Qute/Uniti co-existing with iTunes

quote:

I understand the ALAC format is a limitation but don't quite understand why it's ok via USB cable from iPhone to Qute/Uniti but not via the network?

iPhone renders the Apple Lossless files and streams PCM over USB, whereas the Uniti family renders the files internally, converting to PCM.

quote:

Originally posted by David Dever:

quote:

I understand the ALAC format is a limitation but don't quite understand why it's ok via USB cable from iPhone to Qute/Uniti but not via the network?

iPhone renders the Apple Lossless files and streams PCM over USB, whereas the Uniti family renders the files internally, converting to PCM.

Thanks David. Makes sense.

Jay

Jay,

You *should* be able to make your iTunes library work with a Uniti(Qute) by installing the free version of the EyeConnect UPNP server. This is assuming that you run a Mac - others can advise a good alternative if running Windows, but I believe Asset to be good.

EyeConnect will present your whole library to the Uniti using the UPNP protocol over either a wireless or wired connection.

The Uniti cannot play ALAC natively, however EyeConnect will helpfully transcode these to WAV for you on the fly - to the Uniti they will look and audtomatically play just like any other file. MP3s, AAC etc all fine.

However... transcoding is broken in the current version of EyeConnect so download 1.6.3 instead, or wait for the next release which should hopefully fix this issue.

John

Hi John

Many thanks for your response.

I do have a Mac and as it happens EyeConnect as well (software came with one of those DTV USB tuners).

I don't actually have a Uniti but am considering as a source component. I realise that sounds kind of mad but....I pretty much "listen" to vinyl. The other formats, including CD, haven't really engaged me in the same way. Obviously a complete personal preference.

But the Uniti offers CD, FM, DAB and streaming as well as other digital and analogue inputs. All very well and good for me if it's very much a secondary source.

I haven't been that impressed overall with streaming and I've been doing it nigh on 6 years, ever since the first Apple Airport Express came out.

I suppose I wonder what this additional Eyeconnect encoding is actually doing for the quality? I suppose it's pretty much a suck and see.

Jay

quote:

Originally posted by AllenB:
Can someone just simply answer why, for example the NDX will do AIFF (but notably not ALAC other than via iPod) but the Qute & Uniti cannot?

The NDX (not yet released) is running prototype software, which will subsequently make its way into the other Uniti products.

quote:

I suppose I wonder what this additional Eyeconnect encoding is actually doing for the quality? I suppose it's pretty much a suck and see.

There is no transcoding if the file format, bit depth and sample rate are natively supported by the renderer.

Look up.