Remote Access Cannot Play Music

[rchrdm]

I set up the Subsonic server on PC connected to my music system (D to A converter and amp). I can log into the server remotely and see the Index. However, when I try to play a song, there is no audio and the PC with the server does not register that I am playing a song.

I set the "Players" to "Jukebox." Is that correct?

Also, I can no longer see the full version of the settings that includes "Network" and other options. I just see five options now when I open "Settings."

I have set up port forwarding manually on my router and assume that I did this correctly, since I can log onto the Subsonic server.

[J_T_W]

If you are only seeing 5 "tabs" when logged in under Settings (Personal, Password, Players, Shared Media, Subsonic Premium), you are logged in with a non-admin account. Log back in as the "admin" account, or an account you have configured as an administrator.

When logged in as an administrator"
*) under Settings, select the Users tab, then the target user from the "Select user" drop down, ensure "User is allowed to play files in jukebox mode" is checked, then "Save".
*) under Players , select the desired player from the "Select player" dropdown, ensure the "Jukebox" option is selected, then "Save"

[rchrdm]

Thanks! That worked!

Richard

[rchrdm]

Is there a user manual for Subsonic?

Richard

[J_T_W]

http://www.subsonic.org/pages/getting-started.jsp

While you are looking that page over, and branching out from there, I would caution you that Subsonic is abandonware. There is no development or support from the owner, and as it is closed source, there is never going to be any development unless the owner returns. If you start to feel that the feature set in the Premium subscription is something you would want, I recommend looking at other solutions rather than trying to purchase the subscription or using the Google-able hack.

To the former, be aware that there was a time that Subsonic was open source, and there are current actively developed branches out there. The Subsonic API is also well published and thus there are other solutions that use the API which can be leveraged. So, I'll offer an FYI you might consider:

If you're looking for a very lateral move, consider Airsonic Advanced https://github.com/airsonic-advanced/airsonic-advanced - It is in active development with frequent snapshot updates https://github.com/airsonic-advanced/airsonic-advanced/releases . Same feature set as Subsonic (API, Sonos, etc.) with updated code. As it is open source, you also get almost all the features Subsonic Premium gives you, but for free (see my last line). Minimal effort for installation (latest Java installed, then a command line shortcut to the war file - upgrades even easier with just a fast war file change).

If you're really more API focused, and looking just for a music streaming service (app over browser), you might consider moving off the Subsonic family of servers altogether. Check out Navidrome https://www.navidrome.org/ . That product is primarily to supply the API with a completely new back-end, and refocuses to just support audio (no video, podcast, internet radio, etc.). There is not yet built in support for Sonos, but you can find easy linking with something like Bonob https://github.com/simojenki/bonob. As with Airsonic Advanced, no subscription or fee to access the API. Navidrome does have a simplified web UI if desired.

Both products will need you to come up with your own DDNS solution for external access. Both support running as a service with something like NSSM https://nssm.cc/, and IIS works great as a reverse proxy if you wish to run them as SSL.

[rchrdm]

Thanks! I really appreciate all the information!

Richard

[rchrdm]

Remote access has been working OK. That is, I can control the music from the server computer or the remote computer.

However, now the two computers control the music independently. I can play from either computer but they no longer share a screen - that is, the Subsonic interface. I can start music on both server and remote and both tracks will play at the same time! I can't see what the remote computer is playing if I look at the server computer and vice-versa.

I log into the server computer as admin and to the remote computer with a an account I set up on the server computer.

Suggestions? (Probably something simple.)