Blog moved

Because the German blog provider "blog.de" will close its service end of the year, we have now moved our blog: both nessMediaCenter as well as nessViewer have a new blog, which is now integrated into the respective web sites.

After a few days of work, we have managed to integrate the essential functionality of a blog (based on textpattern) - however comments are no longer supported.

If you want to subscribe to one of the new blogs, then click the RSS link of the new blog.

The new blog is also available at Feedburner:

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nessMediaCenter & nessViewer & Mac OS X 10.11 (El Capitan)

Meanwhile, we also have installed a pre-release version of Mac OS X 10.11 (El Capitan) to check the compatibilty of our applications.

So far, we were pleased to discover only a very small problem: if a movie can not be played, then the corresponding message is not displayed correctly. What happens almost never (except an internet provider video or a video of a DLNA media server can not be played).
We have now solved this problem in another pre-release version of nessMediaCenter and nessViewer.

We also have improved the Mac App Store (MAS) pre-release version of nessMediaCenter to display an information message if the iPhoto or iTunes libraries can not be accessed because the libraries are stored e.g. on an external volume and the necessary access permissions are missing.

"Tips & Tricks" is now offering additional assistance and answers to questions that users asked us in recent times.

And we have adapted a few internet providers (e.g. DailyMotion).

In the coming days we will continue to test and then hopefully make the final versions available soon.

nessMediaCenter & nessViewer pre-release: improved iTunes Control

After the music playback of shared iTunes libraries, we now have improved the iTunes Control, among other things for larger iTunes libraries.

1.) After selecting iTunes from the media center main menu, a loading indicator (spinner) is displayed during loading and analyzing the iTunes library.
2.) In the iTunes Control, the playlists preview is generated faster and only if the playlist has been changed.
3.) For missing music covers, a standard cover is displayed so that the display on the right side is nicer and less "turbulent".
4.) The switch from iTunes Control to iTunes (level up) is now without delay.

The revised pre-release versions of nessMediaCenter and nessViewer can now be downloaded - we will continue to test and will probably make the final versions available soon.

nessMediaCenter & nessViewer pre-release: music playback of shared iTunes libraries in the media center

On Robert's request we took a look at the music playback of shared iTunes libraries by the iTunes control in the media center and have expanded a pre-relase version of nessMediaCenter and nessViewer.

For this playback, there are the following requirements:
1.) A library has been shared in iTunes on one computer (s. iTunes preferences and there "Sharing").
2.) In the shared library, there are playlists with unique names that contain only music.
3.) On another computer, the shared library has been integrated in iTunes.

The playlist names are important. "Music" as an example exists in this case (pt. 3) for example twice: the default local music playlist and the default music playlist of the shared library. The local default music playlist can be selected via the iTunes control of the media center, but not the default music playlist of the shared library (because its name is not unique and iTunes does not allow to rename the default music playlists).

Another requirement is that iTunes has loaded the shared library once after each launch - otherwise the playlists of the shared library are not available in the iTunes control.

Due to various dependencies (accessibility configuration, iTunes version etc.) we have created an external AppleScript application "iTunes Shared Lib Loader". After downloading and unzipping the file, this AppleScript application can be defined as a login item on each computer, so that after each computer startup it will automatically launch iTunes and then load the shared library.

In the ZIP file there are also screenshots for Mac OS X 10.6 and AppleScripts for iTunes 10 + 11 which must be previously saved as AppleScript application ("only executable"). We suggest to test the AppleScript before and to adapt it if necessary.

In the system preferences and there in the privacy settings (here version 10.10), the AppleScript application "iTunes Shared Lib Loader" must be allowed to control the computer (aka iTunes). Usually you will be asked the first time the AppleScript application is executed and then you can open the preferences by clicking a button.

The iTunes interface (here version 12) must look like this - the leftmost icon for selecting the shared libraries. The AppleScript application automatically selects the first shared library which is then loaded.

nessMediaCenter 1.7.1 available in the AppStore

After 27 days, the 64-bit version of nessMediaCenter is finally available in the Mac App Store (MAS).

Background of this delay was as reported a bug on an Apple web page, which was only fixed after several mails to the Apple support and Apple developers.

In addition to the movie status and faster forward, shutdown of the computer by selecting exit in the media center is now also optionally available in the AppStore version. For security reasons, an AppleScript must be manually installed  - instructions can be found now at Tips & Tricks.

nessMediaCenter & Mac App Store (MAS)

As previously reported, we uploaded the new nessMediaCenter version 1.7.1 to the "Mac App Store" (MAS) on 4. July. Fortunately, the Apple review team has reviewed this new version already on 11. July.

But unfortunately, this new version is still not available in the MAS. What happened?

After the upload, we tried to view the build details to ensure that nessMediaCenter is complete. In the past, it happened that XCode (the Apple development tool) had not uploaded all resources (eg the German user interface etc.).
These build informations are usually viewable in "iTunes Connect" (ITC), the management interface for AppStore applications. And as we had to find out, ITC is showing a completely blank web page instead of the expected build details.

So we reported this problem at 6. July to Apple. On 9. July we finally received the email that the Apple Developer Support can confirm this bug and that this bug has been reported to the Apple engineering team.

Despite repeated requests, so far nothing has changed and we can unfortunately still not check the uploaded (and reviewed by Apple) nessMediaCenter version 1.7.1. Since we think, that the risk of an incorrect version (for example the missing German user interface) is too large, our MAS customers must unfortunately be patient. And we can not tell how long this might take - an internet search showed that this bug might already exist since 24. June.

nessMediaCenter 1.7.1 & nessViewer 3.7.1 for Mac available

The new versions of nessMediaCenter and nessViewer are available since yesterday evening.

As reported earlier, the movie status is now displayed in the fullscreen presentation - of course not always and reduced to the essentials. And the playback speed can now be increased up to 64 times to get faster to a position in a longer movie.

In the 64-bit version of nessViewer, media from various applications can now be imported into a media show.

In addition, a few minor bugs has also been fixed - if you still find one, then please let us know.

The new 64-bit version of nessMediaCenter has been uploaded to the Mac App Store as well - according to our experience, the review & release by Apple will take a minimum of 10 days.

NV Remote II for iPad, iPhone & iPod touch available

After a long time we finally reworked the old "NV Remote" App for iPhone and iPod touch whose successor is now available as "NV Remote II" in iTunes Store (iOS App Store).

"NV Remote II" was not only adapted for iOS 7 and iOS 8 (and still supports iOS 5.1.1 and newer), but is now also compatible with the iPad.

The design of the buttons has also been revised and equals now the buttons of "nessViewer App" for iOS.

The functionality of "NV Remote II" is described on the nessViewer website and on YouTube you can watch a demo video that shows the remote control of nessMediaCenter by "NV Remote II".

In the help of nessMediaCenter or nessViewer, the available control commands of the remote control are explained: beside the media center and media presentations, windows (for example DVD playback, movies and media shows) and even EyeTV and iTunes can be remote controlled as well.

nessMediaCenter & nessViewer for Mac: pre-release with movie status info & faster forward playback

Lorne has suggested the following enhancements for the (fullscreen) movie presentation started by the media center:
1) Display of the current movie position and the current playback speed when fast forward is selected.
2.) Higher playback speed to get more quickly to a specific position in longer movies.
3.) Continuous increase of the playback speed if "right hold" is pressed longer than 3 seconds.
4.) The resume of the last playback position after reopening an already watched movie.

From point 1 we were at the beginning not so very excited because in other applications (eg QuickTime Player or EyeTV) the status info hides a part of the movie for a few seconds. And in other media centers, the status info is too technical. But then Lorne's tenacity and good arguments convinced us and we have found a solution which on the one hand displays this information, but on the other hand hides only a very small part of the movie.

To be able to get faster forward in movie, we have increased the playback speed in the movie presentation up to 64x. However, even at 32x problems occurred. We therefore had to apply a trick to allow such a fast forward: with a playback speed of 32x and higher the movie is no longer playing, but the position moved forward by a timer every second for 1 minute (or 2 minutes for 64x).

The increase of the playback speed is now available in the presentation menu too, so that it can be used without remote control.

Point 4 is already implemented in our view by the use of iTunes routines - more about it can be found at "Tips & Tricks". As Lorne wrote us, however, the realization of the first two points is a sufficient solution.

We would like to thank Lorne for his good arguments, the tenacity and patience.

A pre-release version (last updated on 30.6. 12:45) of nessMediaCenter and nessViewer can now be downloaded. We will continue to test and - if no errors are found - offer the new 32 and 64-bit versions of nessMediaCenter and nessViewer.

The MAS (Mac App Store) version of nessMediaCenter will follow as soon as possible - at the moment we are still working on the release of the new iOS app "NV Remote II", which was once rejected by Apple's review team. We have now (as from the review team requested) recorded a video to demonstrate the functionality - this video can be watched on YouTube now.

nessViewer App for iPad/iPhone/iPod touch & QRCode

As part of another project we dealt with QRCode and now implemented its functionality in a pre-release version of nessViewer app for iOS.

At "Open URL" and "Present URL", a QRCode scanner can now be activated which displays after activating a camera view and sets the (by the QRCode) recognized character string in the URL field.

The QRCode scanner is supported from iOS 7 or newer and is disabled in older versions of iOS.

nessViewer App 2.0 for iPad/iPhone/iPod touch available

As previously reported, we have improved in this version for iOS 8 the import of media from the "Photos App" and the MediaCenter uses now the new structure at "Photos" (years, moments and collections).

The new file icons are now (eg at "open file") smaller and thus each row is also less high. The distance of the title to the icons has been reduced as well.

At the image editing - if you open a picture at "Open File" - a map (OSM) can now be shown with the GPS location. At the image editing the toolbar and the status bar can be hidden by a touch, so that the entire screen is used. And after the 1:1 display of an image it can now be zoomed up to 10x.

In addition, an error in the images display of "Photos App" media has been fixed.

After a longer search and some tests we have now finally eliminated the useless extra spacing of the first row in tables and table headers (eg at the FTP client): hard to believe, but tables should just not be the first view. Now there is always a first invisible view…

And navigation bar and toolbar are now displayed on the iPhone in black even if a bright look is selected (s. "Settings App" and there nessViewer). On the iPad this was already so, but apparently iPhone and iPad still have a different iOS?

As a precaution, we have compiled this version with XCode 6.2 and uploaded it to the AppStore - the latest XCode version 6.3 seems to no longer support older devices.

nessViewer (64 bit) & Photos App support

The 64-bit version of nessViewer 3.7 for Mac is now extended to even more "Photos App" support: whereas previously the media center could already access the "Photos App" media (by the way also the 32-bit version), you can now also import the media of the "Photos App" into a media show with the 64 bit version. But not only the media of the "Photos App" but also media from Aperture, Final Cut (Pro), iMovie, iPhoto and Photo Booth.

The import of the "Photos App" media in a media show is especially important because the "Photos App" exports media without GPS data: if, for example, a picture with GPS data is dragged & dropped from the "Photos App" on the desktop, then the GPS data is missing. This makes obviously no sense - thus the media show does not support drag & drop from the "Photos App" into a media show drawer.

Once you have imported the media of the "Photos App" in a media show, you can drag & drop the media from the drawer on the desktop (or anywhere else) - with GPS data. Although a small detour, but without data loss.

nessMediaCenter 1.7 available in App Store

One week after Mac OS X 10.10.3 (Yosemite), nessMediaCenter 1.7 is now available in the App Store.

Back in February we had begun to integrate the media of the new "Photos App" in the media center and to offer pre-release versions. At the end of March, we then released the official version on our download page, which is now available in the App Store too.

Although the integration of the "Photos App" media is certainly one of the most important new features - Apple has finally not so often a completely new product that replaces Aperture and iPhoto - this version includes also other important changes: in addition to an improved GPS location (country, city, street), which is now displayed in media presentations too, the availability of DLNA media servers has been improved and an error in the image representation has been fixed.

nessViewer App 1.9.3 for iPad/iPhone/iPod touch (pre-release)

In the pre-release version 1.9.3 of nessViewer App for iOS we have now improved the import of media from the "Photos App": while previously only one picture or video was imported (and then this function must be called again for other media import), multiple media can now be selected and then imported in one step if iOS 8 is installed.

Not only multiple media can be selected (by touching), but eg various lists (collections, moments, bursts, etc.) can be selected and their media added to the import as well. Through "Select All", all the displayed media is added to the import (or through "Clear Selection" removed), making the selection of import media even easier.

After selecting "Import", the so arranged media are imported from the "Photos App" to "nessViewer App" including existing metadata (EXIF, GPS) - and as this may take some time on greater import, a progress bar is displayed during this time. The import folder will then be opened, if necessary, and the imported media can be managed.

The so imported media can then, for example, be transferred to any computer like a Mac (either through an FTP client on the computer or the media server of nessViewer on Mac), or can be transferred to another iOS device through the FTP server and FTP client of "nessViewer App". And of course, all without the use of iCloud...

All beta testers (with registered iOS devices) can download the modified pre-release version 1.9.3 of "nessViewer App" at the nessViewer download page.

Import of multiple media from the "Photos App" with "nessViewer App"

nessMediaCenter 1.7 & nessViewer 3.7 for Mac available

Access to media of the new "Photos App" by the media center is the most important innovation in these versions. In the preferences can be specified which data is made available (albums, moments, collections, media types), which possibly reduces loading time. In early February, we had begun to implement this feature, as the "Photos App" according to Apple will replace the applications Aperture and iPhoto. Those who participate in the Apple beta program for Mac OS X, can install 10.10.3 - this version is required for the "Photos App" and access by the media center.

Another new feature in nessViewer is the display of a map with the GPS position of the captured image and the images in a media show. In the media show map, each image can be displayed in the media show by clicking on the marker. The MediaCenter displays the GPS location (country, city, street) now more accurately (if these data are available) and in the media presentation the GPS position of a picture is now displayed in the bottom center.

In addition, the handling of the DLNA availability has been improved to access DS214play and a presentation can now be started from the selected entry in the MediaCenter.

The media server can now be started automatically when nessViewer is started, so that the shutdown or start of the computer can be setup by the "Energy Saver" (schedule) and the media server is always available after the computer start. Or you can use, for example, VPN to restart the computer...

In the 64-bit versions, we noticed that some images with orientation data (EXIF) were not displayed correctly what we have hereby fixed.

Once Yosemite 10.3 is officially released, we will upload nessMediaCenter to the AppStore - unfortunately it will then still take (at least) about 1 week until the AppStore version will be available. We would like to upload the new version now, which unfortunately is not allowed.

nessViewer media show with a map of the GPS locations

nessViewer App 1.9.2 for iPad/iPhone/iPod touch available

As previously reported, we have fixed a bug in this version that occurred apparently only on iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 with iOS 8. It crashed nessViewer App on these iOS devices after selecting "Open URL", entering an URL and confirming with "Open.

Since this routine - display of this view and entering an URL or a file name - is used in several places in nessViewer App, it crashed on these iOS devices in other places as well: for example, when one created a folder at "Open File", at "Present URL", added an URL to a media show and when one saved a new media show.

This was caused by calling a system routine ("callback") that is apparently not supported (anymore) on these iOS devices - we have not found appropriate documentation for this problem. Fortunately, we were able to develop a different approach which works on all iOS devices on all supported versions of iOS (iOS 4.1 to iOS 8.2).

In addition, we have also fixed some issues with displaying the status bar and we adapted some provider offers.

Meanwhile, we are already working on the next version 1.9.3 which among others allows it to access the media of the "Photos App" with the new structure (years, collections, moments, etc.).

And the news web page has been enhanced to show what is going on with nessViewer App for iOS in the same way as with nessViewer for Mac.

nessViewer App for iPad / iPhone / iPod touch & crash

Thanks to Gandhi and Ulf who informed us about a heavy problem in the "nessViewer app" for iOS (iPhone / iPad / iPod touch): with some iOS devices - as far as we were able to test iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 - "nessViewer app" crashed on iOS 8.x as soon as the URL dialog was used. And this dialogue is very much used ...

Amazingly, it concerned only (as far as we know so far) these iOS devices - with iPhone 4, iPhone 5 and iPad 2, for example, there were also under iOS 8.2 no problems or crashes. What we find very puzzling - and what made testing & debugging rather difficult.

Since the problem was neither understandable nor could be achieved with the beta testers (and their iOS devices) in the short term, we have now bought an iPhone 6 and were able to solve the problem. While still not really understandable - but if a code or a solution does not work on all devices, then we just have to develop a different approach.

Playing around with the iPhone 6, we also have found a few other small discrepancies - eg the status bar was not always shown so far, when the iOS device has been moved from portrait mode to landscape mode.

But apart from that, it makes really fun to play around with the iPhone 6. After we have changed in the "Settings App" at nessViewer the background to dark (by simply deactivating "Light"), the iPhone 6 looks even cooler. Not to mention the incredible number of features and available media...

Tomorrow we will upload the corrected version 1.9.2 and hope that Apple will releases this version soon. Where it might take a little bit longer - at the moment, Apple seems to have a lot of problems with their servers and services.

All beta testers aka registered iOS devices can download the modified nessViewer app ad hoc version 1.9.1 from the download page.

MediaCenter & the new Photos App from Apple

The new Photos app from Apple is now integrated in a pre-release version of the media center. This allows access to the media of the Photos app, as it has been already available for the iPhoto media.

5 days ago, a pre-release version of Mac OS X 10.10.3 (Yosemite) has been released for developers which now gives you the long-awaited Photos app. How Apple had announced some time ago, iPhoto and Aperture will probably not be developed further, but replaced by the Photos app. Therefore, we have set ourselves immediately to the media center integration of the Photos app.

After the installation of the pre-release version of Mac OS X 10.10.3 and the first Photos app launch, the iPhoto media were easily transferred. As far as we can tell, the new Photos app is stable and makes a good impression. Who knows iPhoto will quickly find one's way.

In a pre-release version of nessMediaCenter and nessViewer, "Photos" is displayed in the media center main menu if the photos library in the pictures folder exists. In the media center preferences either only "Photos" or "iPhoto" and "Photos" can be activated.

On YouTube a demo video can be watched which demonstrates and explains - among some other newer features - the access to the media of the Photos App.

We will continue to test the pre-release and see how far Apple extends the new photos app. So far it would only be desirable from our point of view the ability to sort the media also by title - this is possible in iPhoto, but is absent in the Photos app.

nessMediaCenter 1.6.2 available in AppStore

nessMediaCenter 1.6.2 is now available in the AppStore - with the following changes:
1.) Preferences: Choice of the media center selection color
2.) modernized display of the selection
3.) optional presentation start from the current entry

In addition, "Open MediaCenter at startup" was renamed to "Open MediaCenter at application start", because "startup" has been interpreted by the review team as computer startup and this renaming is better understandable for the user as well.

Actually, this version corresponds to version 1.6.1 from 20.1., which was unfortunately rejected because of the ambiguous wording. By a faulty XCode upload, we had unfortunately to upload a corrected version as 1.6.2 on 28.1. - and therefore the release by Apple lasted this time 2 weeks.

The improved DLNA availability is not available in this AppStore version but will follow in the next AppStore version.

MediaCenter: DLNA availability

Erik informed us about a problem in the media center: if multiple DLNA devices are present, then only the first DLNA device appears in the media center - and this device must not be a DLNA media server, so that although DLNA appears in the media center, there is no media accessible.

Through several trials and protocols, that were issued for test purposes and Erik sent us back, we were able to solve the problem finally.

Especially helpful were there 2 existing DLNA media server (Fritz!Box NAS and DS214play), whereat the Fritz!Box NAS has been disabled for test purposes. In this case, the Fritz!Box NAS still reported itself as a DLNA media server even though it is no media available - and thus DS214play was then not available.
Another problem was DS214play that reports itself twice as device - and only the second device is a DLNA media server.

We have now solved the problems by showing only the first DLNA media server that really provides media. A modified version can be downloaded from the download page.

Many thanks go to Erik, who had the patience to test several attempts and different combinations!

And then there is also bad news for the AppStore customers: nessMediaCenter 1.6.1 was rejected on 27.1. by Apple. Due to a bug in XCode we had to upload unfortunately a corrected version as 1.6.2 on 28.1. - and apparently it takes again a week until Apple will review the new version. And the improved DLNA availability will not be included in this AppStore version.

MediaCenter: start a presentation from the current entry

During the preparation of the AppStore version of nessMediaCenter 1.6.1 we found a missing feature in the media center: starting a presentation from the current entry.

Although it has been able to select multiple entries by "+" and then start the presentation (by PLAY or RETURN), this solution is not optimal to start a presentation in the middle of a longer list - to select all following entries would be too cumbersome for many entries.

If you want to start a presentation from an entry, then now simply keep holding "PLAY" on the remote control for a short time (PLAY holding). Or at the keyboard hold down the Option key (ALT) when pressing the RETURN key.

With the keyboard you can also press "+" with the Option key to add all entries from the current entry to the "virtual playlist" (and "-" with Option key to remove them again). As a result, it is now easy and quick to present the middle entries of a long list:
1.) Use the arrow keys to select the desired entry (and thereby possibly hold down the Command key)
2.) Press "+" with the Option key to add all entries from the current entry to the "virtual playlist"
3.) Use the arrow keys to select one of the next entries
4.) Press "-" with the Option key to remove all entries from the current entry from the "virtual playlist"
5.) Start the presentation by pressing RETURN

The 32-bit versions have already been adjusted and can be downloaded - tomorrow the 64-bit versions will follow. And as soon as possible the AppStore version ...

nessMediaCenter 1.6.1 & nessViewer 3.6.1 for Mac available

These updates include the last two pre-release versions and changes since the last version.

The modernized selection display in the MediaCenter has been recorded more than positive - and who really missed Front Row, can set the selection color to blue ...

The fullscreen presentations on multiple screens has been improved and now just makes addicted - who (still) does not have 2 screen should upgrade for that reason alone.
At "Tips & amp; Tricks" we have added an instructions how to start multiple fullscreen presentations.

Unfortunately, the modernized selection display could not be adopted in the AppStore version because we have uploaded it on 1/1/2015 - this time Apple needed over a week to test and approve the version.

nessMediaCenter 1.6 now available in AppStore

nessMediaCenter 1.6 is now also available in the AppStore:
1.) New icons including Retina icons for Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite)
2.) Improved handling of (fullscreen) presentations on multiple screens
3.) Improved handling of (secured) folder access
4.) Bug fix at Miro video podcast playback

The folder access permissions determine which folders can be accessed: the picture and movie folder is accessible by default, all other folders - for example symbolic links that are in the picture and movie folders and link to folders outside these folders - must be granted by the folder access permissions.

So far, the folder access permissions have been granted after opening the media center, so they were not available in "movie info". Therefore, they are now being granted right after the start of nessMediaCenter.

In this version, videos of the supported internet providers can be presented which are collected in media shows or Miro video podcasts.

Apple has increased the prices in the Euro zone, so nessMediaCenter would cost 16.99 (mysterious: the AppStore had shown 19.54 Euro; display or calculation error?) instead of 14.99 Euro. We have therefore reduced the Apple price of nessMediaCenter to offer it for 14.99 Euro again - even if this means that we get less. For countries outside the Euro zone (e.g. USA) especially pleasant (for the customers): there nessMediaCenter costs now only 14.99 instead of 16.99 Dollar.

nessMediaCenter & nessViewer pre-release: media center selection look

By popular demand, we have modernized the selection display of the media center: whereas previously the selection has been shown using a rounded white rectangle, now the selection color can be adjusted in the preferences (tab: Center). The default is set to green.

In the media center, the selection is now displayed in the selected color rectangular and has a gradient of this color as background within the rectangle. Who knows Front Row, might recognize perhaps the somewhat familiar appearance...

A preliminary version of nessMediaCenter and nessViewer is now available - we will continue testing.