nStream issues on iPod

Posted by: David on 11 January 2013

Hi,

 

I am regularly having issues with nStream running on a 4G iPod running iOS 6.0.1.  When trying access the uPnP library I regularly get 'No Servers' message,  and cannot use NStream to browse or select music to play.  The only sure fire way to get it to work again is to re boot the iPod.

 

More often than not,  my iPad running iOS 6.0 (ie without the latest update) will work perfectly when the iPod refuses to work.

 

Network includes the ubiquitous BT homehub, with NAS and Unitiqute wired,  and iPad/Pod wireless.  iP addresses are not fixed.

 

 

Nstream version 3.2 on both devices, Streamer version 3.17.00

 

Any advice welcome as this is becoming a bore.

 

Thanks

 

David

 

 

 

Posted on: 11 January 2013 by garyi

Well you mention two of the issues, IPs and BT Homehub.

 

It goes without saying a 'free' device from an ISP is and always will be at the very best a mediocro product.

 

I am always astounding to find people delighted to spends 1, 2, 3K for a streamer and pay no attention what so ever to the infrastructure supplying it.

 

From you perspective, get a decent wireless router, and fix the ip of your NAS or what ever is your UPNP server, and your streamer or at the very least allocate their IPs. Assuming a home hub allows that.

Posted on: 12 January 2013 by David

Thanks Gary

 

I was expecting that response.

 

However I am wondering if this is an issue related to the iOS versions and NStream combination, as I also have PlugPlayer and Linn Kinsky installed on the iPod and these work every time with the same uPnP server, when NStream does not.

 

 

any recommendations for a good wireless router?

 

 

 

David

Posted on: 12 January 2013 by Simon-in-Suffolk

David, this seems to be coming up a lot on the forum. StreaMing protocols like AirPlay and upnp use a discovery technique using special data packets called multicast packets. This happens at a higher level than IP addresses.  The network needs to behave correctly for these messages to get through to the particpating devices on your network, as the data is fire and forget. Wireless network access points and Ethernet over powerline bridges are notorious here. One way to try and improve this is to use a wireless access point that properley supports muticast. The AppleAirport Express is one such device. Plug directly into your dedicated switch, set it to bridge to your network, and create a new SSID. Get your iPhone/iPad to connect to the new SSID.

Also as inferred above, a seperate standalone switch often is more reliable than a bundled 'software' one in a consumer ADSL Internet router.

 

BTW the way discovery is implemented in controllers can vary, so it can work with one program but not in an other if there is a potential issue in the network. I think Naim have changed their software to make more robust but there comes a point where it needs the network to play.

I use to have issues with PlugPlay when Nstream worked fine... I know use two SSIDs.. One with multicast and one with out. All my music/video related controllers (ipad/iphone etc) go via the multicast SSID via the Apple Airport Express.

Simon