Yes, I am aware of where this is posted and am prepared for my inevitable crucifixion as a result of this observation. But, like… is this really a problem that requires a self hosting solution? That seems like quite the overcomplication to me unless you absolutely require access to your entire selection on multiple devices that will have 24/7 network connections for some reason. I imagine most people actually don’t. And if you do, a simple file share is probably a less convoluted solution, and surely already exists on the server you already have.
MP3’s take up negligible amounts of storage space on modern devices and can be played on anything, and can be easily taken with you anywhere including out of network range.
I guess teaching people how to drag-and-drop audio files onto their phone and open them with VLC would be a much shorter article.
I guess teaching people how to drag-and-drop audio files onto their phone and open them with VLC would be a much shorter article.
It would be a consistently worse experience going forwards, which I think is the point. A little effort up front (and fun, probably, if you’re into this sort of thing) for a more convenient user experience (and probably extra satisfaction as well) is the reason people do this sort of thing, is it not? Sure, compared to some things you can do with self hosting, it’s not going to be life-changing. But, worth the effort for some. I’m taking notes from this thread as it’s probably the next thing on my to do list.
I’ve got 128GB on my phone and instead of compressing images and videos to 480p I sync them to my server with immich. Same for music and movies.
I only store the apps and local info on my device. Everything that has to be stored long term sits on a cheap hdd. I can select the audiobook whenever I want to instead of in advance.
Yeeeah, gonna have to disagree with that. Having dead simple access to your library on any device is amazing. ABS syncs your listening position between devices, has offline downloading, supports rich metadata, collections, customized sleep timers, and quite a bit more.
Mostly agree. Audiobooks are not my thing, but of it were - I’d look for a way to resume where I left off, maybe some recommendation on what to listen to next.
In general - once you’re into hosting stuff and past the initial barrier of setting everything up - adding another service is dead simple.
Yes they can, via images embedded in their ID3 tags. This is supported by a huge array of players in terms of both physical hardware and software.
Keep your place
Yes they can, via many players (including both VLC which is what I use, and also my car stereo).
Sync across devices
This much is true, at least in the players I use. There’s probably a solution with some specific player somewhere.
But specifically for audiobooks, I don’t… need… to play across multiple devices. I listen via only two methods: My headphones (which are driven by my phone) and in my car (which works with my phone). I only actually use one player. It goes with me everywhere. Ours go with most of us everywhere; we’re naked without 'em.
If your use case requires a networked solution, you do you. I’m just saying, don’t automatically get blinded by how the Streaming Era has kind of fucked up everyone’s brain.
Edit: Downvoting me doesn’t change the fact that what you said was false.
I’d rather not have my library files available to everyone in the house. My NAS only has secured access via these apps.
As mentioned they keep position, copy files over as you access them, tailscale allows access everywhere.
I transition from mobile phone to PC more than twice a day. Just because you don’t want an app to do it doesn’t mean others don’t have the requirements.
Yup. Audio books aren’t very big once converted to a reasonable format and with the amount of space these days, I can comfortably keep a dozen on me at all times.
Yes, I am aware of where this is posted and am prepared for my inevitable crucifixion as a result of this observation. But, like… is this really a problem that requires a self hosting solution? That seems like quite the overcomplication to me unless you absolutely require access to your entire selection on multiple devices that will have 24/7 network connections for some reason. I imagine most people actually don’t. And if you do, a simple file share is probably a less convoluted solution, and surely already exists on the server you already have.
MP3’s take up negligible amounts of storage space on modern devices and can be played on anything, and can be easily taken with you anywhere including out of network range.
I guess teaching people how to drag-and-drop audio files onto their phone and open them with VLC would be a much shorter article.
(Ed: Punctuation.)
It would be a consistently worse experience going forwards, which I think is the point. A little effort up front (and fun, probably, if you’re into this sort of thing) for a more convenient user experience (and probably extra satisfaction as well) is the reason people do this sort of thing, is it not? Sure, compared to some things you can do with self hosting, it’s not going to be life-changing. But, worth the effort for some. I’m taking notes from this thread as it’s probably the next thing on my to do list.
I’ve got 128GB on my phone and instead of compressing images and videos to 480p I sync them to my server with immich. Same for music and movies.
I only store the apps and local info on my device. Everything that has to be stored long term sits on a cheap hdd. I can select the audiobook whenever I want to instead of in advance.
Yeeeah, gonna have to disagree with that. Having dead simple access to your library on any device is amazing. ABS syncs your listening position between devices, has offline downloading, supports rich metadata, collections, customized sleep timers, and quite a bit more.
Its nice to share with others
Mostly agree. Audiobooks are not my thing, but of it were - I’d look for a way to resume where I left off, maybe some recommendation on what to listen to next.
In general - once you’re into hosting stuff and past the initial barrier of setting everything up - adding another service is dead simple.
MP3s do not show artwork or keep your place, and they don’t sync across devices.
Yes they can, via images embedded in their ID3 tags. This is supported by a huge array of players in terms of both physical hardware and software.
Yes they can, via many players (including both VLC which is what I use, and also my car stereo).
This much is true, at least in the players I use. There’s probably a solution with some specific player somewhere.
But specifically for audiobooks, I don’t… need… to play across multiple devices. I listen via only two methods: My headphones (which are driven by my phone) and in my car (which works with my phone). I only actually use one player. It goes with me everywhere. Ours go with most of us everywhere; we’re naked without 'em.
If your use case requires a networked solution, you do you. I’m just saying, don’t automatically get blinded by how the Streaming Era has kind of fucked up everyone’s brain.
Edit: Downvoting me doesn’t change the fact that what you said was false.
I’d rather not have my library files available to everyone in the house. My NAS only has secured access via these apps.
As mentioned they keep position, copy files over as you access them, tailscale allows access everywhere.
I transition from mobile phone to PC more than twice a day. Just because you don’t want an app to do it doesn’t mean others don’t have the requirements.
I’m not saying nobody has that requirement, I’m just predicting that most people actually don’t if they sit down and think about it for a minute.
Also, what jaroni just said about cover art and position saving is still patently false and has been since, like, 1994.
Yeah thats true but it’s a fuck around via the gui without automation which these apps offer. I prefer m4a though.
Yup. Audio books aren’t very big once converted to a reasonable format and with the amount of space these days, I can comfortably keep a dozen on me at all times.
I’d much rather choose the book I want to listen to by clicking on the book’s cover than look for it on one of my many harddrives
I’m with you, but it’d still be nice to have an audiobook centered interface to drag those audiobooks from.