Decent UPnP App

I was sitting in my living room, having left my iPhone somewhere in the house, wanting to turn on my stereo and listen to some Miles Davis early in the morning. I had my MacBook with me, but no UPnP player on that machine. My system pulls files from MinimServer on a Synology NAS and feeds a PS Audio DirectStream DAC. And the apps on my iPhone and iPad are not available as Mac apps. So, I downloaded this, paid the $4.99, though with the reviews and ratings, i was reluctant. Anyway, it immediately revealed the DirectTV devices on the ATT wireless network. I switched to the higher speed internal network whivh is Ethernet-connected to the server and renderer, and noticed that PlugPlayer did not change its server or renderer listings. When I tried to get it to “refresh” its list [Reset Media Access in Preferences, very unintuitive], it told me I needed to quit and restart. So, I did, and my server and renderer were there, and PP played from and to them very well. Nice graphics, probably some wasted space in the server and renderer columns, but not a big deal. Very responsive.
I get that the UPnP market is stocked with stuff that has zero regard for Mac UI conventions, but still, the developer should consider:
1. Add a refresh or rescan option, probably under the non-existent file menu;
2. Change the start screen which looks like it limits you to iTunes and Photos, when it actually doesn’t;
3. There is some unreliability in playback, with tracks occasionally not starting even though the player has progressed to the next track, or unexpectedly pausing and requiring a click on the playback button. In fairness, some of this could be related to the flakiness of UPnP in general. I have noticed that, while my DS is usuaslly rock solid, as is my MinimServer, occasionally hiccups happen;
4. Playback button should change states between play and pause icons.
All in all, a decent player, worth the $4.99, especially with the family subscription. Thanks!

cogitoergomac about PlugPlayer