B&O app has no DLNA music search function?

I really enjoy using the functionality in the Bang & Olufsen  app to add/remove speakers in the multiroom setup.

I use Kodi as a DLNA server. The B&O app can stream music from Kodi but as far as I can tell there is no possibility to search for specific albums or artist. I have to manually swipe through the entire library in order to find what I want to hear. Pretty exhausting if you like I have a pretty extensive music library and often listens to artists that starts with 'W' or similar...

I know it is possible to make a playlist but I really miss the search functionality.

If I for example use VLC for Android to stream from Kodi there is an excellent search funtion. The catch in this case is that VLC uses Chromecast which disables the possibility to add/remove specific speakers on the go.

Can it really be true that B&O has not made a search function when streaming music from a DLNA server? Or is it just a thing with Kodi and B&O?

It is true - and you are not the first one to complain about this.

MM

Indeed, and I wouldn't expect B&O to ever address this shortcoming.

One of the reasons I now use Roon.

Sandyb:

Indeed, and I wouldn't expect B&O to ever address this shortcoming.

One of the reasons I now use Roon.

Unless, they integrate the moment functionality into the app? The moment has an indexed searched function.

steve1977:

Unless, they integrate the moment functionality into the app? The moment has an indexed searched function.

I have long dreamed of this.  They already spent so much money developing the technology for the Moment.  With that device not discontinued, it should be ported to the B&O app.  (I will keep running my Moments as long as B&O keeps teh back end running, but I would love to add the moodwheel functionality to the control of my other B&O devices.)

@tiktak

Some users have suggested to organize your library (in the server) in blocks e.g. from A - D etc.

This would afford two klicks, but you would have less scrolling in each block for what you aim at.

Definitely not a solution, but a workaround, that might help some.

MM

Another workaround is to use a DLNA server that exposed indexed view such as Minimserver

 

 

On the app side, the only alternative B&O have is to integrate DLNA client side of one or more major actors on this front such a Roon, Plex, etc, like they have done with Deezer.

 

 

Including DLNA indexing within the B&O app itself would require lot of CPU cycle, storage and wide backend compatibility, remember Glider. They are not ready for that and we as customers are not ready to have Moment like processing on our mobiles.

 

 

IMHO as always

mbolo01:

Another workaround is to use a DLNA server that exposed indexed view such as Minimserver

On the app side, the only alternative B&O have is to integrate DLNA client side of one or more major actors on this front such a Roon, Plex, etc, like they have done with Deezer.

Including DLNA indexing I the app itself would require lot of CPU cycle, storage and wide backend compatibility, remember Glider. They are not ready for that and we as customers are not ready to have Moment like processing on our mobiles.

IMHO as always

Totally agree!

 

And will everybody be happy with the way the Moment handles ones collection or Roon, or Plex or.........

Shortly after B&o would introduce it, there will be a hugh discussion over here, because B&o solution isn't theirs.  

See how the Beoliving solution, including the search, (not) works. Only the search function makes your collection accessable. Browsing is almost impossible (try to go to an item starting with a "z" for example).

 

Now there is freedom of choice. I tweaked Minimserver and can find/access my music quite easyly. Others can use Twonky or Kodi or Plex or........... to their wishes.

 

I also recall that B&O once said something like only 5% of the app users use DLNA streaming.  The very large majority stream from an online service, Chromecast or airplay. Statistics like these tend to influence development priorities away from enhancing DLNA capabilities.  One could argue that few use it because it is annoying to use, but it is difficult to overcome hard numbers.

Stan:

I also recall that B&O once said something like only 5% of the app users use DLNA streaming.  The very large majority stream from an online service, Chromecast or airplay. Statistics like these tend to influence development priorities away from enhancing DLNA capabilities.  One could argue that few use it because it is annoying to use, but it is difficult to overcome hard numbers.

And even if they made some kind of solution to this, these 5% would probably preper things like Roon anyway.

MM

Stan:

I also recall that B&O once said something like only 5% of the app users use DLNA streaming.  The very large majority stream from an online service, Chromecast or airplay. Statistics like these tend to influence development priorities away from enhancing DLNA capabilities.  One could argue that few use it because it is annoying to use, but it is difficult to overcome hard numbers.

And even if they made some kind of solution to this, these 5% would probably prefer things like Roon anyway.

MM

Wow. I am taken back by how many has taken the time to reply to my post. Thank you very much.

 

I am puzzled and surprised that B&O has not implemented a simple search function in users DLNA library. I am no software engineer but I assume it can't be rocket science. VLC for Android has an excellent and quick search function for DLNA music servers.

 

I will try creating a ticket at B&O support for implementing a search function like they did for Moment. But I will not hold my breath.

 

Again thank you guys. You are awesome!

 

Best regards

Another thought about why to include a better DLNA integration.

What I’m afraid of is that we face similar issues again as we saw with Spotify in the past by only focusing on online sources with its own proprietary protocols.

By using proprietary protocols/services we never know when the company behind it decide to change, replace or even shut it down.

With open standard as DLNA we know that things using that will continue to work and be able to communicate with each other, that is not a thing B&O can guarantee with other protocols and should have learned by experience...

Perhaps software developer doesn’t think it so ‘sexy’ to develop code for an older standard as DLNA.

I would say that DLNA is the most environmental friendly protocol to include by companies. This since it’s integrated in so many existing equipments that can be reused without any upgrade and we know it will last.