This page contains frequently asked questions with answers. If you require further assistance, please contact us at support@simplifymedia.com.

How does Simplify Media software work?

Simplify Media software lets you browse and play remote music using the iTunes and Winamp software interfaces. Music is streamed directly between computers over the Internet within small groups that you control. Your group can be made up entirely of your own computers, for example home and office. You can also invite friends to join. Once an invitation is accepted, you will be able to sort, search and play each other’s libraries when online, all within iTunes or Winamp.

How much does it cost?

Simplify Media is free, and there are no hidden charges or spyware.

Is this legal?

Yes. Music is streamed friend-to-friend, and only within small, private groups. There are limits to how many friends can be on your Media List and how many listeners can concurrently stream music from your computer. Friends cannot burn remote songs to CDs, transfer them to an iPod or MP3 player, or access them when you are logged off.

Is it safe?

Yes. Simplify Media is developed by engineers with extensive experience in Internet Security. We have leveraged that experience to ensure you have complete control over who is in your group and what files they can access.

First, only computers on your approved list can interact with you. All communication between those computers is encrypted and highly secure. Second, our protocol only allows streaming from your machine. No other file operations are possible, and we do not allow remote execution of code. Finally, users can only access files within the folders you select, and we filter out all non-music files within those folders.

Is it private?

Simplify Media is secure and encrypted, and the only information we store about you is data required for account management and connections. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Does it run on both PCs and Macs?

Yes. Simplify Media runs on Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista and Macintosh OS 10.4.x and OS 10.5.x.

Does it work with iTunes and Winamp?

Simplify Media works with iTunes 7 on PCs and Macs. (The Windows Vista version requires iTunes 7.3.1.3 or higher.) Simplify Media also works with Winamp 5.35 and 5.5 on the PC. You can use either program to share and play from any other computer to which you are connected.

How do I install the software?

On Windows, just click on the SimplifySetup.exe file and the wizard will guide you through the rest. On Mac, download the SimplifyMedia.dmg file, and then drag the Simplify Media icon to your Applications folder to complete the install. The only other actions you have to take are to provide a screen name & password and select the music you want to share.

Note: If you install Winamp after Simplify Media, select the Install Winamp Plugin option under Simplify Media in your Start Menu to setup Winamp.

Do I need to change any firewall settings?

No. Simplify Media has been designed to interoperate with common routers and firewalls without compromising security. If you use a software firewall, you will have to allow Simplify Media processes when prompted after startup.

Two important notes. If you use Kaspersky Anti-Virus, please review these instructions. If you use AVG Firewall, make sure the AVG Tray is running or you will not be prompted to allow SimplifyMedia.exe and SimplifyPeer.exe.

Unfortunately, we cannot connect if your corporate network re-routes web traffic through proxy servers. We are working on solutions for this limitation.

Do I need to import all my music into iTunes or Winamp?

No, you don’t have to import the files you are sharing into your iTunes or Winamp libraries. The MP3, AAC, WMA and Apple Lossless files in the directories you designate will be accessible to the other computers in your group.

Can I share my playlists?

Yes, by default Simplify Media will share your iTunes library and playlists If you are a Winamp user, Simplify Media will share your Winamp-managed library and playlists instead. If you have both iTunes and Winamp on your computer, Simplify Media will ask you which set of playlists you prefer to share. Both cannot be shared at once.

Do I have to change any settings in iTunes or Winamp?

No. By default, the option to look for shared music is enabled already in iTunes. Winamp works in a similar way provided you install Simplify Media after Winamp. You can also run Simplify Media’s Install Winamp Plugin script after Winamp installation.

How do I connect my own computers?

Simplify Media is a great way listen to your home music collection from other locations or to access the songs that may be spread across your different computers. Simply install the software and sign in with the same screen name on all the computers you want to connect. Whenever those computers are online, they will be able to play each other’s music. Up to five computers can be signed in under the same screen name simultaneously.

How do I invite friends to my group?

Select Invite from the Media List. If your friends are already using Simplify Media, type in their screen name. If they have not yet installed Simplify Media, send them an email with download information. Feel free to text, IM and call them too.

How do I listen to songs on another computer?

Just start iTunes or Winamp while Simplify Media is running. In iTunes, computers are listed under a category called Shared. In Winamp, the category heading is Simplify Media. Select one of these remote libraries to sort, search and play. It doesn’t matter which player you use.

Does my computer need to be connected to the internet for others to play my music?

Yes. Because music is streamed directly between computers, your computer needs to be online with a typical broadband connection for others to play your music. Simplify Media needs to be running, but you do not have to start iTunes or Winamp.

What if I don't use iTunes or Winamp?

We are developing support for other popular music players. In the meantime, you may want to try either of these free players. You don’t have to import any music into their libraries or make either your default player to gain the benefits of Simplify Media.

Note: iTunes and Winamp are only required to play music from remote libraries, not to stream music to other computers.

What types of files can be played?

Common music file types, such as MP3, AAC, WMA and Apple Lossless can be played. Exceptions include DRM protected WMA files, vorbis, WAV and FLAC.

What about songs purchased from the iTunes Music Store?

Computers signed in with your Simplify Media screen name and authorized by the iTunes Store can play iTunes purchased songs in iTunes. Computers not signed in with your Simplify Media screen name will not see those DRM protected files.

How many songs can be streamed from one computer simultaneously?

With a standard home broadband connection, most computers will be able to serve 2 songs simultaneously. The Media List displays capacity indicators next to each computer to show their status: Green for serving music without delays; Yellow for busy, some delay may occur.

How do I make sure my Simplify Media software is up to date?

Our auto-update feature checks for updates and notifies you when they are available.

Where can I learn more about features you are planning?

Our blog is a great source for the latest product information, and we have an experimental area called The Lab. The Lab hosts new features and releases for new platforms that are still in development.

Simplify Media Mobile for Apple iPhone and Apple iPod Touch mobile digital devices is currently featured in The Lab. In addition, a server-only version for Linux and an experimental Ubuntu client for Banshee and Rhythmbox have just been released.

iTunes, Mac, Macintosh, iPhone and iPod are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Winamp is a trademark of AOL LLC. Windows, Windows Media, Windows XP and Windows Vista are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.