TODDWDTV wrote:
A few comments / questions / differences:
- I am using windows media server for my UPnP, not TVersity. Since I an only using it for music navication, I dont need any transcoding abilities. If you know of other reasons to use TVersity, let me know. That however is a seperate subject.
- Help me out with “Master Browser” status? This term exceeds my knowledge of network sharing. Is this something my VIsta machine should have set up?
- One of your comments reminds me of a thread I read a thread about these netowrking issues when I first encountered them. It was saying there due to the way the WDTV worked when you got locked out like this if you booted the WDTV FIRST and then the PC, ti would correct itself. This did actually work for me the few times I tried it, but I was very frustrated because it is completely impractical. Eventually I got things working for a week (as stated) and thought I was past the problem. I guess until I saw your comment about yours only working if the PC goes first (as it shoudl be) I forgot about this. I honestly haven’t tried it since my problem resurfaced. However, needing to boot the WDTV before the PC is rediculous. I would really have to dig to find the thread again and am not at my home PC for a few days (where I should have the link stored).
What UsserID are you using to access your shares? Guest account or a seperate ID? Password or no password?
The userID the WDTV uses to access my network shares is the same userID I use to sign in to Windows (the main account with adminstrator access). I simply wanted it to work ASAP and that was the quickest way I could think of. Creating a unique account for the Live sounds like an elegant solution but I’m not an elegant person. ;)
I actually use TVersity with transcoding disabled. The reason being that windows media server wouldn’t play nicely with MKV files (or any other format that WMP doesn’t recognise). If you’re only interested in streaming MP3s, that probably won’t affect you. TVersity simply organises and serves my files in their original format, letting the Live do the decoding. I also use TVersity to stream ShoutCast radio. If I had a better internet connection I’d likely buy the Pro version and stream Hulu videos too.
When using network shares, the devices communicate via SMB / SAMBA. In a network like that, one machine must act as local master browser , keeping record of all attached PCs / devices on the network. There are differing opinions on whether it’s a factor but, in some situations, if the WDTV Live acts as master browser due to being powered on first, the windows share PC might not announce itself on the network for an indeterminate period of time (some claim up to 15 minutes). As Mike has pointed out in other threads, Windows Vista / 7 has default settings for master browser election that in general should work fine.
Regardless, that should have no effect on your media server (UPnP) connection.
My experience regarding what device should be powered on first is that the PC or device with network shares should always be powered on before the WDTV. Certainly it appears to be critical for network share connections in my network. Have to add that disclaimer; YMMV.
Again, UPnP media server connections don’t seem to care as much about what device was switched on first. I’ve been able to stream 2hr HD movies via media server when the network share was not visible. I pretty much use TVersity as the fallback for those rare occasions when my PC decides it needs some “me” time. ;)
