iPad as a control device...

Posted by: ken c on 30 May 2012

i seem to recall a discussion on this forum sometime ago, but cant recall the conclusion, or maybe i'm just dreaming?

 

is there, or will there soon be a way of controlling all aspects of my naim hifi using an iPad, in addition to what the n-Serve already does? (so i guess this would not be restricted to iPad)

 

I'm talking about input select, volume, balance etc etc -- the sort of things that you can do on naim remotes...

 

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 30 May 2012 by Jon Myles

I thought the n-serve app did all that.

No?

N-Stream gives volume, inputs etc.

Not balance, admittedly. (Why, I've no idea.)

Posted on: 30 May 2012 by ken c
Originally Posted by Jon Myles:

I thought the n-serve app did all that.

No?

N-Stream gives volume, inputs etc.

Not balance, admittedly. (Why, I've no idea.)

sorry, not feeling too clever right now (or ever?).

if it does that -- please patiently explain how. i'm an old man :-)

thanks.

 

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 30 May 2012 by dickey

What Naim could do is create a small module/hub that can be connected to the network on one side and to all the Naim equipement on the other side (system automation, i've read it in the manual but don't know how it works...). The hub is then the interface between your boxes and the network/ipad. Doesn't need to be complex, just needs to transmit a signal. The rest can be done by software in the app.

Posted on: 30 May 2012 by ken c
Originally Posted by dickey:

What Naim could do is create a small module/hub that can be connected to the network on one side and to all the Naim equipement on the other side (system automation, i've read it in the manual but don't know how it works...). The hub is then the interface between your boxes and the network/ipad. Doesn't need to be complex, just needs to transmit a signal. The rest can be done by software in the app.

interesting...

so, is the answer to my connection: 'not possible today' ?

 

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 30 May 2012 by Gale 401

Ken,

Sorry man,

In a word the answer to your question is no.

You will have to keep using your Naim remotes or just lean over from your desk.

Stu.

Posted on: 30 May 2012 by winkyincanada

It is indeed possible to buy WiFi to IR converters today. They let you control a lot of things that use an IR remote (CD players and pre/integrated-amps, as well as TVs and DVD/Bluray Players/cable boxes etc) via an App on an iPad or iPhone (or maybe even an Android App - but who cares?). It works a bit like one of those programmable universal controllers, but instead of pushing buttons on the big-arsed controller, you use an App that talks to the converter over your network.

 

The WiFi control of your streamer or other networked device using N-serve or N-stream would operate in parallel with the WiFi/IR converter.

Posted on: 30 May 2012 by ken c
Originally Posted by Gale 401:

Ken,

Sorry man,

In a word the answer to your question is no.

You will have to keep using your Naim remotes or just lean over from your desk.

Stu.

Uh, my back...!

 

Thanks Stu...

 

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 30 May 2012 by Jon Myles

Sorry,

 

I was getting confused between N-Serve and N-Stream.

You think you're getting old Ken.

As Mr Springsteen said at Hyde Park: "I'm f****** 60. Somebody get me an elevator!"

As for me: "I'm f******* 43. Somebody get me a brain!"

Posted on: 30 May 2012 by ken c
Originally Posted by Jon Myles:

Sorry,

 

I was getting confused between N-Serve and N-Stream.

You think you're getting old Ken.

As Mr Springsteen said at Hyde Park: "I'm f****** 60. Somebody get me an elevator!"

As for me: "I'm f******* 43. Somebody get me a brain!"

i'm f****** 62, somebody get me an iPad based remote control system for my naim system!

 

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 30 May 2012 by ken c
Originally Posted by winkyincanada:

It is indeed possible to buy WiFi to IR converters today. They let you control a lot of things that use an IR remote (CD players and pre/integrated-amps, as well as TVs and DVD/Bluray Players/cable boxes etc) via an App on an iPad or iPhone (or maybe even an Android App - but who cares?). It works a bit like one of those programmable universal controllers, but instead of pushing buttons on the big-arsed controller, you use an App that talks to the converter over your network.

 

The WiFi control of your streamer or other networked device using N-serve or N-stream would operate in parallel with the WiFi/IR converter.

sounds interesting winkyincanada, have you got such a setup working at home?

just googled Wifi ti IR and get many hits -- real jungle out there!

 

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 30 May 2012 by Jan-Erik Nordoen
Originally Posted by ken c:

i'm f****** 62, somebody get me an iPad based remote control system for my naim system!

Ah, another kid with a crazy dream. If I were looking for a WiFi to IR converter, first stop would be the Logitec Harmony Link along with its iPad app. I've no experience with the device, but it would seem to do what you want.

 

Here's the link (if it gets deleted, just google Logitec Harmony Link).

 

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/...devices/harmony-link

 

Regards,

 

Jan

 

Posted on: 30 May 2012 by ken c
Originally Posted by Jan-Erik Nordoen:
Originally Posted by ken c:

i'm f****** 62, somebody get me an iPad based remote control system for my naim system!

Ah, another kid with a crazy dream. If I were looking for a WiFi to IR converter, first stop would be the Logitec Harmony Link along with its iPad app.

 

thanks Jan-Erik, will have a close look at this!

 

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 31 May 2012 by endlessnessism

Redeye Remote is another good Wifi to Converter and there's a free app for Ipad and Ipod http://thinkflood.com/products/redeye/

 

It's a little inconvenient having to toggle between the Redeye and n-Serve apps but not as inconvenient as walking all the way to the amplifier to adjust the volume. 

 

The volume control is not 100% accurate and sometimes jumps too much or too little but that's a feature of all touch control devices and the ideal would be to have physical buttons for controlling volume.

Posted on: 31 May 2012 by ken c

endlessnessism, many thanks.

hope spelled that right!

 

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 31 May 2012 by engjoo
Technically it can be done so long as there is a upnp device connected to your box via remote cable. The upnp will receive the instructions from iPad/nstream and in turn pass the RC5 command to your box via cable.
Posted on: 31 May 2012 by pcstockton
Originally Posted by ken c:

 

is there, or will there soon be a way of controlling all aspects of my naim hifi using an iPad, in addition to what the n-Serve already does? (so i guess this would not be restricted to iPad)

 

Not with anything from Naim but there are a few ways you could do it.  I wouldn't personally bother though.  Any proper iOS control point should give you all the control you need other than balance and input.  If you need to change input from your digital source you are probably getting up anyway to put a CD or record on.

Posted on: 02 June 2012 by ken c
Originally Posted by pcstockton:

 If you need to change input from your digital source you are probably getting up anyway to put a CD or record on.

more often, i will changing from/to tuner input (my most used source by far),  so no getting up for this cough potato...

 

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 02 June 2012 by GraemeH
Originally Posted by ken c:
Originally Posted by pcstockton:

 If you need to change input from your digital source you are probably getting up anyway to put a CD or record on.

more often, i will changing from/to tuner input (my most used source by far),  so no getting up for this cough potato...

 

enjoy

ken

WHAT kind of potato? G

Posted on: 02 June 2012 by ken c
Originally Posted by GraemeH:

WHAT kind of potato? G

couch! even my fingers are lazy... :-)

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 03 June 2012 by DaveBk

Regarding the nStream app, I note the NDS and NDX both have RC5 out, will this control volume on my 252 vie the RC5 in? Also, does the nServe support the new iPad's retina display for album art?

 

I'm used to using iPeng, so trying to see what I'm going to lose in terms of usability when I get the NDS.

 

Thanks!

Posted on: 03 June 2012 by Harry
Originally Posted by DaveBk:

Regarding the nStream app, I note the NDS and NDX both have RC5 out, will this control volume on my 252 vie the RC5 in? 

Yes.

 

It's about time the feature set was standardised across nServe and nStream. But it's easy to say that.

Posted on: 03 June 2012 by NickSeattle
Originally Posted by Harry:
Originally Posted by DaveBk:

Regarding the nStream app, I note the NDS and NDX both have RC5 out, will this control volume on my 252 vie the RC5 in? 

Yes.

 

It's about time the feature set was standardised across nServe and nStream. But it's easy to say that.

It lets you select NAC sources, too;  AND the extra RC5 Out can go to a Naim CD player (if you were to decide to go back to using CD) so you can control that from the iPad.

 

Nick

Posted on: 03 June 2012 by DaveBk

Thanks, volume control is the most important thing, but useful to know changing inputs is possible.

 

Anyone know about retina support? Having rescanned or downloaded album art at 1000x1000 or over I'd like to carry on enjoying it. On the latest iPeng the album thumbnails plus the 'now playing' screen use the full resolution and it makes a big difference when browsing.

 

Thanks.