Ways to stream internet video soundtrack to Uniti
Posted by: Alamanka on 04 July 2010
My daughter is using YouTube as an on-line jukebox. She selects video of her favorite artists and she listens to the music on her laptop.
For obvious sound quality reasons, she would like the music to be played on the NaimUniti system.
I have done some preliminary research and I am under the impression that it should be possible to use HiFace to connect the laptop to the Uniti and transmit the sound of the video on the fly, using the latest HiFace driver. (Please confirm, thanks)
However such a solution would require a physical connection between the Uniti and my daughter's laptop... So I would prefer a Upnp based solution.
Doing some additional research, I found out it is possible to save YouTube videos locally and convert them into a .MP3 format using Applian technology. Afterward, it becomes possible to use Foobar or any Upnp server just like with any other .MP3 file.
However this approach is cumbersome because it requires to save the file, convert, import into the server library, select it again.
So we would like a solution "on-the-fly"
Our question to the experts is the following:
- From a laptop connected wirelessly, is there a way to stream on-the-fly the audio soundtrack of a YouTube video to the NaimUniti using Upnp?
Thanks.
For obvious sound quality reasons, she would like the music to be played on the NaimUniti system.
I have done some preliminary research and I am under the impression that it should be possible to use HiFace to connect the laptop to the Uniti and transmit the sound of the video on the fly, using the latest HiFace driver. (Please confirm, thanks)
However such a solution would require a physical connection between the Uniti and my daughter's laptop... So I would prefer a Upnp based solution.
Doing some additional research, I found out it is possible to save YouTube videos locally and convert them into a .MP3 format using Applian technology. Afterward, it becomes possible to use Foobar or any Upnp server just like with any other .MP3 file.
However this approach is cumbersome because it requires to save the file, convert, import into the server library, select it again.
So we would like a solution "on-the-fly"
Our question to the experts is the following:
- From a laptop connected wirelessly, is there a way to stream on-the-fly the audio soundtrack of a YouTube video to the NaimUniti using Upnp?
Thanks.
Posted on: 04 July 2010 by nap-ster
One option is to use Amoeba Software's Airfoil and an Airport Express.
Posted on: 05 July 2010 by Alamanka
Thanks for pointing out this interesting possibility.
This is not completely the ideal solution as it requires to use Airport Express and a prior version of browser (IE7 or Firefox 3.6.3) but the idea is there.
This is not completely the ideal solution as it requires to use Airport Express and a prior version of browser (IE7 or Firefox 3.6.3) but the idea is there.
Posted on: 06 July 2010 by likesmusic
I'm not saying this is a perfect solution but ...
I just bought a Sony BDPS370 BluRay player - £100ish from Amazon.
As well as being an excellent BluRay player, it also features BRAVIA Internet Video which means you can use it to watch YouTube, BBC iPlayer, live streamed video from LoveFilm, live concerts from the Berlin Phil, and all sorts of other things. The BBC iPlayer quality is superb, as is YouTube - and the player has a digital out so if you can easily connect it to your hifi and are prepared to give over your tv to your daughter you will get a great result for not much money. Since it is also a UPnP media renderer, if you happen to have a UPnP player on your computer you can stream music (or photos) to it as well!
I just bought a Sony BDPS370 BluRay player - £100ish from Amazon.
As well as being an excellent BluRay player, it also features BRAVIA Internet Video which means you can use it to watch YouTube, BBC iPlayer, live streamed video from LoveFilm, live concerts from the Berlin Phil, and all sorts of other things. The BBC iPlayer quality is superb, as is YouTube - and the player has a digital out so if you can easily connect it to your hifi and are prepared to give over your tv to your daughter you will get a great result for not much money. Since it is also a UPnP media renderer, if you happen to have a UPnP player on your computer you can stream music (or photos) to it as well!
Posted on: 06 July 2010 by pcstockton
quote:Originally posted by Alamanka:
For obvious sound quality reasons, she would like the music to be played on the NaimUniti system.
The SQ on Youtube is so poor, does it really matter what it is played through?
Every time a friend queues up a You Tube video of some sort through my Naim gear, I cringe at the horrible quality.
Maybe some decent PC speakers/sub are in order?
Patrick
Posted on: 06 July 2010 by Alamanka
Patrick,
We precisely WANT to experience this horrible quality! How do you "queue up" a YouTube video through your Naim gear? Please can you provide details?
Thanks.
PS. We did save some video and converted into MP3. The sound was actually not so bad. It must also depend on the source video.
We precisely WANT to experience this horrible quality! How do you "queue up" a YouTube video through your Naim gear? Please can you provide details?
Thanks.
PS. We did save some video and converted into MP3. The sound was actually not so bad. It must also depend on the source video.
Posted on: 06 July 2010 by winkyincanada
Youtube (and internet generally) video and audio quality is getting better all the time. We find it useful to be able to show internet video on our TV using the DVI output from our Mac Mini. Audio is handled by the SuperNait DAC. Some stuff is not too bad, but still along way to go to be considered high-quality.
Posted on: 07 July 2010 by likesmusic
Another option might be to get an Arcam rDAC. If you get the wireless dongle (when it comes out) and put it in your daughters laptop it should stream wireless asynchronous USB, using the same technology as dCS, for rather less money.
Posted on: 07 July 2010 by Eloise
quote:Originally posted by likesmusic:
Another option might be to get an Arcam rDAC. If you get the wireless dongle (when it comes out) and put it in your daughters laptop it should stream wireless asynchronous USB, using the same technology as dCS, for rather less money.
The Wireless technology is totally separate from the dCS technology asynchronous USB. And the asynchronous USB technology is only a very small part of why you get great sound from dCS DACs.
To the OP (and generally) can the NaimUniti receive an icecast radio stream? If so, it maybe possible to set up an icecast server on the laptop to stream to the Uniti - http://www.rogueamoeba.com/nicecast/ - is such a program for the Mac but sure there must be similar for Windows. The EMu Pipeline may also be of interest to allow Wireless streaming of audio (digital and analogue) independent of any software.
Eloise
Posted on: 07 July 2010 by likesmusic
I wouldn't disagree with you Eloise - dCS stuff sounds magnificent. But Arcam have indeed licenced dCS Asynchronous USB technology from dCS - the two companies have collaborated in the past. Hunt around Arcam's website for confimation.
Posted on: 07 July 2010 by Eloise
quote:Originally posted by likesmusic:
I wouldn't disagree with you Eloise - dCS stuff sounds magnificent. But Arcam have indeed licenced dCS Asynchronous USB technology from dCS - the two companies have collaborated in the past. Hunt around Arcam's website for confimation.
I'm not disagreeing with that likesmusic - for a long time Arcam used a version of the RingDAC in their high end CD players for example and (as you say) Arcam are clearly using dCS's Aysnchronous USB technology. However what makes a dCS DAC special though is (IMO) their attention to detail in the analogue output (like Naim) and their Ring DAC technology - neither of which the Arcam rDAC have.
Also you were incorrect in refering to the Wireless technology which has nothing to do with dCS and is licenced from kleer / SMSC.
Eloise
Posted on: 07 July 2010 by Richard Dane
Alamanka,
you could try a wireless s/pdif bridge. Basically it's a USB dongle that fits to your laptop and then there's a wireless receiver that connects to your Uniti, either via analog output or via s/pdif. There may be a latency iussue though - always a problem with video and sound, especially when sent wirelessly and with D/A conversion going on.
There are a number of options out there if you look, from under £50 to a few hundred £s. One for All do a really cheap one that may be just fine for Youtube content.
you could try a wireless s/pdif bridge. Basically it's a USB dongle that fits to your laptop and then there's a wireless receiver that connects to your Uniti, either via analog output or via s/pdif. There may be a latency iussue though - always a problem with video and sound, especially when sent wirelessly and with D/A conversion going on.
There are a number of options out there if you look, from under £50 to a few hundred £s. One for All do a really cheap one that may be just fine for Youtube content.
Posted on: 07 July 2010 by Eloise
quote:Originally posted by Richard Dane:
Alamanka,
you could try a wireless s/pdif bridge. Basically it's a USB dongle that fits to your laptop and then there's a wireless receiver that connects to your Uniti, either via analog output or via s/pdif. There may be a latency iussue though - always a problem with video and sound, especially when sent wirelessly and with D/A conversion going on.
There are a number of options out there if you look, from under £50 to a few hundred £s. One for All do a really cheap one that may be just fine for Youtube content.
Or BlueTooth is the Laptop has bluetooth. Thought of that after my last post!
Posted on: 07 July 2010 by likesmusic
quote:Originally posted by Eloise:
Also you were incorrect in refering to the Wireless technology which has nothing to do with dCS and is licenced from kleer / SMSC.
Eloise
Not so. From Arcams website:
"The wireless transmitter also features dCS technology ..
* dCS Asynchronous USB technology used under license. Patents pending GB0817141.5 and US 12/63804. "
Posted on: 07 July 2010 by Eloise
quote:Originally posted by likesmusic:quote:Originally posted by Eloise:
Also you were incorrect in refering to the Wireless technology which has nothing to do with dCS and is licenced from kleer / SMSC.
Eloise
Not so. From Arcams website:
"The wireless transmitter also features dCS technology ..
* dCS Asynchronous USB technology used under license. Patents pending GB0817141.5 and US 12/63804."
Okay - I admit I'd missed that ... it's confusing because the Wireless technology is from Kleer (now owned by SMSC) who afaik have no relationship to dCS. It doesn't sound right to me, but if it says it I will (until proven otherwise) accept it from Arcam.
Eloise
Posted on: 07 July 2010 by likesmusic
Whatever, for my money the best solution, if your tv is connected to your hifi, would be to use the Sony BluRay I mentioned - it's cheap, doesn't degrade or delay the audio by any USB/radio link, upscales the picture and gives you access to other things like the BBC iPlayer that the whole family might enjoy. And you can control it with an iPhone/Touch! If you want to listen to YouTube on the main hifi, why not watch the picture on your main tv? Convergence .. it is happening.
Posted on: 07 July 2010 by Richard Dane
Good point from Likesmusic. I use a WD TV Live and I have to say I'm really impressed. It has both analog and digital s/pdif output and you can use it as both a hi res video and audio streamer, or even connect local storage via USB and play that way. The interface is really simple and supports cover art etc.. Video quality is really excellent via HDMI - I believe it uses the same chipset as the Popcorn Hour and HDX 1000 media players - and it's really, really cheap.
So, if you have a TV connected then this would be my choice. You daughter will love it (I know mine does!), and I think you might too.
So, if you have a TV connected then this would be my choice. You daughter will love it (I know mine does!), and I think you might too.
Posted on: 07 July 2010 by likesmusic
richard - the WD thing looks excellent too - do you need a Media Server like Twonky on your PC or does it find files directly?
Posted on: 07 July 2010 by Richard Dane
Not sure as I haven't used the streaming function yet. I need a wireless bridge as it's a very long way away from the router. I've only been using it with a local HDD attached containing videos, photos and some music. It does just what it says it should, and no issues at all so far.
Posted on: 07 July 2010 by pcstockton
quote:
We precisely WANT to experience this horrible quality! How do you "queue up" a YouTube video through your Naim gear? Please can you provide details?
Simply tell the PC to use my soundcard as the system output. It plays in the same way Foobar does.
Posted on: 07 July 2010 by Alamanka
Eloise, LikesMusic, Richard, Winky, PC, thanks for sharing all the great suggestions. I am going to explore these ideas.
In the end, maybe I should actually implement several of them: additional "TV box" in the living room AND separate speakers for the young lady AND dedicated software/USB transmitter on my laptop...
In the end, maybe I should actually implement several of them: additional "TV box" in the living room AND separate speakers for the young lady AND dedicated software/USB transmitter on my laptop...