Friends,
I've been using JRiver (version 24 currently) for many years now but it's always been a bit frustrating to use. I'm not crazy about how the views are set up and change as one browses through albums, genres and other categories.
Is there anything better out there for an HTPC which holds about 3,700 songs? Years ago I ripped all of our music into FLAC and filed them pretty well with DB Power Amp so it's just a matter of finding a decent media player / browser.
Much appreciated,
Joe
Joe
I have been where you are and feel your frustration. No matter what app I have tried, there is some level of "I hate that" to it. 3,700 songs is a modest library so literally any of the packages can handle it.
My setup is driven by Apple hardware so I use iTunes without giving it much thought for music. But it doesn't stop there because I know someday I will hate Apple or Apple will hate me so along with everything in iTunes, a year or so ago I embarked on a project to put everything (movies, music, other stuff) in to Plex. That was an adventure but most of that adventure was driven by DB Power Amp and ripping to FLAC. You've already conquered that so if you got your naming convention in a format Plex likes, you are 90% of the way done already.
I maintain both an Apple file system and the FLAC system for Plex. Plex can be used on any device in the house, as can all my other devices use the iTunes/Apple TV interface. It sounds complex, but in practice its eazy peazy.
I keep it all on a Synology NAS device with backup copies everywhere and all the original CDs and DVDs and BluRays sitting in my gun safe. So it is unlikely, but not impossible, for a failure to kill my library of hard earned digital music.
Plex was recommended to me here on the AH. Its strength is NOT music, but movies. But, it has improved greatly for music and is actually gotten very stable. I can recommend it but you may find it a challenge to get going. JRiver has that kind of challenge too. I don't know of an app for this stuff that doesn't piss off somebody.
Being an Apple guy lots of people hate iTunes. I get that. Doesn't bother me. Doesn't change how well it works.
But, if you're not an Apple guy, there are better places to go. And I know someday I will part ways with Apple. Its just bound to happen. I'm ready with Plex