JRiver Media Center is a powerful and comprehensive software solution designed to transform your computer into a versatile digital entertainment hub. It caters to audiophiles, movie enthusiasts, and photographers by offering extensive control over their media libraries. This all-in-one application seamlessly integrates with various hardware, allowing users to manage, play, and stream music, videos, images, and even television content.
Beyond basic playback, JRiver Media Center provides advanced features such as high-resolution audio support, robust media organization tools, and customizable user interfaces. It supports a vast array of media formats and offers functionalities like ripping, burning, and streaming to networked devices, making it a central point for all digital media needs across Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.
In This Post
The Winning Edge
Configuring Bit-Perfect DSD Playback (Windows)
- Navigate to Tools > Options.
- In the left-hand tree, select Audio.
- Under Audio Device, choose your ASIO or WASAPI Exclusive output device.
- Click the Device Settings button.
- Locate the Bitstreaming section and select the DSD or DSD over PCM (DoP) option, depending on your Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) support.
- Ensure that the DSP and Output Format settings are configured to No Change for all bit depths and sample rates to maintain bit-perfect output.
Why: This configuration is essential for audiophiles to bypass the operating system’s audio mixer and the software’s internal DSP, sending the native DSD stream directly to a compatible DAC. This process ensures the highest possible audio fidelity without any unwanted resampling or processing.
Creating a Custom Smartlist for Unplayed Media
- Right-click on the Playlists header in the left-hand tree and select New Smartlist.
- Name the list (e.g., Unplayed High-Res Audio).
- In the Rules section, click Add New Rule.
- Set the first rule to: [Media Type]=[Audio].
- Add a second rule: [Played]= (where 0 indicates unplayed).
- Add a third rule: [Sample Rate]=> to filter for high-resolution files only.
Why: Smartlists automate library management. This specific recipe creates a dynamic playlist that automatically aggregates all high-resolution audio files you have not yet listened to, making it easy to track and prioritize new additions to your collection.
Optimize Audio Device Configuration for Bit-Perfect Playback
- Navigate to Player > Audio Device in the settings menu.
- Select your Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) and choose WASAPI or ASIO as the output mode.
- Enable exclusive mode for bit-perfect playback, bypassing Windows’ audio mixer.
- For DSD-capable DACs, go to Player > Playback Options > Bitstreaming and select DSD. For non-DSD DACs, convert DSD to PCM with a +6 dB gain to prevent low volume.
Why: Configuring your audio output with WASAPI or ASIO in exclusive mode ensures that JRiver Media Center delivers audio directly to your DAC without any interference or resampling from the operating system, preserving the original fidelity of your high-resolution audio files. This is crucial for audiophiles seeking the purest sound quality.
Download JRiver Media Center
File size: 47.5 MB
OS support: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Windows
Download JRiver Media Center – x64
Download JRiver Media Center – X32
macOS
Download JRiver Media Center – Universal Stable
Linux
Download JRiver Media Center – x64
Download JRiver Media Center – ARM64
Download JRiver Media Center – ARM
Download JRiver Media Center – X32
Android
Tech Specs
| Software Name | JRiver Media Center |
|---|---|
| Version | 35.0.78 |
| License | Shareware |
| File Size | 47.5 MB |
| OS Support | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| Language | Multilingual (including English, Spanish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Romanian, Czech, Dutch, Albanian, Chinese) |
| Developer | JRiver, Inc. |
| Homepage | https://www.jriver.com |
| Changelogurl | https://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Release_Notes |
| Last Updated | January 24, 2026 |
Changelog in Recent Version
- NEW: Opus encoder for audio file conversions.
- Fixed: A crash in DLNA caused by a missing lock on startup of the DLNA Web Engine.
- Changed: When the window is restored from a MCC_MINIMIZE_WINDOW it is brought to the foreground.
For complete changelog, visit the official release notes.
Key Features
- Comprehensive Media Management: JRiver Media Center allows users to organize, play, tag, rip, and burn various media types including audio, video, and images. It acts as a centralized hub for large collections, providing powerful database capabilities for efficient management.
- Audiophile-Grade Audio Playback: Designed for superior sound quality, the software supports high-resolution audio formats like FLAC, DSD, and ALAC. It features bit-perfect playback, WASAPI and ASIO exclusive output, and advanced DSP (Digital Signal Processing) for an immersive listening experience.
- High-Quality Video and Image Support: Beyond audio, JRiver Media Center offers high-definition video playback with support for various formats like MKV and MP4, including chapter support. It also provides robust image management, allowing users to view, organize, and edit photos with features like zoom, rotate, and tagging.
- Media Streaming and Network Capabilities: The application functions as a media server, enabling seamless streaming of content to other devices within a home network via UPnP/DLNA. It supports remote access and control through mobile apps (JRemote, Gizmo) and web interfaces (WebRemote).
- Customizable User Interface (Theater View): JRiver Media Center offers a highly customizable interface, including a Theater View mode optimized for large screens like TVs or projectors. This 10-foot user interface is designed for remote control navigation, enhancing the home entertainment experience.
- Television Recording and Management: Users can record high-definition television directly through JRiver Media Center, providing an alternative to traditional cable TV. It includes features like Electronic Program Guide (EPG) integration and TV program art display.
Required Specs
Minimum
- OS: 64-bit Windows 10 or newer
Setup Instructions
Installation Steps
- Click the download button above to get the installer for your operating system.
- Locate the downloaded file (e.g., MediaCenter350078-x64.exe for Windows) and double-click to run the installer.
- Follow the on-screen installation wizard, accepting the license agreement and choosing your preferred installation location and components.
- Once installed, launch JRiver Media Center and proceed with the initial setup, including configuring your media library by selecting folders where your media files are stored.
Compatibility: Compatible with Windows 7 and later versions, macOS, and various Linux distributions. Portable versions are also available for some older versions.
Troubleshooting
- Issue: Installation fails → Solution: Run the installer as an administrator.
- Issue: Media files not appearing in library → Solution: Ensure correct folders are configured for auto-import in File > Library > Import and allow JRiver to scan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is JRiver Media Center a free software?
JRiver Media Center is offered as shareware, meaning it is a paid software but typically provides a free trial version with limited functionality. A Master License, compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, costs $89.98, while a Windows-only license is $69.98.
What operating systems does JRiver Media Center support?
JRiver Media Center is a cross-platform application that supports Windows (7, 8, 10, 11), macOS, and Linux operating systems. Its Master License allows installation across all three platforms.
Does JRiver Media Center support high-resolution audio and video?
Yes, JRiver Media Center is highly regarded for its support of high-resolution audio formats such as FLAC, DSD, and ALAC, offering bit-perfect playback. It also supports high-definition video playback for various formats.
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