[slim] How to stream Spotify on a Mac

[whitman]

I wonder if there's an answer to this?

DSBridge is doing it for other platforms.

Statistically, Mac owners love music and gadgets more than most.

Is there a way to bring Spotify to our Squeezebox via our favourite
computer?


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[danco]

You could get Nicecast and let the Squeezebox pick up the Nicecast
broadcast.

Nicecast costs, but is free to try out.


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[whitman]

How does that work, exactly? I'm not familiar with Nicecast. I also
ought to mention that I'm a member of the why-pay generation. Not
necessarily a consenting member, but a member nonetheless.


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[danco]

I agree with you aboutwhy-pay, but I don't currently know of a free
solution.

Nicecast is perhaps intended as a broadcast solution (so something that
can be reached on other computers).

But basically it takes sound from any chosen program and converts it to
a broadcast stream.

Simpler for you to try it (free) than for me to try to explain further.


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[whitman]

Thanks Danco; I'll give it a try. But is someone working on a way, like
DSBridge, to make it work directly and free? Surely it can be done?
Someone?


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[bpa]

In the DSbridge thread one user has reported getting DSbridge to work
using Parallels.


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[whitman]

Thanks bpa, I hadn't seen that. But I've never used Parallels and don't
really intend to. I'd be much happier with something running natively on
Mac OSX.


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[bpa]

The DSbridge solution is purely a Windows solution for application which
use audio. The DSbridge could not be ported to OSX.

The OSX audio subsystems is unique to OSX and probably explains the
paucity of application which can be used to redirect audio.

I don't have an OSX system but then only solution I could suggest would
be to use Soundflower ( http://www.cycling74.com/downloads/soundflower )
to redirect audion and then possibly VLC to take the redirected audio
and turn it into a http mp3 stream.


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[whitman]

Interesting, and thanks bpa. I've not come across Soundflower before.
Haven't had a chance to try it yet; has anyone else had a go? I have a
feeling VLC may be the limiting factor here for OS-X, but again I
haven't had a chance to try it yet. But I'd be interested in any other
Mac users' views on the potential for this combination, and especially
anyone who's tried them out.


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[bpa]

See this link for VLC basic of streaming audio on OSX - not sure if it
is still valid.

http://www.xs4all.nl/~jlpoutre/BoT/Mac-OSX/transcode_with_vlc.html


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[whitman]

Hmm, that looks daunting. How does Soundflower fit into this scheme?


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[whitman]

I'm wondering if this is getting a bit complicated. It looks from the
VLC bit alone that it's going to make my head hurt; I've tried to mess
with VLC before and it ain't a lot of laughs. Plus I still don't quite
see how Soundflower fits into the picture.

I think it's like this: Spotify and whatever comes in its wake is the
way that streaming music is going. If the Squeezebox family of hard and
software doesn't find a way to get this working in the easy,
user-friendly way that has made my two SB3s essential to my daily
musical life, then something else will come along and do the job
better.

I'm not a techie, so the prospect of lashing up something very
complicated that in the end just means I have to fiddle with my computer
to get music running on my SB goes against what my SB currently gives
me. Running Spotify-like streaming services is as essential now as
streaming my own music library and accessing internet radio.


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[bpa]

VLC is a Swiss army knife application - a huge number of options and can
do lots of wonderful stream transformation but it is often not easy to
get it do what is wanted. I have spent many hours with it and still only
use a small number of options.

That said - I believe the VLC advice offered in the linked page will
work as is. You need an enthusiastic OSX user to help tease out the
details as the solution will be OSX specific.

The main cause of the problem is Spotify themselves and I think
Logitech hands are tied by Spotify.

The only API Spotify provide is a single client on an x86 linux based
system (supplied as binary) and the user must be a Premium user. This
won't work in the SC context. The Despotify group showed it was possible
to have a better/more general API but I think Spotify are trying to get
their business model sorted before opening up the system. The iPhone
app shows they are bending under pressure so maybe there is hope for
Logitech.

For me it is an academic exercise since Spotify is not offered in
Ireland (and many other countries) except as a Premium services.


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[whitman]

I'm not feeling brave enough to hook up VLC and Soundflower. A cop-out,
I know.

For now, I'll just hook up my Spotify-running laptop to the stereo and
do it that way.

But I miss being able to use my SB3s for all things audio. I hope I'm
not at the top of a slippery slope.

Having said all this, Spotify have never been in good financial health,
so - even even given the normal-rules-do-not-apply-to-web-companies
proviso - that side of it may come tumbling down anyway.

Tricky times.


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[whitman]

You've all gone very quiet.

Does nobody here use a Mac and have any thoughts about not being able
to get Spotify on their SB or other Squeezey thing?


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[whitman]

I last asked the question about getting Spotify to run on an SB via Mac
OS-X in this thread about nine months ago. Nothing doing then, or at
least not easily and simply. I was just wondering if there had been any
developments that anyone's aware of. As Brian Wilson put it so well:
Wouldn't it be nice ...


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[whitman]

So, that sounds to me like a deafening reply of 'there have been no
developments'.

Pity. It means my Squeezeboxes are lagging behind in one of the most
important developments in online music. I'm not used to that.


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[toby10]

whitman;553877 Wrote:
> So, that sounds to me like a deafening reply of 'there have been no
> developments'.
>
> Pity. It means my Squeezeboxes are lagging behind in one of the most
> important developments in online music. I'm not used to that.


The real limiting factor here is your Mac. As you are aware there is a
current workaround for Spotify use on SB via PC's.
Until there is an official supported Spotify App on SB's I think you
are SOL.
I doubt you will find much interest in developing a simple(r)
workaround for Mac + SB + Spotify.
That combination represents a very, very small percentage of users.
:(


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[whitman]

Appreciate the reply, Toby.

I'm not so sure the limiting factor is my Mac. It seems to me it's the
inability of Logitech and Spotify to get together and create a proper
user interface for SB users. Spotify appears to be the main culprit
here, but that's hard to determine from a distance.

I'm also not sure what evidence you have for your claim that potential
Mac+SB+Spotify users are a "very, very small percentage of users".
Macs are owned by about 13 percent of all computer owners, so far as I
can tell. That means that a similar percentage of SB users are Mac
owners, and I'm sure almost all of those are interested in streaming
Spotify. That doesn't seem a "very, very small percentage" to me.

I wonder what Logitech's view is on all this?


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[alfista]

whitman;554071 Wrote:
> Appreciate the reply, Toby.
> I'm also not sure what evidence you have for your claim that potential
> Mac+SB+Spotify users are a "very, very small percentage of users".
> Macs are owned by about 13 percent of all computer owners, so far as I
> can tell. That means that a similar percentage of SB users are Mac
> owners, and I'm sure almost all of those are interested in streaming
> Spotify. That doesn't seem a "very, very small percentage" to me.
I'm not sure I believe that 13% of users run Mac, but be that as it
may, the vast majority of them will be living in a country where
Spotify currently isn't offered. Alright, they may technically still be
"interested in streaming Spotify", but the lack of support in SB isn't
the acutal hurdle.


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[toby10]

Yes, the lack of a proper Spotify App lies squarely in the hands
Logitech and/or Spotify. If/when that ever happens.
An official Spotify App would almost certainly reside on MySB.com
making what type of computer you have (PC, Mac, NAS) irrelevant.
Even no computer at all would work with a MySB.com App.

As you are asking specifically for a Mac + SB + Spotify solution I
presume you are asking about a third party workaround application like
what was developed for PC's. This is where my "very small" market
comment was directed. This would require someone who
- uses a Mac (you just eliminated 87% of computer users, based on your
13%)
- uses Mac + SB (further limiting the market)
- wants Spotify (most US users wouldn't bother as we have multiple
services available)
- has the skills to write a Mac + SB + Spotify application
- wants to do so for free, providing continuing support as SBS for
Macs evolves

That combination is why I'd guess you are seeing virtually no interest
expressed in this thread. ;)
I am CERTAIN there are Mac + SB users like yourself who would love
access to Spotify, but it's a very small percentage of both Spotify and
SB users.


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[whitman]

Toby, I think that if/when you in the US do get to see and use Spotify,
you might well want it. Including the many Mac owners who love music.
I'm not sure if any of the current offerings there are comparable.


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[toby10]

whitman;555290 Wrote:
> Toby, I think that if/when you in the US do get to see and use Spotify,
> you might well want it. Including the many Mac owners who love music.
> I'm not sure if any of the current offerings there are comparable.

Quite possibly. But then do they create the service in the US then
hope for demand? Or wait for demand then create a US service?
This is assuming all of the licensing restrictions can be worked out
for US service, which is unlikely.

With both Rhapsody and Napster available in the US I'd bet any new
offered service would have an uphill battle here.


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[whitman]

Spotify's boss said back in January: "We're in the final stages of
preparing with the US. We're doing the rounds, we're speaking to
artists, we want to make sure that people understand us." So it can't
be long. I think you'll like it, despite what Napster or others offer.
It's slick and effective.


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[kerguio]

Hi
for those of you looking for Spotify support (and who like me are on a
mac). Due to forum rule (duuuuhhhh) i can't post the link on first
post, so stay tuned.

Beta Plug in initially developed for windows also works on Linux and
Mac apparently...
Have installed it, not yet tested


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