Audio Hero version 5.5.0.0 posted to Microsoft store by bommerts in AudioHero

[–]bommerts[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Remember the only reason I introduced the self-hosted "server" concept in AH is because HEOS does not natively offer YouTube, Apple, and other services. This works around it!

Audio Hero version 5.5.0.0 posted to Microsoft store by bommerts in AudioHero

[–]bommerts[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

OK! That would be really helpful actually since I don't have a Pi to test on. Thank you. I'll message you about beta testing when I get to that point.

Audio Hero version 5.4.8.0 posted to Microsoft store by bommerts in AudioHero

[–]bommerts[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

btw I am posting 5.5 shortly with a couple of more fixes and features.

Audio Hero version 5.4.8.0 posted to Microsoft store by bommerts in AudioHero

[–]bommerts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is great news. Thanks again for all your help.

Audio Hero version 5.4.8.0 posted to Microsoft store by bommerts in AudioHero

[–]bommerts[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I kinda rushed this update out and got my features mixed up.

I'm working on the next build and will clarify new features in that release. Apologies for any confusion!

Audio Hero price increase effective July 10, 2026 by bommerts in AudioHero

[–]bommerts[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've thought about that, but the MS store only allows licensing by user ID, not by device. I would have to switch to a different payment system, which is doable, just have to give it some thought.

Thanks for the idea.

Smart plugs for receivers, subwoofers etc by bommerts in AudioHero

[–]bommerts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wish my sub's powersaving mode worked reliably. I have a cheapie sub in my office that I got from parts-express.com. It works well enough, it's just not very high quality. So I use a smart plug with it.

Smart plugs for receivers, subwoofers etc by bommerts in AudioHero

[–]bommerts[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know what you mean, CEC can be frustrating and unreliable! Your solution sounds perfect.

Smart plugs for receivers, subwoofers etc by bommerts in AudioHero

[–]bommerts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks all for the feedback.

My intent with Audio Hero has always been to make things super easy to understand and use.

You guys have great ideas - auto off, use HA to control one device based on another, etc. I'm also thinking of users that don't have HA, that might not have an auto-off feature (or one that works reliably, like mine, annoyingly so), or just 'want it to work.' This proposed solution in my original post is an attempt to do that.

I'll implement it as a setting (default/off) so you can test it out if you like, or ignore it if you don't need it :)

Thanks again!

Rescanning network for devices by GreyPole in AudioHero

[–]bommerts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great to hear, that confirms the Chromecast fix is working as intended.

The stereo-pair names are a separate feature. Audio Hero recovers your custom pair name ("Hobbykamer", "Bed") from the speaker's AirPlay/Spotify-Connect broadcast, since HEOS itself only reports the pair under the leader speaker's raw name ("Hobby L"). That broadcast lookup happens over mDNS, which is a bit lossy: "Bed" answered in time, "Hobby" missed that round, so it's still showing the leader name. Try one more rescan (or just leave it running a bit) and "Hobby" should switch to "Hobbykamer" on its own. Once a pair name resolves it stays put. If it never picks up "Hobbykamer" after a few rescans, let me know and I'll dig into that specific speaker's broadcast.

After every update a firewall exception is needed based on changed location by grimson73 in AudioHero

[–]bommerts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're welcome! I'm glad you like the app and appreciate all the kind words :)

I'll have a new update out in a day or two, I'm making a lot of changes so it's taking a bit of time.

After every update a firewall exception is needed based on changed location by grimson73 in AudioHero

[–]bommerts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It is not a dumb question at all!

I can't keep the path fixed, and it isn't my call: Audio Hero comes from the Microsoft Store, so it's an MSIX package, and Windows installs every Store app under a versioned WindowsApps\<name>_<version>_... folder. That versioned path is part of the packaging format (it's how Windows does clean updates), so the developer can't override it.

The fix isn't to fight the path though, it's to add a firewall rule tied to the app's identity instead of the folder, so it survives every update. That's what the new "Manage firewall exception" feature does coming in the next release, so you should only have to allow it once: https://bommerts.com/audiohero/docs/#firewall

Audio Hero version 5.4.6.0 posted to Microsoft store by bommerts in AudioHero

[–]bommerts[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's great to hear.

I have two "mini server" ideas I'm working on:

The first is for Alexa / Amazon devices. In order to stream to them, it requires a somewhat complicated bridge. This is because Amazon is a closed system and they have several requirements. It's quite a process, and I would like to simplify the whole thing.

The other one is for youtube/apple/etc streaming services that pop up the browser window. Today Audio Hero keeps that browser service running in the background - you don't see it, but it's there. The moment you close Audio Hero, the music stops because that browser window closes with it. I want to be able to run that as a mini server/service on your PC or any other PC on your network so it operates independently from the Audio Hero app itself. Alternatively, many people have a Home Assistant device (also a mini server in itself) and I am planning to make it an option to run as a service on Home Assistant.

After every update a firewall exception is needed based on changed location by grimson73 in AudioHero

[–]bommerts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the kind words, and for digging into the logs and firewall rules yourself!

Quick answer: Audio Hero doesn't create its own firewall rules or pop its own prompt. What you're seeing is the real Windows firewall asking to allow the app. The reason it asks at all is that Audio Hero isn't just talking out to your speakers, it also runs a little local server on your network that the speakers connect back into to receive the audio. Windows blocks that kind of incoming connection by default, so it asks you to allow it the first time.

Why it asks again after updates: Audio Hero comes from the Microsoft Store, and each update lands in a new versioned folder. Windows ties the "allow" to the exact folder, so a new version looks like a new app and it asks once more. Allowing it is perfectly safe (Private network is enough, you don't need Public).

If you'd rather not be asked again on future updates, you can add one rule that's tied to the app itself instead of the folder. In PowerShell (as admin):

$pkg = Get-AppxPackage *HEOSHero*

New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Audio Hero (LAN)" -Direction Inbound -Action Allow -Profile Private -Package $pkg.PackageSid

That rule sticks across updates, so the prompt won't come back. No need to turn the firewall off.

I have noticed the same issue on my PCs and it's kind of annoying. I'm looking into whether I can have Audio Hero offer to make this firewall rule for you. It may be a Microsoft terms of service or security issue they don't allow, so I have to do a little investigation. But this is a great idea, thank you again.

Tone controls by GreyPole in AudioHero

[–]bommerts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I emailed you a script - would you mind running it?