Using N-Stream App while connected via Ethernet

Posted by: shanbo on 14 October 2012

Hi all.

Apologies if this has been raised before (although I can't find it).

 

I have a Unitiserve and Synology DS212J NAS. In keeping with with the common view that a physical connection delivers better sound quality I've connected the Nas via an ethernet cable. This has also been a necessity to play 192/24 files as these won't stream wirelessly without consistent drop outs.

 

All "fine and dandy" except that by having a physical connection I can't use the N-stream app as I'm not on the network. I'm finding this very frustrating as I find the app extremely convenient and love all the reviews and stuff that you get on albums and from a pracatical point of view, I have everything at my fingertips as opposed to standing in front of the Unitiserve with the remote, squinting at the display as I attempt to navigate my way around.

 

I'm new to all this so sorry if i sound dim but is there a way that I can retain the physical connection between the NAS and the Unitiserve AND use the N-Stream app? The NAS has 1 ethernet connection and 2 USB's. My router is also several meteres away from the equipment.

 

Many thanks 

Posted on: 14 October 2012 by garyi

Yea, in essence you are doing it wrong. Connect the nas correctly to a switch or a hub, nit directly to the uniti.

Posted on: 14 October 2012 by shanbo

Thanks garyi but if i connect the NAS to the hub, it means that I have to stream wirelessly. Whilst this is fine for most of my music, 192/24 files won't stream without dropouts every 30 seconds.

Posted on: 14 October 2012 by nickwba

Hi you need a wired connection to your router, if you cannot move the router nearer or don't want to run a long Ethernet lead you could look into using a homeplug.

 

I use a pair to connect my ps3, tv and free view box using a switch and have no problems with online gaming or streaming hd video so imagine it should work with music, just look for a set with fastest transfer speeds.

 

Regards Nick 

Posted on: 14 October 2012 by Bart

Unfortunately Nick is right.  These products are designed to be networked, and you're right that a physical connection is much preferred.

 

Several meters isn't too bad -- is there a way you can run an ethernet cable from the router to the hi fi? That really will solve your problems.

Posted on: 14 October 2012 by jobseeker

Often it's easier to route the Ethernet casble outseide to the house to the room in question - a bit like bringing in a Sky satellite cable.

Posted on: 14 October 2012 by garyi

Why does your NAS have to be near your hifi, move it to the router or to a switch wired to the router. There is little point to the NAS being near the hifi, aside from anything else they are noisy.

Posted on: 14 October 2012 by Bart
Originally Posted by garyi:

Why does your NAS have to be near your hifi, move it to the router or to a switch wired to the router. There is little point to the NAS being near the hifi, aside from anything else they are noisy.

Agreed, but that won't solve his problem of needing a wired connection from the uServe to the router or the switch so that he can reliably play the hi rez files. 

 

That's what I've been working on at home -- getting all that 'stuff' out of the room that has the hi fi.  Cable modem/router, and nas, will be in a different room now that I've got an ethernet cable running from the hi fi room to a room where I can keep that stuff.  Just need a small switch behind the hi fi rack to connect both the uServe and the NDS to the network.

Posted on: 14 October 2012 by garyi

Nope, I don't see the problem.

 

If the NAS and router are both int he same room as the HIFI, fair enough, but hook the NAS intot he router not into the uniti.

 

If the router is elsewhere in the house, move the NAS to it.

 

Simple. You dont need to see the NAS in order to use it.

Posted on: 15 October 2012 by Peter W
Originally Posted by shanbo:

Thanks garyi but if i connect the NAS to the hub, it means that I have to stream wirelessly. Whilst this is fine for most of my music, 192/24 files won't stream without dropouts every 30 seconds.

Connect not just the NAS to a switch (hub), for your hi-fi system you need to wire the Userve and the wi-fi router/AP to the switch too. My TV, Blu-Ray player, AV amp, PC, etc are all wired to the switch.

Posted on: 15 October 2012 by shanbo

Hi all.

 

Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts and suggestions. I think that I might be "snookered" as although there is no problem moving the NAS away from the Uniti and connecting it to a swithch/hub, I then won't be able to physically connect the Uniti to either as the switch/hub is on the other side of the room. Cant really have a long cable snaking across the floor, so unless I've missunderstood the advice, I may be forced to go the wireless streaming route and then physically connect the NAS to the Uniti when I wan't to play 192/24 files and forego the N-stream, which will be a right pain!!