UnitiQute & D-Link 323 NAS: Flac File Tags

This is a known issue with the UPnP server of the DNS-323.

quote:

Originally posted by David Dever:
This is a known issue with the UPnP server of the DNS-323.

Any alternatives that would work? How about Netgear's ReadyNAS Duo? Would a different software do the trick? Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Milsa:
Any alternatives that would work? How about Netgear's ReadyNAS Duo? Would a different software do the trick? Thanks

Quite possibly different software would do what you want. You really need to do some googling to find what other UPnP servers will run on the DNS-323. See http://revision3.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23161 (as an example)

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Chare:
Quite possibly different software would do what you want. You really need to do some googling to find what other UPnP servers will run on the DNS-323. See http://revision3.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23161 (as an example)

I’ve actually done extensive googling before asking the question here. I have no doubt that D-Link will fix the issue in one of the future firmware upgrades but I don’t think there is a point in waiting as there must be devices out there that work straight out of the box.
I will return my NAS and try something else. The question is what works?

Hello Milsa and welcome.

quote:

The question is what works?

I think that that may well be the $64k dollar question we would all like to know the answer to. Of course some will say the UnitiServe, and they would probably be right, I haven't tried one; yet!

I have a ReadyNAS_NVX and although it functions well perhaps 95% of the time, it has issues whereby it suddenly stops presenting certain albums or tracks to the Qute. Or, the Qute reports 'Can't Play', even though it had previously been playing them perfectly well.

I have no explanation why this happens, but it has been near impossible to get these albums/track to play reliably once this occurs.

I hope others may have experience of devices that are 100% reliable, I would like to get one myself.

Regards
Peter

For my uniti, flac works fine from my qnap TS219p NAS, except that track numbers are not recognised, and the uniti would play songs in a folder in alphabetical order. also looking to get something that works with track numbers

What UPnP works in the Uniti world?

We know that the server on the UnitiServe was designed to work with Uniti clients.

Hit and miss on Windows and OSX.

MiniDLNA works on Linux - but was written for ReadyNas originally.

Tog

Still here!

Personally I've found that Asset UPnP (from dbpoweramp) works well when I've tried it (and when I've suggested it to customers who've had problems with other UPnP servers they've not had further problems)...

As always - your milage may vary.

Phil

Hi Phil

Reassuring to hear you are still around.

I installed Asset on my office PC following a comment you made on another thread. So far it seems to function extremely well, I have not had a lot of time to check but appears to present the full list of albums and track to the Qute; something my NAS doesn't do reliably enough.
However, I don't think, in the time I have had to listen, that it sounds as good as when a file plays directly from the NAS server, which leads me to think that the PC has become part of the replay chain, i.e. the files pass through the PC. I don't know if this assumption is correct as I have been unable to find/understand information of how the different parts fit together in the chain.

Could you advise whether or not my assumption is correct?

Hope you all enjoy the party, regards
Peter

quote:

Originally posted by Peter_RN:
I installed Asset on my office PC following a comment you made on another thread. So far it seems to function extremely well, I have not had a lot of time to check but appears to present the full list of albums and track to the Qute; something my NAS doesn't do reliably enough.
However, I don't think, in the time I have had to listen, that it sounds as good as when a file plays directly from the NAS server, which leads me to think that the PC has become part of the replay chain, i.e. the files pass through the PC. I don't know if this assumption is correct as I have been unable to find/understand information of how the different parts fit together in the chain.

Could you advise whether or not my assumption is correct?

Yes, the PC is part of the replay chain what you need to make sure is that the UPnP software isn't ranscoding your source files into a lower quality before it sends them to your UnitiQute - see what the file status display on the UnitiQute shows when it is playing...

Phil

Phil..... thank you so much for that. With you guy's help I think I am getting close now.
Peter

I don't like the idea of having my PC on in order to use Asset UPnP. What's the purpose of having a NAS then when the computer provides all control?

I did a little bit of research. It looks like that Asset could be installed directly on a NAS when the unit is Windows Home Server based NAS (Acer, HP, Lenovo), rather than a Linux based NAS (all others).
Has anyone tried this combo (Windows Home Server based NAS + Asset).

quote:

Originally posted by Milsa:
I don't like the idea of having my PC on in order to use Asset UPnP. What's the purpose of having a NAS then when the computer provides all control?

Well, technically a NAS is "Network Attached Storage" ... there's nothing that says it *HAS* to do anything else than be a large bucket for you to pour your bits into - it just happens that manufacturers tend to bolt on additional functionality (such as UPnP servers and bittorrent clients) to these rather low powered "always on" devices.

The problem though is that UPnP (and even DNLA which was supposed to be a reagreement of the definition for a standard based on UPnP) gets implemented in so many different ways within the specification of UPnP (and DNLA) that there are often "operational quirks" that occur between UPnP Servers and Clients and the servers that run on these embedded devices are not that frequently updated (and almost impossible to remove and replace with something else) so if you have a UPnP server embedded in your NAS that doesn't work with your UPnP client then it's not much use to anyone.

The UPnP server built into the NetGear ReadyNAS seems to work with the Uniti / UnitiQute pretty well.

I have to say that as time goes on I find that there are lots of little applications that I want to keep running 24/7 ... Home control stuff, IP camera recording etc. so I have a little Mac Mini sat in a cupboard that is Bootcamped and running Windows XP without a keyboard / mouse or monitor that I can just remote desktop into and throw anything that I need to run all the time onto that - I also have a Windows Home Server that I can do the same with but some apps don't run on the "Server" flavours of Windows (hence the Mac Mini running XP).

(And yes, there is a WHS plugin version of Asset UPnP but I have to say I haven't tried it so far as I use my HDX-SSD as a UPnP server with all my music stored on the WHS server.)

Phil

Thanks Phil.
Your explanation just reconfirms that the whole UnitiQute concept is seriously flawed.

Before purchasing UnitiQute the other option that I considered was Mac Mini. I didn’t buy the UnitiQute because of its amp or DAC (I had both already); what was attractive to me was the fact that it was marketed as a nice hassle free front end which made me think that there was no way that a Mini could beat something that was made purposely for enjoying music. Naim’s reputation was another factor. I was wrong.

What’s the point of making something based on UPnP as it main input source (for majority of people) when the standard cannot be supported? I learned a lot in the last few days about UPnP but most of your buyers are just like me; they are not aware of the shortcomings until they hit them in the head. Yes, I could buy your own server and it would work but can the price be justified for what it actually is? Think about Mac Mini again.

I had one more look at WHS based devices that could run Asset. They are all more powerful (more energy consumption) and pricier than a “regular” Linux based NAS. The basic RipNAS (www.ripnas.com) is close to $1500 (with shipping and taxes). This money in Canada buys a boosted Mini with additional storage (and a lot of change left).

Most of UnitiQute buyers are probably just like me; it’s a second system for a living room. As an entry level high-end it doesn’t make much sense to couple it with something expensive (HDX-SSD). At lest it doesn’t make sense to me.

All that I want is to hit the button, pick an artist and album and be able to read the tags. I’m sorry but I don’t want two more computers running all the time (like in your house) doing surveillance and whatever else.

Naim could’ve done it by providing it’s own software (like an Asset version for Linux based NAS boxes just for music) but the management decided to copy Steve Jobs and his "buy everything from me" approach.

Speaking about Steve, his Mini, iTunes, iPod Touch (or iPhone for control) and a half decent DAC easily beat UnitiQute and a cheap NAS (at the same price point).

Happy Holidays

quote:

Originally posted by Milsa:
Thanks Phil.
Your explanation just reconfirms that the whole UnitiQute concept is seriously flawed.

I would disagree! My Qute was bought as a second system, and it plays the music stored on my ReadyNas very well. I knew what I was getting as I also have a Uniti.

I use Mediatomb as the UPnP server. I just use the folder view, and I can play each CD with the tracks in the original order. One of the challenges was to get track names with characters pecular to the German character set to display correctly!

The Qute is also connected to the Coax S/PDIF of my desktop PC. I am trying to work out if I can hear any difference between UPnP and S/PDIF.

When I bought the Uniti, I choose it because it contained a CD player and an FM radio. I did not really consider the networking possibilities. It was only after the purchase that I realized that I did not really need the CD player.


Happy Christmas

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Chare:
I just use the folder view...

You’re lucky if that’s what worked for you. I don’t think you understood my point; as I said, all I wanted was to be able to search tag info.

@Milsa - understand your pain

Uniti proucts work best with Naim servers - other UPnPs will work but often not that well.

Get a server (Tranquil do a great range - T2 Harmony) install Vortexbox (free) - MiniDLNA works great with Unitis. Cost approx £400 -

Or UnitiServe

Either will work great.

Tog

Thanks Tog. I finally got a direct answer to my question. I appreciate your help.