Twonky No Longer Supported on QNAP
Posted by: notsobigal on 15 February 2017
Hello folks. Just joined the forum today. I'm an IT numpty, so apols in advance for asking dumb questions and, quite probably, going over old ground, but I'm in a bind and need help.
I stream FLAC audio from a QNAP TS-412 NAS to a Qute and a UnitiLite controlled from the streamer remote or N-stream on an Ipad / Iphone. From the outset I used the TwonkyMedia server that came with the QNAP. I recognise some the Twonky problems folks posted on the forum, but on the whole it's been OK and if it ain't broke, don't fix it if you're an IT numpty. c. 500 CDs are ripped on the NAS.
The latest QNAP firmware upgrade release notes say that Twonky is no longer supported. I asked QNAP for help who answered "The Twonky app has ended support on QTS 4.2.x and 4.3.x, and is removed from the official App Center. We are unable to provide further support for the Twonky application.". So it looks like I need to install another UPnP server on the QNAP at some point.
Minimserver and Asset are highly recommended on this forum. But the thought of changing servers is frightening. I'm concerned that a new server may not recognise the files or mess up the metadata, I may have to spend hours or days amending metadata for thousands of tracks on the NAS. Or worse still going back to square one and having to rip 500 CDs again. Heaven forbid.
So I'd really appreciate some practical advice on what I need to do and which UPnP server to go for on the QNAP. Ease of changeover and path of least resistance, not cost, are the watchwords. For example I don't mind shelling out 25 quid for Asset Premium if it fits the bill and is the easiest to make work.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Alan
Posted on: 15 February 2017 by sjbabbey
Hi Alan,
For a long while I used WD's My Book Live NAS drives which had Twonky pre=installed but eventually got myself a QNAP TS421 NAS (and relegated the WDs to backup only). I had used mp3tag for all my tagging and Asset which I installed on the QNAP picked up the tags OK.
Installing Asset is fairly straightforward (just download the QNAP version from the Illustrate website) and point it at the file directory where you keep your audio files. The browse tree can be a bit of a faff to set up as there are too many options in the default tree. I stick to just a few categories (Artist/Album, Album, Genre, File/Folder view plus Playlists). Others prefer Minimserver which is a bit more complicated to set up (you need to install Java) but is reportedly very good for classical collections. You could, of course install both to compare.
Posted on: 15 February 2017 by hungryhalibut
Go for Asset. There are idiot proof directions on their website. It will pick up the metadata and be fine, with no need to rip anything.
Posted on: 15 February 2017 by notsobigal
Many thanks. Asset it is - I presume the premium version.
Posted on: 15 February 2017 by notsobigal
One more question - presumably N-stream is unaffected by changing the UPnP server?
Posted on: 15 February 2017 by juanito
Twonky used to be open source (i.e. free), but somewhere between version 7 and 8 (if I remember correctly) it became closed source (i.e. you have to pay for it).
That being said, my Thecus N4800 NAS came with Twonky and I still use it - I see Thecus has dropped Twonky and now provides Plex, but I have not yet summoned up the energy to change over...
Posted on: 15 February 2017 by Lorenz
Although the most people on this praise MinimServer ans Asset I have always liked Twonky :-).
This said I have also notices Twonky disappear with the QNAP 4.3 update. Really felt sorry for that move/decision.
BUT – I have recently (actually YESTERDAY) found out that support for the most current QNAP is available again!
Downloads of Twonky for QNAP have – in the past – ONLY been available thru QNAP's AppCenter.
The working version 8.4.x can be found at the very bottom of the link list at:
http://www.twonkyforum.com/downloads/8.4/
Best, Lorenz
PS I hope the link is OK here at the NAIM forum...
PPS yes it's a paid version – which is more than OK for me.
Posted on: 15 February 2017 by hungryhalibut
One more question - presumably N-stream is unaffected by changing the UPnP server?
Correct.
Posted on: 15 February 2017 by Bart
Many thanks. Asset it is - I presume the premium version.
Yes, you should pay for it. It's quite reasonably priced and supporting the product is the right thing to do.
Posted on: 15 February 2017 by John3
If Twonky for QNAP is no longer supported I am not sure where this leaves Twonky/QNAP users like me in the long-term. It works perfectly for me right now (as it has done the last 6 years) so if I just leave alone and don't do any firmware/software upgrades will it carry on working as now? Or will it at some point stop working as a result of a forced upgrade or not upgrading?
Is now the time to start looking at alternatives to Twonky before it goes wonky? .....though my inclination is to leave alone as it is far from broke.
Posted on: 15 February 2017 by Harry
Just install another server. Minimserver or Asset rune nicely on a QNAP. It's just software.
Posted on: 15 February 2017 by juanito
I can't speak for QNAP, but Twonky has not been supported by Thecus for a number of years during which time I've made many firmware updates and Twonky still works fine.
Posted on: 15 February 2017 by John3
Do these other software (Asset etc) support 'Folder View'?.... absolutely essential to me
Posted on: 15 February 2017 by Harry
Asset and Minimserver do.
Posted on: 15 February 2017 by ChrisSU
One more question - presumably N-stream is unaffected by changing the UPnP server?
Are you still using the old N-Stream app, or have you updated it to the newer Naim app, which to my mind is a considerable improvement.
Posted on: 15 February 2017 by dayjay
Twonky is god awful software anyway, Asset does everything it can do and more and it's far more reliable and adaptable.
Posted on: 16 February 2017 by notsobigal
Strangely Twonky still runs fine (on the old firmware). Left well alone for now. Will switch to Asset in due course, I believe it has better tagging - Twonky was fine until about a year ago when the album/artist view I always use started misfiling albums (common problem reading other threads).
Chrissu - using latest app. Sorry - names of apps mixed up. Tried retrograding to the old n-stream app to fix frequent connectivity issues (subject for another day) - but it won't connect to the streamers at all.
Thanks everyone for your help. I'll let you know how I get on.
Alan
Posted on: 16 February 2017 by Wunderbaum
Do these other software (Asset etc) support 'Folder View'?.... absolutely essential to me
as allready confirmed by Harry, Asset do - you do, however, need to "find" the folder view under the "advanced search" feature in Asset - if you are used to Twonky, that might confuse you first (i was;-)
Posted on: 16 February 2017 by ChrisSU
Just checking! If your answer wes yes, my next question would have been when did you last update your streamer firmware.
Posted on: 16 February 2017 by notsobigal
Chrissu - time passes - last updated the firmware when Naim added Spotify (a right faff downloading onto a laptop and plugging in USBs, and I have two streamers). Is there a more recent update?
Posted on: 16 February 2017 by ChrisSU
There is another update (4.4) that includes Tidal support. There were other changes too, including a small improvement in sound quality reported by many users, and some bug fixes.
Posted on: 16 February 2017 by sjbabbey
Do these other software (Asset etc) support 'Folder View'?.... absolutely essential to me
as allready confirmed by Harry, Asset do - you do, however, need to "find" the folder view under the "advanced search" feature in Asset - if you are used to Twonky, that might confuse you first (i was;-)
Not necessarily. I have "Folder & Filename Browsing" at top level in my Asset browse tree.
Posted on: 17 February 2017 by antony d
when I first had my QNAP had Twonkey and then moved to Asset - so easy to do, did not regret the move - instructions are very easy to follow - upgraded to 5.1 asset now
Posted on: 18 February 2017 by simes_pep
And Asset allows Transcoding of PCM files (FLAC, ALAC, AAC, MP3 etc) to WAV, which Naim state is better for their players, plus you can just 'Seek2Time' in the App on all tracks
Asset R5 onwards also supports DSD files in dsf or dff formats.
Asset also has 'Upstream Art' option, so you get artwork within the folders structure.
You can also replace/upgrade the icons for Artist, Album etc and match the Naim icons 'look & feel' throughout the user experience.
Haven't run Twonky on a NAS for years - it just didn't do what was needed or what I wanted it to do.
Simon
