bizmodeller blog

Major update to "iHomeServer for iTunes" software brings iTunes streaming to non-Apple devices including web browsers, Android, PlayStation 3 and XBOX 360

Filed under iHomeServer

APRIL 2014 PRESS RELEASE

Bizmodeller has released version 3 of iHomeServer for iTunes - Windows software that extends iTunes with advanced media server features.

iHomeServer for iTunes version 3 is a major upgrade that enables iTunes streaming to non-Apple devices such as Web browsers, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry, Smart TVs and Games Consoles (XBOX 360 / PlayStation 3) – in fact most of the devices in the modern family home.

Available now to both desktop and Home Server users, iHomeServer provides an innovative iTunes Web Interface that allows users to access their iTunes libraries from any device with a web browser - within the home or on the Internet. The web interface is pure HTML/JavaScript and does not use proprietary technologies such as Silverlight or Flash. As a result, it is compatible with a wide range of today's browsers and devices.

Furthermore, iHomeServer also includes an integrated iTunes DLNA server that lets users access their iTunes library on compatible Smart TVs, PlayStation 3’s and XBOX’s. Regardless of which device is used, content is arranged in the same familiar iTunes libraries and playlists presented in iTunes. iTunes metadata and artwork is also displayed on all supported devices.

This latest version of iHomeServer boasts an arsenal of features that work together and integrate seamlessly into iTunes making it a better media server: 

•     Access iTunes library via the internet
•     Access iTunes library from Web, Windows, Android, Blackberry and other devices
•     Access iTunes library on Smart TVs, PlayStation 3, XBOX 360, Roku or other compatible DNLA clients – all without an Apple TV
•     Automatically tag iTunes movies and television with cover art and metadata
•     Optionally start iTunes as a Windows service so iTunes is always up and running even before log-in
•     Rip home DVD collection straight into iTunes
•     Support for Home Sharing, AirPlay and Wifi-Sync on iOS devices
•     Media watch folders for drag and dropping new media into iTunes remotely
•     Optional Add-in for Windows Home Server / Windows Server 2012 Essentials users that provides management of an iTunes library from the WHS Dashboard

Bizmodeller explains, “Since its launch in 2011, iHomeServer has gained a reputation with Home Server users as the defacto way of running iTunes as a standalone media server. With version 3, iHomeServer's comprehensive range of features are now available to both desktop users and home server users alike. The release also expands iTunes as a streaming platform so you can stream your iTunes media to most web browsers, Smart TVs and XBOX360/PS3 games consoles.”

iHomeServer is available for download now and is offered with a 30 days trial. iHomeServer is compatible with most versions of Windows including Windows 7, Windows 8/8,1, Windows XP SP2, Windows Home Server and Windows Server 2012 Essentials.

• Note that DRM (Digital Rights Management) material is not currently supported.

When is version 3 of iHomeServer being released?

Filed under Beta , General , iHomeServer , iTunes , rtRemote for iTunes

We are just finalising the user guide and adding support for streaming of your iTunes music and videos to additional DLNA devices (more brands of TVs). So version 3 of iHomeServer will be available to everyone within a couple of weeks.

Just to remind you of the key new features in iHomeServer version 3:

• Automatic ripping of DVD into your iTunes library
• Update your iTunes metadata on any device
• Streaming of your iTunes music and videos using DLNA to Smart TVs, Windows RT Surface (using our rtRemote product available in the Windows app store), Android Smart Phones,  and many many more.
• Streaming of your iTunes music and videos over the internet while away from home – on holiday, at work, wherever – with the ability to select a suitable transcoding option for lower bandwidth connections
• Identifies which episodes in a TV series you have not already watched

Plus all the great features already in iHomeServer version 2:

• Create multiple “Watch Folders” to synchronise your iTunes library with your existing media folder structure
• Streaming to any of your Apple TVs (or anyother iOS device) through Home Sharing
• Automatic tagging of your media with metadata, for example title, artist, producer, cover art
• Automatically start iTunes on booting-up your server  / PC
• Allows iTunes to be run on systems with no sound cards
• If running it on a server, you can manage your iTunes library from the Windows Home Server Console

New version of rtRemote for iTunes is available in the app store now

Filed under iTunes , rtRemote for iTunes , Windows 8

We recently released an update of our Windows Store app for remotely controlling your iTunes library directly from the Windows 8 interface. The update adds support for new Windows 8.1 features such as the in-app search bar, new app size modes, improved network compatibility as well as some bug fixes.

rtRemote is the only app available for Windows 8 that provides similar functionality of the Apple Remote app for iOS devices – it turns your Windows Surface, PC or laptop (inc Windows RT) into a remote control for your iTunes library. So wherever you are at home, you can use your Windows 8 device to browse through your iTunes library, select a song or movie and play your music / films / etc to play on your Apple TV or AirPlay compatible speaker(s).

This release of rtRemote also includes a new killer feature called ‘Play Here’ that will let you stream your iTunes media library music and video directly to your Surface or other Windows 8 device – this unique functionality is powered by iHomeServer v3 so is currently only available to users of the iHomeServer v3 beta but will be available to all iHomeServer users when v3 is released.

We like user feedback :)

Filed under rtRemote for iTunes

Thank you to Thomas who left the following feedback for us on the Windows Store for our app rtRemote.  rtRemote is our awesome Windows 8 app that lets you to remote control iTunes from the Windows 8 Metro interface.  Comments like this make it all worthwhile :-)

First, ignore the 'it doesn't have airplay' review as this is an iTunes remote app, not a streaming player. that said, it can control airplay settings on the iTunes library you are controlling! its so amazing I had to get a surface to have Office for work and was so worried it wouldn't give me control over iTunes on my home network like an iOS device would but it does, and the User Interface is soooo amazing. This dev can make an app! If you are coming from a Mac/iOS background will love it!