Potential NaimUniti system advice

quote:

Originally posted by Tom_W:
Hi,

I've been trying to get my head around distributed audio systems, and i'm hoping someone can give me some reasonably plain english advice; i.e. please explain some of the terminology for the required components.
I would like to establish whether a NaimUnity based system will do what i need now, and also what i can do to expand the functionality at a later date.

First off, I need the NaimUnity in a different room from my digital files, and will need to stream wirelessly.
Initially, i will keep my music on my PC (Win Vista, soon to be Win 7). I understand that you can 'pull' the files from the store using the user interface on the Naim player, however i also like the larger, more comprehensive interfaces of PC based media players like itunes. Is there a way of using something like this to set up playlists etc. and 'push' the files to the player? I need flac functionality, so i guess that counts itunes and WMP out.

At a later date, i would like to keep my music on a Windows Home Server (probably still in a separate room from the NaimUnity). I don't really want a NAS because i need some of the backup/extra functionality of the WHS system for my home office. The same question about a PC based interface also applies. Finally, would it be possible to have such an interface on something like a netbook, so that i could use it like a remote control?

Any advice gratefully received!

Tom

Before everything being started. You should install a UPNP software into your windows based music server first such as DonkeyMedia or TVersity. After it, Uniti will read it beautifully. Then you can pick songs thr wifi something. If you want proper control or every the Disc info such as album cover photo, try plugplayer in iphone/ipod touch. Easy!

Right you have asked a couple of questions.

iTunes, cannot be used for what you want due to flac, so lets forget that.

The uniti uses UPNP (Universal plug 'n' play)
In simplistic terms its a protocal that allows any devices to communicate certain information, namely music, pictures and video. The uniti utalises the music.

In order to use this feature you firstly want music on your drive. If you have a folder of flacs already this is great if not you want to download suitable software for cd import. I think Patrick would be you man on here for that hopefully he will pipe in.

You then need to broadcast your music on UPNP. This can sometimes be with the same software used for import or something like twonky media server. These run all the time and tell the network ' hey hey I am here and I have cool tunes'

The uniti will then see that broadcast and go and join the party. There is no setting up required, this is the point of UPNP. That being said you might need to fiddle with your firewall if you have one running. And you may need to turn it on on your router, although usually they come with it on by default.

Finally the software you used to import the cds might be a great management tool as well for playing on the PCs, it might be crap. I can recommend songbird which seems to be maturing nicely. Remember that the music files are just that and can be used anyway you want, its the UPNP server software which deals with broadcasting that music to compatible devices.

Some other terms you may come by:
UPNP Server, The computer or device holding/broadcasting the tunes
UPNP Renderer, A device which see broadcasts and uses the stream (uniti)
UPNP Control Point, software that works between server and renderer to provide control of playback, such as plug player on ipod or songbook on pc/mac

ok,thanks for your clear explanations Gary.
It seems that finding the best UPnP software for my needs is going to be important. I only really need it for managing and broadcasting my music, as i use dBpoweramp to rip it all (I already have a library of flac files along with mp3's)
My primary concerns are a clear user interface that makes managing my library easy - i.e. easily able to search and browse by different levels of the tag information.
I have seen posts recommending Twonky media server, Foobar, Asset, Allegro, etc. etc. I understand that these applications are rapidly evolving at the moment. Are there any up to date posts listing the pro's and cons? Can i set up playlists and broadcast to the Uniti from all of them?
By the way, i'm not ignoring the controls on the Uniti itself, but that's a given! Hopefully off to check one out this weekend.

Thanks
Tom

Tom one thing to check out is songbook as you can control the uniti from it. This way you can set play lists etc and get them going whilst sat on your sofa (assuming you have a laptop)

Twonky is ok, the support is non existent though so don't rely on that. Allegro is also ok, but only works with itunes so no good to you.

J River Media Center seems like it might be less wonky than Twonky - anyone tried it?

ok, i'll have a closer look at Songbird.

What are other forum members' experiences?

Just to clarify, songbird is a way to manage music files (a bit like itunes.)
Songbook is a UPNP control point to allow you to push music to the uniti

OK... As opposed to what exactly?
It looks like it might be what i'm after. Is there functionality in other software i would need?

Other UPnP server options are:

asset (www.dbpoweramp.com)

Foobar 2K (www.foobar2000.org/)can be configured as a serve, but is more complex as it requires some additional components to be installed for this.

I use Asset, and have had no issues, with a variety of renders and control software.

Best of Luck

David

Tom, typically you would choose music by the front panel of the uniti. Songbook allows you to choose that music from your laptop. As far as I am aware there is not a raft of these softwares out there.

Another choice is plug player for the iphone or itouch, but its a bit shit and prefers to crash rather than work.

That's great. Thanks for all your help. I'm much more clued up now.

quote:

Originally posted by garyi:
Tom, typically you would choose music by the front panel of the uniti. Songbook allows you to choose that music from your laptop. As far as I am aware there is not a raft of these softwares out there.

Another choice is plug player for the iphone or itouch, but its a bit shit and prefers to crash rather than work.

Any alternative instead of songbook? As songbook is very expensive (USD$84.55). I am looking for a cheaper one(Plugplayer?)

Songbird isn't free??

I downloaded it for free... I dont think it was a trial.

Song bird is free, songbook is not

It confuses me as well.

Ah! that explains my confusion too. It looks like it's for Mac only though.
Are there any recommendations for PC?