hard drive to NDS
Posted by: meni48 on 02 September 2013
i am intended to buy an nds streamer, my question is can i connect a nas drive straight to the streamer without needing a pc or stick memory and capable to see the music files stored
I think the answer is yes providing that the NAS drive has media server software installed on it e.g. WD Live NAS drives have Twonky pre-installed on them.
Having said this you will still have the issue of how to rip your music files and organise and tag them if your NAS drive is not connected to your computer.
I think the answer is yes providing that the NAS drive has media server software installed on it e.g. WD Live NAS drives have Twonky pre-installed on them.
Having said this you will still have the issue of how to rip your music files and organise and tag them if your NAS drive is not connected to your computer.
i can connect my nas drive to my computer and rip my files thats not my problem i just wanted to know if i can connect after my riping the nas drive to the nds streamer through the usb
NAS ( Network Attached Storage) drives should be connected by Ethernet cable as they usually don't have USB connectivity. You aren't talking about attaching an external USB hard drive are you?
No you can't connect your NAS through the USB port, you have to use the network (LAN) connection.
i am intended to buy an nds streamer, my question is can i connect a nas drive straight to the streamer without needing a pc or stick memory and capable to see the music files stored
The simple answer is "no."
You don't mention HOW you propose to connect. If via the USB port of the NDS, it's no because the nas won't have a usb port that allows the hard drive contents to be read the way the NDS would look for them.
Is there a reason you're trying to avoid using the NDS as intended, on a network? If so, something other than the NDS may be a better choice for you.
Someone else just reviewed a "direct" connection from an NAS drive to a Naim streamer. If you don't have a home network, you can use 2 ethernet cables and a basic switch, NAS > ethernet cable > switch > ethernet > NDS. A basic consumer switch will be fine. Depending on the NAS and NDS software, you may even be able to use a crossover ethernet cable w/out a switch. (Has anyone tested that? Probably need to tell the NAS to give itself an IP address.)
Be careful of USB connections on NAS devices. I had one where the USB in/out was a separate partition (basically another drive). Really annoying. I don't think the UPnP software can ever run via the USB. I suspect the NDS will see it as a hard drive with a file structure - just like sticking a USB stick in. Therefore, I don't you couldn't use the app.
Something like Apple Airport express would also give you wireless capability to put new music onto the NAS from whatever you're using to rip.
NAS ( Network Attached Storage) drives should be connected by Ethernet cable as they usually don't have USB connectivity. You aren't talking about attaching an external USB hard drive are you?
very simple connecting my hard drive into usb nds streamer without the need of a computer or any cables
NAS ( Network Attached Storage) drives should be connected by Ethernet cable as they usually don't have USB connectivity. You aren't talking about attaching an external USB hard drive are you?
very simple connecting my hard drive into usb nds streamer without the need of a computer or any cables
I have no idea how you would do this without at least a usb cable. What make/model/type of hard drive have you got?
From the NDS manual Section 2.8 USB Audio Interface:
"The NDS is fitted with a front panel USB interface intended for the connection of USB memory hardware carrying audio files. The USB interface should not be used for any other purpose.
Most UMS (Universal Mass Storage) USB devices are compatible with the NDS USB audio input. Such devices might include portable digital music players, smart-phones, tablet computers, USB memory sticks and memory card readers."
Doesn't specifically mention external hard drives or any limit on HD capacity I'm afraid. Anyone had any experience with using such a hard drive?
NAS ( Network Attached Storage) drives should be connected by Ethernet cable as they usually don't have USB connectivity. You aren't talking about attaching an external USB hard drive are you?
very simple connecting my hard drive into usb nds streamer without the need of a computer or any cables
You had mentioned both NAS and hard drive (which presumably meant external hard drives such as WD MyBook?).
For NAS you need to use LAN cable for connection in which case you do not need a computer to play music provided that the NAS has a server software. You will however need a wireless router if you wish to use n-Stream.
For external hard drive I don't think it is possible to connect it to NDS for direct replay in anyway.
If you don't want to fiddle with a PC all the time, the simplest way is to use a UnitiServe or something like a Zone Ripper. Connect the two boxes to a Gigabit switch, and the switch to the router, and you are off, though you really need to get backup sorted out too.
From the NDS manual Section 2.8 USB Audio Interface:
[...]
Doesn't specifically mention external hard drives or any limit on HD capacity I'm afraid. Anyone had any experience with using such a hard drive?
If I remember well what Phil once explained, the problem with connecting large USB drives to Naim servers or streamers is that the USB port doesn't provide large drives with enough current to power them properly. And if you use powered USB drives, you're cruising for a earth loop of sorts...
See here for instance, but it was about the HDX:
https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...32#15927322093175632
I guess the same reasoning must hold for the streamers ?
HTH
Maurice