Roon Unlimited Time License and Offline Functionality Inquiry (ref#MOWEA3)

[flop74 (Florent P)]

What’s happening?

· Other

How can we help?

· None of the above

Other options

· Other

Describe the issue

I am planning to move to unlimited Time license. Will it work without access to internet (off line)? Will extension such as RooExtend run off line as well? Thanks

Describe your network setup

No problem here

[Suedkiez (Just a fellow user like you)]

@flop74

Will it work without access to internet (off line)?

The always-online requirement that had been introduced in Roon 2.0 was reverted with an update in February 2024:

@enno

In 2022, we introduced an internet connectivity requirement to Roon. That decision was driven by strategic considerations, but we acknowledge that the change caused genuine dissatisfaction among our users, and we understand why. Today, we’re announcing a return to Roon’s pre-2.0 behavior. This means our users can once again enjoy their music collections without the need for continuous internet connectivity.

However:

• If offline, features are limited. You can simply try it out by disconnecting your router from the internet.
• In any case, it must be online once within a 30 day period for a license check.

@flop74

Will extension such as RooExtend run off line as well?

I don’t know, the extension is a third-party product. @DrCWO?

[DrCWO (C.W. Oehlrich)]

@flop74

Will extension such as RooExtend run off line as well?

Hmmm, never tried that. The issue may be the license check. If you once have set it up and drop internet it will probably work for some days. After that if it can’t access the Sellcodes License Server any more I guess it will deactivate the licenses.

So the quick answer is No. rooExtend needs Internet connection.

Best DrCWO

[flop74 (Florent P)]

Thank you DrCWO. That’s a pity… I bought the RooExtend box, I bought an unlimited time license of RooPlay, but I still don’t own both of them since their usage is triggered by an external service I don’t master…

I thought that buying the unlimited license would have unlocked the RooExtend box from this license mecanism.

If I send you the Roobox back, would you be able to remove this license check and make my RooExtend box fully mine and autonomous ? Thank you in advance.

[DrCWO (C.W. Oehlrich)]

@flop74

I thought that buying the unlimited license would have unlocked the RooExtend box from this license mechanism.

Hi @flop74,
the licensing mechanism is an intrinsic part of rooExtend

Removing is means that a SD-Card image exists that did not check licenses any more. As you probably know such images (generally hacked) will be distributed in the internet and will sooner or later ruin the small business I run.

I have no idea why you have an issue with an internet connection? I guess you have internet as you can write me here right?

Most appliances today need internet access to distribute updates. This policy will be enforced by the European Union soon! So we as manufacturers HAVE TO guarantee that our devices get updates if necessary and so being connected.

As I already wrote, there is a certain grace period during which the rooExtend-Box also works without Internet. It’s about some days. You can try. If it fails you have to reconnect.

Think I can’t do anything for you here.

Best DrCWO

[Nepherte (Bart Verhoeven)]

Not here to argue about rooExtend licensing check requiring internet access.

@DrCWO

Most appliances today need internet access to distribute updates. This policy will be enforced by the European Union soon!

But the above statement is misrepresenting things. The EU will not mandate that everything requires an internet connection. Also, updates != licensing

[DrCWO (C.W. Oehlrich)]

@Nepherte

Also, updates != licensing

Right, didn’t think that there are still offline updates today.
All these old things happened when I was young

Sure Updates != licensing. But if I have to be online for update also licensing can be done this way. It’s just the same way Microsoft does it…

[flop74 (Florent P)]

Thank you both for your replies.
Microsoft is a good example: you must to be on line to activate the license or to update, but once it is activated, you can use it without internet connection.
Don’t misunderstand me: I am in favor of license checking from internet, to limit hacking. But what will happen when your company stops its activity ?
My only concern is that I didn’t rent this nice product: I bought it 400€ (and it worths it!!) and I want to use it, as it is, as long as I want, whatever could happen on your side (and I deeply wish you a longest and happiest life). Regards.

[Suedkiez (Just a fellow user like you)]

@flop74

once it is activated, you can use it without internet connection.

Only for a limited time

[Carl]

@flop74

But what will happen when your company stops its activity ?

In the context of Roon. See this post, the whole topic is about a 30 mins read…

What happens with the lifetime subscribers if the company folds or is sold?

Yah, I get it. So right now, the application obviously logs in to our cloud services, for both metadata and membership checking. In the unlikely event that we could not maintain those services, we would release one last build that would kill those dependencies, so you could continue to use the application without our infrastructure as a requirement. Obviously the functionality would be reduced, but it would work.

I’d say like any [lifetime] purchase it’s a gamble. If I was betting my house on it I’d like case iron guarantee, but for cost of Roon it’s really not worth spending too much time trying to weigh up the pros & cons.

Good luck with whichever path you take.

[flop74 (Florent P)]

@What happens with the lifetime subscribers if the company folds or is sold?

In the unlikely event that we could not maintain those services, we would release one last build that would kill those dependencies, so you could continue to use the application without our infrastructure as a requirement. Obviously the functionality would be reduced, but it would work.

@DrCWO : would you follow the same “rules” for RooExtend ? I find this fair, even if the final consumers still remains dependent of the companies benevolance to generate this “last” release.

Best regards

[DrCWO (C.W. Oehlrich)]

@flop74

@DrCWO : would you follow the same “rules” for RooExtend ? I find this fair, even if the final consumers still remains dependent of the companies benevolance to generate this “last” release.

If God has my best interests at heart, I will neither be killed by a falling flowerpot nor suffer a sudden cardiac death

If I’ll get into a situation where it is foreseeable that I will have to give up the business, either @Klaus_Engel will continue to run it or there will be a final release in which all my Roon Extensions will be free, do not require licenses and no longer require the Sellcodes license server.

The mechanism is already implemented for example with the free rooControl

I hope that helps to put your mind at ease.
Best DrCWO

[flop74 (Florent P)]

Thank you for this reply which answers fully to my initial question.
All the best for you and yours, DrCWO.