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starfry

Member

From: Surrey, UK

Registered: 2010-08-18

Posts: 238

DLNA Client: djmount or alternative

Hello, I am trying to establish the best way to set up a DLNA client on my computer. I want to access recordings on my Panasonic PVR DLNA Server. It seems to me the best option is "djmount" but I have found myself wanting more than it seems able to give.

I'm posting here today to ask if anyone has experience of djmount or if anyone can suggest an alternative DLNA (Upnp) client ?

In its simplest form all I want to do is copy files from my server onto my computer for long term storage, transcoding to other formats, etc.

My experience with djmount, installed from the AUR is as follows:

1. I have it working, it can see files on the server and I can copy those files to my computer and/or stream them into my player, VLC. However,

2. It didn't work out of the box with my server; my server sports DLNA protocol version 2 and djmount specifically looks for version 1. I patched the source to make it accept version 2.

3. I had to downgrade libupnp otherwise I could see but not access files. The downgrade solution is listed on the djmount page in AUR.

4. Listing files only returns around 35 files despite there being many more on the server

5. Multiple recordings of the same series show up as multiple files with the same name.

6. It looks like djmount is not under active development

I'd love to hear from anyone who has more success with setting up a DLNA Client. It can be djmount or possibly something I have yet to learn about.

nigepj

Member

Registered: 2011-07-28

Posts: 3

Re: DLNA Client: djmount or alternative

Hi,

I'm trying to do exactly the same thing - copy video files from a Panasonic DLNA server.
Did you find a way of doing it?

I've installed djmount but it doesn't see the Panasonic probably because of the custom build required that you talked about. Would it be possible to send me the build please?

Thanks very much,
Nigel

Last edited by nigepj (2011-07-28 20:01:56)

starfry

Member

From: Surrey, UK

Registered: 2010-08-18

Posts: 238

Re: DLNA Client: djmount or alternative

Nigel, if you go over to the AUR page for djmount, it's all explained there - incuding my patch. Be warned though, while it does work, it is incredibly slow. If you have any problems come back to me

nigepj

Member

Registered: 2011-07-28

Posts: 3

Re: DLNA Client: djmount or alternative

Great, thanks for that. I've got it working.
It is slow isn't it, it seems to copy at the same speed as if you were watching the programme.

I can only see standard definition programmes (which is fine really), but did you find a way of seeing HD programmes?
It could be that they are protected, but Windows Media Player lets you see the files although you can't play them. I can't work how the protection is enforced. Can you shed any light on this?

Thanks,
Nigel

Last edited by nigepj (2011-07-30 20:08:37)

starfry

Member

From: Surrey, UK

Registered: 2010-08-18

Posts: 238

Re: DLNA Client: djmount or alternative

Glad to hear you have it working. I'm pretty sure it isn't copying in real time but it certainly isn't copying at anything close to network speed.

I have to copy off some stuff today. I have one or two HD things recorded so I'll test copying one of those too and update this thread with the results.

UPDATE: I've just done a quick check and it looks like HD recordings aren't even returned in the directory listing. Right now, I don't know why.

Last edited by starfry (2011-07-31 08:30:25)

nigepj

Member

Registered: 2011-07-28

Posts: 3

Re: DLNA Client: djmount or alternative

Thanks for the update.
I agree, the HD recordings aren't in the directory listing but they do have hidden metadata files.
The XMBC DLNA client can see the files but says that they have a zero size and are not playable. I think djmount must be deciding not to return them because it can't make sense of their size.

You can run 'DR conversion' on the recorder to convert them to XP, SP, LP or EP (ie. convert to standard resolution) and then they are visible.

It would be great if we could copy HD files (if they can be streamed to a Viera TV then why can't they be streamed and copied to the file system with djmount), but I suspect they are protected in some way which may make it impossible. Please could you let me know if you make any progress?

Thanks for all the hard work you've done so far. I'm really pleased that I can copy SD programmes at least.

Last edited by nigepj (2011-08-05 20:47:41)