart]

It does not need anydvd to play a bluray either native on the drive or a rip.

If you rip an ISO you will need anydvd installed to handle the ripped ISO but a ripped folder bluray plays without it.

Lastly, there is no menu support and a lot of blurays play the wrong default track.

You can change tracks in the interface.

The app is pretty memory intensive after playing a bluray rip. It will consume and leak memory after multiple title plays and will require restarting the app...

Hope that helps.

[pstuart]

No, Jriver doesn't support Bluray menu's but I suspect you have work around solutions with your boxes.  This is commonly asked feature from Jriver, but I suspect the problem is on how the Bluray is ripped.  Not really a Jriver issue, but more of anydvd issue. Jriver would recommend that you use MakeMkv, but it is a transcoder. So, i suspect that your Dune or Popcorn Hour also transcodes the format into MKV.  (I don't own them, but I did look up Popcorn Hour specs.  MKV does give you the chapters and menus.   The other methods that I looked up is called BD rebuilder and Clown BD. 

 

For Bluray Music - There is a new feature called Particles.  You can Generate Chapter based Blu-Ray Particles (Aka Rip Music BD's Like CD's)

http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=89627.0

Just saving this so he cant delete later...

[pstuart]

When Pstuart tested Jriver it was on version 18.   Version 17 was based off the Microsoft platform, which Jriver pays Microsoft to use their code.  Alan probably can explain better.  J river had bigger plans, which involved developing their own code to be able be on different platforms.   So, they are now on Mac and LInux. 

 

There was a memory leak thread in Version 19, but it was traced to a driver.  http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=85926.0  According to this thread it was an ethernet driver, but this users has a card.   On every version of windows, (Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 2012 Server)  for drivers that won't load.  Here is a link to it.  http://en.kioskea.net/faq/3914-windows-7-how-to-install-unsigned-drivers  (Yes, the drivers can have the digital signature and they still won't load)

I had this problem with my ethernet connection which is on the motherboard and my audio cards.  I suspect that is what Pstuart's problem, yes, you forget it.   You do everything and still forget this trick!  

 

If you have a receiver then this is great audio card to use.  Asus Xonar Essence ST 24-bit 192KHz Pci sound card.  and to get the H6 for multi-channel sound.  There is a few on Amazon, but I had to order them out of England in the past.  Just the H6 extension card.  Here is the free driver for it.  http://maxedtech.com/  (The creator of the driver is one of the original Asus designers, but he gives them away free.)  (Well, he takes donations for the drivers.)

 

There is plenty of options for DAC's if you have power amps.  

 

 

Sorry, about the Deletes on the other posts.  I will be busy for a few weeks.   So,  I won't be online.

I still test jriver on a regular basis. The issues still remain. I have the latest stable and beta versions running in my test environments.

As a 30 year tester for Fortune 500 companies, I know how to test software.

My test environment is based on reference hardware from all major vendors available at retail and my own built computers...

My preferred bluray playback is my movies and total home theater. Has full bluray menu support.

Jriver is full of bugs, and doesn't even support dts-ma audio natively. You have to add a dll manually from another program, they actually encourage users to rip this dll from other programs to get support rather then pay the licensing costs to include it themselves.

I've actually tested jriver without a network card, local storage only, and the same memory leaks exist. It just doesn't remain stable after multiple bluray titles are played...

On top of it, every time a new update is released, you have to reboot the computer for it to even install.

As for out of the box default settings, jriver also has some of the worst video quality compared to others, specifically tht.

You can tweak jriver to get optimal video results on a per format basis, but requires expert level skillset tweaking video renders. These ideal results are essentially the defaults in most other players like tht

Jriver just isn't for the average user, if you want to tweak you can get it to ideal conditions, just be prepared to reboot often and inbetween playback of movies...

I haven't tested jriver on a Mac, because it doesn't actually play video content on a Mac.

[qVAMPIREp]

Is that Arcsoft's TotalMedia Theatre?

[pstuart]

Is that Arcsoft's TotalMedia Theatre?

Yes sorry, TMT Arcsoft Total Media Theatre, my bad, thanks for the correction.

[pstuart]

I listened to DTS-MA the other night. Are you using onboard audio card? You have to remove that driver, and if you use. The asus card, then use that driver. That comes straight from Mojave, which is one of their top audio guys. The best way to get best video on bluray is to use a nvidia card. I tested all their settings, and found that to be the best for a software player. I tested total home theater in the past, but I don't have it installed. My movies is ok, but not that great. The best overall playback is my sony bluray changers. ( well to compete with the changers, i am using nvidia 760 gtx).

I never have to reboot, but I turn off the client after I am done. I have left it on though. I am custom built PC, but maybe it is your CPU choice. I think you selected the K version, which is always unstable. If you are still using ivy bridge.

Jriver is not for the average user, it is too complex menus. Lot of settings, so to change to get it right.

The only way for me to get dvd's to play without crashing jriver is to setup jremote for ipad. I tested all their settings and I crash the stock j river interface every time. Jremote has fixed that issue.

Matt is their main developer, and coder. He was ill for close to 5 months, and the development was pretty much at stand still. Now it seems things are back to normal. So, that is there is no dvd or bluay on Mac version. Apple had a great DVD player in the past, but I am not sure if bluray has ever been on apple. I always found that mac version was more stable than windows os. Well, less viruses and malware. I haven't been on since snow leopard though.

http://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Blu-ray

 

Wow, you are amazing, you can do things that the wiki says requires a separate dll to be installed...

 

Ripped from the above link:

 

Even Jriver recommends RIPPING OFF Arcsoft Total Media Theatre for its DTS-HD playback of blurays.

 

 

 

HD Audio

Media Center is capable decoding the full range of audio codecs used on commercial Blu-ray Discs itself, while preserving their full bitrate and audio depth. This includes HD codecs such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

We recommend that you use Media Center to decode HD audio because this gives you access to the full power of MC's audio engine, including VideoClock and the DSP. MC will automatically decode TrueHD soundtracks with no other configuration required. Unfortunately, no open decoder currently exists for DTS-HD. However, Media Center has been designed to properly use the decoder included with Arcsoft's TotalMedia Theatre. To decode DTS-HD you need to copy the file:

• dtsdecoderdll.dll

From an installation of Arcsoft TMT into:

• %APPDATA%\J River\Media Center <VERSION>\Plugins\lav\

(Be sure to replace the text <VERSION> above with the major version number of your copy of Media Center.)

If you prefer, you can also use use one of the following system directories

• Windows 32-bit: %WINDIR%\System32\
• Windows 64-bit: %WINDIR%\SysWOW64\

The Windows system folder locations could be preferable as these will survive future major upgrades (eg MC19 to MC20), and re-installation of Media Center, but you may use whichever you prefer. If you do not have a copy of the Arcsoft TMT DTS decoder you will still get sound, but MC will decode the regular (non-HD) DTS track instead of DTS-HD. You can check that TrueHD or DTS-HD is being decoded properly using Audio Path.

However, if you prefer Media Center also supports bitstreaming. You can enable bitstreaming via HDMI connection in:

• Tools > Options > Audio > Settings > Bitstreaming.
• Note: SPDIF connections cannot carry HD Audio formats.

Bitstreaming bypasses the entire Media Center audio engine, including things like the Volume controls, and the decoder on the far end of the HDMI cable is responsible for decoding the audio.

Menus

MC uses its own OSD to provide access the to the content on Blu-Ray discs such as:

• titles
• chapters
• audio, video, and subtitle stream selection

However, MC does not support the Java or BDMV menus included with many commercial discs, as there is no currently available open decoder required for this support. To watch your movies in the highest quality, you don't need them, though! To access the menu press the Up/Down arrow keys or right click on the playing video.

Forced Subtitles

MC will automatically display any subtitle track that is was marked as "forced" when the disk was authored. Forced subtitles are often used for bits of non-native language which audience isn't be expected to understand, in a movie that is otherwise in their native tongue (elven or alien speech, a little Spanish in an English language movie, etc). Unfortunately, many disks are authored with these subtitles in a separate track and in these cases the user will need to select the correct track (normally towards the bottom of the subtitle list). MC will remember this selection for the next time the BD is played.

3D BD

Most commercial 3D BD disks use a version of AVC encoding called "multiview video coding (MVC)". MC does not support MVC and all such 3D BD disks will play as 2D. For more information on how to use a 3rd party player for these disks refer to this thread on Interact.

[pstuart]

Jriver is not for the average user, it is too complex menus. Lot of settings, so to change to get it right.

The only way for me to get dvd's to play without crashing jriver is to setup jremote for ipad. I tested all their settings and I crash the stock j river interface every time. Jremote has fixed that issue.

And there you have it, jriver crashes on Jackal playing DVD's?  Wow, stable platform.  Must have been your network drivers causing that...  Who developed Jremote?  A 3rd party had to fix DVD's crashing on jriver?  Sounds like a clearly developed system.

[pstuart]

Yes, that is what he is referring too. I tested it, when was released and it was full of bugs. I went back to cyber link power dvd, but that was back in 2009. I got my first changer in 2010, and they are still the best in terms of quality. The problem with software players is that hdmi wasn't fully implemented on the video cards. A changer was still cheaper in 2010, than a server. That is based even o. Today's prices.

So you are basing your opinion on a version of TMT from 5 years ago? 

 

How was hdmi not fully implemented on video cards?  What am I missing?  I can do anything a hardware player can do on my video cards.

 

But then again, I thought the reason you deleted your posts was cause you were too busy and weren't going to be around?  What happened?

[wappinghigh]

JRiver?? What the? LOL. Nitro? Where are you? You were a visionary my friend... A man before your time.....

[Cyknight]

Look at all the people that are able to use Google to get info on JRiver.

 

One common theme comes forward every single time - JRiver is NOT an even remotely decent choice for the VAST majority of people - be they C4 users or not.

Thus, no compelling reason to integrate it (and more importantly support and update that integration).

 

JRiver wants to be part of the C4 infrastructure they are welcome to create and support their own drivers. Hope it will be more stable and less volatile than the software has proven to date.

[cdepaola]

You do realize a driver was created for jriver....

[Cyknight]

 

Again JRIVER is free to CREATE or PAY TO HAVE A THIRD PARTY create a driver - if any third party refused it's because they see issues in JRIVER to make it happen.

Control4 needs a nice way to have EASY AUDIO available for EVERYONE.

While stored music MAY be a way to go (and it's there, though out of date in implementation), options such as Rhapsody, TuneIn and similar products are what the COMMON end user wants, in addition to what Sonos brings in the form of on-line service. 10 people wanting JRiver, even 1000 people wanting JRiver would barely register.

[ILoveC4]

JRiver?? What the? LOL. Nitro? Where are you? You were a visionary my friend... A man before your time.....

It is Nitro, by his own admission. Back with a new handle.

Sent from my Droid MAXX via Tapatalk.

[Cyknight]

The amount of people that own Jriver is more than Control4.   Also it is featured in all the magazines, but it is rare that I see that on Control4.  

 

I doubt if that will happen, because Jriver has no interest in developing home automation for their media player.  I saw DLNA on Control4 in 2.1, but it was removed.  In 2009, Control4 was supposed to put DLNA in Composer.   http://www.control4.com/press_releases/2009/09/10/os2-debut

 

Jriver had DLNA since 2009, so why can't Control4 put DLNA in Composer Pro.   DLNA has been out since 2006, but so is your answer in Composer 2.6? 

 

The amount of people that know JRiver is non-consequential. The amount of people that have a desire to use JRiver AND use Control4 is - and it's no enticing number.

 

 

While spewing over DLNA is a meager attempt to deflect I'll point out a few things:

DLNA in composer to receive was a test only, DLNA in JRiver to stream is not the same thing. And the Wireless Music Bridge allows DLNA streaming.  It also has ZERO impact on the DESIRE to create a fully functioning DRIVER for JRiver.

[ILoveC4]

Jackal, why are you on this board?

Sent from my Droid MAXX via Tapatalk.

[ILoveC4]

Hi Wap! I just switched nicknames, because I forget passwords. Same place as before!

The "forgot my password" link wasn't working for you?

Sent from my Droid MAXX via Tapatalk.

[Cyknight]

I can stream music and movies for less than $50. So, for $300, you can stream music? So which is the better deal. Can you stream to your car?

Control4 will probably seize to exist in less than 5 years. Control4 is a tiny company. Google already made the selection to set top boxes. So where do you see yourself in 5 years? I be making plans now, because the number of businesses that actually closing is an extreme amount per year. I will retire in 5 years, but I never regret switching careers in the past.

Can you stream to your control4 system?

 

Again, you try to go from a different angle, another one that is utterly useless - you clearly do not want to admit that you HAVE no point. You HAVE no counter argument to the fact that there is not enough interest from the outside to integrate JRiver, and that if JRiver (not you) thinks it would be in their interest to make it happen the ball is in THEIR court. Nor do you have any argument that JRiver is a good enough platform to use for the MASSES, vs the Tech-Savvy.

 

Where do I see myself in 5 years? Where do I see Control4 in 5 years? All that has nothing to do with JRiver. How many businesses close per year? Nothing to do with JRiver.

 

Oh and start building some proper sentences.

[wingzz]

"Control4 will probably seize to exist in less than 5 years"

 

yupp it's going to lock up I guess

[neil12011]

Can you stream to your control4 system?

 

Again, you try to go from a different angle, another one that is utterly useless - you clearly do not want to admit that you HAVE no point. You HAVE no counter argument to the fact that there is not enough interest from the outside to integrate JRiver, and that if JRiver (not you) thinks it would be in their interest to make it happen the ball is in THEIR court. Nor do you have any argument that JRiver is a good enough platform to use for the MASSES, vs the Tech-Savvy.

 

Where do I see myself in 5 years? Where do I see Control4 in 5 years? All that has nothing to do with JRiver. How many businesses close per year? Nothing to do with JRiver.

 

Oh and start building some proper sentences.

 

[qVAMPIREp]

I thought that the entire reason for this topic was to discuss JRiver. Instead it has devolved into an attack of one individual who rightly or wrongly likes the product.... Is it not a free country? If you want to fight please go home and beat your mangy dog, ugly wife or dumbass kids so I can watch it on the next episode of COPS... Thanks  

[Cyknight]

I thought that the entire reason for this topic was to discuss JRiver. Instead it has devolved into an attack of one individual who rightly or wrongly likes the product.... Is it not a free country? If you want to fight please go home and beat your mangy dog, ugly wife or dumbass kids so I can watch it on the next episode of COPS... Thanks  

 

I'm trying to argue about JRiver integration value, but the person you refer too is hell-bent to evade countering any arguments, instead deciding to point out Control4's limitations and/or other non-relating items.

 

Go watch COPS if you like - I'll stay on topic.

[qVAMPIREp]

The integration value really depends on your clientele. If they are Audiophiles they would probably love it IF it worked properly. I've never seen the product in person so I can't comment on stability but I have found that this site has HTPC's focused specifically on this type of HTPC while I was looking for XBMC system ideas.

 

http://assassinhtpcblog.com/jriveraudiophile/

[Cyknight]

Integration value - defined as in would either Control4 or a 3rd party like EV or DriversLab have an interest in creating a (full!) integration option - depends on the overall interest of C4 end-users/target market, not one dealer's individual clientele.

Same goes for JRiver's interest in making or 'ordering' a driver the other way - would they gain enough users to compensate for the associated cost.

 

It doesn't matter if a product is the greatest thing in it's category - if not enough people want it/want to pay for it/want to deal with it it will not get anywhere.