Adding upmpdcli as a client for Logitech Media Server

[Snoopy8]

Requesting that upmpdcli be added as a client for Logitech Media Server, assuming of course that the LMS UPnP/DLNA Media plugin has been installed. Currently, with LMS as server, upmpdcli is not avaiable as client.   I can confirm that this combination works, with LMS running on my PC and upmpdcli running on NUC with SnakeOil.

Why this combination?  I like mpd as a player but let down by its Android client e.g. MPDroid has a basic UI and limited ability to configure the library, tags. I have been using UPnP for a while.  So, by using upmpdcli, it gave me the best of both worlds, good mpd playback with a better UPnP server, MinimServer with its library, tags configuration and a good UI with BubbleUPnP App.
 
However, MinimServer would soon be moving to a paid model, with yearly fees!  I am therefore exploring using LMS as a UPnP Server.

In interim before it makes the next release, how do I start upmdpcli manually via Putty and/or get upmpdcli to start up automatically?

p/s it will then be very easy to compare Squeezlite vs mpd (in upmpdcli disguise), by switching phone apps.  I can confirm that the there is no difference between mpd and upmpdcli.

[agent_kith]

Good idea. Have create an issue here. Aim for next release. Will probably need to defer some of the Raspberry Pi tickets to rush this out.

[Snoopy8]

Good idea. Have create an issue here. Aim for next release. Will probably need to defer some of the Raspberry Pi tickets to rush this out.

Thank you.

Is there a way to ensure that the DLNA UPnP plugin is installed with LMS? Otherwise, can you put a warning note next to upmpdcli client to remind people to add plugin?

[agent_kith]

Thank you.

Is there a way to ensure that the DLNA UPnP plugin is installed with LMS? Otherwise, can you put a warning note next to upmpdcli client to remind people to add plugin?

For now I can include some docs in the wiki. But this can be done for the new ISO...

Just tied up with too many things at home atm. Setting up the whole new house networking, and now I gotta deal with a leaking cistern.

Apologies for stalling the project, 2020 is a really year. But I have it better than most, so I need to stop whinging!

[Snoopy8]

There is a workaround and wrinkle. As background, for UPnP to work, it requires a server, a player and a controller (phone App)

Controller
Using BubbleUPnP Android phone app as controller to select server and player.

Server
When the LMS UPnP/DLNA Media Interface plugin is enabled, it will make LMS appear as a UPnP server.  It will appear as a server on the phone.

Player
Was intending to use upmpdcli as the player, hence the original post.

However, can use the players from the LMS UPnP/DLNA Bridge plugin.  When enabled, the Bridge plugin will look for UPnP players and provides a list of players.  This list can be enabled or disabled by the user. The player is visible on the phone, even if the plugin is not active!  Potentially, can have duplicate entries if upmpdcli is enabled seperately.

[hkphantomgtr]

Requesting that upmpdcli be added as a client for Logitech Media Server, assuming of course that the LMS UPnP/DLNA Media plugin has been installed. Currently, with LMS as server, upmpdcli is not avaiable as client.   I can confirm that this combination works, with LMS running on my PC and upmpdcli running on NUC with SnakeOil.

Why this combination?  I like mpd as a player but let down by its Android client e.g. MPDroid has a basic UI and limited ability to configure the library, tags. I have been using UPnP for a while.  So, by using upmpdcli, it gave me the best of both worlds, good mpd playback with a better UPnP server, MinimServer with its library, tags configuration and a good UI with BubbleUPnP App.
 
However, MinimServer would soon be moving to a paid model, with yearly fees!  I am therefore exploring using LMS as a UPnP Server.

In interim before it makes the next release, how do I start upmdpcli manually via Putty and/or get upmpdcli to start up automatically?

p/s it will then be very easy to compare Squeezlite vs mpd (in upmpdcli disguise), by switching phone apps.  I can confirm that the there is no difference between mpd and upmpdcli.

It was using MAFA in my android phone.  I think it's a very good MPD client after all these years.  It's worth to buy.

[Snoopy8]

Confirming that upmpdcli now appears as a client for LMS on 1.1.10 (thank you Agent Kith).  Please note that you need to add the LMS UPnP/DLNA Bridge plugin to use upmpdcli as the player. There is specific setup for this plugin which you may have to configure (but mine worked out of the box).   Also,  it takes a while for upmpdcli to start as a LMS player, so please be patient. 

Took the opportunity to compare the sound of of various server, player combinations.  My sound preference in my setup:

1. MinimServer with upmpdcli (my preferred option)
   
2. LMS with upmpdcli
   
3. LMS with Squeezelite (R2)
   

It is interesting to note that MinimServer did not change the "Mpd" sound; there is no difference in sound between Mpd and MinimServer with upmpdcli.  But LMS did, with LMS with upmpdcli quite different to Mpd.  Perhaps LMS with upmpdcli can be considered as a halfway house between the sound of mpd and LMS/Suqeezelite? 

Happy experimenting! 

p/s What is upmpdcli?  A terrible name devised by a geek which is probably a short form for UPnP Mpd client?   It makes Mpd appear as a UPnP player in a UPnP setup.

[Snoopy8]

It was using MAFA in my android phone.  I think it's a very good MPD client after all these years.  It's worth to buy.

Thank you for your suggestion. I have purchased MAFA and it is better than MPDroid, which I was using in the past.

Going to MAFA brought back unpleasant memories of how frustrating Mpd was with its limited album art management. But otherwise, MAFA is running well.  

[hkphantomgtr]

It was using MAFA in my android phone.  I think it's a very good MPD client after all these years.  It's worth to buy.

Thank you for your suggestion. I have purchased MAFA and it is better than MPDroid, which I was using in the past.

Going to MAFA brought back unpleasant memories of how frustrating Mpd was with its limited album art management. But otherwise, MAFA is running well.  

I put a cover.jpg in every album folder.  It works fine with different mpd apps for many years. 

[Bromf]

It was using MAFA in my android phone.  I think it's a very good MPD client after all these years.  It's worth to buy.

Thank you for your suggestion. I have purchased MAFA and it is better than MPDroid, which I was using in the past.

Going to MAFA brought back unpleasant memories of how frustrating Mpd was with its limited album art management. But otherwise, MAFA is running well.  

I put a cover.jpg in every album folder.  It works fine with different mpd apps for many years. 

Put both cover.jpg and folder.jpg then it will work with almost any player...