Forum Discussion

oobleck's avatar
oobleck
Channel Surfer
3 years ago
Solved

Alternative to Roku Media Player?

I've recently started using Roku Media Player to stream music from a UPnP server built into my router.  This works OK but RMP is somewhat lacking in features.  For instance, it would be nice to see the time elapsed and remaining in the current track.  Are there any other channels that can connect directly to the UPnP server without having to run something like Plex on another computer? 

-- oobleck

 

  • atc98092's avatar
    atc98092
    3 years ago

    I only know of one other functional DLNA player for Roku devices (other than RMP), and that is Chaneru. However, I don't think development has continued with it. I do know that when I was using it before RMP was released, it was extremely slow to use. I don't think it has much improvement in the video playback. Chaneru also offers its own server product, so perhaps it works better with that. Plex and Emby player channels cannot connect to DLNA servers, only their own server products (their servers do offer a DLNA output, but the players won't see the DLNA side). 

    That said, RMP does show time elapsed and time remaining if you pause the playback. I tested this with both video and music. Yeah, not convenient to pause playback to see those numbers. But they are there. 

    Of course, RMP hasn't received any real updates in close to two years, so no idea what Roku is doing with it now. Hopefully they will put a developer in charge of it that cares about how it works. 

    EDIT: I just reinstalled Chaneru and at least on my Ultra 4800 the channel won't even load. As I mentioned, I don't think development has continued with this channel, so RMP may be the only channel option left for DLNA playback.

  • atc98092's avatar
    atc98092
    Community Streaming Expert
    3 years ago

    I only know of one other functional DLNA player for Roku devices (other than RMP), and that is Chaneru. However, I don't think development has continued with it. I do know that when I was using it before RMP was released, it was extremely slow to use. I don't think it has much improvement in the video playback. Chaneru also offers its own server product, so perhaps it works better with that. Plex and Emby player channels cannot connect to DLNA servers, only their own server products (their servers do offer a DLNA output, but the players won't see the DLNA side). 

    That said, RMP does show time elapsed and time remaining if you pause the playback. I tested this with both video and music. Yeah, not convenient to pause playback to see those numbers. But they are there. 

    Of course, RMP hasn't received any real updates in close to two years, so no idea what Roku is doing with it now. Hopefully they will put a developer in charge of it that cares about how it works. 

    EDIT: I just reinstalled Chaneru and at least on my Ultra 4800 the channel won't even load. As I mentioned, I don't think development has continued with this channel, so RMP may be the only channel option left for DLNA playback.

    • oobleck's avatar
      oobleck
      Channel Surfer
      3 years ago

       Thanks for the suggestion.  I installed Chaneru, but all it does is show a splash screen and return to the home screen.  Not a big surprise that an 8-year-old app doesn't work.  I'm sure I'll get used to RMP eventually.

      • qp2's avatar
        qp2
        Binge Watcher
        2 years ago

        Thanks for the info. I have a SSD containing my movies connected to the back of my Roku streambar via USB and use the RMP to access it. Seeing as I have over 700 films the RMP is torturous, but I really don't want to have another computer running 24/7 just to access my film library. Always open to suggestions here.

  • renojim's avatar
    renojim
    Community Streaming Expert
    3 years ago

    Try the Plex or Emby channel/app.  I believe both can find and use DLNA servers which your router may be using (or may be compatible with) for it's UPnP server.

    • oobleck's avatar
      oobleck
      Channel Surfer
      3 years ago

      I've used Emby, but if I'm not mistaken it requires the Emby server running on a PC to take content from the DLNA server and send it to the Emby Roku channel.  Plex seems to work the same way.  I'd like to avoid having to run a PC just to stream music.  RMP can directly access a DLNA server, so I was hoping there were other channels that could do the same thing.

      -- oobleck

  • TVCCS's avatar
    TVCCS
    Newbie
    2 years ago

    For those who come across this thread there is an alternative app now available on Roku for media playback - Shelby USB Media Player.  I recently installed a Hisense 58 inch Roku TV that couldn't properly play 4K test video files via the Roku Media Player, especially the one from Immersive Audio used to test 4K Dolby Atmos Files.  The Shelby Player is able to play that file back successfully without stops and gaps - I'm assuming it's either got better development or a more recent CODEC stack, but it helps. 

    • atc98092's avatar
      atc98092
      Community Streaming Expert
      2 years ago

      Shelby USB Media Player only has two reviews, but both place it pretty low. Perhaps they've made improvements to it, so it would make a good alternative for USB playback. But it doesn't help those who want to stream from a DLNA server. Right now, RMP is the only option available. Of course, searching the channel store for DLNA doesn't even find RMP, so perhaps there's another channel hidden in there that will also play media from a DLNA server. Chaneru doesn't count, because it hasn't been updated for even longer than RMP.  

      • TRB2's avatar
        TRB2
        Newbie
        2 years ago

        I set up a KODLIX N40 Mini PC I bought from Amazon for $130 in the closet where my router lives. I added a 20TB hard drive in an Inateck 3.5 Inch HDD Enclosure. I moved all of my media (movies, videos and music) to the HD. I installed the Plex Media Server on the Mini PC and created different libraries to categorize the media. I use the Plex Media Player on 3 different Rokus in the house. They all work extremely well. You can also use the Roku Media Player with the Plex Media Server. The Plex Media Player doesn't have the greatest UI, but its not bad once you get used to it and its way better than the Roku Media Player. Ive been using this setup for well over a year and it is reliable and always works. I'm basically pretty happy with it.

  • MikeOUK's avatar
    MikeOUK
    Reel Rookie
    6 months ago

    The built in media player is terrible.

    You can get a cheap ultra small form factor PC off of ebay for £50-£60 (search for 6500T, you should fine plenty of Dell, Lenovo and HP, make sure it includes the power brick). They only sip about 7-10 watts of power. Install Plex or Jellyfin server on it an have it always on. The Plex and Jellyfin Roku apps work great. I prefer Jellyfin but be aware that the H265 codec is still newish and playback can be iffy; best stick to H264 encoded media.