Running a jukebox

[masheen]

Ok so I was looking for some means to control a media player on Computer A (the one connected to the stereo sound system and speakers) from my laptop (Computer B).

I though Subsonic sounded ideal as it uses a browser based control so it makes it easy to connect to. Great. Installed it through the windows installer on Computer A and was able to connect to it from Computer B.

The problem I have is that since this is a streaming app the sound comes out of the client (Computer B) rather than the stereo (Computer A).

Is there a way to use the front end (the browser control) on Computer B to control the music played on Computer A, that is so the sound output comes out of the speakers attached to Computer A.

I don't want to stream, I want to just control a Jukebox from another machine. Streaming might be useful in some situations but not in this one.

I have tried playing with the "players" but they reset all the time and try and stream or if I manage to get a player streaming to the localhost on Computer A the Stop button doesn't work on the client (Computer B)

Is there a way to do what I want to do as the UI on this is great?

[sindre_mehus]

Unfortunately there is no direct jukebox support like you describe it. The closest you get is by remote-controlling the player once the stream is set up. If you decrease the buffer size in the player it will respond more rapidly to play, stop, skip etc.

[masheen]

Thats a shame, its a great app, the layout of the interface is great and it is controlled via http. Even better. I'm struggling to find a decent app to meet these requirements, which is a shame.

Any plans to introduce an extra mode for the software and re-route the stream to the local hardware? All the other hard work is done and this would seem then to fill a hole in the market for a browser based dukebox.

\\Problem turned feature request

Keep up the good work.

[sindre_mehus]

I totally agree, and I wanted to do this some time ago, but I couldn't find any technical solutions that were good enough (mp3 support in java is quite mediocre, for instance). But I'll think through it again.

You might wanna check out http://en.jinzora.com/ which claims to have good jukebox support.

[Iggster]

I have managed to put together quite a simple Jukebox package theat works incredibly well with Subsonic:

Server: (192.168.0.5) Windows XP PC running Subsonic, Shoutcast and Winamp with Shoutcast plugin.

Install/Configure Subsonic as normal, then create a user (Jukebox is the name I used)
Set this user to have a dynamic IP address in user settings.
DO NOT downsample the bitrate using subsonic

DO NOT use http://localhost or 127.0.0.1 to access Subsonic when using the servers Browser (This will stop access to any playlists from other IP addresses). ALWAYS use the servers Ethernet IP address (192.168.0.5 in this case)

Login as user Jukebox, create playlist (Give is a name and save)

Play the playlist on the server using Winamp with the Shoutcast plugin

(If you wish to downsample, configure Shoutcast to do this)

Now go to another PC on your network (the one beside HiFi for example)

Run vanilla winamp and access the Shoutcast stream (http://server_IP:8000/listen.pls by default)

You will now hear the server created playlist being played

From the HiFi PC, access Subsonic as the Jukebox user. Select the server created playlist.

You can now add/remove tracks and move tracks within the playlist

These changes will be reflected on the server and therefore the Shoutcast stream. (there will be a short delay until Shoutcast/Winamp clears the buffered information)

Please note that it is NOT possible to skip tracks or start/stop player using this method (this can only be done at the server itself).


I have tested this with 10 remote PCs all accessing Subsonic as the user Jukebox simultaneously (some were on local LAN, the rest accessing via the Internet) and it works flawlessly!

[masheen]

Thanks for the info folks.

All good.

Managed to get a solution using Media Jukebox and using a http plugin called XPTunes.

[awaismustafa]

As a new user it luks a great application but i cant seem to figure out how to a find the muic from a web browser which link do i put to find the music on my pc

in simple terms i think it needs more easy instructions on how to use the app unless i have missed them some where

[crisbtreets]

I just ran across this and it might help in this situation.

http://softsqueeze.sourceforge.net/javamp3plugin.html

[sindre_mehus]

Just a little update: I've come across a Java library for decoding mp3, called JLayer. Hopefully, this could be used to implement a server-side, in-process jukebox.

Sindre

[FakeFakerson]

Awesome. I am looking forward to this also because I too am looking for a central jukebox program. In order to meet my requirements and maybe everyone else's I'm pretty sure only two things have to be done.

1. Include "Never Create a New Player" or "Always use Existing Player" in the settings for a User
2. Include "Random Play When Playlist is Empty" on the settings for a user or a playlist

If these two features were implemented, There wouldn't be any other functionality needed to run a jukebox as you could load your favorite MP3 streaming software on the server and point it at the server's stream. Then all of the users could share the same login/playlist.

Absolutely love everything else. If these features were added, or proper jukebox support was added, I think subsonic would be the best Jukebox solution available.

[Concept211]

I agree with FakeFakerson (great name by the way) especially the second option to "Random Play when Playlist is Empty". It would be perfect to simply pull up the URL in any audio program or device that supports http streaming and listen right away like another radio station (but with GOOD music)!

[FakeFakerson]

Any idea if the jukebox functionality will be in the next version Sindre? I'm going to switch to subsonic as soon as it gets jukebox support. Thanks!

[Concept211]

What software are you currently using now, FakeF?

[FakeFakerson]

Actually I believe I was referred to Subsonic by you concept, because I am currently using Streamsicle, posted on their forums about a problem, and I think it was you that referred me to this software package.

Streamsicle pretty much meets all my requirements, but the stream fails all the time and stops playing. That's why I'm hoping for a more supported and stable software package.

[Concept211]

Oh, that was you! Ok, cool! I'm glad that I helped you find Subsonic. So far, I'm very happy with it don't even miss Streamsicle anymore. The only downfall is the random play feature on Subsonic is a bit lacking, but I'm sure Sindre will come up with something to make it better.