Emby Blog

Been using it as my MBT remote for ages. Brilliant!

The one (1) thing I really really really would like please with a cherry on top is the ability to restart MediaBrowser as a service from the web client. It is the only time I have to use something other than the dashboard.

 

Closely related, having MediaBrowser not automatically start after an update if the "Run server at startup" checkbox is not checked ('cause I am using the service) would be an added bonus. Or how about just kicking off the service.

The web client is fantastic. I use it almost exclusively from a variety of android devices both at home and while traveling. Great work!

The one (1) thing I really really really would like please with a cherry on top is the ability to restart MediaBrowser as a service from the web client. It is the only time I have to use something other than the dashboard.

 

Closely related, having MediaBrowser not automatically start after an update if the "Run server at startup" checkbox is not checked ('cause I am using the service) would be an added bonus. Or how about just kicking off the service.

The first one would require a second 'helper' service, because a service cannot just restart itself.  I believe they said they'd look into it at some point, but it's very low priority at the moment.

The first one would require a second 'helper' service, because a service cannot just restart itself.  I believe they said they'd look into it at some point, but it's very low priority at the moment.

 

Thx for that info.

 

I move to have it moved up in priority.

Glad you posted this. I never really thought about using the server like this. Makes good sense - especially since you have allowed so much customization per a user.

I use it on my iPad all the time, The only thing it needs would be navigation buttons. When the website is send to the startscreen it just behaves like an app without the safari interface, so there are no navigation buttons.

Great post. I currently use more the android app but the Web Client is more complete...

Have a question. As my ISP blocks 80 port I have an iframe redirection to reach MB server.

That is: instead of using http://serverurl:8096 there is a redirection page which contains an iframe that invokes the 8096 port.

Problem is: when accessed throughout mobile android browser it will show desktop behavior.

Only accessing directly on 8096 port I get the mobile lookandfeel.

 

Is there any code I could include on the landing page which has the iframe to make the server understand it is a mobile browser?

I have used it since conception, far easier and more reliable than the android app. If there is one criticism sometimes there are too many clicks to play a song or something but always loved it. Does it work better on any other browser than chrome?

Yep, been using it on my Android tablet for managing metadata for a while and sometimes to start the next show. My only complaint is that it's tough (with Chrome at least, not sure about others) to get the folders to expand with a touch screen. Most of the time the focus just goes to the folder you clicked on in the metadata manager, not the little tiny, tiny arrow that is the only way to expand it. If the folders auto expanded when you clicked on one that would be a huge improvement.

How do you access to the Web Client from a portable device ?

It doesn't work with the address I use on my PC

I use it on my ipad all the time to manage my media. The only thing it's missing is the hover over function that you get on the desktop.

 

However i don't use it for watching media as i find the ui is just not optimised for that. There is too many clicks to get to your media and the navigation is slow with too much scrolling needed. The ipad app is much better optimised for viewing and playing media and the player is much slicker.

 

That's not a critisism i just think they serve 2 different functions.

How do you access to the Web Client from a portable device ?

It doesn't work with the address I use on my PC

You may need to use your external IP address, the link is on the dashboard, if you can see in the pic my address bar has my internal IP but the dashboard has my external IP. You may also need to allow that port through your router and firewall. There are guides to this in these forums. Hope this helps.

 

I love using the web client / dashboard since it was first made available. The peace of mind that I can manage everything from my iPad when I'm on the road (including playing a movie to my kid's TV) while they wait for me to get home is brilliant! Also the ability to manage my library even when I'm away from home is killer. Great stuff indeed.



The first one would require a second 'helper' service, because a service cannot just restart itself.  I believe they said they'd look into it at some point, but it's very low priority at the moment.

TASKKILL /F /IM MediaBrowser.ServerApplication.exe 
net start MediaBrowser

I just drop this in a batch file and run it from my desktop as an administrator.

Should be able to add this to the end of the install with little problem...

Though I have been wrong before.

 

Probably am.



Well, up until today, I would have said that I hardly use it as I can't utilize it when I'm at work (which would be the optimal time to use it), however when I tried opening it tonight, it just hangs. I've tried several time and all time I either have to stop the app itself or actually reboot my phone. Is there a new update that I don't know about??

Been using the web client for controlling my Roku from time to time as well as playing back using the awesome MPC-HC remote for Media Browser.

The web client is pretty much the only client I use on my Computers, iPhone and tablets. None of the other clients support all the  features. The only devices I don't use the web client on are the Roku 3's in the house. Have never used it for remote control though. The interface is very awkward in my opinion. I just use the Roku remote as it is quick and simple. No extra buttons.

The web client is pretty much the only client I use on my Computers, iPhone and tablets. None of the other clients support all the  features. The only devices I don't use the web client on are the Roku 3's in the house. Have never used it for remote control though. The interface is very awkward in my opinion. I just use the Roku remote as it is quick and simple. No extra buttons.

 

The web client is great. However as I understand it, if you play directly from it, there will be transcoding, while the other clients can play most or all content natively. So playing from the web client may give you quality issues and use more CPU.

It seems I can't use the web client since I created my account via Twitter?

Hmmm, so nice, too bad I have a HTPC in my living room with BT mouse and keyboard. Can do everything I need there

But yeah, i can see the potential in it.

The web client is great. However as I understand it, if you play directly from it, there will be transcoding, while the other clients can play most or all content natively. So playing from the web client may give you quality issues and use more CPU.

 

I haven't really noticed a quality difference. In fact the Web Client plays most videos better than Mediabrowser Theater. Don't have Windows Media Center installed on any computers so can't use Mediabrowser Classic. The iPhone app stopped working several months ago. The iPad app doesn't work on my version of iOS. The Web Client has a better and easier to use interface than the Android App on my Kindle. Haven't been able to try the Windows 8.1 app as it can't connect to the server.

 

The only videos I really have to worry about transcoding are those above 10,000 Mbps. As that is the highest that the Web Client allows. Even then CPU power is relatively cheap these days so it isn't a big issue. I guess if I was trying to run the server on an ARM/Qualcomm/Atom derivative CPU it would be different but those aren't server capable CPUs.

I haven't really noticed a quality difference. In fact the Web Client plays most videos better than Mediabrowser Theater. Don't have Windows Media Center installed on any computers so can't use Mediabrowser Classic. The iPhone app stopped working several months ago. The iPad app doesn't work on my version of iOS. The Web Client has a better and easier to use interface than the Android App on my Kindle. Haven't been able to try the Windows 8.1 app as it can't connect to the server.

 

The only videos I really have to worry about transcoding are those above 10,000 Mbps. As that is the highest that the Web Client allows. Even then CPU power is relatively cheap these days so it isn't a big issue. I guess if I was trying to run the server on an ARM/Qualcomm/Atom derivative CPU it would be different but those aren't server capable CPUs.

 

Fair dinkum. MBT isn't really ready anyway. MBC has gotten better and better but it is only really useful in Media Center and Media Center is only really useful on HTPCs.

 

If you want to run the Windows 8.1 app on the same machine as the server you must use loopback exemption. Windows 8 has a quirk where it cannot connect to localhost. http://mediabrowser.tv/community/index.php?/topic/9783-initial-setup-of-windows-81-app/

I've been experimenting with the various clients...

Android client on Nexus 5 seems to crash every few minutes.

Windows phone client missing a few features.

Windows 8.1 app on my Windows tablet alright but again missing features - most notably no filters/sorting for content/movies.
(Would much prefer MBT to support touch better for media consumption on a tablet).

 

Clients obviously feel a little snappier than the web interface which is nice, but the inconsistency and missing features a bit of a downer.

 

I've been looking at ditching my wireless keyboard in the lounge and using tablet or phone. But the remote control in all clients, including the web app just don't seem to provide a good enough experience. Various remote control buttons don't work in certain clients? e.g. volume.

My biggest complaint is the difficulty for "fast forwarding or rewinding". Typically might not make out a line and I jump back 5-15 seconds to try hear. Most clients jump forward and back in 5 minute increments... what the?!

This was one thing Windows Media Center did very well, they forward and back were very sensible, intuitive and easy to use. Easy to use them to find a particular position for something you're watching.

Why can't this be configurable?

Some clients also don't let you seek to a particular position on the timeline.

 

I'm not sure using a tablet/phone is a the perfect solution. Thinking that it will be a combination of dedicated RF remote control (my Harmony One doesn't get used primarily cause it's slow, and secondly line of sight), a keyboard tucked away that's used only when needed and using phone/tablet for bits they're good at (queuing media, browsing etc).

I think I've fiddled with all the clients apart from Windows Phone or Roku clients. The only one that feels really full featured is Media Browser Classic. The MBC "pause interface" is especially good.