Request: Naim UPNP server software

I believe that Naim's software is written with DigiFi and is an amended version of that found in Hush media servers.

Since DigiFi don't release their code to the public that might complicate matters.

John - this is a fantastic idea - I would quite happily pay for it but I suspect Naim might be worried that it might affect Serve sales. I would arguwe that it would support sales of all their streamers - come on Naim ...tell us what you think.

Linn have spotted that many of us are Mac/Itunes users and are moving quickly to improve the compatibility of their DS range.

This is a real commercial opportunity for Naim.


Tog

+1

Seriously?

Here's a better idea–why not put together an exhaustive comparison of UPnP AV™ server software for desktops and NAS devices?

Then, you can figure out what features are really important and, from a market-facing perspective, anyone who wishes to cobble together their own complete application will know what "the people" want.

DLNA certification is a plus, and there are some control points to be included which function as push servers for Internet Radio services (e.g., TagnPlay supports pushed RadioTime streams).

quote:

why not put together a comparison of UPnP server software for desktops and NAS devices?

Then, you can figure out what features are really important .

I agree. I probably have different wishes for UPnP functionality from another customer, and would like to choose the most suitable solution.
Obviously, stability and compatibility should be amongst the primary criteria.

I'm also all for encouraging Naim to work with external software developers to improve compatibility with other UPnP software.

David/Tom, I don't think there ever will or could be a single UPNP server that met all needs and was compatible with all products (that U at the start of UPNP is sooo mis-named). Neither I nor most Naim users would feel like coding one either.

I just want server software that works seamlessly with Naim clients and provides all of the features of Naim's own.

I would expect to (and currently do run) additional UPNP/Squeezebox servers for any other devices I happen to have.

What John said - not true that we all have different requirements ... I just want one that

a) works most of the time
b) is quicker than making a cup of tea
c) works with Macs

Actually I'd settle with a)

Tog

quote:

c) works with Macs

If you forgo "C" everything get much easier.

And easier still if Mac only

Tog

Why not just pick a UPNP server that's widely available and will run on most platforms (and NAS - a must for me) and test the Naim streamers with software as released!

Twonky springs to mind

Jack,
Naim presumably considered that before going down the route of writing their own. The v3 code for the Uniti family is a big improvement over previous (eg. pause button now working), however there are still gaps (artwork and gapless playback - no pun intended). Naim authored and supported code at each end would fix this.
John

Now running MiniDLNA ...bit of a revelation ...works well with Uniti/n-stream ... Bit shocked really after eyeconnect's flakiness.

Tog

quote:

Posted Fri 19 November 2010 16:56 Hide Post
quote:
c) works with Macs


If you forgo "C" everything get much easier.
Posts: 4053 | Location: Inca Roads | Registered: Wed 19 March 2008 IP

Ignored post by pcstockton posted Fri 19 November 2010 16:56 Show Post

John Bleasdale
Member
Posted Fri 19 November 2010 17:48 Hide Post
And easier still if Mac only

c) has got to be addressed. Look for downloadable music on the web and then go to iTunes. It's startling what is available on Apple's site. More and more people are first using it with their iPod and then exploring the music selections and getting back into music. Then discovering how to get it into their hifi and voila, looking to hear it as best they can, and....
The Apple piece is critical what with the explosion of their products and the amazing success of the iTunes store and interface. It may not be perfect but wow. EVERYONE knows about it. It has to seamlessly work with Naim. It's that simple. Quite honestly, I believe that Naim has that solution right around the corner...I'd bet on it.

quote:

Posted Fri 19 November 2010 21:54 Hide Post
Now running MiniDLNA ...bit of a revelation ...works well with Uniti/n-stream ... Bit shocked really after eyeconnect's flakiness.

Tog
Posts: 190 | Location: Down in the woods | Registered: Mon 06 September 2010

I'll look at that. Eyeconnect IS flakey!

out of curiosity - if naim wanted to be UPnP compatible, why they developed their own API? My simple answer is to overcome the UPnP limitations. So, on this way a logical step would be to provide full package to the end customers with value-added features beyond the UPnP. So, what is missing at the moment - server component.

quote:

Originally posted by okli:
out of curiosity - if naim wanted to be UPnP compatible, why they developed their own API? My simple answer is to overcome the UPnP limitations. So, on this way a logical step would be to provide full package to the end customers with value-added features beyond the UPnP. So, what is missing at the moment - server component.

@Okli

Spot on! If Naim are encouraging us to buy their streaming products by suggesting that third party servers will do the job then they are being a little economical with the truth.

They will do the job in the same way you can transport bricks on a bycycle. It works but not very well.

Linn have had a similar problem but kept the software in the public domain so that it can be improved. If Naim have adapted UPnP because it is not very good then they owe it to their very loyal customer base to provide Naim server software - heck we would even pay for it!

Naim have moved into the world of software whether they like it or not.

Tog

... and the world of the specifications - I love this game, being into it for a long time already - specification and so called vendor extensions, which makes the purpose of the specification obsolete . But, that's the way the world goes 'round...

quote:

out of curiosity - if naim wanted to be UPnP compatible, why they developed their own API?

"Media Player", not "network player"–iPod connectivity (itself demanding a proper API), USB file playback, network-endpoint fetched Internet Radio aggregation, local control (including FM tuner preset selection)–oh, and UPnP™ AV / DLNA stream playback and rendering as a freebie, along with external control of CD player source and preamplifier....

What he said

Tog

quote:

There are likely to be a good number of customers who will not purchase the Serve, but would love a stable UPNP server with end to end compatibility with their HDX/NDX/Uniti/Qute.

Hi John and everybody,
Sorry for coming back to beginning of this thread.
As I suppose the software part of Naim products is not expected as stand alone issues (probably as this has been said to preserve hardware sales) is there any news in the plugin area?

I've made a search for my favorite (foo Upnp for foobar and ml-upnp for winamp without a lot of success...) (Patrick if you read me...)
The winamp plugin is not a server (only client and in the future a control point) and the foobar plugin is actually a SERVER-CLIENT and CONTROL POINT but with some limitation with Naim products especially the UNITI (The control point doesn't work properly)
(I havn't updated the firmware of my uniti to v 3.0 so I can said for now if this solve the problems related to the control point.

Sorry for those who are not interested in technical points, but simply keep in memory the control point is the software part for sending music to a HIFI component like the uniti (or uniticute) from a storage (PC, NAS etc...)

At the end of this reply you can find necessary links for these plugins.

In the question of John (thanks you for this clever suggestion!) I understand that there is no product with all real capabilities for simply control a naim product from a PC or a Mac without a naim server (unitiserve ou HDX...)

I have other priorities before buying such a machine (new loudspeakers, better power amplifier...)
Especially I haven't tested the unitiserve.

I've see in the back of the unitiserve (manual page 6 http://www.naimaudio.com/userf...e_english_issue1.pdf) a mouse socket, a keyboard socket, a VGA display interface and even a serial (RS232).

3.2.1 Mouse Socket
Optionally connect a PS2 format mouse here to control
UnitiServe in combination with an external display.

3.2.10 Keyboard Socket
Optionally connect a PS2 format keyboard here to control
UnitiServe in combination with an external display.

3.2.9 VGA Interface
Optionally connect a VGA format screen here to display
the UnitiServe External Display Interface.

Is there someone here who have try to use these features?

As explained in the manual we can use the Desktop Client :
"If UnitiServe is installed in a home network that includes a personal computer running Windows XP, Vista or 7, it can be operated via the Desktop Client Interface. The Desktop Client application provides the most comprehensive operational and search functionality. The Desktop Client is covered in a separate manual that can be downloaded from the Naim Audio web site at www.naimaudio.com.
Some setup, file management and maintenance facilities are only available via the Desktop Client."

I don't find the separate manual for the desktop client. Where is this document?

thanks in advance for all your responses
Jean-Luc



Links for Winamp and Foobar plugins
*********************************************
For those who are interested here are all the good links:
WINAMP Plugin :
http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?t=320803
FOOBAR Plugin :
http://wiki.hydrogenaudio.org/...Point_%28foo_upnp%29
Bubleguuum is the developer and member of this forum.
Her is his blog link
http://bubbleguuum.free.fr/foo_upnp/
*********************************************

This is where the problem lies - closed loop - proprietory extensions to open source standard - closed into a specific product group.

Not good enough.

tog

I've got a reply from Steve Hopkins (Thanks to him) about the desktop client manual:
http://www.naimaudio.com/support/manuals and in the HARD DISK PLAYER/SERVER, click on the drop down arrow and you will see all server manuals in various languages and also the Desk Top Client manual

With the last firmware upgrade (just installed this evening) foobar UPNP works fine with my Uniti.
The "play to" function works as expected.
The volume cannot be set from the UPnP Controller (this is caused by a NOT usual process used by Naim for that)
Enjoy
JL

In some ways it is laudable that Naim have managed to adapt UPnP to allow their software to do specific things but it only complicates matters when we use olther DLNA software.

Tog

Tog,
Have you experimented a specific bad situation you can report here?