Slimdevices Squeezebox / Squeezecenter Support (Plugin) or D

Any ideas about how to improve MediaMonkey for Windows 4? Let us know!

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mccstumble
Posts: 44
Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2010 8:46 am

Re: Slimdevices Squeezebox / Squeezecenter Support (Plugin)

Post by mccstumble »

@Gingernuts63

I'm stumped and would hope a more talented forum member might be able to help you.

As far as I understand, the script is always active because it loads when MM starts and then simply tells Squeezeserver what to play.

I am still running Windows Vista and not sure if that would have anything to do with it or not?

Would you let me know -

1) if Squeezeserver, that has been installed on your PC, plays any music on it's own (ie don't start Mediamonkey), Just start Squeezeserver and does it send music to your Boombox??

2) Are Squeezeserver and Mediamonkey sharing the same library?

3) Is the library on your PC or NAS? (mine is on a mounted attached USB Drive) and I just use the NAS for back-up or accessing using other programs)?

Perhaps if you reinstall the W3 Sockets?


Sorry I cant be more helpful with this.

Again - good luck
Music & Video Management: Mediamonkey Ver 4.0.0.1436Gold Lifetime
Music Server: Logitech Media Server (LMS) 7.7.0-33512
AddOns: MonkeySqueeze Ver 2.0 http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewto ... =2&t=59515
On Demand Music: LastFM, Spotify via LMS
mccstumble
Posts: 44
Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2010 8:46 am

Re: Slimdevices Squeezebox / Squeezecenter Support (Plugin)

Post by mccstumble »

@Gingernuts63

Sorry - I meant to ask in my last reply....... What version of MM are you using?

Cheers
Music & Video Management: Mediamonkey Ver 4.0.0.1436Gold Lifetime
Music Server: Logitech Media Server (LMS) 7.7.0-33512
AddOns: MonkeySqueeze Ver 2.0 http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewto ... =2&t=59515
On Demand Music: LastFM, Spotify via LMS
Gingernuts63

Re: Slimdevices Squeezebox / Squeezecenter Support (Plugin)

Post by Gingernuts63 »

Thanks Mccstumble

The answers to your questions are:

1. When using the Squeezebox server, music plays on the Squeezebox Boom, the system works as intended. As soon as Mediamonkey starts, script active, any music that is playing clears in SqueezeServer and same occurs on the boom. Without the script both systems can play different music at the same time.
2. Squeezebox and MediaMonkey both share the same library. Both play music from the same source when run by themselves.
3. The music library is on the NAS - Netgear ReadyNAS Duo
4. As per a previous post w3sockets is installed
5. MediaMonkey 3.2.5.1306 and SqueezeServer 7.5.5
6.If it works on Vista then it should work on Windows 7

The script is partially working and yes it is working all the time. Every time a new song plays in Mediamonkey it will clear music in SqueezeServer that I have started. The script is working to that point, the only thing that is not happening is the direction to play the same music as MediaMonkey. Maybe it has something to do with the music being on the NAS, however I won't move it because it is accessed by other computers or devices. I might however create a small music collection on the PC and see what happens. At least this would confirm if this is the issue or not.

I also wonder how many are other people are having success with this code? It would be good to get feedback from them.

Thanks again for the replys Mccstumble. It's great to have someone to bounce ideas off. It's a lonely old world when no one responds to a post.

Gingernuts63
mccstumble
Posts: 44
Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2010 8:46 am

Re: Slimdevices Squeezebox / Squeezecenter Support (Plugin)

Post by mccstumble »

@gingernuts
No Problem - I recall many "wasted" hours trying to get the script to work way back in 2009. I agree with you about Windows 7. I used to have the same setup of SS and MM on my old XP laptop and was nervous when I started out in 2009 with my Vista machine but it all went smoothly. So on that basis I would expect Widows 7 to also be ok.
Does Win 7 notify you when a program tries to get thru the firewall? My Vista setup does notify and give the option to let the program thru. I looked in teh firewall settings earlier tonight and see that there are lots of entries for SS and MM - not sure how many of them will have been set up automatically versus those I had to manually allow

Not sure if this is worth mentioning -: I notice on my setup on SS, under advanced settings, that the Command Line Interface (CLI) option says "The Command Line Interface plugin allows Squeezebox software and the players to be controlled remotely over a TCP/IP connection, for example by a third party automation system like AMX or Crestron" The option is set to Port 9090 and is the same as the number following the ip address of the server as written in the VBS.

Also I notice you are using MM 3.2.5.1306 and I know I have used that version before (currently I am using Beta Version 4). I have a MM Gold License and not sure if that unlocks certain features. I mention this because I had Squeezeserver running for a year before I got MM. When I downloaded teh free MM I was so impressed that I got the Gold Lifetime subscription withina couple of weeks (I don't recall the details but I have a notion some features are locked in teh free version)

I used to have my library stored on a NAS. It worked fine but could be a bit slow so I moved it onto a USB hard drive. It might be worth trying a small library of a couple of albums on your PC and just point SS and MM to the "local library" to see if that makes a difference

I got the script from teh forum and I know there were plenty of people using it at the time

Best of luck
Music & Video Management: Mediamonkey Ver 4.0.0.1436Gold Lifetime
Music Server: Logitech Media Server (LMS) 7.7.0-33512
AddOns: MonkeySqueeze Ver 2.0 http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewto ... =2&t=59515
On Demand Music: LastFM, Spotify via LMS
gingernuts63

Re: Slimdevices Squeezebox / Squeezecenter Support (Plugin)

Post by gingernuts63 »

Success

I created a small library of 2 albums on C Drive and linked Mediamonkey and SqueezeServer to them. That fixed the problem. If SqueezeServer is running and I start MediaMonkey, music playing on MediaMonkey now plays on SqueezeServer.

This is good and bad. I now have the code working but I can't use it on my present setup, bugger! However I'm going to try a couple of other ideas. Always good to start from a point where something works and modify than the other way around. Either way should be able to come up with a basic user guide for the code/script.

Will update after conducting more tests.

Gingernuts63
mccstumble
Posts: 44
Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2010 8:46 am

Re: Slimdevices Squeezebox / Squeezecenter Support (Plugin)

Post by mccstumble »

@Gingernuts

Excellent news. Well, almost excellent. I suspect there must be a way to get it working for your existing setup. One of the original developers on the forum was Peke - he stopped looking at the script in favour of XBox projects or something but if he is still active on the forum it may be worth sending him the question about the NAS and your setup.

For what it's worth I have all my Libraries (music, video and photos) on a Mounted USB HDD and have a two way real-time back up copies made to my NAS using a program called Memeo. This way other computers and gadgets in the house can access the various files on the NAS even when my PC is switched off. It also means I can pop the USB HDD into my pocket when I need to and no one else in the house is affected.

Thanks for letting me know how it all went so far. Let me know how you get on with the "Last Hurdle", so to speak and look forward to your user guide. It's a pity the developers etc abandoned the project and it's also a pity that it never made it into an official MM Script release with an istall etc.

Again, good luck

Cheers
Music & Video Management: Mediamonkey Ver 4.0.0.1436Gold Lifetime
Music Server: Logitech Media Server (LMS) 7.7.0-33512
AddOns: MonkeySqueeze Ver 2.0 http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewto ... =2&t=59515
On Demand Music: LastFM, Spotify via LMS
Gingernut63
Posts: 236
Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:13 am

Re: Slimdevices Squeezebox / Squeezecenter Support (Plugin)

Post by Gingernut63 »

@Mccstumble

I've completed further testing and now have a configuration that works well enough. I now run two versions of Squeezebox Server, one on the NAS and one on the main PC. The NAS server is for standalone use by my Squeezebox Boom when required and the PC server is for the link between MediaMonkey and the Squeezebox system. Both servers run concurrently without any problems.

I've written a basic user guide to avoid and rectify any problems associated with the script. Its not perfect but it's a start. I'd like you to review it if possible. Check your MediaMonkey private messages.

Gingernut63
MonkeySqueeze – Squeezing music into your life!
https://twitter.com/#!/MonkeySqueeze1
MonkeySqueeze Support: http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewto ... =2&t=59515
MonkeySqueeze Development: http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewto ... 19&t=59907
MediaMonkey user since 2005
Gingernut63
Posts: 236
Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:13 am

Re: Slimdevices Squeezebox / Squeezecenter Support (Plugin)

Post by Gingernut63 »

@Mccstumble

More testing and surprising outcomes. As before I have MediaMonkey as the music controller and Squeezebox Server as the streaming device but I now have one major change. MediaMonkey is directed to look at the music library on my NAS and the Squeezebox Server is directed to look at an empty folder as the music folder and nothing is selected for the playlists. In this mode I can play music in MediaMonkey that is in its music library or music located in other areas of the network and they all play on the Squeezebox system?!!

I've probably crossed my wires somewhere but I thought the music libraries in MediaMonkey and Squeezebox Server had to match. If you can't read code you have to rely on supposition and that can lead to mistakes I suppose. Yet another advantage of having a basic user guide. Anyway the latest setup is even better than first thought. The music library database only has to be updated in MediaMonkey and Squeezebox Server is a slave streaming device. Maybe that is what was intended initially?? After all that is how iTunes works with Squeezebox Server... I think.

One important note, if the Squeezebox Server Music Source selections (Music Folder & Playlist Folder) are left blank then nothing plays on the server. The Music folder must be directed to look at any folder, preferably an empty one.

What I need now is for someone to test that they can achieve the same result. What is your setup Mccstumble?

Gingernut63
MonkeySqueeze – Squeezing music into your life!
https://twitter.com/#!/MonkeySqueeze1
MonkeySqueeze Support: http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewto ... =2&t=59515
MonkeySqueeze Development: http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewto ... 19&t=59907
MediaMonkey user since 2005
mccstumble
Posts: 44
Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2010 8:46 am

Re: Slimdevices Squeezebox / Squeezecenter Support (Plugin)

Post by mccstumble »

@Gingernuts

Excellent outcome.

One thing to note (in my experience) is that there is a small lag between MM and Squeezecenter that becomes more noticable the longer a playlist is. The result is that MM will start a new track that initiates SS to also begin the new track before having fully completed the current track. It's not a big problem but one to keep in mind when playing large playlist.

My set up is as described before. PC with SS and MM installed and both looking at one library on a mounted USB HDD. If I remember correctly, previoulsy I had SS and MM installed on PC but the library was stored on NAS. The problem I recall was it was slow when copying files to and from the NAS so I changed to my current config and simply use the NAS for backups.

I think you idea of a user guide is an excellent one and would be very helpful to others should you make it available. I'm suprised that MM doesnt take the script and make it availabe as an official add-on or script (but then again, perhaps there is more to doing this than I might realise)

Do you have an iPhone or an iPod touch? If yes make sure you check out iPeng app and also Mellorwares Monkeytunes with Apple remote.

Cheers
Music & Video Management: Mediamonkey Ver 4.0.0.1436Gold Lifetime
Music Server: Logitech Media Server (LMS) 7.7.0-33512
AddOns: MonkeySqueeze Ver 2.0 http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewto ... =2&t=59515
On Demand Music: LastFM, Spotify via LMS
Gingernut63
Posts: 236
Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:13 am

Re: Slimdevices Squeezebox / Squeezecenter Support (Plugin)

Post by Gingernut63 »

@Mccstumble

Yes already using MonkeyTunes from Melloware on my HTC mobile, great product and you don't have to use an Apple product to make it work, even better.

The user guide is written awaiting your opinion. Once the user guide is ok'd I'll post it in this forum or is there a better place for it? Yes I don't see why they don't pick it up as it works very well. However, like you say they may have a reason for this. Any feedback from the forum moderators on this matter?

Have noticed the lag and I'm prepared to live with it. I'm still interested to know if people realise that the code/script will work if Squeezebox Server is not directed to a media library, in my case that is a god send. However I'd like someone to trial the setup on their system to make sure it works every time.

Gingernut63
MonkeySqueeze – Squeezing music into your life!
https://twitter.com/#!/MonkeySqueeze1
MonkeySqueeze Support: http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewto ... =2&t=59515
MonkeySqueeze Development: http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewto ... 19&t=59907
MediaMonkey user since 2005
mccstumble
Posts: 44
Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2010 8:46 am

Re: Slimdevices Squeezebox / Squeezecenter Support (Plugin)

Post by mccstumble »

@gingernuts
Cool. Just email the user guide when you get the chance - I'm keen to have a look.

As a side note have you noticed Skyean's post of today (What I like in media players. ) on the MM wishlist? Have a look when you get a chance and see if you agree with it and maybe leave a comment on Skyean's post

Look forward to the user guide
Music & Video Management: Mediamonkey Ver 4.0.0.1436Gold Lifetime
Music Server: Logitech Media Server (LMS) 7.7.0-33512
AddOns: MonkeySqueeze Ver 2.0 http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewto ... =2&t=59515
On Demand Music: LastFM, Spotify via LMS
mccstumble
Posts: 44
Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2010 8:46 am

Re: Slimdevices Squeezebox / Squeezecenter Support (Plugin)

Post by mccstumble »

@Gingernuts

User Guide looking good and script mod also good

It will be great if things move towards an official add-on/script

Cheers

mccstumble
Music & Video Management: Mediamonkey Ver 4.0.0.1436Gold Lifetime
Music Server: Logitech Media Server (LMS) 7.7.0-33512
AddOns: MonkeySqueeze Ver 2.0 http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewto ... =2&t=59515
On Demand Music: LastFM, Spotify via LMS
Peke
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Contact:

Re: Slimdevices Squeezebox / Squeezecenter Support (Plugin)

Post by Peke »

I'm here to help if needed as explained in PM.

Re Abandonment: Unfortunately I needed to sell my NAS and currently in collecting Money for new one from QNAP.
Best regards,
Peke
MediaMonkey Team lead QA/Tech Support guru
Admin of Free MediaMonkey addon Site HappyMonkeying
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Gingernut63
Posts: 236
Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:13 am

Re: Slimdevices Squeezebox / Squeezecenter Support (Plugin)

Post by Gingernut63 »

@mccstumble

Thanks for reviewing and testing the script and user guide. I've changed the name of the script to MonkeySqueeze to better reflect what it does. The package has been submitted to the Addons site, hopefully it will be posted soon.

A MonkeySqueeze topic has now been created to help manage any issues with the script and also a place for people to submit feedback on using the script.

http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewto ... =2&t=59515

Thanks for the help and assistance and look forward to working with you on MonkeySqueeze.

Gingernut63
MonkeySqueeze – Squeezing music into your life!
https://twitter.com/#!/MonkeySqueeze1
MonkeySqueeze Support: http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewto ... =2&t=59515
MonkeySqueeze Development: http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewto ... 19&t=59907
MediaMonkey user since 2005
Gingernut63
Posts: 236
Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:13 am

Re: Slimdevices Squeezebox / Squeezecenter Support (Plugin)

Post by Gingernut63 »

@Peke

Thanks, we'll probably call your experience in the very near future.

Gingernut63
MonkeySqueeze – Squeezing music into your life!
https://twitter.com/#!/MonkeySqueeze1
MonkeySqueeze Support: http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewto ... =2&t=59515
MonkeySqueeze Development: http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewto ... 19&t=59907
MediaMonkey user since 2005
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