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Universal Media Server v3.0.0 Alpha 3: Windows / Linux / OS X

This fixes folder browsing in 32-bit mode, improves and speeds up file support, and fixes rare crashes.


Changes since 3.0.0-a2:

  • General:
    • Fixed folder browsing in 32-bit mode
  • External Components:
    • Updated MediaInfo for Windows to 0.7.64, which:
      • Added HEVC/H.265 in MKV support
      • Added Dolby E support
      • Improved AVI, MKV, MPEG-TS, QuickTime, RMVB, MPEG-4, AAC, AVC, AC-3 and DTS support
      • Faster MPEG-TS analysis

 

Upgrade Notes:
Some configuration options for 3.x are not compatible with the 2.x releases, and a lot of them were renamed between 3.0.0-a1 and 3.0.0-a2, so it may be wise to make a backup of your configuration before installing.
It is recommended (but usually not necessary) to delete your UMS.conf file prior to installing this version. Windows users can choose the "clean install" option while installing instead.

It started out as a fork of PS3 Media Server. A person by the name of SubJunk took the source code for PMS added his own tweaks and updates and released it as his own SubJunk builds. Some time passes and he joins the official team and adds his updates and stuff but it's not updated as quickly so he continues to make his own. More time passes and he decides to essentially rebrand his builds as UMS.

 

(all of that should be close to correct, I think)

  • 1 month later...

Universal Media Server v3.0.0 Alpha 4: Windows / Linux / OS X

This improves iTunes support, filename prettifying, video playback stability and fixes many important bugs!

  • General:
    • Improved support for iTunes compilations
    • Added support for external subtitles in VLC
    • Expanded and fixed filename prettifying
    • Made video playback more stable
    • Fixed support for non-English iTunes libraries
    • Fixed external ASS/SSA support (Thanks, skeptical!)
    • Fixed FFmpeg muxing on non-PS3 renderers
    • Fixed use of custom Java Heapsize (Thanks, OptimusPrime!)
    • Fixed VLC audio/subtitle language selection
    • Fixed streaming radio timing out after 1:45:32
    • Fixed MEncoder subtitle support when the font name contains a space
    • Run the program in Java's server mode when using 64-bit JRE
  • Renderers:
    • Added support for Bravia W series TVs
    • Improved support for KalemSoft Media Player on BlackBerry PlayBook
  • Languages:
    • Updated French translation
    • Updated Spanish translation (thanks, AlfredoRamos!)
  • External Components:
    • Updated Apache Commons Codec to 1.8
    • Updated Checkstyle to 2.10
    • Updated Cobertura Maven Plugin to 2.5.2
    • Updated FindBugs Maven Plugin to 2.5.2
    • Updated Gson to 2.2.4
    • Updated H2 Database Engine to 1.3.172
    • Updated JBoss APIviz to 1.3.2
    • Updated jgoodies-forms to 1.6.0
    • Updated jgoodies-looks to 2.5.2
    • Updated JUnit to 4.11
    • Updated Logback to 1.0.13
    • Updated Maven Project Info Reports to 2.7
    • Updated Maven Source Plugin to 2.2.1
    • Updated Maven Surefire to 2.15
    • Updated PMD Maven Plugin to 3.0.1
    • Updated slf4j to 1.7.5
    • Updated Thumbnailator to 0.4.5, which:
      • Fixes use of Exif orientation
    • Updated xmlwise to 1.2.11

 

Upgrade Notes For all versions:
Some configuration options for 3.x are not compatible with the 2.x releases, and a lot of them were renamed between 3.0.0-a1 and 3.0.0-a2, so it may be wise to make a backup of your configuration before installing.
It is recommended (but usually not necessary) to delete your UMS.conf file prior to installing this version. Windows users can choose the "clean install" option while installing instead.

  • 4 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Universal Media Server v3.0.0 Beta 1: Windows / Linux / OS X coming soon

This adds advanced monitoring to directories, which creates the "Recently Played" and "New Media" folders, improves video compatibility, fixes several bugs and more!
We are getting very close to the final release of 3.0.0 and this is probably already more stable than the 2.x releases, so you are encouraged to use it.

 

 

  • General:
    • Added the New Media folder, which contains unwatched media
    • Added the Recently Played folder, which contains watched media
    • Added checkboxes to enable/disable renderers
    • Enabled support for cover files in virtual folders (thanks, D-Kalck!)
    • A more helpful error is displayed when something is using the UMS HTTP port
    • Improved calculation of subtitle font size in FFmpeg
    • Expanded filename prettifying
    • Made some custom MEncoder options safer to use
    • Improved file compatibility for mod2 videos
    • Fixed and improved support for virtual folders
    • Fixed conflicts between some renderer config options
    • Fixed tsMuxeR video detection bug
    • Fixed x264 transcoding with MEncoder
    • Fixed a rare startup bug
    • Fixed FFmpeg subtitles bug
    • Fixed a general subtitles bug (thanks, Skeptical!)
    • Fixed several minor bugs
    • Fixed plugin compatibility problems
  • Renderers:
    • Improved DirecTV support
    • Updated DirecTV image
    • Improved PS3 support
    • Enabled text-wrapping for long names on Sony Blu-ray players
  • External Components:
    • Updated H2 Database Engine to 1.3.173
    • Updated Maven Cobertura Plugin to 2.6
    • Updated Maven Doxia Docbook Simple Plugin to 1.4
    • Updated Maven Git Commit ID Plugin to 2.1.5, which:
      • Improves stability
    • Updated Maven IDEA Plugin to 2.2.1
    • Updated Maven Javadoc Plugin to 2.9.1, which:
      • Makes it more threadsafe
      • Improves security
    • Updated Maven Surefire Plugin to 2.16, which:
      • Fixes problems with character encodings

 

 

Upgrade Notes:

For all versions:
Some configuration options for 3.x are not compatible with the 2.x releases, and a lot of them were renamed between 3.0.0-a1 and 3.0.0-a2, so it may be wise to make a backup of your configuration before installing.
It is recommended (but usually not necessary) to delete your UMS.conf file prior to installing this version. Windows users can choose the "clean install" option while installing instead.

Still happy with UMS here, no genuine reason to switch up at the moment. Will look into Serviio though i havnt heard of it as of yet?

 

Edit:

 

From what im reading Serviio is up there with the best, its being highly recommended by most sites, gonna give it a go and get back to you

  • 3 weeks later...

Universal Media Server v3.0.0: Mac / Windows / Linux

As you can see a lot has changed since 2.6.5 and as such, it is recommended to start with a fresh installation. Please see the Upgrade Notes section for more details.

Changes since 2.6.5:

  • General:
    • Transcoding quality automatically adjusts for content and network speed by default, allowing wireless users an easier experience
    • Added the New Media folder, which contains unwatched media
    • Added the Recently Played folder, which contains watched media
    • Added the ability to resume videos after closing the program, for details on its use see the tooltip on the Navigation tab
    • Added support for muxing (losslessly streaming) more files with tsMuxeR by default
    • Added support for sending subtitle streams (without transcoding) to more devices
    • Added more information to our debug logs
    • Added internal subtitle support to FFmpeg
    • Added subtitle seeking support to FFmpeg
    • Added subtitle styling (fontconfig) support to FFmpeg
    • Added "Prettify filenames" feature, for details on its use see the tooltip on the Navigation tab
    • Added configuration wizard to simplify common things like network configuration
    • Added an option to hide/show advanced options, hopefully making things less confusing/daunting for most users
    • Added VLC video transcoding (thanks, LordQuackstar!)
    • Added new options to iTunes library browsing: Browse by Artist, Album and Genre
    • Added manual configuration option (hide_subs_info) to hide subtitle info from filenames while browsing
    • Added checkboxes to enable/disable renderers
    • Added tooltips to several options to make them clearer
    • Added H.264 transcoding quality option
    • Enabled support for cover files in virtual folders (thanks, D-Kalck!)
    • Improved video transcoding quality by default
    • Improved audio transcoding quality in FFmpeg by default
    • A more helpful error is displayed when something is using the UMS HTTP port
    • Made some custom MEncoder options safer to use
    • Improved file compatibility for mod2 videos
    • Improved support for iTunes compilations
    • Made video playback more stable
    • FFmpeg starts faster
    • Improved speed of list population
    • Audio files are added to the transcode folder
    • Chapter folders are hidden if the video duration is less than the chapter length
    • Improved file compatibility detection for H.264 muxing
    • Renamed a lot of configuration variables
    • Removed the obsolete MPlayerAudio, MPlayerWebAudio and MPlayerWebVideoDump engines
    • Improved memory defaults on Windows
    • The "Clean Install" option on Windows removes the program directory
    • The server logo displays on more renderers
    • A status message is displayed while UMS is checking the MPlayer font cache
    • MPlayer/MEncoder is no longer included in the Linux builds
    • Added renderer config option DisableMencoderNoskip
    • Made the use of acodec in CustomMencoderOptions safer
    • Videos work when tsMuxeR is the only engine enabled
    • Code optimizations to run faster
    • Fixed duplicate entries in DVD/playlist/feed folders
    • Fixed FFmpeg web videos on Linux and OS X
    • Fixed external ASS/SSA support (Thanks, skeptical!)
    • Fixed FFmpeg muxing on non-PS3 renderers
    • Fixed use of custom Java Heapsize (Thanks, OptimusPrime!)
    • Fixed streaming radio timing out after 1:45:32
    • Fixed MEncoder subtitle support when the font name contains a space
    • Fixed startup issue on OS X
    • Fixed RAW image transcoding and support 28 additional RAW file extensions
    • Fixed incorrect server IP address when starting UMS by launching UMS.exe or UMS.bat
    • Fixed and improved support for virtual folders
    • Fixed conflicts between some renderer config options
    • Fixed tsMuxeR video detection bug
    • Fixed x264 transcoding with MEncoder
    • Fixed a rare startup bug
    • Fixed layout issues
    • Fixed memory leaks
    • Fixed various bugs
  • Renderers:
    • Added support for LG 42LA644V TVs (thanks, khmelnov.roman)
    • Added profile for Samsung D7000 TVs
    • Added support for Samsung mobiles (Galaxy S3, S4, Note, Note 2, and Note 3)
    • Added support for Panasonic TX-L32V10E TVs
    • Added thumbnail support to Samsung 2012 ES and EH models (thanks, dmitche3!)
    • Added support for Bravia W series TVs
    • Improved support for KalemSoft Media Player on BlackBerry PlayBook
    • Updated support for Bravia W series TVs (thanks, flux131)
    • Updated Samsung AllShare logo
    • Updated notes on Philips PFL (thanks, ler0y!)
    • Xbox 360 supports 5.1 audio
    • Faster transcoding on Xbox 360
    • Improved DirecTV support
    • Updated DirecTV image
    • Improved PS3 support
    • Enabled text-wrapping for long names on Sony Blu-ray players
  • Languages:
    • Added English (UK) to the list of languages
    • Updated Czech translation
    • Updated Dutch translation (thanks, Leroy!)
    • Updated French translation
    • Updated Spanish translation (thanks, AlfredoRamos and uman2k!)
  • External Components:
    • Updated Apache Commons Codec to 1.8
    • Updated Checkstyle to 2.10
    • Updated Cobertura Maven Plugin to 2.5.2
    • Updated FFmpeg on all operating systems, which:
      • Improves ASS/SSA subtitle support
      • Improves handling of aspect ratios, even when muxing
      • Fixes multithreaded MPEG-4 decoding
      • Added multithreading to ALAC decoding
      • Speeds up JPEG decoding
      • Fixes and improves MP3, AAC and DTS decoding stability
      • Fixes memory leaks
      • Fixes channel mapping with surround AAC audio
      • Improves H.264 and VC-1 support
      • Improves Vorbis support
      • Improves Matroska support
      • Improves MPEG-TS muxing
    • Updated FindBugs Maven Plugin to 2.5.2
    • Updated Gson to 2.2.4
    • Updated H2 Database Engine to 1.3.173
    • Updated Java Runtime Environment automatic downloader for Windows to 7u45, which:
      • Improves security
    • Updated JBoss APIviz to 1.3.2
    • Updated jgoodies-forms to 1.6.0
    • Updated jgoodies-looks to 2.5.2
    • Updated JUnit to 4.11
    • Updated Logback to 1.0.13
    • Updated Maven Cobertura Plugin to 2.6
    • Updated Maven Doxia Docbook Simple Plugin to 1.4
    • Updated Maven Git Commit ID Plugin to 2.1.5, which:
      • Improves stability
    • Updated Maven IDEA Plugin to 2.2.1
    • Updated Maven Javadoc Plugin to 2.9.1, which:
      • Makes it more threadsafe
      • Improves security
    • Updated Maven Project Info Reports to 2.7
    • Updated Maven Source Plugin to 2.2.1
    • Updated Maven Surefire to 2.16
      • Fixes problems with character encodings
    • Updated MediaInfo for Windows to 0.7.64, which:
      • Adds H.265 (HEVC) support
      • Fixed some crashes with .mov files
      • Improved AVI support
      • Added HEVC/H.265 in MKV support
      • Added Dolby E support
      • Improved AVI, MKV, MPEG-TS, QuickTime, RMVB, MPEG-4, AAC, AVC, AC-3 and DTS support
      • Faster MPEG-TS analysis
    • Updated Netty to 3.6.6
    • Updated PMD Maven Plugin to 3.0.1
    • Updated slf4j to 1.7.5
    • Updated Thumbnailator to 0.4.5, which:
      • Fixes memory errors with the latest Java Runtimes
      • Fixes use of Exif orientation
    • Updated tsMuxeR for Windows to 2.0.6b, which:
      • Improves muxing speed
      • Improves stream standards compatibility
      • Fixes E-AC3 support
      • Adds support for DTS-express audio
    • Updated xmlwise to 1.2.11

Changes since 3.0.0-b1:

  • General:
    • Added support for muxing (losslessly streaming) more files with tsMuxeR by default
    • Added support for sending subtitle streams (without transcoding) to more devices
    • Added more information to our debug logs
    • The "Clean Install" option on Windows removes the program directory
    • The server logo displays on more renderers
    • The wizard defaults to "no" for DTS streaming by default for compatibility
    • A status message is displayed while UMS is checking the MPlayer font cache
    • MPlayer/MEncoder is no longer included in the Linux builds
    • Fixed FFmpeg web videos on Linux and OS X
    • Added renderer config option DisableMencoderNoskip
    • Made the use of acodec in CustomMencoderOptions safer
    • Videos work when tsMuxeR is the only engine enabled
    • Fixed a bug where VLC would include unwanted subtitles
    • Fixed MIME types in some situations
    • Fixed (hopefully) a duration/seeking bug
    • Fixed the video resuming feature
    • Code optimizations to run faster
  • Renderers:
    • Added support for LG 42LA644V TVs (thanks, khmelnov.roman)
    • Added support for Samsung mobiles (Galaxy S3, S4, Note, Note 2, and Note 3)
    • Added support for Panasonic TX-L32V10E TVs
    • Updated notes on Philips PFL (thanks, ler0y!)
    • Updated support for Bravia W series TVs (thanks, flux131)
    • Updated Samsung AllShare logo
  • Languages:
    • Updated Czech translation
    • Updated Spanish translation (thanks, AlfredoRamos!)
  • External Components:
    • Updated Java Runtime Environment automatic downloader for Windows to 7u45, which:
      • Improves security
    • Updated tsMuxeR for Windows to 2.0.6b, which:
      • Improves muxing speed
      • Improves stream standards compatibility
      • Fixes E-AC3 support
      • Adds support for DTS-express audio
  • 2 weeks later...

Universal Media Server v3.1.0: Mac / Windows / Linux

This release adds and improves a lot of lossless quality options for subtitles and videos, adds support for H.265 and 4k videos, improves audio/video sync, significantly improves transcoding speed and more.

  • General:
    • Added new "Random" sorting option (thanks, etrunko!)
    • Added support for sending subtitles (losslessly) to renderers via closed captioning
    • Added option to clear all monitored files
    • Added support for picture-based subtitles (like VobSub) in FFmpeg
    • Added whitelist option for advanced users
    • Added support for automatically muxing WEB-DL files on all operating systems by default
    • Added automatic tsMuxeR muxing via FFmpeg
    • Added tooltips to more settings
    • Improved video compatibility when transcoding to H.264 via MEncoder or FFmpeg
    • Increased speed of FFmpeg transcoding by default by ~25% in some cases
    • Disabled AviSynth/MEncoder by default
    • Fixed subtitle character conversion in FFmpeg
    • Fixed the configuration option to disable multithreading with FFmpeg engines
    • Fixed the New Media folder not adhering to the empty folder setting
    • Fixed the broken FFmpeg binary on Linux
  • Renderers:
    • Added support for Sony STR-DA5800ES (thanks, AYColumbia!)
    • Added support for sending SubRip and MicroDVD subtitles to Panasonic TVs
    • Added support for sending SubRip subtitles to WD TV Live
    • Added support for sending SubRip subtitles to Xbox Media Center
    • Improved thumbnail support on Sony Bravia TVs
  • Languages:
    • Updated Italian translation (thanks, nocciola82!)
    • Updated Spanish translation (thanks, AlfredoRamos!)
  • External Components:
    • Updated MPlayer/MEncoder for Windows to SB53, which:
      • Adds support for HEVC (H.265)
      • Adds support for 4k AVC (H.264)
      • Supports seeking to non-keyframes in Matroska files
      • Improves seeking accuracy
      • Improves H.264 encoding quality in fade-heavy clips
      • Improves bitrate calculation
      • Improves ASS/SSA subtitle support
      • Improves support for some DVDs
      • Improves support for 60FPS videos
      • Improves DTS support
      • Improves AVI support
      • Increases speed
      • Fixes a crash when trying to play a DVD from different region than currently set in the DVD drive
      • Fixes memory leaks
      • Fixes multithreaded decoding
      • Fixes bugs
    • Updated tsMuxeR for Linux and OS X to 2.2.3b, which:
      • Adds support for DTS-HD elementary stream with extra DTSHD headers
      • Improves muxing speed
      • Improves stream standards compatibility
      • Fixes E-AC3 support
      • Adds support for DTS-express audio
      • Reduces bandwidth
    • Updated tsMuxeR for Windows to 2.2.3b, which:
      • Adds support for DTS-HD elementary stream with extra DTSHD headers
      • Reduces bandwidth

 

 

Upgrade Notes:

For 3.0.0-b1 and newer:
No action necessary.

For all versions below 3.0.0-b1:
It is recommended to delete your UMS.conf file prior to installing this version. Windows users can choose the "clean install" option while installing instead.

Didn't bother to post about 3.1.1 since it was on the frontpage but I would hope that the people following this thread are also following official UMS Twitter and/or Facebook.

 

Universal Media Server v3.1.2: Windows / Linux

This release fixes video compatibility bugs, improves stability when using the resume feature, has minor GUI improvements and other bug fixes.

  • General:
    • Added tooltips to more options
    • Changed the appearance of tooltips
    • Removed the ability to set both FFmpeg muxing options at the same time in the GUI
    • Minor GUI improvements
    • Made the resume feature more stable
    • Fixed video compatibility bugs
    • Fixed FFmpeg on Linux systems which do not have FFmpeg installed

Universal Media Server v3.2.0: Mac / Windows / Linux


This release lets you set your own server name, increases seeking accuracy and audio sync when using FFmpeg, and increases video compatibility for many videos including 3D (SBS and OU).

 

  • General:
    • Added font cache generation for FFmpeg on startup
    • Added the ability for users to set their own server name
    • Added example virtual folders file in the profile directory
    • The virtual folders file is now loaded from the profile directory instead of the installation directory
    • Made seeking more accurate with FFmpeg
    • When FFmpeg muxes, it always uses tsMuxeR
    • Improved compatibility with videos with unusual colorspaces
    • Improved compatibility when transcoding to H.264 via FFmpeg
    • Improved compatibility with video with HE-AAC audio
    • Improved compatibility when using tsMuxeR via FFmpeg
    • Improved compatibility with high-resolution videos such as 3D-SBS and 3D-OU
    • Fixed resume files causing a startup crash
    • Fixed some settings causing a crash
    • Fixed bug with FFmpeg subtitles
  • Languages:
    • Updated Spanish translation (thanks, AlfredoRamos!)
  • External Components:
    • Updated FFmpeg to builds from 2013-11-27, which:
      • Adds support for HEVC (H.265)
      • Improves seeking accuracy
      • Improves AV sync
      • Fixes memory leaks
      • Optimizes AC-3 decoding
      • Improves support for 60FPS videos
      • Improves AVI support
      • Silences meaningless errors
      • Improves DTS support
      • Supports seeking to non-keyframes in Matroska files
      • Improves AC-3 support
      • Fixes support for rare MP4 videos

 

 

Upgrade Notes:

For 3.0.0-b1 and newer: No action necessary.
For all versions below 3.0.0-b1: It is recommended to delete your UMS.conf file prior to installing this version. Windows users can choose the "clean install" option while installing instead.

I agreed with Munky to unpin the thread as I never made a new guide. Most people around here know about UMS so I didn't really think the topic needed to be pinned until I/someone else maybe made a PS4 guide? (once DLNA is added). Thing is it'll probably work 1:1 the same as the PS3 anyway :p

 

Years ago PSMS/UMS were harder to use, and weren't always good at transcoding, now it really is just install, and play. Not much need for a guide IMO.

 

In fact the guide was originally made for MKV2VOB!

I still think solutions that require transcoding are very inefficient... A simple Raspberry Pi can play almost everything with hardware decoding from a simple Windows network share. With the added benefit of a nice XBMC UI with a lot of good stuff. And then you have a lot of important things too like 24FPS content actually playing at 24Hz for ultimate smoothness. And proper subtitle support, ...

I still think solutions that require transcoding are very inefficient... A simple Raspberry Pi can play almost everything with hardware decoding from a simple Windows network share. With the added benefit of a nice XBMC UI with a lot of good stuff. And then you have a lot of important things too like 24FPS content actually playing at 24Hz for ultimate smoothness. And proper subtitle support, ...

 

It's down to the limitations of the PS3... Even my GT50's built in media server is superior, sometimes though and I cannot explain why I just prefer using the PS3 lol. I guess the Panasonic interface is pretty bland.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Posts

    • Go on, I'll bite. How does windows (nice comment on an 'article' which doesn't actually involve it ) lock users out of their data then? Been using it since 3.1 back in 92 and not once have I been locked out of my data? Perhaps you mean Bitlocker? In which case the average user (who doesn't mess about) will have been forced to use a MSA, and in which case the recovery key would have been saved to said account..... If the user did happen to bodge around and not use an MSA then Bitlocker wouldn't have become live (as it cannot without a safe place to store the key) I want to point out Bitlocker and MSA are not connected and you can of course force it on without a safe place to store the key, but you do that with your eyes open. So your standard consumer who knows no better sets up an MSA, gets bitlocker and a recovery key stored off box, with a route to reset their password. All of this notwithstanding the fact, if your data is important, you back it up, no ifs, no buts, no-ones responsibility other than your own. Important data lives in at least two locations, one of which is offline and recovery is tested, otherwise that data wasn't really that important. Disks, fail, laptops get lost, phones end up down the toilet, tablets get stolen, if your only copy of data is on a single device you're doing it wrong.
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