Channels & viewing

[oobleck]

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

[renojim]

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]

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

[atc98092 · Accepted solution]

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]

 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.