Announce: CastBridge = integrate Chromecast players with LMS (squeeze2cast)

[SamY]

Hi,

I just noticed your question: Yes, I'm running Windows 10 Pro. It only happens if the server IP changes after a network reset. If the network resets, but the server's remains as it previously was, then the issue doesn't appear.

Okay. It all makes sense now, and the fact that I am also running LMS on Windows is actually a red herring. The RPi which I had been running it on previously had a static IP address assigned to it in the router, but the Windows server does not. I will remedy that situation now and should be good to go. I'm guessing you don't have access to the router in your case? If you do, assigning a static IP address based on the MAC address of your server would take care of it. Good luck and thanks for figuring out the problem.

[SamY]

Fyi for everyone:

https://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?116980-AirPlay-Chromecast-and-UPnP-bridges-update#post1063649

[bphilp]

Dead on install, wait working, then dead post reboot, after restart plugin all good

Long time user of LMS, excited to see the CastBridge plugin but having trouble getting it to see my Google Nest Mini.

I did a scratch install of LMS on new win10 box can't seem to get CastBridge to come up. Firewall message appeared and I gave it permissions.

Initially castbridge.xml didn't get created for some reason. After waiting 5 mins it is created and contains scanned devices.

LMS config
Logitech Media Server Status
Logitech Media Server Version: 8.3.1 - 1667914563 @ Tue Nov 8 14:46:50 WEST 2022
Hostname: Bretts-PC
Server IP Address: 192.168.1.48
Server HTTP Port Number: 9000
Operating system: Windows 10 - EN - cp1252
Platform Architecture: 8664
Perl Version: 5.14.1 - MSWin32-x86-multi-thread
Audio::Scan: 1.05
IO::Socket::SSL: 2.068
Database Version: DBD::SQLite 1.58 (sqlite 3.22.0)
Total Players Recognized: 0

Here's the INITIAL log from the plugin...

Starting Squeeze2cast: C:\PROGRA~3\SQUEEZ~1\Cache\INSTAL~1\Plugins\CASTBR ~1\Bin\SQUEEZ~1.EXE -Z -I -f C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\Logs\castbridge.log -x C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\prefs\castbridge.xml -i C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\prefs\castbridge.xml
[05:14:41.004] main:1262 Starting squeeze2cast version: v1.82.2 (Feb 21 2022 @ 19:00:47)
[05:14:41.004] main:1270

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ERROR LOADING CONFIG FILE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[05:14:41.023] Start:1030 Binding to 192.168.1.48 (http:0)
[05:15:02.134] Stop:1058 stopping squeezelite devices ...
[05:15:02.135] Stop:1069 stopping Cast devices ...

Starting Squeeze2cast: C:\PROGRA~3\SQUEEZ~1\Cache\INSTAL~1\Plugins\CASTBR ~1\Bin\SQUEEZ~1.EXE -Z -I -f C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\Logs\castbridge.log -x C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\prefs\castbridge.xml
[05:15:12.665] main:1262 Starting squeeze2cast version: v1.82.2 (Feb 21 2022 @ 19:00:47)
[05:15:12.665] main:1270

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ERROR LOADING CONFIG FILE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[05:15:12.684] Start:1030 Binding to 192.168.1.48 (http:0)


If I run the bridge exe manually I get this...

[05:16:30.147] main:1262 Starting squeeze2cast version: v1.82.2 (Feb 21 2022 @ 19:00:47)
[05:16:30.147] main:1270

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ERROR LOADING CONFIG FILE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[05:16:30.163] Start:1030 Binding to 192.168.1.48 (http:0)

>>>>then after 5 mins this is the log... success it works well... then I rebooted... post reboot log attached.

[05:20:26.482] register_vorbis:346 using vorbis to decode ogg
[05:20:26.482] register_pcm:339 using pcm
[05:20:26.482] load_flac:292 loaded libFLAC.dll
[05:20:26.482] register_flac:313 using flac to decode flc
[05:20:26.483] load_opus:265 loaded libopusfile-0.dll
[05:20:26.483] register_opus:286 using opus to decode ops
[05:20:26.483] register_m4a_thru:307 using mp4 to aac (ADTS)
[05:20:26.483] register_flac_thru:212 using flac
[05:20:26.483] register_thru:106 using thru
[05:20:26.483] load_soxr:381 loaded libsoxr.dll
[05:20:26.483] register_soxr:394 using soxr for resampling
[05:20:26.483] Start:1030 Binding to 192.168.1.48 (http:0)

Starting Squeeze2cast: C:\PROGRA~3\SQUEEZ~1\Cache\INSTAL~1\Plugins\CASTBR ~1\Bin\SQUEEZ~1.EXE -Z -I -f C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\Logs\castbridge.log -d all=debug -x C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\prefs\castbridge.xml -i C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\prefs\castbridge.xml
[05:21:10.190] main:1262 Starting squeeze2cast version: v1.82.2 (Feb 21 2022 @ 19:00:47)
[05:21:10.190] main:1270

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ERROR LOADING CONFIG FILE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[05:21:10.199] output_init:647 success loading FLAC encoder
[05:21:10.199] register_alac:541 using alac to decode alc
[05:21:10.199] load_mad:411 loaded libmad-0.dll
[05:21:10.199] register_mad:433 using mad to decode mp3
[05:21:10.201] load_faad:626 loaded libfaad2.dll
[05:21:10.201] register_faad:647 using faad to decode aac
[05:21:10.203] load_vorbis:325 loaded libvorbisfile.dll
[05:21:10.203] register_vorbis:346 using vorbis to decode ogg
[05:21:10.203] register_pcm:339 using pcm
[05:21:10.203] load_flac:292 loaded libFLAC.dll
[05:21:10.203] register_flac:313 using flac to decode flc
[05:21:10.204] load_opus:265 loaded libopusfile-0.dll
[05:21:10.204] register_opus:286 using opus to decode ops
[05:21:10.204] register_m4a_thru:307 using mp4 to aac (ADTS)
[05:21:10.204] register_flac_thru:212 using flac
[05:21:10.204] register_thru:106 using thru
[05:21:10.205] load_soxr:381 loaded libsoxr.dll
[05:21:10.205] register_soxr:394 using soxr for resampling
[05:21:10.205] Start:1030 Binding to 192.168.1.48 (http:0)
[05:21:31.316] Stop:1058 stopping squeezelite devices ...
[05:21:31.317] Stop:1063 terminate search thread ...
[05:21:31.317] Stop:1069 stopping Cast devices ...
[05:21:31.317] Stop:1074 terminate main thread ...

Starting Squeeze2cast: C:\PROGRA~3\SQUEEZ~1\Cache\INSTAL~1\Plugins\CASTBR ~1\Bin\SQUEEZ~1.EXE -Z -I -f C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\Logs\castbridge.log -d all=debug -x C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\prefs\castbridge.xml
[05:21:32.326] main:1262 Starting squeeze2cast version: v1.82.2 (Feb 21 2022 @ 19:00:47)
[05:21:32.326] main:1270

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ERROR LOADING CONFIG FILE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


>>>>>After reboot no devices found but they show in the plugin UI post reboot log and UI view attached - log ends at 5:30

>>>>Then 5:50 the devices show up in LMS log (3) attached also

>>>> Lastly after final reboot devices do not show up in LMS after waiting 30 mins. - see log (4) attached

Why does CastBridge fail to start after rebooting?

Worth also sharing that as a final step if I do a restart in the plugin then the devices appear in LMS once again.

[philippe_44]

Long time user of LMS, excited to see the CastBridge plugin but having trouble getting it to see my Google Nest Mini.

I did a scratch install of LMS on new win10 box can't seem to get CastBridge to come up. Firewall message appeared and I gave it permissions.

Initially castbridge.xml didn't get created for some reason. After waiting 5 mins it is created and contains scanned devices.

LMS config
Logitech Media Server Status
Logitech Media Server Version: 8.3.1 - 1667914563 @ Tue Nov 8 14:46:50 WEST 2022
Hostname: Bretts-PC
Server IP Address: 192.168.1.48
Server HTTP Port Number: 9000
Operating system: Windows 10 - EN - cp1252
Platform Architecture: 8664
Perl Version: 5.14.1 - MSWin32-x86-multi-thread
Audio::Scan: 1.05
IO::Socket::SSL: 2.068
Database Version: DBD::SQLite 1.58 (sqlite 3.22.0)
Total Players Recognized: 0

Here's the INITIAL log from the plugin...

Starting Squeeze2cast: C:\PROGRA~3\SQUEEZ~1\Cache\INSTAL~1\Plugins\CASTBR ~1\Bin\SQUEEZ~1.EXE -Z -I -f C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\Logs\castbridge.log -x C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\prefs\castbridge.xml -i C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\prefs\castbridge.xml
[05:14:41.004] main:1262 Starting squeeze2cast version: v1.82.2 (Feb 21 2022 @ 19:00:47)
[05:14:41.004] main:1270

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ERROR LOADING CONFIG FILE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[05:14:41.023] Start:1030 Binding to 192.168.1.48 (http:0)
[05:15:02.134] Stop:1058 stopping squeezelite devices ...
[05:15:02.135] Stop:1069 stopping Cast devices ...

Starting Squeeze2cast: C:\PROGRA~3\SQUEEZ~1\Cache\INSTAL~1\Plugins\CASTBR ~1\Bin\SQUEEZ~1.EXE -Z -I -f C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\Logs\castbridge.log -x C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\prefs\castbridge.xml
[05:15:12.665] main:1262 Starting squeeze2cast version: v1.82.2 (Feb 21 2022 @ 19:00:47)
[05:15:12.665] main:1270

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ERROR LOADING CONFIG FILE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[05:15:12.684] Start:1030 Binding to 192.168.1.48 (http:0)


If I run the bridge exe manually I get this...

[05:16:30.147] main:1262 Starting squeeze2cast version: v1.82.2 (Feb 21 2022 @ 19:00:47)
[05:16:30.147] main:1270

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ERROR LOADING CONFIG FILE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[05:16:30.163] Start:1030 Binding to 192.168.1.48 (http:0)

>>>>then after 5 mins this is the log... success it works well... then I rebooted... post reboot log attached.

[05:20:26.482] register_vorbis:346 using vorbis to decode ogg
[05:20:26.482] register_pcm:339 using pcm
[05:20:26.482] load_flac:292 loaded libFLAC.dll
[05:20:26.482] register_flac:313 using flac to decode flc
[05:20:26.483] load_opus:265 loaded libopusfile-0.dll
[05:20:26.483] register_opus:286 using opus to decode ops
[05:20:26.483] register_m4a_thru:307 using mp4 to aac (ADTS)
[05:20:26.483] register_flac_thru:212 using flac
[05:20:26.483] register_thru:106 using thru
[05:20:26.483] load_soxr:381 loaded libsoxr.dll
[05:20:26.483] register_soxr:394 using soxr for resampling
[05:20:26.483] Start:1030 Binding to 192.168.1.48 (http:0)

Starting Squeeze2cast: C:\PROGRA~3\SQUEEZ~1\Cache\INSTAL~1\Plugins\CASTBR ~1\Bin\SQUEEZ~1.EXE -Z -I -f C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\Logs\castbridge.log -d all=debug -x C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\prefs\castbridge.xml -i C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\prefs\castbridge.xml
[05:21:10.190] main:1262 Starting squeeze2cast version: v1.82.2 (Feb 21 2022 @ 19:00:47)
[05:21:10.190] main:1270

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ERROR LOADING CONFIG FILE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[05:21:10.199] output_init:647 success loading FLAC encoder
[05:21:10.199] register_alac:541 using alac to decode alc
[05:21:10.199] load_mad:411 loaded libmad-0.dll
[05:21:10.199] register_mad:433 using mad to decode mp3
[05:21:10.201] load_faad:626 loaded libfaad2.dll
[05:21:10.201] register_faad:647 using faad to decode aac
[05:21:10.203] load_vorbis:325 loaded libvorbisfile.dll
[05:21:10.203] register_vorbis:346 using vorbis to decode ogg
[05:21:10.203] register_pcm:339 using pcm
[05:21:10.203] load_flac:292 loaded libFLAC.dll
[05:21:10.203] register_flac:313 using flac to decode flc
[05:21:10.204] load_opus:265 loaded libopusfile-0.dll
[05:21:10.204] register_opus:286 using opus to decode ops
[05:21:10.204] register_m4a_thru:307 using mp4 to aac (ADTS)
[05:21:10.204] register_flac_thru:212 using flac
[05:21:10.204] register_thru:106 using thru
[05:21:10.205] load_soxr:381 loaded libsoxr.dll
[05:21:10.205] register_soxr:394 using soxr for resampling
[05:21:10.205] Start:1030 Binding to 192.168.1.48 (http:0)
[05:21:31.316] Stop:1058 stopping squeezelite devices ...
[05:21:31.317] Stop:1063 terminate search thread ...
[05:21:31.317] Stop:1069 stopping Cast devices ...
[05:21:31.317] Stop:1074 terminate main thread ...

Starting Squeeze2cast: C:\PROGRA~3\SQUEEZ~1\Cache\INSTAL~1\Plugins\CASTBR ~1\Bin\SQUEEZ~1.EXE -Z -I -f C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\Logs\castbridge.log -d all=debug -x C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\prefs\castbridge.xml
[05:21:32.326] main:1262 Starting squeeze2cast version: v1.82.2 (Feb 21 2022 @ 19:00:47)
[05:21:32.326] main:1270

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ERROR LOADING CONFIG FILE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


>>>>>After reboot no devices found but they show in the plugin UI post reboot log and UI view attached - log ends at 5:30

>>>>Then 5:50 the devices show up in LMS log (3) attached also

>>>> Lastly after final reboot devices do not show up in LMS after waiting 30 mins. - see log (4) attached

Why does CastBridge fail to start after rebooting?

Worth also sharing that as a final step if I do a restart in the plugin then the devices appear in LMS once again.

You seem to hit the “generate” button quite often. Don’t do that, just let it run. You can erase the config file if you want and just let the app run.

[SamY]

Found a workaround that's fixed the reboot issue with zero wait

Stuck a scheduled task at startup to run

"C:\PROGRA~3\SQUEEZ~1\Cache\INSTAL~1\Plugins\CASTB R~1\Bin\SQUEEZ~1.EXE -Z -I -f C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\Logs\castbridge.log -x C:\ProgramData\Squeezebox\prefs\castbridge.xml"

Still curious why I have to do this vs. having the plugin launch and stay up reliably.

By the way Phillip thank you for making this creation. It's like I've rediscovered by music collection.

A suggestion: change the volume scaling factor from 50 to 100. It will give you a wider dynamic range.

[simi]

VLAN support

Hi,

Many thanks for your plugin which is really working well so far

Unfortunately the network search is restricted to the server's LAN. I segregated my home network and use multiple VLANs. My LMS is located in the "Server"-VLAN, the Squeezeboxes in a "Multimedia"-VLAN and my new Google Nest Hubs should be in my "IoT"-VLAN. But this setup is not compatible to your plugin, so I created a new LMS which is located in the Multimedia VLAN as well as my Google Hubs.

Wouldn't it be possible to add an option to specify the network in which the Google devices are located (e.g. 192.168.60.0/24)? This would be perfect for my setup because actually I would like keep server services and clients strictly separated.

Thanks

[urknall]

It's not a problem with the plugin, this is network protocol related.

As far as i know, the discovery service is based on mdns, like many other services: airplay, airprint etc.
The idea is to identify the members of a network, without having a fully configured dns running.
Instead of asking a dns server for the hostnames, all members on the network are directly addressed.
mdns sends a multicast to the network and is asking for the matching hostname/ip address of each member.

The service is in RFC defined (https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6762) and only works in a network/subnet, mdns will not be routed.

If you want to have mdns between different networks/subnet or between different vlans you need
to use an mdns repeater/reflector with 2 or more network interfaces, one for every vlan.

There are different solutions like avahi or other repeaters you can use.

Google for "mdns repeater" will help...

[HerculePirate]

I have the @dlandon logitech Media server installed on my UNRAID server but before the update i was able to connect the Chrome bridge to my chrome devices.
After the update I cannot.
Any help please.

Starting Squeeze2cast: /config/cache/InstalledPlugins/Plugins/CastBridge/Bin/squeeze2cast-x86-64 -Z -I -f /config/logs/castbridge.log -d all=debug -x /config/prefs/castbridge.xml -i /config/prefs/castbridge.xml
[20:57:34.805904] main:1268 Starting squeeze2cast version: v1.82.2 (Feb 21 2022 @ 19:01:49)
[20:57:34.806028] main:1276 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ERROR LOADING CONFIG FILE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[20:57:34.806469] Start:1016 Cannot load SSL libraries
[20:57:55.806569] Stop:1064 stopping squeezelite devices ...
[20:57:55.806829] Stop:1069 terminate search thread ...
[20:57:55.806951] Stop:1075 stopping Cast devices ...
[20:57:55.807137] Stop:1080 terminate main thread ...

Starting Squeeze2cast: /config/cache/InstalledPlugins/Plugins/CastBridge/Bin/squeeze2cast-x86-64 -Z -I -f /config/logs/castbridge.log -d all=debug -x /config/prefs/castbridge.xml
[20:57:55.838136] main:1268 Starting squeeze2cast version: v1.82.2 (Feb 21 2022 @ 19:01:49)
[20:57:55.838269] main:1276 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ERROR LOADING CONFIG FILE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[20:57:55.838774] Start:1016 Cannot load SSL libraries
[20:57:55.838818] main:1307 Cannot start, exiting

Retarting Squeeze2cast after crash: /config/cache/InstalledPlugins/Plugins/CastBridge/Bin/squeeze2cast-x86-64 -Z -I -f /config/logs/castbridge.log -d all=debug -x /config/prefs/castbridge.xml -i /config/prefs/castbridge.xml
[20:58:04.818899] main:1268 Starting squeeze2cast version: v1.82.2 (Feb 21 2022 @ 19:01:49)
[20:58:04.819012] main:1276 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ERROR LOADING CONFIG FILE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[20:58:04.819474] Start:1016 Cannot load SSL libraries
[20:58:25.819572] Stop:1064 stopping squeezelite devices ...
[20:58:25.819751] Stop:1069 terminate search thread ...
[20:58:25.819827] Stop:1075 stopping Cast devices ...
[20:58:25.819980] Stop:1080 terminate main thread ...

[Paul Webster]

Try the static binary of the plugin.
If that does not work, or if there is none offered then try switching to the beta of what will become the new version.

https://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?116980-AirPlay-Chromecast-and-UPnP-bridges-update

[philippe_44]

I have the @dlandon logitech Media server installed on my UNRAID server but before the update i was able to connect the Chrome bridge to my chrome devices.
After the update I cannot.
Any help please.

What is "THE" update?

[HerculePirate]

What is "THE" update?

Strangely enough the static version works.
How do I use your updated plugins from LMS? The link downloads an xml file. How do I use it ?

[Paul Webster]

How do I use your updated plugins from LMS? The link downloads an xml file. How do I use it ?

The XML file is a plugin "repository" definition.
You add the URL to the bottom of the page of plugins in LMS Default web interface.

[mark-in-seattle]

LMS v8.3.1 and Chromecast Bridge v1.82.2 was OK - Now no castbridge.xml file generate

Worked and worked without success so far to get my multiple Chromecast speakers working again with LMS, but no way to generate a castbridge.xml config file on my working LMS v8.3.1 running under QNAP NAS.

The LMS server works with my old Squeezeboxes just fine, music played, players seen ...etc. For many months it also worked quite well with my wireless Chromecast speakers. Then with nothing changed on the server, today none of the chromecast speakers are visible to LMS. The most likely explanation is the loss of a proper castbridge.xml config file for Chromecast Bridge plugin to inspect. The Chromecast Bridge log throws the dreaded "!!! ERROR LOADING CONFIG FILE !!!!" warning.

There was an existing castbridge.xml file, however in misguided troubleshooting, I hit --> [ERASE], in the Chromecast Bridge "settings" GUI interface, then --> [GENERATE] hoping to make my chromecast speakers visible by recreating the config file. Unfortunately, now I have found no way to re-generate the castbridge.xml file again at all.

SSH-ing into the QNAP to list the contents of directory "/share/CACHEDEV1_DATA/.qpkg/LogitechMediaServer/SlimServer/prefs/" shows indeed there is no castbridge.xml file in that directory. And no matter what I've tried I have not been able to re-generate it. Have turned ON/OFF the wireless chromecast speakers in the hope they would re-announce their presence, stopped/started LMS and the Chromecast Bridge plugin.... nothing has worked. The wireless speakers behave fine and are visible to the awful GoogleHome iOS app, but not the LMS thru Chromecast Bridge plugin.

Any suggestions gratefully accepted.

[philippe_44]

Worked and worked without success so far to get my multiple Chromecast speakers working again with LMS, but no way to generate a castbridge.xml config file on my working LMS v8.3.1 running under QNAP NAS.

The LMS server works with my old Squeezeboxes just fine, music played, players seen ...etc. For many months it also worked quite well with my wireless Chromecast speakers. Then with nothing changed on the server, today none of the chromecast speakers are visible to LMS. The most likely explanation is the loss of a proper castbridge.xml config file for Chromecast Bridge plugin to inspect. The Chromecast Bridge log throws the dreaded "!!! ERROR LOADING CONFIG FILE !!!!" warning.

There was an existing castbridge.xml file, however in misguided troubleshooting, I hit --> [ERASE], in the Chromecast Bridge "settings" GUI interface, then --> [GENERATE] hoping to make my chromecast speakers visible by recreating the config file. Unfortunately, now I have found no way to re-generate the castbridge.xml file again at all.

SSH-ing into the QNAP to list the contents of directory "/share/CACHEDEV1_DATA/.qpkg/LogitechMediaServer/SlimServer/prefs/" shows indeed there is no castbridge.xml file in that directory. And no matter what I've tried I have not been able to re-generate it. Have turned ON/OFF the wireless chromecast speakers in the hope they would re-announce their presence, stopped/started LMS and the Chromecast Bridge plugin.... nothing has worked. The wireless speakers behave fine and are visible to the awful GoogleHome iOS app, but not the LMS thru Chromecast Bridge plugin.

Any suggestions gratefully accepted.

Usually the config file is not very needed for CC devices. Having devices entries in there does NOT create the device, but it helps configuring it AFTER it is detected during a search. The only options that might have an impact are the GLOBAL ones related to network. Do you have multiple network interfaces o, your NAS? Have you changed something (anything) in your network configuration?

[mark-in-seattle]

Thank you for such a quick reply - and your dedication to the LMS community

Usually the config file is not very needed for CC devices. Having devices entries in there does NOT create the device, but it helps configuring it AFTER it is detected during a search. The only options that might have an impact are the GLOBAL ones related to network. Do you have multiple network interfaces o, your NAS? Have you changed something (anything) in your network configuration?

"Usually the config file is not very needed for CC devices. Having devices entries in there does NOT create the device, but it helps configuring it AFTER it is detected during a search"
That is good to know, had assumed only devices appearing in the config file would be available to CC-Bridge plugin and LMS in turn.

Have experience with networking and do not believe any changes have been made to my local network LAN, the QNAP NAS, the Unifi AP's providing the wireless speakers with their network connection, ethernet switches ...etc. All the CC-speakers are visible to my iPhone on the network thru VLC's music player interface so I can send music from my iPhone using VLC to the CC-speakers over the same physical network. The ethernet switch portion of the QNAP QGD-1600 NAS(?) connects the Unifi AP's to the rest of the network, so if my iPhone on the network can use VLC to cast music to the CC-speakers, then LMS running on the same QNAP in the past has always been able to connect to them using your excellent CC-Bridge LMS plugin.

Doubly puzzling because these same (4) wireless chromecast speakers and older Squeezebox devices have worked fine playing music from the LMS server running on my QNAP QGD-1600 NAS/switch.

As mentioned previously the SB devices on the same network subnet still play music from the QNAP LMS server which runs 24/7. When the CC speakers did not appear in either the Material-Skin LMS GUI interface or the native LMS GUI interface I made sure that LMS was still active on the QNAP, which it was, however at the top of the native GUI "Plugins" tab there was a notice that the Chromecast Bridge plugin had an update available. I checked [x] the CC-Bridge for updating then --> [APPLY]. The expected things happened: LMS was restarted ...etc, but still my (4) CC-wireless speakers were not visible in the LMS interface.

Without knowing the CC wireless speakers UID numbers I assume it would be difficult to manually create the missing castbridge.xml file. Perhaps there is a utility which reveals these UID numbers. I do have the MAC addresses of the CC-speakers.

Still hoping there might be a method to force the castbridge.xml file to be generated by Chromecast-Bridge and then attempt to edit it to help LMS see my wireless speakers. I have another LMS server running with your Chromecast-Bridge plugin, however it is at a remote location and not available to me at this time. Might try installing LMS server with CC-Bridge just to generate the castbridge.xml config file and then copy it with SSH over to my QNAP LMS server.

Wondering if there are reasons why the CC-Bridge plugin GUI button [GENERATE] does not generate the castbridge.xml file when invoked ?

*** Important Info ? ***
Discovered I can not change any values in the CC-Bridge plugin GUI interface fields: "Network Binding and Port" = _____ which previously was = __"?"___ but now that field is blank ____. Similarly, I can not enter any values for the field: Logging Options - Max Size (MB) _____ . Before the castbridge.xml config file was deleted by me during troubleshooting I was able to enter characters into these fields. Wondering if the absence of the castbridge.xml config file causes the GUI interface logic to prevent new data entry thru the GUI properly ???

Thank you again for giving me some insight that may lead to more things to try in troubleshooting this issue.

PS. I tried uninstalling the CC-Bridge plugin, restarting the LMS-server .... re-installing the CC-Bridge plugin, restarting the LMS-server, however the CC-speakers were still not visible and the castbridge.xml config file did not exist. I think my troubleshooting efforts may have damaged my CC-Bridge plugin. How do I completely re-install the CC-Bridge plugin so that all of it's config files are generated as defaults ? I can SSH into the QNAP. In the LMS framework, is it possible to delete all the files associated with a specific plugin and then re-install a fresh copy ?