Linn MediaServer

Linn as usual are offering it for free as a 'Beta' and explain that this first version is a starting point with the intention to expand functionality. Currently its functionality is:

1) Interact with your i-tunes library via your control point. 

eg: PlugPlayer = select  media server as 'Linn Media Server' => lists available sources which include 'i-Tunes' => select i-Tunes which lists search options. e.g. 'Album' will list all i-tunes library albums with thumbnail artwork => choose and play

2) Interact with i-tunes Playlists similarly.

3) Interact with a list of media apps that are used to make media available that is stored on the web.

e.g. Radio such as 'BBC' 'Europe Radio' and podcasts and lectures for example from the likes of 'Oxford University' or 'The Royal Society'

Basically the i-tunes library access from a hand held device running a control point is nice because it allows you to interact remotely with your i-tunes library ( assuming the i-tunes computer is active somewhere on your network maybe in another room). 

Playing with it, looks promising BBC radio lists a lot of station for example.

regards

Geoff

Thanks Geoff.

Will take a proper look when I am back from work.  Will be good to see how this compares with Playback, Majestic etc. for responsiveness, transcoding options, cover art support.

Hi Geoff, I'm a bit off the track with your iTunes story.  

I don't use iTunes -- I use regular NAS-drive stuffed with FLACs and separate PC with Asset uPnP.

Can I replace Asset with Linn MediaServer or is too early?

It is iTunes only for now and with a very limited feature set, but with plans for expansion.

As O says it is aimed at those who use i-tunes to run their music and create playlists to give an easier interaction rather than the standard i-tunes interface and remotely particularly around the house using a control point.

I don't expect it will replace Asset  / NAS for straight access to ripped music if thats what you run (as you and I do).

What it already offers and will expand overtime is the access to various internet audio media streams which already looks more comprehensive than built into Asset at present.

Geoff

Looks interesting - i'll have a play.

James

Oh well - back to Playback 

If it is aimed at iTunes users wouldn't it be an awful lot simpler (though it would involve some swallowed pride) to implement Airplay, rather than spend what must be very valuable development resources on something that is unlikely ever to satisy iTunes users as much as a little "LinnDS" box that clicked up as an Airplay device on your Mac and iToys.

Thanks for clarifications. Not my cup of tea 

It is currently just another UPNP server as so unlikely to unseat Asset, Playback et al.  Features like support for regular folders of files (ie. non-iTunes) are planned and the existing extra media sources are quite neat.

The differentiator for me is the approach that Linn are taking. You can find the post about the beta of the media server on their forum and suggest features or ask questions of the developers directly.  They respond quickly and a build or two later and people's requests are being implemented.  Because they have gone open source, if you want to contribute code or even adapt it yourself, you can do.  I think that it will take months (not years), but this should end up as a great product as a result.

Anyway, comparisons to other Mac UPNP servers:

• It is fast.  Very fast.  Certainly beats the responsiveness of EyeConnect, but also outperforms Playback and Majestic.
• It is not very stable - worth a play and to keep an eye on, but not production quality yet.  In fairness, it is released as a beta.
• It supports album art in nStream (Playback doesn't for me).
• ALAC doesn't seem to work in my setup (MP3 and AAC work fine).
• There are no transcoding options.

I just found it rather unresponsive and artwork didn't work. It doesn't offer me anything of interest at the moment. Why don't you get artwork with Playback ?

Likesmusic

Actually Linn don't need to do 'Airplay'. They wrote and give away a free program called 'Songcast' which does exactly what you suggest with both PCs and MACs and any Linn DS box. I use it a lot with 'catch up' TV from BBC and ITV and with Spotify, aswell as iTunes, to play their audio streams.

James

Interesting that you don't get Album art James. I had that straight away on my Mac, and with Songbook and PlugPlayer on my i-pod.

Geoff

You mean wherever there's an apple volume control - on a mac,pc+iTunes, ipad, iphone - you get the Airplay icon and can choose where to broadcast the sound to, and the list will include any DS you have as well as other Airplay devices? Will apples remote app see a DS? Can you walk in the house listening to something on you iPhone and flip the sound (via an Aiport Express or Apple TV) to a handy hifi?