Updates

There may be several updates available. Here's how it works.

Any minor version update is free. So if you purchase 17.0.144, you can get 17.0.147 for free. Just download and install it. A change of major version (16 to 17, for example) is not free.

Update Channels

Under MC's Help menu, you can set the update level you prefer.

Stable This is the build that will be found on the Download Page. It is the recommended build for most users.

Latest This is the build that will be found at the top of the latest Media Center board on Interact. While it is believed to be good, it has sometimes not been thoroughly tested. The latest update can always be found manually be visiting http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php Interact], and choosing the board for the current version of MC. At the top of that board, you will find a thread called something like "JRiver Media Center X.0.xx -- Available Here".

Beta This build is private and by invitation only. About 100 people participate in beta testing.

Check for Updates This is the way MC finds builds to download. MC has a feature called Check for Updates. It checks the jriver.com web site to see if there are any new, recommended updates. This can be done automatically by setting the interval in options for startup. Note that the update recommended may not be the very latest one available, depending on which channel you have selected.

When you install, there is no need to uninstall. Just install over the previous update.

Purchasing a Major Upgrade

Purchase is from within the program, so you first need to install the new version. Here's the download page where you can find it. Visit the Purchase Page to check on upgrade price. Upgrade to JRiver Media Center 17.

Installing

When you install, if your data is from one of the last couple of builds, MC will find it and offer to copy it to a new location where it may be converted to a newer database format. Your old data will be preserved and, for versions from MC11.1 on, you will be able to run your old program, too.

MC15 added the ability to import your old settings when you restore a library from a previous (major) version.

MC16 added Update Channels, to automatically download new updates.

You have 30 days to try each new major version. If you decide not to upgrade, you can uninstall the new version.

Versioning

MC uses three segments in each version number. For example, MC 16.0.115 has a major version of 16, a minor version of 0, and a build number of 115.

If you purchase an MC16 license, for example, any new minor version or build is available without charge. If you start at 16.0.115, you can continue to install without charge until the version becomes 17.0.1.