SubSonic as a Media Server vs others avail as FreeNAS plugins

mudshark

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Jan 17, 2015
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Hi gang

Presently using SubSonic Media server on my FreeNAS box. I choose that as I was familiar with it from years ago (the last time I built a server).
It does work; it's simple to setup and use. I define what folder s are Music + Video and I can easily access and play everything from anywhere via any browser.

So, it does pretty much all anyone would want but with one minor issue (album list sorting weirdness) so I am curious what else may be better.

It looks like there are a number of Server plugins available in FreeNAS but as I am unfamiliar with any but SubSonic I was hoping you folks could recommend a "better" Media Server solution.

Thanks all,
RG
 

Joshua Parker Ruehlig

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Hi gang

Presently using SubSonic Media server on my FreeNAS box. I choose that as I was familiar with it from years ago (the last time I built a server).
It does work; it's simple to setup and use. I define what folder s are Music + Video and I can easily access and play everything from anywhere via any browser.

So, it does pretty much all anyone would want but with one minor issue (album list sorting weirdness) so I am curious what else may be better.

It looks like there are a number of Server plugins available in FreeNAS but as I am unfamiliar with any but SubSonic I was hoping you folks could recommend a "better" Media Server solution.

Thanks all,
RG
I personally use subsonic for music/podcast. For music, it can't be beat when paired with the DSub android app.

for tv/movies I've been using MediaBroser, but I'm pretty new to it so I can't speak to it versus Plex.
 
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I personally use subsonic for music/podcast. For music, it can't be beat when paired with the DSub android app.

for tv/movies I've been using MediaBroser, but I'm pretty new to it so I can't speak to it versus Plex.
I'll second Subsonic with DSub app. It can't be beat. The DSub app is $4 or $5 in the Google Play Store, but can be downloaded for free through the FOSS App Store called FDroid.
 

avalon60

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I have just installed the Subsonic plugin, and when I open up the web page, ie 192.68.0.10:4040, and choose the media folder, which is on my FreeNAS box, it comes up as 'Folder not found'. I have entered the path to the music folder as: \\FREENAS\Freenas\Media\Music, but Subsonic does not find it.

I have also downloaded and installed the Subsonic exe program on my laptop, and that is a different story. In the Media Folders section I entered the same path as above, but I also had to Log In as my windows account. So after having done that Subsonic does find the music in the given path: \\FREENAS\Freenas\Media\Music

Getting back to the Subsonic ip address: http://192.168.0.10:4040/index.view, subsonic can't find the Music folder.

Have I missed something here.
 
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Subsonic doesn't handle Samba connections. You would have to add your "music" folder as storage for the jail.
 

avalon60

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The Music folder is in the Subsonic Storage: Source: /mnt/WinShare/Media/Music, and Destination: /Music

Even if I say The source is: \\FREENAS\Freenas\subsonic_1\Music, it doesn't make any difference.

Also I have watched youtube videos on this subject, and there is no problem getting the media/music folders recognised. So if it works for them why not me?

Update.
Well I don't believe it! In the Media Folder section /Folder, I just put /Music, instead of the full path, and it is seen by Subsonic.
Now I realise , it is the destination folder /Music which is required.
 
Last edited:
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Yes! Subsonic is in the jail and the storage is mounted locally in that jail at /Music. So that is the path to the music. You got now.
 

raidflex

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Check out Madsonic too, I actually prefer it to Subsonic.
 
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There is also a Futuresonic. Got to love all the forking. :)
 

avalon60

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Neither Madsonic nor Futursonic are listed in FreeNAS 9.3 plugins, and I am not comfortable adding either without some kind of walk through or whatever.

Actually I deleted Subsonic because I found that it had to be paid for at so much for each year. $12 I think it was per year.
 

raidflex

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Neither Madsonic nor Futursonic are listed in FreeNAS 9.3 plugins, and I am not comfortable adding either without some kind of walk through or whatever.

Actually I deleted Subsonic because I found that it had to be paid for at so much for each year. $12 I think it was per year.

Actually there is a Madsonic plugin. Madsonic/Subsonic does not require a yearly fee to function. The cost is for additional features like dns. If you go to the website below and create a forum a account, you will be able to download the plugin.

http://www.madsonic.org/
 

Joshua Parker Ruehlig

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Actually there is a Madsonic plugin. Madsonic/Subsonic does not require a yearly fee to function. The cost is for additional features like dns. If you go to the website below and create a forum a account, you will be able to download the plugin.

http://www.madsonic.org/
is there actually a PBI built? I wanted to create a madsonic plugin at one point but couldn't find a publicly accessible to download the war files for my build scripts.
 

avalon60

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Actually there is a Madsonic plugin. Madsonic/Subsonic does not require a yearly fee to function. The cost is for additional features like dns. If you go to the website below and create a forum a account, you will be able to download the plugin.

http://www.madsonic.org/

When I had subsonic running yesterday, and got my media folder sorted as per my post above, there was a message on the Subsonic web page that it was only freely available until 20th June, and had then I had to pay the subscription.
 

raidflex

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is there actually a PBI built? I wanted to create a madsonic plugin at one point but couldn't find a publicly accessible to download the war files for my build scripts.

Yes there is, you need to have a Madsonic forum account in order to see the downloads.

When I had subsonic running yesterday, and got my media folder sorted as per my post above, there was a message on the Subsonic web page that it was only freely available until 20th June, and had then I had to pay the subscription.

If that is the case just use the Madsonic plugin, like I stated above it is on the Madsonic website.
 

Joshua Parker Ruehlig

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@raidflex
ah, nice. any reason they don't want to add it to the freenas repo? maybe to not encourage people to ditch subsonic and not support the developer? (which I think is fair)

@avalon60
i could be wrong. but i thought subsonic will still work, just certain features require a subscription?
I'm lucky, I paid for a premium membership when it was a one time cost.
 

raidflex

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@raidflex
ah, nice. any reason they don't want to add it to the freenas repo? maybe to not encourage people to ditch subsonic and not support the developer? (which I think is fair)

@avalon60
i could be wrong. but i thought subsonic will still work, just certain features require a subscription?
I'm lucky, I paid for a premium membership when it was a one time cost.

I though at one time the Madsonic plugin was actually on the Freenas repo, but I could be wrong. I do not believe there would be any issue with uploading the PBI, I think the developer just never got around to it. I know he has been working on a new version.
 

Joshua Parker Ruehlig

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I though at one time the Madsonic plugin was actually on the Freenas repo, but I could be wrong. I do not believe there would be any issue with uploading the PBI, I think the developer just never got around to it. I know he has been working on a new version.
sounds good. Ill just contact him and see what he thinks.
 

avalon60

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It maybe was a plugin before but not in FreeNAS 9.3 it isn't.
Just on the list of downloads on Madsonic site, which version is it for FreeNAS, and than how do I install it into FreeNAS.

I have just installed the windows 64bit version, but I don't think it has found my music folder on my NAS box.

Just out interest, what is the difference between the windows version and the standalone version?
 
Last edited:

raidflex

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Go to addons in the downloads section. There is a Freenas forum.
 

avalon60

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Go to addons in the downloads section. There is a Freenas forum.

Ok done that thanks, but how do I get the pbi file to install into FreeNAS. As I said earlier I am not comfortable doing it without a walk through if you like.

In the posts of:
Madsonic 5.1 FreeNAS PBI

There are users who have had problems with it, and the last post is from a user of FreeNAS 9.3
 
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