ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
I haven't used the Home Media option on my Avant much. Normally I would stream movies and TV shows from a library on my Mac Pro to my Apple TV via the Air Video HD App on my iPad or iPhone. It works absolutely great but I'd like to try out the built in Home Meida option more.
I've started by using the Plex media server on my Mac Pro which shows up on my Avant. I'm just curious what other servers you use?
Livingroom: BL3, BL11, BV11-46 Kitchen: Beosound 1 GVA, Beocom 2 Bathroom: M3 Homeoffice: M3, Beocom 2 Library: Beosound Emerge, Beocom 6000 Bedroom: M5, Essence remote Travel: Beoplay E8 2.0, Beoplay EQ, Beoplay Earset
Tip!
You can use an app like the 8Player or the PlugPlayer (iOS) to search the content on the NAS (indexed by the DLNA server), and push it to the Media Player/HomeMedia.
Works even from tv in standby (if you have 'wake on lan' enabled).
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
I use a Synology, and now with Plex Connect, I can even watch my whole video library from the Apple TV...
diisign.com
3 modes:
BeoNut since '75
Does anyone know if it is possible to install xbmc or plex directly onto a Beovision? Having the menus and artwork directly on the tv would be nice. (Obviously having a Mac mini or the like connected directly could do the same thing.)
mbee: I use a Synology, and now with Plex Connect, I can even watch my whole video library from the Apple TV...
I started using PlexConnect and its hi-jack of the ATV's Trailers Link (not really an iApp ... yet) and quite liked it - at one stage I even had two ATVs plugged in since I do like using Apple's Trailers ...
However along the way things started getting too complex ... requiring IT knowledge instead of GOM's working knowledge (and to think I was a geek in the Sixties *sigh*) ... and this thread is an example of what I mean by toooo complex:
https://forums.plex.tv/index.php/topic/120584-plexconnect-on-atv-70-gm-ios-80-gm/
So pray tell, do you have these challenges ? or are you simply an up-to-date-geek
Hiort:I use a Synology NAS. The media folder simply shows up, and content play very well (MKV in my case). No subtitles unfortunately.
mbee:I use a Synology, and now with Plex Connect, I can even watch my whole video library from the Apple TV... diisign.com
elephant: So pray tell, do you have these challenges ? or are you simply an up-to-date-geek The Essence of B&O is discretion in design and life
Solidsnake:It works absolutely great but I'd like to try out the built in Home Meida option more. I've started by using the Plex media server on my Mac Pro which shows up on my Avant. I'm just curious what other servers you use?
@Solidsnake
As I have understood your initial question, you wanted to know about how to use the HomeMedia section of the Avant etc.
All you need is a DLNA compatible server running on your network.
This may run on a computer (Win or Mac), on a NAS or even on a smart device (Adroid or iOS).
The server must have access to your files (which are located somewhere on your network) in order to index these.
The HomeMedia (of the tv) 'reads' this index and plays the files (music/video/pictures).
Most Media players (also the one in the B&O tv) have a 'somewhat' limited file support. For the supported filetypes look in the specs on the B&O web page. This however mostly has to do with limitations of the DLNA protocols!
Some servers on NAS's have the ability to transcode the filetypes in order to have more filetypes play on media players (like the HomeMedia in a B&O tv). Note - you need a newer and powerfull NAS for that.
Most problems are with subtitles especially in MKV-files (that is a difficult matter). The BV's also have no native support for the HD-soundformats (from BluRay-rip). You will have to be happy with the 'normal' Dolby/DTS soundtracks.
Some people are content with the slick userinterface of the HomeMedia. However (as you see in the comments above) many people seek another - such as the Plex running on a connected 3rd party device. It is up to you to decide, what you prefer.
My tip above (using a tablet as a 'remote' and pushing the files to the tv, is another solution/way to have a more 'informative' way to access your files using DLNA.
There are tons of solutions for playing your files on your tv. Many of these are 'tweeked' DLNA solutions (such as the one running on the latest Synology NAS'es).
Best try the HomeMedia function out with a Twonky server - install it on your PC/Mac - to see what is possible with the files you have. Be sure to use the latest Twonky version.
Note: there are litteraly hundreds of DLNA servers. It is a rather complex theme - and a lifelong study to understand how they work!
Personally I did not use the HomeMedia in the beginning. Later on (as they upgraded it with the 'renderer' function), it has become much more interesting to use - because you now can 'push' files to it in order to play them back instantly.
elephant: mbee: I use a Synology, and now with Plex Connect, I can even watch my whole video library from the Apple TV... I started using PlexConnect and its hi-jack of the ATV's Trailers Link (not really an iApp ... yet) and quite liked it - at one stage I even had two ATVs plugged in since I do like using Apple's Trailers ... However along the way things started getting too complex ... requiring IT knowledge instead of GOM's working knowledge (and to think I was a geek in the Sixties *sigh*) ... and this thread is an example of what I mean by toooo complex: https://forums.plex.tv/index.php/topic/120584-plexconnect-on-atv-70-gm-ios-80-gm/ So pray tell, do you have these challenges ? or are you simply an up-to-date-geek
I used Plexconnect too on my secondary TV (on my BV10 I use a Mac Mini) but the latest update screwed everything up and I definitely ditched it. Moreover, the ATV3 only outputs 50 and 60 Hz and I can not stand the judder when playing back 24fps content. I replaced it with a Cubox on which I run Kodi (XBMC) with the Plexbmc plugin.
I do not have an Avant, but I own a BV10-46. Even if I had the ability to use the built-in Home Media client (which uses the DLNA protocol) I would still prefer to keep my Mac Mini plugged directly to the TV because of the transcoding (I'm not sure B&O TV playback natively all video formats and I often require to burn subtitles on-the-fly, especially to watch Scandinavian TV Shows).
I use Twonky on a PC (mainly for the BS5 and BSe but also usable on Homemedia)
I use JRiver on the same PC for Homemedia of BV11's and as a source on one BV11. Superb server with lots of adjustments. F.e. I have two "sub" servers one with the original format, the other which outputs LPCM (up to 7.1 channels); one can tweak all structures how to search files/tags
Note I use Homemedia mainly for audio, sometimes pictures, hardly any video!.
I tried and used Plex server, XBMC and Minimserver. (the minimserver is a good choice for audio)
I am surprised that so many are considering PlexConnect. It requires you to transcode files, which leads to a loss in audio and video quality. Given how much emphasis all of us have on video and audio quality, I would suggest to go with media server and player solutions, which do not downgrade the quality along the way.
The easiest solution is to go with a MacMini or some other form of HTPC. XBMC/Kodi is a great media player solution, but other exists. Just make sure that no transcoding happens.
Marcello: I do not have an Avant, but I own a BV10-46. Even if I had the ability to use the built-in Home Media client (which uses the DLNA protocol) I would still prefer to keep my Mac Mini plugged directly to the TV because of the transcoding (I'm not sure B&O TV playback natively all video formats and I often require to burn subtitles on-the-fly, especially to watch Scandinavian TV Shows).
Aussie Michael: Marcello how do you control your Mac mini? I tried this solution once but it lost the support of the apple remote so I went back to my ATV 1
Marcello how do you control your Mac mini? I tried this solution once but it lost the support of the apple remote so I went back to my ATV 1
I use the (dealer-installed) Apple Remote PUC.
Plex is set to take over the IR receiver, so I launch it by using the BACK button on the Beo4 (which is factory mapped to the MENU button of the Apple remote, I guess the version of my PUC emulates the old apple remote, the white one with Navigation + one button).
From there I can use the joystick and the Play/Stop buttons on the Beo4. Also my Mac Mini is always on but if you set it to sleep you can wake it up as well by pressing the BACK button.
What do you mean when you say that "it lost the support of the apple remote"
i do use windows 8.1 with mezzmo media server.
there is a beo system 4 and a beosound profile integrated.
i can customize whatever i want (menues, kind of sources to be used..)
...and use it with my other dlna clients.
@Manitou
What are the specs of your Win 8.1 machine?
The Mezzmo server is using transcoding in some cases, which - of course - is dependent on the power of the system where the server runs.
As I see from the requirement you need for....
Transcoding: Minimum 2.4GHz CPU and 1GB RAM is required. For 720p or higher resolution video transcoding, a Quad Core CPU with 4GB RAM or higher is recommended. How are your experiences with this?What does the BSys4 profiles mean - are they special settings for the HomeMedia player - what do they do?
Transcoding: Minimum 2.4GHz CPU and 1GB RAM is required.
For 720p or higher resolution video transcoding, a Quad Core CPU with 4GB RAM or higher is recommended.
Marcello:. What do you mean when you say that "it lost the support of the apple remote"
Aussie Michael: Marcello:. What do you mean when you say that "it lost the support of the apple remote" Some of us who had which are now older macs with what I considered to be a great piece of software in front row. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front_Row_(software). That should have been kept. But then they probably wouldn't sell many apple TVs.
Some of us who had which are now older macs with what I considered to be a great piece of software in front row. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front_Row_(software).
That should have been kept. But then they probably wouldn't sell many apple TVs.
Ok but that's just the software, the support for the Apple Remote is still there (at least in the Mac Mini - Apple has removed the IR receiver from the latest MacBook models).
While Front Row has been discontinued (I was part of the early adopters too), the Mac Mini still has the IR receiver. You simply need to choose a piece of software to handle your library and playback. Plex is an option (my favourite because it allows me to access my library from anywhere) but there are others.
The Apple Remote PUC works and allows to control the MacMini with the Beo4. There is a separate thread on the "how-to" with some open questions. But most things work.
http://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/t/12332.aspx
Aussie Michael:Hi Hiort, Is that MKV Blu Ray rips or DVD rips? I am ripping Blu Rays in MKV ahead of my future TV purchase and would like to know if they work well :-)
@millemissen
i am using an i7 processor.
but...
thankfully the beosystem 4 plays nearly every file format by itself.
only less than 0,1 per cent of my files (about 40.000 - video,music,picture) need a transcoding.
in mezzmo you can do it in advance automaticly, only if the file is needed or switch off transcoding at all. the transcoded files will stay available for later use.
therefor a normal nas will be ok to.
@ millemissen
i use an i7 processor quad core.
fortunately beosystem 4 playes nearly every fileformat i use.
only 0,1 per cent of my files (about 40000 - video, music, picture) need to be transcoded.
in mezzmo you can transcode those files in advance, if they are needed or stwitch transcoding off. the transcoded one will be used automaticly when needed later.
a normal nas will to the job as well.
i tested a lot of media streaming servers. this one does the best job for me. it has own profiles for the different players (tv, android, aplle.....) which decide what has to be transcoded or not.
it uses the internet databases to display all infos about my films or cds automaticly, and i can custmize the menu for the tv as i like.