iPeng with Logitech Streamer

Posted by: AMA on 13 January 2011

I've just installed iPeng (10 USD) on my iPhone4 and I have to say that I'm very pleased with the concept. First of all I was amazed with setting it up -- or better to say not doing anything to set it up. Once installed iPeng has automatically scanned my networks and found SlimServer running and start operating my music store. I know it's not a miracle -- but it's very neat.

Secondly I was amazed with a very prompt response -- it's faster than original Logitech remote

Especially one can see this on fast forward and rewind -- just instantaneously! Changing the tracks also takes less time than original remote. I guess this is because iPeng sends instructions directly to the server while Logitech remote translates them through the streamer.

The information pool is HUGE -- I can track almost everything -- as if I'm running SlimServer right on my iPhone. I can customize the appearance in my own way -- I can drag on the screen what I need and hide what I don't need.

Cover Arts are properly picked up. And -- of course ! -- multi-row track list. At last.
Nothing to add -- perfect remote control over my music store. Including browsing the native file structure (I'm trying to annoy Naim developers

)

What I didn't like (or didn't get it) -- intuitively I want to tap quickly a track and expect it starts playing. Instead I need to tap and keep it pressed for a second to wait for a pop-up menu to show up where I can select a play -- not comfortable. Is it customizable?
I have to say that installing iPeng on my iPhone was just an experiment -- to see how it works. I'm convinced now to buy iPad and use it as a proper remote for my Logitech Transporter.

I hope Naim software developers will learn some points from Logitech architecture and make me happy by the time I will change TP for the new Naim streamer

BTW did you notice my note that iPeng substantially increased the sound quality of my Transporter through nDAC?

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by AMA

quote:
BTW did you notice my note that iPeng substantially increased the sound quality of my Transporter through nDAC?

The right answer: "No, we didn't!" -- because I didn't say that ... (just checking you are still with me

)

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by Asenna04

AMA,

Yes, it is indeed a great product. I am not sure I will be using Squeezeboxes if it were not for iPeng. The user interface is excellent. The most significant feature I find is the Spotify plugin and the ability to seach Spotify and play tracks right from your iPhone.

If you (or anyone) had the iPad, you should try the Ipeng for iPad which was released a few months back. It builds on the iPhone/iTouch version and is even better.

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by likesmusic

iPeng is indeed a splendid product AMA - I'm amazed it's taken you so long to find out!

I don't understand why you have to hold a track down to play a track - all I need to do with mine is tap the track and it plays.

Check that you have the little "Play" triangle at the top right hand of the screen. (As opposed to a "+" or the ">|" symbol.

Don't you just with someone would give the iPeng guy and Sean Adams a job!

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by Tog

One of the joys (sorry look away now if you are VB sensitive) of Vortexbox is that you have Slimserver installed and can either stream to a Squeesebox or use Ipeng to play direct from your VB server (bit like a UnitiServe with dig out) but with Ipeng which is great.

Tog

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by AMA

quote:
Check that you have the little "Play" triangle at the top right hand of the screen. (As opposed to a "+" or the ">|" symbol.

Oh, that was helpful, likemusic -- now it works!
Most probably I switched the mode into ADD occasionally during the first session.

Now I agree - iPeng does not have negative points.
It does everything just right.

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by AMA

quote:
AMA - I'm amazed it's taken you so long to find out!

likemusic, it takes time to put up with 10 USD expense

Especially when you muscled out with such a purchase as 15 K$ speakers...

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by likesmusic

The only thing I would improve is the way it handles long track names by truncating the middle. Mostly an issue with classical music. Plus, wouldn't it be cool if it would play through your iPhone when you're in range of your server?

AMA it is amazing how people begrudge spending money on software, yet will spend crazy amounts on hardware.

I wonder how many people are using free versions of dBPoweramp, or Asset? Shame on them.

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by AMA

quote:
The most significant feature I find is the Spotify plugin and the ability to seach Spotify and play tracks right from your iPhone.

Asenna04, how to use it?

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by Tog

quote:
Originally posted by AllenB:
Sounds like Naim's iPad app updates have quite a lot to do to make up the ground on this and the Remote 2 apps.

X2

Tog

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by Asenna04

quote:
Originally posted by AMA:
quote:
The most significant feature I find is the Spotify plugin and the ability to seach Spotify and play tracks right from your iPhone.

Asenna04, how to use it?

You can add it from the Plugin menu on Squeezebox. But you do need a Spotify Premium account. You can search for Spotify Squeezebox Plugin and get the detailed instruction from the slimdevices forums.

ASenna04

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by AMA

quote:
AMA it is amazing how people begrudge spending money on software, yet will spend crazy amounts on hardware.

likemusic, I absolutely agree with you.
As a professional software developer I could never understood the contemptuous views on the cost of my SW.

And for the very same reason I'm so relunctant to pay for the others

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by AMA

quote:
But you do need a Spotify Premium account

Is it free?

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by likesmusic

Nope, you have to pay for Spotify Premium. But, if you open a Spotify account, which costs nothing, you will find an offer of a 7 day free trial of Spotify Premium.

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by Tog

quote:
Originally posted by AMA:
quote:
But you do need a Spotify Premium account

Is it free?

No - the premium account at MP3 320 quality costs a monthly premium. I find the standard free one is still quite good through a decent dac - good for free that is.

Tog

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by AMA

Thanks all, I shall try this out.

I like this forum

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by AMA

quote:
If you (or anyone) had the iPad, you should try the Ipeng for iPad which was released a few months back. It builds on the iPhone/iTouch version and is even better.

Asenna04, does it have a different name? I see only one iPeng application at App store.

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by Aleg

quote:
Originally posted by AMA:
quote:
If you (or anyone) had the iPad, you should try the Ipeng for iPad which was released a few months back. It builds on the iPhone/iTouch version and is even better.

Asenna04, does it have a different name? I see only one iPeng application at App store.

Look here and you'll find the links to both

-
aleg

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by AMA

quote:
Look here and you'll find the links to both

I followed the link and it's there. But I still can't see it on the App Store through iPhone. Possibly it will only show up when you browse from iPad?

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by DaveBk

Another happy iPeng user here - both iPad and iPhone 4 versions. Best music control interface I've ever seen especially the iPad version.

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by daryl

I recently subscrided to spotify premium,i use a squeezebox touch with an ipad to control it,and i have to say this is a fantastic set up.

Although i can use the ipad i also use my laptop with squeezebox server and web remote and find this is also very good.

When i installed ipeng on the ipad,i searched through the apps from the ipad and selected ipeng for ipad. Daryl

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by Dustysox

Hi AMA

+ 1 for this app.

i have been using it for quite a while with iphone 4, and it has made all my Squeeze product remote controls (Boom,Duets & transporter) redundant.
My phone is normally with me where ever i go (sad really!!) and at home I have complete control of my music. And this point IMO is key to the future of how/where we listen to music.

Convenience is my Naim of the game (see what I did there!!!) and when ever friends come round they are completely blown away my Naim system with the quality and the ease of which I control it.

Ipad is next on my list to purchase and ipeng will be the first app to be installed.

The cost of this app represents VFM to me, remind me how much equivalent Naim software costs

Posted on: 13 January 2011 by Dustysox

One other thought....
I also use prem Spotify. The ability to listen to any music (within reason) is another feature I realy like. In conjunction with the excellent "Music Room" on this very fine website I am able to audition music that fellow Naim posters are listening to. I the have the choice to purchase said CD if I want. Having said that the quality is most impressive, my CD purchases are somewhat down in 2010.

Convenience.......

Crikey...I am lazy!!

Posted on: 14 January 2011 by Asenna04

quote:
Originally posted by AMA:
quote:
Look here and you'll find the links to both

I followed the link and it's there. But I still can't see it on the App Store through iPhone. Possibly it will only show up when you browse from iPad?

AMA,

The ipad app will only show up in the ipad App Store. Since you cannot download any ipad apps on iPhone.

But you can see screenshots of it on the penguinlovesmusic website (follow the link Aleg posted above).

ASenna04

Posted on: 14 January 2011 by Tog

Shame it can't do UPnP ... great little app.

Tog

Posted on: 14 January 2011 by likesmusic

Actually the Squeezebox Server itself does support UPnP.

Squeezecenter > Settings > Advanced > Network > UPnP Client > Enabled > Apply.

and any UPnP server on your network will appear under the "My Music" browse tree on Squeezebox Server.

Quality of results depends on the UPnP server you connect to. Crap with Asset, slightly less crap with foobar. iPeng doesn't seem to see them though.