Collaboration Syncplay 1.6.4a - VLC 3.0.8 on MAC shows problem

[Wol-Loth]

I'm new in this forum, so be kind and help me solve my problem 🙏
To synchronise external sound for Zoom-Meeting I wanted to use Syncplay in combination of VLC, both latest versions 1.6.4a resp. 3.0.8, on my MacBook Pro Mid 15 (MAC OS 10.14.6) and at friends with Mac and Win PCs.
I use VLC for long time and use actual updates. Syncplay was downloaded from Syncplay.pl homepage and installed as recommended by drag-drop the button on the programs button.
Trying to run Syncplay opened the settings windows and asked for the file source.
When giving a local mp4-file and starting Syncplay connects to the desired server, starts the VLC app and the file is processed, but after short time two error messages appear (see screenshots) and no commands are taken any more.
In the documentation I found that Syncplay works with VLC 2.X.
Can anyone give me a hint how to run Syncplay 1.6.4a and VLC 3.0.8 for synchronisation over internet ?

Regards Wolfgang

[albertosottile]

Hello, thanks for reporting this. I am not completely sure that I understand your use case.

Anyway, I would check if the helper LUA script was copied correctly in the right location by the app. Could you check the content of the folder /Users/wolfgangloth/Library/Application Support/org.videolan.vlc/lua/intf and post it here? You can use either the Terminal or the Finder Go to Folder menu to access this folder.

[Wol-Loth]

THX for the quick reply.
I checked for the path but in Application support is no folder "org.videolan.vlc/lua/intf"
I've checked for vlc.lua and found it in
wolfgangloth/Applications/ VLC/ Contents/MacOS/share/lua/inf/syncplay.lua
syncplay.lua size is 20 kb
Is this the wrong place ?

[albertosottile]

Interesting... Could you take a screenshot of the first dialog that opens when you start Syncplay (the Syncplay Configuration window)? Thanks

[Wol-Loth]

[albertosottile]

Ok, it seems that you have two instances of VLC installed in your system, one in /Applications/VLC.app (the one recognized by Syncplay) and another in /Users/wolfgangloth/Applications/VLC.app. Apparently, by default, Syncplay opens VLC from the former path but tries to copy the syncplay.lua script in the other path.

I would just delete one of the two VLC apps, if possible. Otherwise, you can select the copy installed in your home folder from the Syncplay configuration dialog (Path to media player) and try to run Syncplay in any case.

[Wol-Loth]

So in the /Applications/VLC.app path there is no syncplay.lua ; but all modules end with ".luac"
Should I transfer the synplay.lua to this place and delete the other path ?

[Wol-Loth]

I have renamed the second path from "Application Support" and copied the syncplay.lua to the "Applications" path ... but got the same results.
One strange thing: When I downloaded syncplay.lua it appeared in the download folder as "syncplay.lua.html". I guessed that this was a download failure and renamed it to syncplay.lua.
Was this a mistake ????

[albertosottile]

I would recommend deleting both the VLC apps from /Applications and /Users/wolfgangloth/Applications/, then reinstalling VLC, then trying again with Syncplay.

[Wol-Loth]

I have reinstalled both, but can't find syncplay.lua in my vlc.app container !
As I understand it should be installed automatically to VLC.app, right ?
I have found it and copied it to VLC.app , ... but running syncplay gives the same results !
" Can't find syncplay.lua "

[Et0h]

Did you reinstall both instances of VLC? That could be part of the problem.

[albertosottile]

I would just download the syncplay.lua file from here https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Syncplay/syncplay/master/syncplay/resources/lua/intf/syncplay.lua (be careful with the extension) and put it here /Users/wolfgangloth/Library/Application Support/org.videolan.vlc/lua/intf. Create all the subfolders needed if they are not there. And yes, I would install just one instance of VLC in your system, preferably in /Applications.

[Wol-Loth]

So sorry, it doesn't work !
What does the message mean ?
syncplay.lua: 542 : Cannot listen on localhost: 29071

Is there some other player for MAC and WIN you propose that will not give this problem ?

[Wol-Loth]

Seems to me as if there is only one way connection syncplay --> vlc , but the return path is missing !
So Syncplay starts VLC, i can hear the music and see the VLC window and Syncplay says at the same time in the right up window "no file being played" , i.e. the listening channel of Syncplay is not assigned or wrong assigned ???

[Wol-Loth]

Alberto, I have uninstalled VLC completely. Downloaded and installed VLC new.
Running Syncplay always gives me the same error messages
... and each start of Syncplay starts a new VLC session shown as icon in the task bar.
And ... I can't drag a file to the "shared playlist window"

I was so full of hope and joy giving my chorus some possibility to sing together even though they can't hear it simultaneously because of the internet delay.
Don't have any idea how to get it work ? Please 🙏