Emby server seems unclear what's actually connected to it

[darkassassin07 652]

I have noticed lately when viewing the server dashboard, sometimes 'active devices' lists 5-6 devices with some last seen days ago (2,5,6 days) , while others are more reasonable like '10 minutes ago'.

Then 15 min later I'll go look at the dash again (using the same device/client) and this time it will only show 2 or 3 devices all last seen within the last hour. Another refresh a few min later and I'll see devices last seen days ago again. It seems to be somewhat random.

 

 

 

On top of that, when I click the cast icon on any client, the list of clients available to cast too includes those devices that haven't been seen in days. It also always includes two dlna devices: my xbox one, and my sisters google home mini. Those two devices are usually off or unplugged however I don't think I've ever not seen them listed in the cast-to list.

You can connect to them and begin playback while the device is off but playback never actually starts (from the point of view of the device your casting from; the cast icon is filled, and the player controls either dont show up, or show up and stay at 0:00 when you try to start something)

[Luke 42081]

 

 

On top of that, when I click the cast icon on any client, the list of clients available to cast too includes those devices that haven't been seen in days. 

 

That's because we have push notification capabilities, which means we can send a remote control command to the app even if the app isn't running. So for example, you can play media that way.

 

Now before you go try this, we're not fully there yet, but that eventual capability is the reason why they will pretty much always stay in the list. But they shouldn't be in active devices.

[darkassassin07 652]

That makes sense. I feel like it could be a little more diligent about figuring out which devices the server can actually reach (especially a dlna device that hasn't been on in days), but it's a developing feature so there's bound to be some kinks to work out

[Luke 42081]

That's the only downside of using push notifications, is that we don't know if it can actually be reached at that time. Like if you turn your phone off for example.

 

The main use case would be a device hooked up to a TV. You come home and you can send content to the app on the tv without having to worry about opening the app first.