macOS Media Sharing

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rccarguy said:
yup needing to use itunes to sync music.

All my personal audio players use rockbox, you just transfer files like a USB drive, it can browse by folder or build a databse but you don't need any software like itunes to manage the music.

I still can use those players on a PC Windows or Linux.
Click to expand...
Rockbox? That rings bells - wasn’t that used on the Creative house brick or whatever they called it? ;)
 
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FreakyKiwi said:
The Wiim supports accessing music from an SMB file share which macos supports.
Enable sharing in System Settings > General > Sharing by turning on "File Sharing" and configuring options via SMB.

The sharing option in your screenshot is for sharing with other Apple devices only which is all Apple expect you to have.

The alternatives are to play music from the Mac to the Wiim over Airplay, play from another app which supports the Wiim as a DLNA renderer, install a supported server which the Wiim can access (various UPNP, Plex) using the Wiim app, or install a server with its own interface to play to the Wiim (Lyrion, Roon, Music Assistant).
Click to expand...
Thanks! I appreciate this strait-forward answer that explains a lot. I never had File Sharing checked on because, music… 😂
 
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Burnside said:
A marshmallow is edible, but a mac isn’t unless it’s of the Big variety ;)

It’s not truly DLNA viz.

“macOS does not natively support DLNA out of the boX.

While macOS has a "Media Sharing" feature, it is designed specifically for Apple ecosystem sharing (Home Sharing to Apple TV, iPad, etc.) or standard file sharing.

Therefore, to make your Mac appear as a DLNA server to non-Apple devices like smart TVs, receivers, or streamers (e.g., Sonos, WiiM), you will need to use third-party software.

Alternatives to Built-in Sharing
To enable DLNA on a Mac, you can use several third-party applications:
  • MinimServer: An excellent, specialized option for audio streaming.
  • Plex Media Server: A popular, robust choice that serves content to most smart TVs and devices.
  • Serviio: A free, full-featured DLNA server.
  • Elmedia Player: A Mac app that can act as a DLNA server/player.
  • Macast: A lightweight, free, and open-source UPnP/DLNA renderer.
Why You Need Third-Party Software
  • Lack of Native DLNA: Apple focuses on AirPlay and Home Sharing, not the universal DLNA/UPnP standard.
  • Format Compatibility: Third-party servers often handle transcoding, allowing your Mac to stream file formats that your TV might not otherwise support natively.
  • Library Management: Tools like MinimServer or Plex provide better organization for large libraries compared to basic file sharing.
If your goal is to simply share files and you are only using Apple devices, the built-in Media Sharing works. If you are sharing to a TV or network streamer that requires a DLNA server, you will need a third-party application.“
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Strait up entirely AI text.
 
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r5yk5 said:
I started with digital music files in about 2007/8 after I saw an ipod. I was amazed. 80gb, fits in your hand and you can take 1000s of tunes around with you. I bought loads of gear to hook it up to various systems, wires and docks and such like. Most of it 3rd party (not Apple). I also paid quite a lot of money to someone to wire it into my car stereo.

When the 160gb (or whatever it was) came out I was so excited, I queued up for it. Took it home, loaded it up and none of that stuff I'd bought worked.

The guy in the shop said that this new ipod wouldn't work with any of this stuff I'd got and I needed to buy a whole load of new gear to connect it up to everything.

I told him to shove it up his waste disposal pipe, asked for my money back and have never entertained another apple product since.
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- I guess the shop never heard of adaptors.
- I’m using a 10 year old iPhone. No problems. I wonder how many Androids are that old?
 
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Dude said:
Can WiiM Pro Plus access this?

View attachment 33914
Click to expand...
Got it. WiiM can see my files on a Mac.

1. “Media Sharing” vs. “File Sharing”​

  • Media Sharing creates a Home Share (DAAP protocol). This is limited to Apple devices (and PC iTunes).
  • File Sharing creates an SMB Share (Server Message Block). WiiM Pro Plus DOES natively support SMB.
  • You do not need third-party DLNA server software if you use the SMB method that macOS supports natively.
  1. Go to System Settings > General > Sharing.
  2. Turn OFF "Media Sharing" (This is the Apple-only DAAP protocol).
  3. Turn ON "File Sharing".
  4. Click the "i" (Info) button next to File Sharing.
  5. Under "Shared Folders," add your Music folder (where your ALAC files live).
  6. Click "Options..." and ensure "Share files and folders using SMB" is checked.
  7. In your WiiM Home App: Go to Browse > Home Music Share. Your Mac should appear there (you may need to enter your Mac's username/password).
Had to discuss this with AI and it veered off into thinking a barking chicken was surely a dog but, I think this makes sense now.

I kind of knew all this (this server crap is not my day job) but, I think even SMB is not functional either lately. 😭
 
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Dude said:
Got it. WiiM can see my files on a Mac.

1. “Media Sharing” vs. “File Sharing”​

  • Media Sharing creates a Home Share (DAAP protocol). This is limited to Apple devices (and PC iTunes).
  • File Sharing creates an SMB Share (Server Message Block). WiiM Pro Plus DOES natively support SMB.
  • You do not need third-party DLNA server software if you use the SMB method that macOS supports natively.
  1. Go to System Settings > General > Sharing.
  2. Turn OFF "Media Sharing" (This is the Apple-only DAAP protocol).
  3. Turn ON "File Sharing".
  4. Click the "i" (Info) button next to File Sharing.
  5. Under "Shared Folders," add your Music folder (where your ALAC files live).
  6. Click "Options..." and ensure "Share files and folders using SMB" is checked.
  7. In your WiiM Home App: Go to Browse > Home Music Share. Your Mac should appear there (you may need to enter your Mac's username/password).
Had to discuss this with AI and it veered off into thinking a barking chicken was surely a dog but, I think this makes sense now.

I kind of knew all this (this server crap is not my day job) but, I think even SMB is not functional either lately. 😭
Click to expand...

The issue is with long filenames, I've had to truncate classical music as the filename is too long, therefore browsing by folder/file won't show it, only once you open it.

I'd move away from browse by folder ASAP, it's ok as a secondary browse method, for example I know where it is but can't remember the band (or because it's mistagged artist/album artist or something)
 
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Dude said:
- I guess the shop never heard of adaptors.
- I’m using a 10 year old iPhone. No problems. I wonder how many Androids are that old?
Click to expand...
This is long before lightning cables (or whatever they're called). Before iphones even.
I dislike all smartphone equally :)
 
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"Whether you like the company or not, Apple's successes and enduring effects on the music industry, the company's historical fingerprint on how portable music is consumed and marketed, have been monumental." (Archimago)
 
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