Emby Theater 3.0.20 hang on Splash Screan

[anacondo 4]

56 minutes ago, Luke said:

 Hi guys, sorry the fix got reverted somehow. It's on it's way up again. Apologies for the disruption. Thanks.

what fix? what are we supposed to do to make this work?

[Volodesi 11]

1 minute ago, padanagua said:

Thanx Luke !

It will work upon your second launch Volodesi.

Well. It wasn't my second launch. But it did eventually work. Launched it a few times and it didn't work. So I just waited a bit and it seems fine now.

[anacondo 4]

I can confirm it's working for me as well, thanks everyone. Is there anything we can do from our side to prevent this from happening again? I'd like to at least know what the problem was.

[Happy2Play 9780]

I couldn't get it to do anything relaunching it multiple times so I uninstalled clearing everything and got the zip from GitHub and relaunched it as was able to connect to my https server.

Release 3.0.20 · MediaBrowser/emby-theater-windows

But with some searching the setup.exe is here and should be able to just rerun the installer.

 

[Lessaj 467]

I had to relaunch a couple times on Linux when I noticed it working on Windows but all good on my end now for both OS. I never reinstalled anything.

[padanagua 1]

26 minutes ago, anacondo said:

what fix? what are we supposed to do to make this work?

Relaunch Emby Theater!

[mcflyator 0]

It works again. Well done 

[TheLaceySods 3]

Alls good now

[Blackdixxa 4]

Hello, 
Thanks for the fix .
I had to clear the DNS cache of all my computers for it to work correctly
on my arch : 
sudo systemctl restart systemd-resolved.service   

and on windows: 
ipconfig /flushdns

[Theodore 136]

Seems to be working for me again as well but I guess the real test will be tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed and thanks for getting on this right away!

[scottpro 10]

It appears the problem has been resolved.  I was able to launch ET (the non Windows Store version) successfully. 

I now have one question.  It looks like ET can't run unless it is connected to the internet.  Is it possible to run ET locally without a internet connection?

The reason why I ask this is because I was stung in the past with the Zappiti setup (player/server).  Some time ago their cloud service was hacked and was down for days which prevented all users from using their local players with local Zappiti servers.  That didn't go over well with all their users.  I just don't want to have that happen again especially in a local system setup.

[raymondjpg 16]

3 hours ago, anacondo said:

Is there anything we can do from our side to prevent this from happening again? I'd like to at least know what the problem was.

I'd like to know too. As others have pointed out, this version, for various reasons, is preferred over that from the Microsoft Store.

Regards

[Jdiesel 1431]

You could start a thread to track the missing features like there is for the new Android app. Granted that was a three year process to get close to parity but things are starting to look much better.

Specific, tangible examples that explain what the difference between the old version and the new version is with an explanation on why you prefer it is the best way to get attention from the devs. Just saying I prefer the old version isn't that helpful.

[raymondjpg 16]

2 minutes ago, Jdiesel said:

Just saying I prefer the old version isn't that helpful.

I'm on record recently as having said that a version of Theater without the ability to use an external player is of no use to me. I'm also on record, some time ago, giving the reasons for that. Emby responded by providing a version that was able to use an external player for both video files and live TV. for which I'm eternally grateful.

I haven't used the Store version so don't know what else might be less desirable compared with this version, but looking at what people have posted from page one of this thread there are other reasons laid out.

[Luke 42077]

They really are the same except that the store version doesn't have external players yet, and the desktop app doesn't have the download feature.

If anyone has the impression that the user interface is different, they are not different. Most likely the difference is caused by comparing one in TV display mode to the other not being in TV display mode.

[Theodore 136]

1 hour ago, Luke said:

They really are the same except that the store version doesn't have external players yet, and the desktop app doesn't have the download feature.

If anyone has the impression that the user interface is different, they are not different. Most likely the difference is caused by comparing one in TV display mode to the other not being in TV display mode.

From my perspective this is NOT the case. It isn't about display modes or anything like that, the 2 issues I have are that the MS store version does not have the ability to launch in to frameless full screen (aka Kiosk mode) and it does not have a picture slideshow screensaver (based on my picture library). Get both of these - and the pause-to-stop timeout really needs to be a LOT longer (like 30 minutes plus, not less than 2 minutes like now) - and I wouldn't give a damn about store vs Theater (except I can't/won't go to Win11 for now so 10 still needs to be supported for a while).

[Landoman 20]

14 hours ago, Luke said:

 Hi guys, sorry the fix got reverted somehow. It's on it's way up again. Apologies for the disruption. Thanks.

What was the cause of this outage for many users?

[looking111 30]

Reinstalled ET (DEB package from here), removed the whole configuration under "/home/$USER/.config/Emby Theater", rebootet Emby Server, Emby server is found automatically, re-logged in. But playback is not yet possible.

I get these strange messages on the CMD from Emby Theater on the Linuxclients. Does this refer to the server or to the client?

fs access result for path: Error: ENOENT: no such file or directory, access '\\data.tux.lan\Videos\Fantasy\some-movie.mp4'
fs access result for path: Error: ENOENT: no such file or directory, access '/home/Movies1/MUSICVideos/Metal/some-video.mp4'

The first path is nonsense, it doesn't exist in this form under Linux. The second is correct and is also present on the server, they are all SAMBA amounts. In any case, it works normally with the WebUI.

On the serverlog i get this on the same time: 

2025-04-06 12:38:57.754 Info MediaInfoService-0HNBKHJPBPG5E:0000000D: http/1.1 POST http://‌‍‍192.168.1.6‌:8096/emby/Items/12348237/PlaybackInfo?UserId=eb2d11c9828b40ff9c4c6fe31676f948&StartTimeTicks=0&IsPlayback=true&AutoOpenLiveStream=true&AudioStreamIndex=1&MediaSourceId=mediasource_12348237&MaxStreamingBitrate=200000000&X-Emby-Client=Emby Theater&X-Emby-Device-Name=clientpc-peter&X-Emby-Device-Id=clientpc-peter&X-Emby-Client-Version=3.0.21&X-Emby-Token=‌c255686ec74938p8a685cbec281fd16f‌&X-Emby-Language=de&reqformat=json. Source Ip: ‌‍‍192.168.1.7‌, UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Linux x86_64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) EmbyTheater/3.0.21 Chrome/83.0.4103.122 Electron/9.4.4 Safari/537.36
2025-04-06 12:38:57.754 Info MediaInfoService-0HNBKHJPBPG5F:0000000A: http/1.1 POST http://‌‍‍192.168.1.6‌:8096/emby/Items/12348237/PlaybackInfo?UserId=eb2d11c9828b40ff9c4c6fe31676f948&StartTimeTicks=0&IsPlayback=false&AutoOpenLiveStream=false&MaxStreamingBitrate=200000000&X-Emby-Client=Emby Theater&X-Emby-Device-Name=clientpc-peter&X-Emby-Device-Id=clientpc-peter&X-Emby-Client-Version=3.0.21&X-Emby-Token=‌c255686ec74938p8a685cbec281fd16f‌&X-Emby-Language=de&reqformat=json. Source Ip: ‌‍‍192.168.1.7‌, UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Linux x86_64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) EmbyTheater/3.0.21 Chrome/83.0.4103.122 Electron/9.4.4 Safari/537.36
2025-04-06 12:38:57.757 Info App: User policy for peter. EnablePlaybackRemuxing: True EnableVideoPlaybackTranscoding: True EnableAudioPlaybackTranscoding: True
2025-04-06 12:38:57.757 Info SessionManager: Adding playSession 96ab0fe1b51d413fa7ef48225e689969 to session 2a9333fd9f5efa28d5c56962b9569040
2025-04-06 12:38:57.757 Info MediaInfoService-0HNBKHJPBPG5E:0000000D: http/1.1 Response 200 to ‌‍‍192.168.1.7‌. Time: 3ms. POST http://‌‍‍192.168.1.6‌:8096/emby/Items/12348237/PlaybackInfo?UserId=eb2d11c9828b40ff9c4c6fe31676f948&StartTimeTicks=0&IsPlayback=true&AutoOpenLiveStream=true&AudioStreamIndex=1&MediaSourceId=mediasource_12348237&MaxStreamingBitrate=200000000&X-Emby-Client=Emby Theater&X-Emby-Device-Name=clientpc-peter&X-Emby-Device-Id=clientpc-peter&X-Emby-Client-Version=3.0.21&X-Emby-Token=‌c255686ec74938p8a685cbec281fd16f‌&X-Emby-Language=de&reqformat=json
2025-04-06 12:38:57.757 Info App: User policy for peter. EnablePlaybackRemuxing: True EnableVideoPlaybackTranscoding: True EnableAudioPlaybackTranscoding: True
2025-04-06 12:38:57.757 Info MediaInfoService-0HNBKHJPBPG5F:0000000A: http/1.1 Response 200 to ‌‍‍192.168.1.7‌. Time: 3ms. POST http://‌‍‍192.168.1.6‌:8096/emby/Items/12348237/PlaybackInfo?UserId=eb2d11c9828b40ff9c4c6fe31676f948&StartTimeTicks=0&IsPlayback=false&AutoOpenLiveStream=false&MaxStreamingBitrate=200000000&X-Emby-Client=Emby Theater&X-Emby-Device-Name=clientpc-peter&X-Emby-Device-Id=clientpc-peter&X-Emby-Client-Version=3.0.21&X-Emby-Token=‌c255686ec74938p8a685cbec281fd16f‌&X-Emby-Language=de&reqformat=json

Am I missing a step?

[Andy_Carr 1]

Yeah I've gone back to the Emby theatre on github.  The app on Microsofts app store hangs straight after the splash screen sort it out.  I've paid for a Premiere lifetime access I don't expect these problems.  Post here when you've fixed it. Gutted really liked

Mediabrowser

 

Edited April 6, 2025 by Andy_Carr

[Mazvydas 5]

tldr:
The ET apps are just web interfaces/browsers/tabs/however you want to call it packaged into an application.
A lot of the runtime code is not built into the app, but instead downloaded from Emby servers every time you run the app.
This can and does cause a wide range of issues, such as this issue.

The problem is that the apps use Emby servers to download runtime code.
I don't understand why they chose to do this.
They should/could just load assets from our Emby servers?
Or better yet - bundle them in with the app so the versions stay consistent and not a mix of downloaded code and live streamed runtime code.

As a result without an online connection, or if the Emby server/service goes down, or they introduce a bug in their runtime code - you can't launch ET.

This is why I brought up this post to ask for an AIO version that doesn't need to pull assets from their servers

They could bundle in those runtime assets into the applications directly, or utilize our servers to serve those runtimes.

https://github.com/MediaBrowser/emby-theater-electron/blob/master/main.js#L492

    function getAppBaseUrl() {

        var url = 'https://tv.emby.media';

        //url = 'http://localhost:8088';
        return url;
    }

Due to the bizarre decision of framerate switching without an option to opt out from that feature, the outage due to a bug or something in that streamed runtime code on Emby servers, and other weird decisions - I'm now just using the web interface on my PC.

I'm unsure what has lead the Emby team down this path, but it doesn't inspire me with confidence. I want to lock down server and client versions as I fear similar updates will continue to roll out that are regressions and not actual feature updates.

Edited April 6, 2025 by Mazvydas

[softworkz 5066]

 

Misconceptions - Misconceptions - Misconceptions

Let's clear them up!

 

 

 

On 4/4/2025 at 6:05 PM, Theodore said:

Adding in as others have said, I can use the Windows App but compared to Theater it is a poor imitation. For one, there is no Full Screen/Kiosk when using it on an HTPC setup. There is always the header bar showing title, Minimize, Maximize, and Close even during playback.

On 4/5/2025 at 12:33 AM, Theodore said:

On 4/5/2025 at 12:29 AM, H1000 said:

The way to get into fullscreen without the title bar in the windows store version of emby

Just double click in a empty space when emby has loaded, it goes fullscreen!

Still not happy that I have to use the metro app, its broken a lot of my scripts

That isn't a solution because, as I specifically said, this is an HTPC and you don't login to them or use a mouse to interact with it. 

 

This is not an imitation, it has the same display modes, only that ET was launching in TV mode by default whereas the new Windows app has desktop mode as default.

Change it via: Settings >> Display >> Display Mode

There are three ways to get into full-screen:

• Double-Click somewhere in the top 10% area of the window content
• The full-screen button is always visible at the right top (unless display mode is set to TV)
• Press F11 key

Most importantly: If you exit the app in full-screen mode, it will start in full-screen mode next time!

  

On 4/5/2025 at 9:36 AM, scottpro said:

OK, I installed the Microsoft Store version 2.222.2.0 and it seems to be working fine.  In general the UI looks the same with a new splash screen but the App Settings configuration has a lot of changes.  The install location is now under the Program Files\Windows Apps folder instead of the AppData\Roaming folder.  It also appears that this version doesn't use Electron.

I'll give this version a thorough test drive and see how I like it.

@LukeIs this now the official release of ET or will the original version still be supported (3.0.21.0 and later)?

 

BTW, I'm also using a custom build of the mpv.dll with Dolby TrueHD fixes (pops and skips) which is now located at the root of the EmbyTheater folder.

 

It takes just 20s to get access to those folders. The key is that you need to take ownership first (in Advanced Security) and then you can grant yourself write permission.

 

 

On 4/5/2025 at 10:20 AM, TheLaceySods said:

On 4/5/2025 at 12:33 AM, Theodore said:

That isn't a solution because, as I specifically said, this is an HTPC and you don't login to them or use a mouse to interact with it. 

Agreed, ET creates a very familiar interface for long time users of HTPC's  I don't want to have to pick up any mouse to use or interact with, and it's NOT the 10 ft interface that Bill Gates introduced with WMC, Emby Theatre was perfect.

If this is Embys attempt to force us onto the new version, then it's back to Kodi I go.

See above (first answer). the new Windows app has the same display modes like ET, you just need to switch to TV display mode.

If you like a WMC interface, please check out this: 

https://wmc.emby.media/

 

 

On 4/5/2025 at 10:40 AM, scottpro said:

Well, I knew this was going to be an issue.  Since the Windows Store version of ET installs in the WindowsApp folder it has special TrustedInstaller rights and can't be modified even with administrator rights so copying an updated mpv.dll is not possible.  Not sure what to do at this point.

See above, easily possible to get write access.

 

On 4/5/2025 at 5:04 PM, darkassassin07 said:

On 4/5/2025 at 10:40 AM, scottpro said:

Well, I knew this was going to be an issue.  Since the Windows Store version of ET installs in the WindowsApp folder it has special TrustedInstaller rights and can't be modified even with administrator rights so copying an updated mpv.dll is not possible.  Not sure what to do at this point.

WOW.

I didn't know you couldn't modify apps from the windows store... That's some horseshit that I will never tolerate.

I've hated pretty much every change Microshaft has made since win 11+ and that's pushed me to purge windows from my systems and move to Debian.

 

I tend to just use the web app on PC. If I was forced to use the windows store version, I'd move to Jellyfin first.

 

 The Windows store app is the one that you really want, you just don't know it. Seriously!

 

 

17 hours ago, scottpro said:

It appears the problem has been resolved.  I was able to launch ET (the non Windows Store version) successfully. 

I now have one question.  It looks like ET can't run unless it is connected to the internet.  Is it possible to run ET locally without a internet connection?

The new Windows app doesn't require an internet connection to operate.

 

12 hours ago, Theodore said:

14 hours ago, Luke said:

They really are the same except that the store version doesn't have external players yet, and the desktop app doesn't have the download feature.

If anyone has the impression that the user interface is different, they are not different. Most likely the difference is caused by comparing one in TV display mode to the other not being in TV display mode.

From my perspective this is NOT the case. It isn't about display modes or anything like that, the 2 issues I have are that the MS store version does not have the ability to launch in to frameless full screen (aka Kiosk mode) and it does not have a picture slideshow screensaver (based on my picture library). Get both of these - and the pause-to-stop timeout really needs to be a LOT longer (like 30 minutes plus, not less than 2 minutes like now) - and I wouldn't give a damn about store vs Theater (except I can't/won't go to Win11 for now so 10 still needs to be supported for a while).

The new Windows app _does_ launch in full-screen, you just need to exit it in full-screen mode.

I don't remember why the screensavers are not enabled, will need to check.

 

2 hours ago, Mazvydas said:

tldr:
The ET apps are just web interfaces/browsers/tabs/however you want to call it packaged into an application.
A lot of the runtime code is not built into the app, but instead downloaded from Emby servers every time you run the app.
This can and does cause a wide range of issues, such as this issue.

The problem is that the apps use Emby servers to download runtime code.
I don't understand why they chose to do this.
They should/could just load assets from our Emby servers?
Or better yet - bundle them in with the app so the versions stay consistent and not a mix of downloaded code and live streamed runtime code.

As a result without an online connection, or if the Emby server/service goes down, or they introduce a bug in their runtime code - you can't launch ET.

 

THE MOST IMPORTANT PART

The old Emby Theater loads all of its code from the web.

The new Windows Store app does not load any code from anywhere,. It has everything included in its installation package.

More facts about the new Windows app:

• The only role of the MS Store is that it's the distribution point for the app
• You are not required to login with any account in order to download and install it
• Whether it auto-updates or not is your own decision (MS Store app settings)
• While we do not provide standalone installation packages, it takes just a few minutes on Google to find out how you can download the installation packages for all versions of the Emby Windows app that has been published, and install it manually
• It works fully offline, the only requirement is that it occasionally needs a network connection for Emby Premiere validation like all Emby apps - but in case of the Windows app that's all

 

I know, that "MS Store" sounds like a red herring to many, but if you would really know things down to the last detail, then the new Windows app is what you really want.

Edited April 6, 2025 by softworkz

[anacondo 4]

What we really want is to know what happened, and how to prevent it from happening again, and so far you haven't answered any of that. Instead of trying to push this Windows Store App down our throats (when it's clear some of us prefer the Theater App instead) can you please address our concerns? Thank you!

[softworkz 5066]

3 hours ago, Mazvydas said:

Due to the bizarre decision of framerate switching without an option to opt out from that feature,

The next beta will have an opt-out.

[softworkz 5066]

1 minute ago, anacondo said:

What we really want is to know what happened, and how to prevent it from happening again, and so far you haven't answered any of that. Instead of trying to push this Windows Store App down our throats (when it's clear some of us prefer the Theater App instead) can you please address our concerns? Thank you!

The truth is that I don't know what happened. I've seen this  conversation for the first time about 30min ago.

I just clarified misunderstandings about the new Windows app, because that's something I know very well.

[anacondo 4]

10 minutes ago, softworkz said:

The old Emby Theater loads all of its code from the web.

Is that why Emby Theater takes about 250MB of disk space while the Windows App takes 900MB?

If that is true, how come Theater takes 5s to launch and show my videos while the Windows App takes 20s and everything it needs to launch is available offline? That doesn't make any sense to me, and it's the reason I won't consider the Windows App in its current state.

 

6 minutes ago, softworkz said:

The truth is that I don't know what happened. I've seen this  conversation for the first time about 30min ago.

Fair enough! Looking forward to hearing from someone who actually knows what is going on.