New to Unitiserve - some questions

Posted by: Richard Morris on 24 March 2016

Hello all, just bought a Unitiserve, feeding into a Mu-So.

I'm interested in the following issues.

Firstly my browser (Safari) does not recognise the NSSRV+ address, with or without http://. I can access the US from the 192.168+ address. Does this matter? May be an issue if I have to reboot the router?

Secondly I've tried a number of usb sticks (all FAT32), containing music loaded on to them via a Mac. The US doesn't recognise any of them (although the Mu-So does).

Thirdly, in the file structure I can see 4 sub-folders in the Music folder - EX, HQ. LQ and MQ (where the ripped cds are). Are these self explanatory - with EX being external?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Posted on: 24 March 2016 by ChrisSU

Typing the IP address into a browser is fine. Have you also loaded N-Serve for Mac onto your computer? Once the US is set up, this is likely to be more useful. 

If USB files aren't recognised, what format are they? I would convert them to FLAC or WAV and load them onto the US hard drive's downloads folder  

Don't worry too much about the cryptically named folders.  CD rips appear in MQ, and if you choose to have MP3 copies for portable use, they'll be in LQ. Naim recommend that you don't attempt to manipulate the content of these folders directly, but through the DTC or N-Serve app.

 

Posted on: 24 March 2016 by Richard Morris

Thanks Chris.

I have loaded n-serve onto my MacBook but find the app on iphone/ipad more useful.

The files on the usb sticks are a mixture of FLAC, ALAC, WAV and AIFF. I'll try adding them via the Mac.

Posted on: 24 March 2016 by Jan-Erik Nordoen
Richard Morris posted:

Thirdly, in the file structure I can see 4 sub-folders in the Music folder - EX, HQ. LQ and MQ (where the ripped cds are). Are these self explanatory - with EX being external?

That looks like an early version of the UnitiServe. Is it the 1TB version ? The later ones have LQ and MQ only, with an additional 'Downloads' partition. 

Posted on: 24 March 2016 by Richard Morris

No - 2TB, delivered yesterday.

 

Posted on: 24 March 2016 by Jan-Erik Nordoen

Ah OK.

I've never seen the EX folder. LQ, MQ and HQ stand for low (MP3), medium (16/44) and high quality storage areas. The latter is a bit of an oddity, as you can't rip a hi-res disc onto the Serve. They go onto the Downloads folder instead.

Maybe EX stands for experimental, to handle MQA files. Or not.

Posted on: 24 March 2016 by ChrisSU
Richard Morris posted:

Thanks Chris.

I have loaded n-serve onto my MacBook but find the app on iphone/ipad more useful.

Yes, the iOS app is more convenient, and does much of what you need - which isn't that much if you're using a Naim streamer/Muso, as you'll no doubt be using the Naim app most of the time. The OSX app does have some extra functions though, especially in the maintenance area, not least the backup scheduler.

Posted on: 24 March 2016 by Adam Zielinski

The USB port onthe US is not intended for attaching storage devices.

The best way to load music is by creating a folder called NaimDownloads, enableing it as a share, and loading up from your laptop.

Posted on: 24 March 2016 by ChrisSU
Adam Zielinski posted:

The USB port onthe US is not intended for attaching storage devices.

There are 4 USB ports on the back of a Unitiserve. They are intended to play from USB sticks, which is exactly what the OP is trying to do. For long term storage, it makes more sense to me to add files to the US hard drive, but the USB ports should work. 

Posted on: 24 March 2016 by Adam Zielinski
ChrisSU posted:
Adam Zielinski posted:

The USB port onthe US is not intended for attaching storage devices.

There are 4 USB ports on the back of a Unitiserve. They are intended to play from USB sticks, which is exactly what the OP is trying to do. For long term storage, it makes more sense to me to add files to the US hard drive, but the USB ports should work. 

Of course - I stand corrected. Confused myself there.