Naim Uniti/Qute Programmability (UPnP)

Posted by: Tim Hastings on 19 October 2011

Hello everybody,

Are there any resources that detail the UPnP Device Categories implemented in the Uniti and/or Qute?
http://upnp.org/sdcps-and-cert...ion/standards/sdcps/

I have also read on other R&D related posts about a "NetAPI" which I understand is limited to integration partners. Would it be possible to get access to the SDK or perhaps visibility? (I would be happy to sign any NDA's required)

Thanks in advance,

Tim Hastings

Posted on: 19 October 2011 by Stephan K

Hello Tim

I am also looking for an API to control the Uniti via ethernet.

The only documents I found, are the RC5 codes and the RS232 API.

I thought about to do a little bit reverse engineering with n-stream and a ethernet sniffer, but the problem is that I have no i-device for n-stream and the time.

If you find some informations, please let me know.

Stephan

Posted on: 20 October 2011 by Andrew Phillipo

I too have been thinking about this. For Naim, open sourcing n-Stream for iOS would provide us all with a great starting point to create some really amazing apps to be able to control our Naim devices. One would hope that Naim see thier role as creating amazing sounding audio equipment - I would be fine if they left n-Stream/iOS app to the community and stopped it's development (maybe it has already stopped).

In the mean time maybe we should set up a git hub repository to be able to publish any information and control codes we can find?

Thanks,

Andy.

Posted on: 20 October 2011 by james n

Originally Posted by Andrew Phillipo:

. For Naim, open sourcing n-Stream for iOS would provide us all with a great starting point to create some really amazing apps to be able to control our Naim devices. One would hope that Naim see thier role as creating amazing sounding audio equipment - I would be fine if they left n-Stream/iOS app to the community and stopped it's development (maybe it has already stopped).

Yep. Linn have got some great control points developed. Come on Naim

Although if the latest n-Stream realease it good then i'll shutup.

James

Posted on: 20 October 2011 by Andrew Phillipo

Looks like a pretty good starting point: http://code.google.com/p/upnpx/

No idea if it supports UPNP media renderer (which I assume is what the Qute uses?).

Posted on: 20 October 2011 by murkku

Originally Posted by Andrew Phillipo:

For Naim, open sourcing n-Stream for iOS would provide us all with a great starting point to create some really amazing apps to be able to control our Naim devices. One would hope that Naim see thier role as creating amazing sounding audio equipment - I would be fine if they left n-Stream/iOS app to the community and stopped it's development (maybe it has already stopped).

Amen to that.

Even if the "imminent" n-Stream release delivers us a bug free control point, there's still going to be dozens of features and tweaks missing.

So why not let the community help and create something that Naim's software/UI-department seems to be struggling with? Maybe the possibility of accidentally producing server side features that put UnitiServe to shame is a big turnoff...

Posted on: 21 October 2011 by 0rangutan

Have you seen Thomas' Qute Control project?: http://freeridecoding.com/qutecontrol/

He is currently undecided whether to proceed with this as a commercial venture.

It may be possible to ask him to release all or some of what he has avhieved so far for open source development?

Posted on: 21 October 2011 by Stephan K

Originally Posted by 0rangutan:

Have you seen Thomas' Qute Control project?: http://freeridecoding.com/qutecontrol/

He is currently undecided whether to proceed with this as a commercial venture.

It may be possible to ask him to release all or some of what he has avhieved so far for open source development?

That sounds very interesting.

I have sent an email to Thomas asking for the ethernet protocol.

I will share the answer here.

Stephan

Posted on: 24 October 2011 by Stephan K

Hello together

This is the information from Thomas:

Hi!
I started out using a simple network sniffing tool to reverse engineer the protocol which
 was not very difficult. So that is one option. Since I wanted everybody to be happy,
 I also contacted NAIM to approve me releasing a software like this.
They were ok with it and also very helpful and shared additional information -
 which is under confidentiality however.
I would recommend to contact them directly.
Cheers Thomas

Posted on: 25 October 2011 by beeka

You can telnet to the Uniti and through trial and error I have managed to develop a simple Windows program which tells the box to play a HTTP stream from my vortexbox/mpd. The functionality I have figured out is limited so I emailed Naim asking for more info, e.g. the NetAPI, but was told "there is nothing we can help you with". I don't have an Apple device, so I can't reverse-engineer the protocol and nStream is yet to make it to Android (which my phone [and future tablet] runs).

It is frustrating that I can't use nStream without spending £170 on a Apple device (which would only be used as a Naim remote control) and developing supporting software is so tricky. The upnp support *should* be enough to allow 3rd-party support but it doesn't support volume control or input selection. If Naim could expose that functionality via upnp then the NetAPI being secret wouldn't be an issue.

Posted on: 26 October 2011 by Redmires

Go for it chaps ......

I've been waiting for a uniti remote via http since purchasing it a couple of years ago. I'm no software developer but it can't be that hard for Naim or a 3rd party to produce. I'd be happy with having just the uniti screen replicated on my laptop, with full control. Anyway, I'll certainly support any offering that comes out.

Posted on: 26 October 2011 by Stephan K

Originally Posted by Redmires:

Go for it chaps ......

@Redmires

Which OS do you use?

I will try to have a look at the network protocol.

Maybe I can do that for Windows.

Posted on: 27 October 2011 by Michael Chare

Have you tried the Upnp Developer tools available here:

http://opentools.homeip.net/

These allow some control of a UInity

Posted on: 28 October 2011 by Redmires

Originally Posted by Stephan K:

@Redmires

Which OS do you use?

I will try to have a look at the network protocol.

Maybe I can do that for Windows.

I use Windows. XP on the desktop and Windows 7 on the laptop. The only apple in my house is in the fruitbowl

As mentioned, if someone develops and releases a commercial product then I would be the first one in the queue.

Posted on: 28 October 2011 by Tog

Kinsky is open source and maturing fast - why reinvent the wheel?

Tog

Posted on: 28 October 2011 by 0rangutan

Because Kinsky can't change the source or volume on Naim devices

Posted on: 28 October 2011 by Stephan K

Originally Posted by Tog:

Kinsky is open source and maturing fast - why reinvent the wheel?

Tog

I am not interested to invent a new upnp control point.

I am interested to control the uniti functions like volume control, radio, input selection, ...

Maybe we can build a plugin, or something like that for kinsky.

Posted on: 28 October 2011 by Tog

Exactly - although it would be easier for Naim to work with Linn on this one

Tog

Posted on: 28 October 2011 by Guido Fawkes

Originally Posted by 0rangutan:

Because Kinsky can't change the source or volume on Naim devices

My UQ came with a remote control that does that. I'd sooner there was a Knob on the box so I could just turn that, but the remote control works fine. Perhaps the next iOS app will control the volume too, but until then I'm very happy with the remote.

That said, I'm all for opening up the API so those who want to develop something can - I might even use it if runs on iOS, OS X or Linux (the only windows in my house are in the walls) and is freeware, but I wouldn't pay for it.