MonkeySqueeze

[Gingernut63]

The following is a post I recently submitted on the MonkeySqueeze Development forum. I'm posting it here to widen the posts distribution and to advertise the development forum. Beta versions of the script are also available for download. Click on the link below.

http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/vie...47ee17cf1eda94

"Probably the greatest issue MonkeySqueeze faces is the buffering issue between MediaMonkey and the Squeezebox system. Solve this issue and the basic goals are achieved.

Before I go further I should state I'm writing this from a perspective of a person who is not a MediaMonkey or Squeezebox expert but a person who has a more than basic understanding of computers.

What is the problem? When MediaMonkey is linked to Squeezebox via MonkeySqueeze there is a noticeable lag in the music playing on a Squeezebox device. The lag usually ranges from 1 to 7 seconds depending on file size, type etc... When a new track starts playing on MediaMonkey the previous track can still be playing on the Squeezebox device and it will abruptly finish to be replaced by the next piece of music. This is exacerbated by tracks that have no lead out silence such as some classical, opera, progressive rock etc... any music with gap less tracks.

What is happening is a delay caused by the track being loaded by a Squeezebox device before it plays (buffering) and delays in MediaMonkey communication as it passes through various computer subsystems. The format of the track can have a significant impact on the issue; when playing mp3 tracks the lag is about 1 to 3 seconds however when playing lossless tracks such as FLAC the lag can be from 4 seconds to 10 seconds in extreme cases.

What can be done? Good question. I'm sorry to say at this stage I do not have the skills to do the advanced programming that would be required and hence why I'm writing this post. I have a couple of ideas but they may not be achievable or totally off track but I'll table them anyway.

1. If MonkeySqueeze could monitor the track countdown time on a squeezebox device then it could delay the next track from playing until the time falls to 0.00 seconds. A delay between tracks will possibly still occur but it is better than a track abruptly stopping

2. Introduce a synchronise function similar to the one in Squeezebox Server

If anyone has better ideas or wishes to contribute to the discussion please take the time to reply."

[Gingernut63]

MonkeySqueeze is now on twitter! https://twitter.com/#!/MonkeySqueeze1/

For the latest info on all things MonkeySqueeze, latest releases, news, tips, beta releases and development. A quick way to find out what is happening and telling you when to visit the forums. Feel free to tweet your comments on MonkeySqueeze.

[Gingernut63]

Just letting you know that there is a beta version of MonkeySqueeze which now communicates with LMS on NAS devices running linux.

If you wish to try it, visit the MonkeySqueeze Development forum and look for Beta 110912. If you do try it could you provide feedback on the same forum please.

http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/vie...p?f=19&t=59907

[Gingernut63]

Arghhh!!!!

Found a mistake in the 110912Beta which would stop the NAS settings from working. Have replaced with 110912Beta with 110917Beta which will definitely work. Sorry for any inconvenience, version control needs to be reviewed.

http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/vie...p?f=19&t=59907

[Gingernut63]

The new version of MonkeySqueeze is now released!

Support site: http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/vie...hp?f=2&t=59515

Download: http://www.mediamonkey.com/addons/br...monkeysqueeze/

[sherington]

.. and love it .. apart from the lag but I can live with that!! Esle, it really is quite fantastic - thought you'ld like to know!

Andrew

[Gingernut63]

@sherington

Thank you for the glowing feedback, makes it all worthwhile when MonkeySqueezers like yourself appreciate the program.

Keep your eye on the MonkeySqueeze Development site as I'll soon be posting a beta with an improvement concerning the lag issue.

http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/vie...p?f=19&t=59907

Remember if you follow MonkeySqueeze on twitter you receive notifications such as the latest releases and other info.

Thanks again
Gingernut63

[Gingernut63]

The latest Alpha release is available for testing on the MonkeySqueeze Development forum. This one has playlist sync between MM and LMS!

http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/vie...p?f=19&t=59907

Cheers

[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/vie...p?f=19&t=59907

[nicolas75]

I wanted to have a quick look at MonkeySqueeze but couldn't get it to work.
I am not familiar with MediaMonkey addons, so I may have missed something obvious ...

I run LMS 7.7.0 and MediaMonkey 4.0.0.1459 on the same PC with Windows 7 x64
I downloaded monkeysqueezev200_%281%29.mmip (is that weird name normal ?) file from http://www.mediamonkey.com/addons/br...monkeysqueeze/

I could find any help file or user guide.

I install the addon, and restarted, a small LMS icon appeared (apparently nothing else), with tooltip "Enable/Disable MonkeySqueeze"

Each time I click on this icon, I get an error.

[Edit] I found the user guide and the options for MonkeySqueezeplayer, I'll try to configure it properly.