MonkeySqueeze V3.3

[Gingernut63]

@fastnbulbous

Yes there should be no problems playing your MediaMonkey playlists, I do it all the time.

A little concerned about cancelling the db errors and still carrying through with the install, it may have ramifications for the operation of MonkeySqueeze amongst other things.

Anyway, just to confirm the operation of the system, it works like this. MonkeySqueeze enables MediaMonkey to play music on the Squeezebox system. With MonkeySqueeze enabled when you start playing music in MediaMonkey, the Squeezebox system will play the same music.

Steps to follow
1. I would uninstall MediaMonkey and reinstall by right clicking on the exe file and selecting "Run as administrator"
2. Reinstall MonkeySqueeze by running MediaMonkey in Administrator mode
3. Re-enter details in the MonkeySqueeze options page

Check the following:
1. Make sure MonkeySqueeze is enabled. Button on the main toolbar menu; turquoise for enabled, red for disabled
2. There should be no information entered in the "Logitech Media Server on a NAS using Linux" section. No boxes checked, no music library addresses
3. The Squeezebox device that you are linking to (The one with MAC address on the Options page) must be selected in "Choose Player" drop down box (top right corner) of the LMS web page, otherwise no music will play on the Squeezebox system
4. Double check all settings on the option page against the info on the LMS web page > Settings > Information tab

Try all that, and if no further success then post back.

Cheers
Gingernut63

[Gingernut63]

The latest Beta release is available for testing on the MonkeySqueeze Development forum. Improvement in playlist sync between MM and LMS!

Last Page: http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewto ... 19&t=59907

Gingernut63

[Gingernut63]

Some very nice feedback on the Squeezebox Forums.

nicolas75: I just tried MonkeySqueeze 2.0 with MediaMonkey 4 and LMS 7.7.0
It is just GREAT to say the least ...
Very easy to install and configure within a few minutes, you can still use LMS the normal way if you feel like it, and MediaMonkey make things so much simpler for basic use.

Probably the biggest and best software improvement I have seen in the last 4 years for my squeezebox ...

It is really more than worth a try.

Source: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthrea ... 32&page=13

[fastnbulbous]

Thanks. Before I tried reinstalling, it started working with Playlists. Sometimes it just takes a half a minute to start playing on Squeezebox. I did notice in this mode, I'm unable to stop the music using my SB remote. Is that right?

Regarding synching, the guide says to use Squeezeplay control. The whole reason I'm trying this is I thought SB stopped supporting Squeezeplay a couple years ago. I used to happily use Squeezeplay, until it stopped working with the newer versions.

[Gingernut63]

Thanks. Before I tried reinstalling, it started working with Playlists. Sometimes it just takes a half a minute to start playing on Squeezebox. I did notice in this mode, I'm unable to stop the music using my SB remote. Is that right?

Regarding synching, the guide says to use Squeezeplay control. The whole reason I'm trying this is I thought SB stopped supporting Squeezeplay a couple years ago. I used to happily use Squeezeplay, until it stopped working with the newer versions.

The SB remote will not work with MediaMonkey/MonkeySqueeze. There are 3rd party apps that turn your phone into a remote. MonkeyTunes is one that works with MediaMonkey via WiFi.

Half a minute is a long time, you must have an older PC. Don't know how successful V2.0 will be for you. It might be worth using the latest beta on the development site as it has playlist sync. It will avoid a new track starting before the current track finishes. See how you go, the option is there. Ah, just a thought, re-installing MM may help with the large lag.

There is no music sync between MediaMonkey and Squeezebox at the moment. If required you can sync by installing SqueezePlay on the same PC, mute MM, then sync SqueezePlay to the current SB device. The current beta of SqueezePlay works very well with LMS, I use it quite a bit and have never had a problem. Try the link in the user guide.

Always available if required
Gingernut63

[Gingernut63]

NAS Settings Updated

The NAS settings have been updated and are now placed in the first post of this topic. For further updates I'll post in this forum and tweet on twitter.

If you want the latest info on MonkeySqueeze then the quickest way is to follow us on twitter. The link is in my signature.

Cheers
Gingernut63

[Gingernut63]

I have provided the following information to a MonkeySqueezer, others may find it useful.

Connecting to more than one Squeezbox Player

1. Make sure you have at least two SB devices you wish to sync (Touch, Boom, Duet, Radio, SqueezePlay (software device)) powered on and connected to the server

2. Go to the LMS web page, click on the Choose Player drop down box (top right corner) and select the SB device you entered on the MonkeySqueeze Options page (MAC Address)

3. Go Settings > Player > (Select Player) > Synchronize > Maintain Synchronization and select Maintain Synchronization while playing. Do this for all Players (devices)

4. On the LMS web page go, click on the Choose Player drop down box and select Synchronize. A popup will appear. Select the setting with all the players and then press Synchronize. All players will play the same music

5. If required, go Settings > Player > (Select Player) > Synchronize and adjust the settings to fine tune the sync so there is no echo

If you wish to synchronize the music playback on the PC where MediaMonkey is Installed, you can install a Squeezebox software player such as SqueezePlay on the same PC, and mute the volume on MediaMonkey. Then use the synchronise function in LMS to sync between the devices. Synchronising between hardware and software players is not as precise as between hardware players, however the results are acceptable. See the following wiki for more information - http://wiki.slimdevices.com/index.php/Synchronization

[Gingernut63]

MonkeySqueeze V3.0 has been released!

It is suggested that MonkeySqueezers read the fully revised and expanded user guide to understand the changes to the functionality of MonkeySqueeze that have occured in this release.

Big thanks to Katteman for all the programming he has done, especially playlist synchronisation between MediaMonkey and the Squeezebox system.

Download: http://www.mediamonkey.com/addons/brows ... eysqueeze/

Looking forward to the feedback.

Cheers
Gingernut63

[Gingernut63]

The reasoning behind MonkeySqueeze V3

The greatest issues prior to the release of MonkeySqueeze V3 were MonkeySqueeze sending one track at a time to Squeezebox and the buffering (loading) of tracks in LMS/Squeezebox. Couple that with inherent communications delay between the software, and MonkeySqueezers found that sometimes new tracks would start before the previous track had finished and there could be large delays between tracks. If you had an up-to-date PC then these issues wouldn't be too noticeable; however on slower PCs the issues were magnified.

Enter MonkeySqueeze V3. It doesn't send one track at a time from the MediaMonkey Now Playing window, it now sends all the tracks in the Now Playing window (a playlist) prior to play. Now the Squeezebox system can start buffering the next track while the current track plays. This does a number of things. Tracks will play in their entirety and there is no added delay between tracks. The last point is especially important when there is no delay between tracks on an album, such as some classical, live or progressive rock albums (e.g. Pink Floyd). Tracks can also be added to the now playing window in MediaMonkey and they will then be added to the Squeezebox playlist while music is playing. Also, if you change the position of a track in MediaMonkey it will update the position in Squeezebox.

The only downside is the load time at the beginning; the larger the playlist (album or individual tracks) in MediaMonkey, the longer the load time. Katteman and I believe the benefits of this approach far outweigh the negatives, however MonkeySqueezers may not agree, time will tell.

I use the term "playlist" for the current tracks in the now playing window of MediaMonkey, which can be an album or individual tracks. I did debated whether to use the term or not but in the end I believe it best describes the list of songs that will be played.

In hindsight I should have placed this explanation in the user guide but "that's life". I'm certainly interested in feedback on V3 from MonkeySqueezers however they should use it for a time to become familiar with its operation. I'm sure they will find it an improvement. MonkeySqueeze V2 is still available on the Addons site for anyone who doesn't like the operation of V3.

Cheers
Gingernut63

Note: This was a originally posted as a reply on the slimserver forums.

[dmtoddma]

I need to configure MonkeySqueeze for a Linux server, but I cannot get to the linux-specific part of the options page. The heading for that section appears at the bottom of the window, but I can't see any way to resize or scroll the windows.

David

[Gingernut63]

I need to configure MonkeySqueeze for a Linux server, but I cannot get to the linux-specific part of the options page. The heading for that section appears at the bottom of the window, but I can't see any way to resize or scroll the windows.

David

G'day. Sounds like you are using MediaMonkey 3. MonkeySqueeze is designed to work with MediaMonkey 4 and above, which offers the ability to resize the options page. This is explained in the included User Guide (link at top of the Options page).

Go to the MediaMonkey home page for the download link to the latest version 4.

Cheers
Gingernut63

[Guest]

cheers!

just love your addon, nice scripting!
this is exactely what I was looking for!

took me 30 minutes to configure because in media monkey I could not see the bottom part of the options window, so I had to edit the mm config file itself - but it was worth every second.

keep up the good work!

[Gingernut63]

cheers!

just love your addon, nice scripting!
this is exactely what I was looking for!

Thank you for the positive feedback. I'm sure all the MS script writers appreciated the comments, I do.

took me 30 minutes to configure because in media monkey I could not see the bottom part of the options window, so I had to edit the mm config file itself - but it was worth every second.

You must be using MediaMonkey v3, try v4 as the options page is re-sizable and other bugs are fixed.

Cheers
Gingernut63

[royalsolo]

Thank you for the positive feedback. I'm sure all the MS script writers appreciated the comments, I do.

My pleasure!

You must be using MediaMonkey v3, try v4 as the options page is re-sizable and other bugs are fixed.

Right, I got MM 3.x Gold and so I didnt´t upgrade yet. But it sounds like I have to...

Cheers
royalsolo

[Gingernut63]

MonkeySqueeze works with Vortexbox 2.0 running LMS 7.7.1. Settings on the first page of this topic. Vortexbox is treated the same as any NAS device running Linux. Presumably it should work with any version of Vortexbox as long as LMS (Squeezebox Server) is 7.5.1 or above.

Development of MonkeySqueeze will resume in the coming months. The team (that's me at the moment) are having a break. Hopefully Katteman will be refreshed and willing to rejoin for another go as well. Remember if you want to contribute, just post here or in the development forum at any time.

Cheers
Gingernut63