Please also read the Disclaimer

MediaNet Beta v1.5 (last updated 20/03/09 10:10 Release History and Updates)

Current Status: Please see To Do list.

The design philosophy behind MediaNet is to provide a common media server for various types of Media players. It's modular design allows new devices to be added that can instantly take advantage of existing media sources and other functions, it also allows new media sources to be added that are instantly available to all supported devices.

MediaNet consists of a core module (windows service) that loads the other modules depending on configuration

The various modules are grouped as follows (expanded map is at bottom of this page):

• Devices - modules that allow control of media devices (e.g. Rio/DDAR, ExStreamer and SliMP3)
• Sources - modules that provide a media source (e.g. music, streams, pictures and videos etc)
• Interfaces - modules that provide control interfaces (e.g. Web server, xPL/xAP/MyHAP protocol support)
• Helpers - modules that provide common functions (e.g. text-to-speech, media tag reading etc)
• Support - modules that provide common supporting functions (e.g. DHCP, NFS etc)
• Transcoders - modules that provide transcoding functions (e.g. flac, ogg, wav, wmv etc to mp3)

Details of available modules in each category can be obtained by following the links above

The latest install package will always contain the latest version of all modules, though many (including all device modules) will be disabled by default
DO NOT Install this on a PC already running the old xPLMediaNet - un-install this first!

IMPORTANT: If you were an existing xPLMediaNet user who rebranded to MediaNet (rather than doing a fresh install) you will not be able to un-install xPLMediaNet
You MUST stop the service and replace the xPLMediaNet.exe with the one in this zip file, then you can un-install

The update package (last updated 20/03/09, you must already be on v1.2 to install this!) will always contain the latest version of all modules, but none of the configuration files (unless stated otherwise here ) so just unzip into the folder where MediaNet is installed to update the files (ensure service is stopped first though!)

System requirements are Windows NT4, 2000, XP, 2003 or Vista with .NET Framework v2.0 and Latest MDAC

Please remember to make an exception for MediaNet.exe in the Windows XP Firewall (or any other Firewall on the MediaNet  PC etc)

IMPORTANT: If you have adjusted your network MTU below 1500, MediaNet devices that rely on UDP will NOT function properly!

Installation

After downloading and extracting the install package simply open the MediaNetSetup.msi file and allow it to install (when un-installing ensure the service is stopped)

After installation the installed service is set to manual start-up and is not started

Before starting the service it is necessary to configure the main xml configuration file (I tend to use notepad) and any modules you wish to use (see appropriate module for details)

To get started initially it's only really necessary to edit the medianet.xml and enable the device modules you require. Other tweaking can be done later

<configuration>
    <settings ip="192.168.1.100" />
        Set this to the IP address of the PC
    <settings clients="53000" />
        Choose a start range for client port allocation
        Each client is allocated 4 ports
    <settings database="" />
        Use this to globally override the location of the MediaNet database
        The default is "Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=c:\program files\MyHAP\medianet\data.mdb;"
    <settings sourcetype="M" title="Music Sources" />
        This section provides global information for Music sources to use
        If these settings are set at the module level, then that module totally ignores these settings
    <music>
        <settings paths="c:\MP3,C:\MVPTEST" files="mp3,wma,wav,flac,ogg" />
            Place the Music paths to use (and optionally change the file types to support) here
        <tags files="mp3,wma,wav,flac,ogg" helper="TAGS" />
            This line tells the modules to use the helper TAGS.dll to provide track information
    </music>
    <settings sourcetype="V" title="Video Sources" />
        This section provides global information for Video sources to use
        If these settings are set at the module level, then that module totally ignores these settings
    <videos>
        <settings paths="C:\MVPTEST,C:\MVPTEST2" files="mpg,mpeg" />
            Place the Video paths to use (and optionally change the file types to support) here
    </videos>
    <settings sourcetype="P" title="Picture Sources" />
        This section provides global information for Picture sources to use
        If these settings are set at the module level, then that module totally ignores these settings
    <pictures>
        <settings paths="C:\MVPTEST,C:\MVPTEST2" files="bmp,jpg,jpeg,gif,png" />
            Place the Picture paths to use (and optionally change the file types to support) here
    </pictures>
   Do NOT change the entries below, as this specifies the order the module sections are to be loaded
    <loader folder="Support" />
    <loader folder="Helpers" />
    <loader folder="Transcoders" />
    <loader folder="Sources" />
    <loader folder="Interfaces" />
    <loader folder="Devices" />
</configuration>

Once you have the configured the main configuration file you should then enable and configure the other modules you require (see individual modules)

You can then start the service (and optionally set it to automatic start-up)

If you have enabled modules that use scanners the next step is to run the scanners to load the available media

From an internet browser go to http://127.0.0.1:8080 (subsitute 127.0.0.1 with the IP that MediaNet is running on) and the main screen will show available scanner (the port may be different if you have changed it in the web server module)

Once the media has been scanned you can boot your media devices (please refer to the specific device modules for details)

Most settings in a devices loader.xml file are defaults for new devices. Whenever a new device is added it is recorded in clients.xml, and by editing this (with the service stopped) you can change the MediaNet boot values for these items on a per-device basis

Installing New Modules (at a later date)

The main installer contains all currently available modules, however to add a new module at a later date it is simply a case of downloading the latest install package and copying and pasting the new module you require into the appropriate module section (do not un-install and re-install as this is totally unnecessary)

Updating (to latest versions)

Simply download the update package and copy and paste over an existing installation (stop service first). The update package contains mainly dll's, and will not overwrite your existing configuration files

Un-Installation

Although the un-installer attempts to stop the service it is HIGHLY recommended that the service is stopped manually first before un-installing

Source Code / Development

Once the application is considered suitably stable the source code  and a developer package of some sort will be released

The plan is to make the code freely available, and encourage other developers to come on-board to develop further modules

Further technical details of how MediaNet works will be released at the same time as the developer package

Many thanks to all the people who have contributed to the code and the testers who have been providing valuable feedback on problems and suggesting enhancements

Module Map (shows if module is enabled/disabled/automatic* by default)
* automatic means loaded by another module

Devices - modules that allow control of media devices

Sources - modules that provide a media source

Interfaces - modules that provide control interfaces (e.g. Web server, xPL protocol support)

Helpers - modules that provide common functions (e.g. text-to-speech, media tag reading etc)

Support - modules that provide common supporting functions (e.g. DHCP, NFS etc)

Transcoders - modules that provide transcoding functions (e.g. flac, ogg, wav, wmv etc to mp3)

Other MediaNet related programs and utilities
 

iJukebox

Touchscreen control of devices using an iPhone style Coverflow interface - DEPRECATED

Release History

20/03/09	Various Updates and Fixes This package contains various updates to the Jukebox.dll and WebServer.dll (and some support files) This adds a coverflow style web interface to the Jukebox source (see Jukebox and WebServer pages)
07/02/09	Various Updates and Fixes This package contains various patches and fixes to support xPLMyHouse and improve xPL and Barcode support.
18/06/08	xPL Fixes This contains replacement xPL.dll and device dll's to fix an in issue with TTS responding to messages not targtetted (only instance was correct) and to improve the xPL status responses from devices. Modified Zoning for remote.basic key presses
27/04/08	Psion Wavefinder Source Module New Source Module to allow streaming from a Psion Wavefinder - Still Under Development
19/04/08	MVP Client New version of MVP client which is far more stable Also includes a file that was missing from the original v1.5 install/update packages (18/04/2008) This client is included in the current  v1.5 Installer & Update Package If you have installed/updated to the old v1.5 released on 18/04/2008 you MUST install this
19/04/08	Latest MediaNet Full Update Package v1.5 Re-release of Update Package due to missing file for MVP Includes new version of MVP client which is far more stable
18/04/08	Latest MediaNet Full Update Package v1.5 The contents should be extracted into main MediaNet program folder and will update all exe's & dll's Only apply to v1.2 or v1.2b or later preferably with 24/08/07 & 03/10/07 patches applied Changes in this Version: Add Videocast Source Module & VLC Transcoding Module Bug Fix where after playing a stream you may not then be able to play a file Disable Streams & Transcoding for V880N until method found to make these work
18/04/08	Videocast Source Module & VLC Transcoder Module New Source & Transcoder Modules for VLC Support The contents should be extracted into main MediaNet program folder and will install all necessary files for these modules You MUST then install the Latest MediaNet Full Update Package v1.5
21/03/08	Latest MediaNet Full Update Package v1.4 The contents should be extracted into main MediaNet program folder and will update all exe's & dll's Only apply to v1.2 or v1.2b or later preferably with 24/08/07 & 03/10/07 patches applied Changes in this Version: Add Scripting Source Module & Update Rio, ExStr, MVP & SliMP3 Devices Fix bug in xPL Status Module Add Password option for Website Interfaces WARNING: This version installs a new keymap.xml for MVP, and Loader.xml & Samples for Scripting
03/10/07	VOB Source Module Updated VOB Source Module to allow multiple folder levels & fix problem with folder images Also requires the modified Vobs table importing from this Data.mdb (if updating an existing installation) and run a DVD Purge OR replace existing Data.mdb and rescan ALL media
24/08/07	V880N Protocol Module This new interface is a server for the Momitsu V880N Networked DVD Player The contents should be extracted into the MediaNet INTERFACE module folder
24/08/07	VOB Source Module This new source module provides access to DVD's ripped as SINGLE VOB files The contents of this should be extracted into the MediaNet SOURCE module folder Also requires the Vobs table importing from this Data.mdb (if updating an existing installation) or replace existing Data.mdb and rescan ALL media
24/08/07	Latest MediaNet Updates The contents should be extracted into main MediaNet program folder and will update all exe's & dll's Only apply to v1.2 or v1.2b
04/08/07	iJukebox Protocol Module The contents should be extracted into the MediaNet INTERFACE module folder which should give you an IJUKEBOX folder containing the dll and xml files
04/08/07	iJukebox Program Extract the contents into a suitable folder on the PC to run iJukebox
25/07/07	New CoverFlow Module for iJukebox Image Creation The contents should be extracted into the MediaNet SUPPORT module folder which should give you a COVERFLOW folder containing the dll and xml files
25/07/07	Modified xPL Module for iJukebox Support
28/12/05	Bug Fix for Font Problems on Rio Display
04/12/05	Bug Fix for Current Playlist Device Menu (all devices)
21/11/05	Bug Fix for Mixed Synch Device Drop Out
20/11/05	New Features and Enhancements You MUST be on MediaNet Beta v1.2 before installing this update package Changes in this package: a) ExStreamer Synch Support ("loose" only, currently) - STILL UNDER TEST b) Music "Browse" source now makes use of Cached information for faster response c) Rio Remote Up/Down and Front Panel Knob have halved anti-bounce delay d) ExStreamer now supports volmin/volmax parameters to restrict volume level adjustments
18/11/05	MediaNet Beta v1.2 This is a REQUIRED Upgrade This update replaces all Exe's and Dll's It also OVERWRITES the files .\interfaces\webserver\www\device.htm and .\interfaces\webserverppc\index.htm The features/Fixes introduced in this version are: a) Add's new Synch device to control synchronisation (see Synch) b) Fixes problem with Random not being Random c) Rio supports volmin/volmax parameters to restrict volume level adjustments d) Fixed bug in client loader e) A statistics "purge" now also runs a "clean" f) Various minor bug fixes/enhancements
11/11/05	Patches to Fix Bugs Introduced Below Fixes issues with not being able to display tracks in Music and Browse options in Web Interfaces
06/11/05b	Patches to Fix Issues with Queries a) Prevents inclusion of unmatched Statistics in 'Top' Queries b) Checks items returned by any query actually exist in Music table c) Allows selection of 'device specific' queries from Web Interfaces This patch also includes update 06/11/05
06/11/05	Statistics Collection Bug Fix for MediaPlaylist Source and Stats Helper Collected play statistics are useless until this patch applied (must be on v1.1)
04/11/05c	Webserver Replacement Update (supersedes 04/11/05b) Requires MediaNet Beta v1.1 to have been installed! This update has a number of enhancements for WebServer and WebServerPPC a) The same updates as in 04/11/05b (but fixes a bug in them!) b) Fix for firefox not updating the currently playing album cover (also helps IE) c) Adds a link to PPC device.htm to allow jump to index.htm WARNING: Overwrites the PPC www\device.htm
04/11/05b	WebServers Update Requires MediaNet Beta v1.1 to have been installed! This update has a number of enhancements for WebServer and WebServerPPC a) Index now highlights current selection (if applicable) b) Search box shows currently applied search filter c) WebServer now displays Artist, Album after Track name for Music/Tracks selection
04/11/05	MediaNet Beta v1.1 - Major Update Package - Updates all Exe's and Dll's to latest version WARNING: This update overwrites data.mdb so after installation you MUST rescan ALL media content WARNING: This update overwrites the MVP's keymap.xml This update has a number of feature changes: a) ID Hashes are now case-insensitive to prevent duplicate entries caused by miss-spelling of capitalisation b) Changes the Search function on device menu's to be like Mobile Phone Predictive Text c) Maintains a track timestamp allowing a quick scan to identify tracks that have had their tags edited d) Fixes Fast Forward/Reverse on MVP for MPEG 2 videos e) Adds search function to MVP Video/Picture menus This update supersedes ALL previous updates
31/10/05	Replacement TAGS.dll to support ID3v2.2
30/10/05b	Installation Package for WebServerPPC Module Note: by default the module is disabled, to use please set the port= and enabled= Note: if you had already installed this module, the update below includes the fixed webserverppc.dll
30/10/05	Bug Fixes and Enhancements to WebServer (and Jukebox Barcode WebServer) Note: You must install update 24/10/05 before installing this
28/10/05	The 3 Updates Released on 28/10/05 are withdrawn due to bugs, they are replaced by the 2 items dated 30/10/05 above
26/10/05	Updated Barcode.exe Provides Option for Auto Generation of Barcodes Many thanks to Steve Cooper for making this Modification
24/10/05	Update to Provide Text Search Function in Web Interface Warning: Overwrites .\interfaces\webserver\www\device.htm
23/10/05b	MVP Update This update adds a setting to disable on-the-fly video thumbnail generation Also fixes an issue that you could only use bmp files for thumbnails in video menu
23/10/05	Minor Updates Updates WebServer to serve all file types Updates Jukebox (contains new index.htm) to fix wrong URL
14/10/05	New Package to Install Barcode Support for Existing (up-to-date) Installations Includes printing of Barcode Album Sheets (see Jukebox Source for details of downloading Font)
11/10/05	Package to Install Barcode Support for Existing (up-to-date) Installations DO NOT INSTALL - NEW IMPROVED PACKAGE TO BE RELEASED
07/10/05b	Fix for Rio/DDAR Playback problem
07/10/05	Fixes for MVP and Introduces noimage.jpg for MVP and Web Server
30/09/05c	Optional Rebranded Web Pages for WebServer Interface
30/09/05b	Optional Rebranded Skin Pack for MVP (delete existing skin before installing) If this pack is not installed you must rename any skin folder/file with xPLMediaNet to MediaNet
30/09/05	Rebranding Package for MediaNet (this is a required update for future compatibility) This rebranding patch provides backwards compatibility for existing xPLMediaNet users
27/09/05	MVP Patches to Fix 100% CPU when turned off via Remote Control
24/09/05b	MVP/Player Replacement DLL's to fix Various Issues
24/09/05	MVP/SliMP3/Rio Replacement DLL's to fix Various Issues
21/09/05	MVP Replacement DLL to Fix Boot Problem
20/09/05b	MVP Install Package for Existing Users
20/09/05	Replacement for Patch Update 17/09/05 This update fixes a couple of issues with SliMP3 (keymap= and Clock display) Note: this package overwrites all keymap files, index.htm and all transcoder loader.xml files Installing this package is a pre-requisite for installing MVP support (see above)
17/09/05	Major Patch Update to Fix a number of playback issues and other bug fixes This package also allows resampling of tracks for Player device Note: this package overwrites all keymap files, index.htm and all transcoder loader.xml files Installing this package is a pre-requisite for installing MVP support (coming soon)
10/09/05	Patch for Rio, ExStreamer and SliMP3 to use new Keymaps and a few bug fixes (requires 08/09/05 patch or install the main update pack instead of these 2 items)
08/09/05	Major Patching Update to replace 04/09/05 update and further enhancements
04/09/05	Major Patching Update to v2.2 - Do not install, missing code
25/08/05	ExStreamer Patch to Improve Stop/Skip Response
25/08/05	ExStreamer Flush Fix and WebServer Scanner Change
24/08/05	Fix for ExStreamer Device
23/08/05	Initial Public Release Beta v2.1 - Supports Rio/DDAR, ExStreamer and SliMP3