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I've been using JRiver 14 Media Jukebox for about 5 years. I like the look, the options, and for a simple, easy-to-configure player, it suits me. Tagging can be a chore, but that's understandable.
I feel like I might benefit from running the full version, and have tried it waaay back at the beginning of my CA odyssey, but it's the paid part I balk at.
Media Jukebox is free. Am I missing sound quality by staying with free version 14? I don't do video, by and large.
Follow Ups:
Some things in the current version of JRiver that might matter to you:- Media Server and TRemote functions to allow you to use JRiver in a multi-room situation.
- uPnP / DLNA networking to play to a small headless device or a fairly recent smart TV.
- Control from a smartphone or tablet right at your listening chair.
- WASAPI output in addition to output to the default audio device, Direct Sound, Kernel Streaming or ASIO.
- general improvement in speed and robustness.
There have been a number of new features and improvements over the years since MJ 14. I started with MC 11 but details of past versions and changes are getting fuzzy to me.
Try the current trial version. If you find news things of value, buy it. You can keep using the new version for 5 or more years without upgrading.
my blog: http://carsmusicandnature.blogspot.com/
Edits: 01/25/17
uPnP / DLNA networking to play to a small headless device
What is the advantage to adding another layer to playback since those devices already offer remote control?
(I said) uPnP / DLNA networking to play to a small headless device
(E State said) What is the advantage to adding another layer to playback since those devices already offer remote control?
I really didn't understand the meaning and purpose of your reply. By "those devices", do you mean "small headless devices"?
JRiver can do three DLNA roles:
- the server that provides metadata (tag) information and audio data to the other roles. As a DLNA server, JRiver can supply more than the standard set of metadata tags to the control role.
- The renderer that accepts audio data over a network connection. It may have DAC functionality built-in and output analog audio or it may output digital audio over a USB or SPDIF connection. The "small headless device" that I was referring to is a DLNA renderer.
- The control function that gets metadata information from the server and displays it so that the user can select what he wants to see or hear. Once the user has selected media content, the controller arranges for that content to be sent from the server to the renderer. Some generic uPnP apps on smartphones and tablets may provide uPnP control functions.
Some renderer devices may also have the control function.
I use DLNA networking on JRiver on my PC in my home office to provide audio and video in two other rooms in my house.
- A TCL Roku smart TV has DLNA renderer and control functions. I use JRuiver as the DLNA server only and choose media from the TV screen.
- A JRiver ID headless device functions as a DLNA renderer. I use JRiver on my PC as the server and as the DLNA controller. I use JRiver Webremote from an Android smartphone to control JRiver on the PC in that case. I can use customer views to select music just as I can from the PC itself.
DLNA provides one way to implement networking for audio/video playback. It may be useful to some people and not useful to others. It is just one of the functions that JRiver provides to meet different needs.
my blog: http://carsmusicandnature.blogspot.com/
(I said) uPnP / DLNA networking to play to a small headless device
Why would you need J River to play something that can already be played without additional software?
I have a Squeezebox Touch, Sonore microRendu and Oppo 103 - all of which are uPnP / DLNA devices. And find no need for an additional layer of software to play.
So, why would I want to add yet another layer of playback for devices that function just peachy keen without it?
"
Why would you need J River to play something that can already be played without additional software?
I have a Squeezebox Touch, Sonore microRendu and Oppo 103 - all of which are uPnP / DLNA devices. And find no need for an additional layer of software to play.
So, why would I want to add yet another layer of playback for devices that function just peachy keen without it?"
The OP asked what was new in JRiver since Media Jukebox 14. I and several others listed some new functions. uPnP/DLNA was one of those additions.
I did not state that JRiver was necessary to do DLNA networking. You do need DLNA server, controller and renderer functions. I happen to find JRiver useful for DLNA server and controller functions because it allows me to use all the tags I want and all the associated custom views. It also does gapless playback very reliably. It isn't an extra layer; it is just an alternative for one or more of the DLNA functions.
I use JRiver on my personal PC to play music in my home office. I use the DLNA networking to play music and videos in other rooms. For me, it is not extra software.
Now about extra stuff. Why would I need a Squeezebox Touch or a microRendu or an Oppo 103? I do quite well without them.
If you still want to argue, find somebody else.
my blog: http://carsmusicandnature.blogspot.com/
So, JRiver is not only a player as I see it most often, but also a server. I guess it would take the place of LMS in my system that feeds all the renderers. I use iOS devices for selecting content.
I also use it for video and have a couple hundred movies and TV shows available to the Roku players.
Thanks!
And JRiver also added SOX, which made a major difference to me. (Now they just need to make it adjustable between minimum phase and linear phase. I typically prefer the former for upscaled PCM but it sounds like they use only linear phase when one chooses SOX).
JR's ability to convert PCM to DSD is another asset that may help with some recordings. Except for these, I do prefer to keep native PCM as such and likewise with native DSD.
As Old Listener pointed out, you might miss streaming options (UPnP/DLNA) and bit perfect output (WASAPI).
Instead of forking out $50 you might try MusicBee.
It supports WASAPI, DLNA and is freeware.
The Well Tempered Computer
Thanks for the suggestions!
I'll try the trial JRver scheme again, then Music Bee, or vice versa.
You can download the full version on a 30day free trial and find out for yourself. I think it is definitely worth the money but I have no idea what the JukeBox does or does not do.
I tried the trial version waaaay back at the beginning of my CA odyssey, like my post says. I didn't know enough to be able to tweak it then nor do I now, and I can't re-trial the trial version.
Looking for some hands-on wisdom here, thanks.
Send them an email and explain. I am sure they can arrange something.It took them a few years to get to where I really wanted the program to be at. I had no interest in other but the music part. Over the past year or so they got there. I took the plunge and I am happy I did.
The license allows judicious personal use in more than one PC. However, the most critical one -- for me -- is the dedicated audio computer. There, the latest JRiver versions can run very fine under a severely stripped-down XP OS further reduced by cPlay optimizations. In it, I can also switch from JRiver to Foobars 2k in a few relatively easy steps.
In the Win 10 multimedia PC, JRiver can display more of its goods...and that alone can make it well worth it to many.
Edits: 01/25/17
Really?
I have used it several times albeit with different IP addresses and different PCs.
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