How to download to HDX - help please.

Is it the new 2 tb hdx, or one of the older models, or an ssd version where all files both hdx rips and downloads must be accessed from your`nas?

If you are using mac only, I believe that you still can access functions like setting up shares by using a web browser. I have not looked into what you can do from the n-serve app, but I am not sure you can tell the hdx where it can find downloads.

Claus

Hi Claus

Its the new 2TB version non ssd.

I can see , on opening the iMac Finder, a 'Shared' folder which is the NAS - Western Digitals 'MyBookLiveDuo'. This in turn, on opening, has 2 folders called HDX and Public. I can see all my ripped music under the first folder  - HDX. The second folder - Public - is the folder that has a further folder marked WD (for Western Digital I assume) Download Folder. Its into this folder that I have put the downloaded Linn test music files. However they will not open I'm asked to chose a program to open the file! 

What am I missing, not doing?

Peter

You are probably trying to open a flac file on the mac not on the hdx.

The files I have from Linn are in flac format.

Since you have the 2 tb version, you can avoid the network part of streaming by placing your downloads on the internal disk in the hdx. This way  you also get an automated backup to the other disk in the hdx, and you can tell the hdx to make another backup on the nas.

You should be able to see the hdx from the mac finder, and if you open the hdx there must be a downloads folder where you can copy the downloads to. I will have to start my Mac to be a little more specific.

Claus

Claus - the HDX has a single disk of 2TB. I can only see the HDX under the 'Shared' section of Finder - this where the NAS is.

I have just downloaded from the Linn site another test flac file. I put it into the HDX section of (I believe) the NAS, attempted to open it but failed. It tried to use the Naim download manager each time which did not recognise it.

The iPad does not 'see' the downloaded file after moving into the HDX section of Finder.

Peter

I still believe there are an internal backup disk in the hdx, but it will be invisible since it is managed by the hdx itself.

If you have a hdx folder, in the network in finder, probably called hdx followed by some numbers and letters, this is the hdx internal disk. If you open the hdx you should see 2 folders, music and downloads. copy the files you have downloaded into the music folder. and they should be available from the n-serve app, select the more tab, and look under newest.

Claus

I have an HDX.  It's the SSD version but I'm not sure that matters here.

To clarify one thing - you say you're trying to download music files to the HDX.  If that's really what your're doing it may be the problem.  As I understand it, the only music files that can be stored on the HDX itself are those that are ripped from CDs by the HDX itself.  The HDX will see and play other files but I think they must be stored and properly organised elsewhere - typically a NAS.

Even if your downloaded music files are properly stored on a NAS, you may need to do some organisation before the HDX will see and play them.

If you rip a CD via the HDX, the HDX does all the work to create the necessary music file, name and number the tracks in order, tag with artwork, etc.  Having done so, obviously the HDX can then see and play the files it has created.  My SSD does all this in a Music Store - a share on my NAS that I have designated as the Music Store for my HDX.

If you want the HDX to see and store other kinds of music file (anything that is not created by ripping a CD via the HDX), you have to do the organisation yourself.  This goes for vinyl converted to digital, downloaded music files, anything.

I have converted a lot of vinyl to digital, and downloaded a few HD music files.  To start, you need to create a designated share on your NAS and make sure your HDX is scanning this share, not ignoring it.  Your downloaded files go into this share.  You can use Naim Desktop Client (Tools tab) to ensure that your HDX is scanning the share.  If you've got a Mac rather than a PC, you won't be able to use Desktop Client but you can achieve the same thing via the screen on the HDX itself, or by using your MAC to go to the IP address of the HDX on your network, which will give you a larger shot of the screen on the front of the HDX.  You need the chain of commands under System on the HDX screen.

If you're lucky, your downloaded files will already be tagged in a way that allows the HDX to see and play them.  If not, you'll have to find a program that will tag your downloaded files.  I have had to do this with converted vinyl.  I use the (free) Audacity program to do the conversion from vinyl to digital, and this does a basic job of splitting into tracks, grouping tracks as an album, etc but it doesn't tag the files properly, or associate cover art in a way that the HDX can see it.  For the next stage of the process I use the (free) Media Monkey program, which is quick and easy, and from that point the files are seamlessly integrated with the rest of my music library and appear via n-Serve.  I think Media Monkey may be PC only but I'm sure others can direct you to a similar program for Mac.

Good luck.

Dear both thanks for info.

Well I have been playing around a bit for the last couple of hours and unfortunately not really getting anywhere.

First of all I'm not trying to download TO the HDX I have actually been downloading working test files to the attached NAS. As explained in earlier posts via the iMac Finder I can see the NAS and then 2 sections called 'HDX' and 'Public'. I can see all my ripped music in 'HDX'. In 'Public' I can see a section marked 'Download Music' and in that is a downloaded sample downloaded by my dealer when he installed the HDX (and DAC). It is into this area that I have been trying, unsuccessfully, to put new downloaded test files. Unfortunately I did not take everything in at the time of installation.

I am further confused by the fact that even though I was downloading a Linn test sample the Naim download manager was activated but did not 'see' the test sample.

If anyone with a iMac could give spare the time to write down an ABC of downloading so that I would get the music and artwork and I be would be very grateful.

Thanks

Peter 

Quick question. Why are you not putting the cd into the HDX and ripping the cd fromtour HDX to the NAS?

Also when you use the HDX screen you can look at all the network shares and music stores and can select which ones you want to be visible to the HDX, and also promote them, so deciding where your ripped music goes to!

If you can play the test file your dealer has put in the folder, by selecting it from the n-serve or the touch screen, then you can place your downloads in the same folder.Now you have to tell the hdx to look for files in that folder, called a share, the hdx does not look out for changes in that folder unless you tell it to.

If you use the touch screen by using the remote and navigate to the system menu then shares and then Refresh All Shares. The hdx will search for the files you have placed in the folder where the working dealer track is located.

After some time probably a few minutes you should see your new tracks, under newest on the more tab in the n-serve app.

We do not really know if the folders you can see on the mac are folders on the nas, or folders on the nas, and folders on the hdx itself. If you want to make the future process of putting music on the hdx simpler, it would be a good idea to copy music directly to the disk in the hdx, not the nas. The nas will work as well, but by using the internal disk you avoid problems if you run into network problems in the future.

On the n-serve app on the more tab, find settings, here you can see the name and ip address of the hdx.

On my ns01 the line looks like this:

ns018b7a, 192.168.001.059  devices, naim hd player.

your hdx will be naimed hdx and then numbers and letters like above. only use the first part not the long numer wich is the ip address.

On the mac press the command key and k at the same time. Now you can type in the name of a server  here the name of the hdx  wich you found before on my mac I would use:

smb://ns018b7a,

Now if you have the correct name you should see the 2 folders on your hdx named music and downloads.  forget the music folder wich you should not touch at all! and downloads where you can copy all your downloaded music to.

Claus

crb600 - I have no problems with ripping and have already ripped all My CDs with no problem.

Claus - you have great patience with me and I appreciate your input. However have just got in after a few beers so will leave any further investigations until tomorrow! Will report back later on your suggestions .

Thanks

Peter

No no no -- this is not correct.  The current version of the HDX, with the 2tb hard drive, allows the customer to store on the HDX's internal hard drive music that was downloaded, or ripped elsewhere.

From the Naim website:

"Save downloads or pre-ripped music to the hard drive for easy access to entire music library."

PeterX -- the problem to me appears to be that you are not actually accessing the hard drive of the HDX.  The HDX SHOULD show up in Finder.  You are putting the files onto your NAS, but not moving them to the hard drive of the HDX.  Once you find the HDX in Finder, browse through the directories and find the folder that lets you copy files to it.  I think that it's called "Downloads" but I am not certain, as I don't own one.  But there IS a directory on the HDX's hard drive that you can copy files to, that is separate from the directory that the HDX rips to.  Simply 'drag and drop' your files into it and you will be good to go!

It is very easy once you can see your HDX in Finder

I'm not sure, but I believe you can copy files onto the HDX hard disk from other network drives, using the HDX's own internal software.  Find the "Manage My Music" button and go from there.

just to clarify my earlier post, this is from the latest manual, the nice feature is that when using the internal downloads folder, you avoid the manual update of shares that you need to do with music stored on a nasor another external disk.

9 Internal Storage of External Data With the introduction of a 2TB internal hard disk the HDX can store and play music files created or downloaded from external sources in addition to files locally ripped from CDs. To enable external file storage, a folder called “Downloads” is located on the HDX internal hard disk. The folder can be accessed and files copied to it using Windows Explorer or OS X Finder folder browsing. The following paragraphs describe access and use of the HDX Downloads folder.

9.1 Accessing The Downloads Folder To locate the Downloads folder browse to the HDX hard disk by using Windows explorer or OS X Finder. An example of this from Windows 7 is illustrated below.

The HDX networkname in the address bar (NSHDXDF52 in the example above) should specify the network name of your HDX. This can be found via the HDX System Status menu (See Section 4.8.8). Browsing to the HDX reveals two folders: Musicand Downloads.

The Downloads folder is a free storage space, located on the same hard disk as the Music folder that contains the files created by the HDX from ripped CDs. The Music folder should always remain unmodified.

Music files (or other files) may be copied to the Downloads folder. Sub-folders may also be created within the Downloads folder if desired. The HDX will treat the Downloads folder as a Network Shareand automatically scan and list all the music files that it finds (and can play). See section 7.2 for further information on Network Shares.

Note:To ensure reliable operation, at least 4GB of free space should always be maintained on the HDX internal hard disk. Hard disk free space can be checked via the HDX System Status menu.

Note:Temporary disturbance of audio reproduction may occur (from local output or UPnP&trade when simultaneously copying large volumes of data to the HDX hard disk over the network.

9.2 Copying to The Downloads FolderSupplement – Internal Storage of External Data9.2 Copying to The Downloads Folder The HDX Downloads folder operates just like any other folder in a network environment. Select the files to be copied from elsewhere on the network and then copy and paste them to the Downloads folder. The HDX will make the files available forselection and playback only once the copy operation is complete and it has scanned the folder. If a large number of files are copied in one pass, this may take a little time. The screen-shots below illustrate copying an item from the iTunes music folder on the network to the HDX Downloads folder.

Dear All

Many thanks for helpful replies. Have now determined that there a downloads folder on the HDX called NSHXDDOC/Downloads and it is active. Haven't yet found (seen) it on my iMac! 

Will investigate further later today.

Again thanks for your continuing help. (I may need more!)

Peter

Peter

Have you got SMB file sharing turned on on the Mac?  I think you need that before the Mac will see the HDX drives.

If you are still getting stuck, you could try an email to the Naim support mailbox (support@naimaudio.com). They are pretty responsive and I think they have a cheat sheet for this sort of issue with details on the things to press on your Mac.

err - what is SMB file sharing - where do I find/ get it?  God it's never simple is it? Fortunately I've been doing others things today so have not had opportunity to continue my quest to download something meaningful to the HDX.

Will contact Naim soon - my dealer is I think as much in the dark as myself he has never mentioned SMB files.

Peter

I'm a bit of a novice on this stuff as well to be honest, so apologies to the knowledgable folk on this forum for these poor attempts at explaining this.

Macs use a file sharing protocol called (I think) AFP.  Windows based devices (like an HDX) use a protocol called SMB (aka Samba).  Macs only have AFP turned on by default.  You can turn on SMB  somewhere in preferences (I'm not at home so cannot look it up - sorry). 

NAS devices usually have both turned on which will be why your Mac and HDX can both see the NAS.

Naim support sent me a cheat sheet a while back about getting a UnitiServe to see files on a Mac; included the SMB set up stuff.  So a request to them will I'm sure help you out.

David

Or you could Google "turn on smb os x"

OK - I have turned on both 'Share files and folders using AFP' and Share files and folders using SMB(windows).

However --- The file Sharing indicator is now showing red and it says 'Blocked by Firewall'.

What do I have to do to overcome this?

Peter

Try to see if your firewall on the mac is turned on, it should not be but the indicator suggests it is.

If it is turn it off and see if that helps, you can then afterwoods turn it back on again and set it up so it will work with the hdx see:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/...uiltin-firewall.html

It could also be time to have Naim support look at your  system.  can they can get access to your computer and network and find out why you cannot access the hdx from your mac.

Send a mail to support@naimaudio.com and they will answer back with instructions on how you can allow them access to your system.

Claus

Claus et all

Many thanks for your input. I have modified the firewall, enabled the share files for AFP and SMB and can now see my HDX in Finder!! Thank you so much all for your patience - not difficult to do in hindsight but you do have to know what to do and I previously did not. I must assume my dealer did/does not either!

Just a few more questions - 

In Finder under my HDX name I can see two files marked Music and Downloads. I assume I just drag and drop music files on downloading to my Mac directly into into the HDX Downloads section  - is this correct? Or do I have do put the music files in some sort of format first?

Also the HDX Music section has 4 subsections marked EX - HQ - LQ and MQ. There is nothing in EX, HQ, or LQ but my ripped files appear under MQ. What are the other 3 sections for?

Thanks again 

Peter

Hi,

Yes you copy the albums over in the downloads folder. I follow the Naim way of doing things, so I have a directory for the artist, and then inside the artist folder I create sub folders for each album, sometimes you get an album that is made this way, e.g. when you use hdtracks the ddownloader they use creates exactly that structure.

I do not know how Naim and Linss downloaders work, but I would guess much in the same way. So you will maybe want to change the directory structure, or maybe just copy the folder into downloads. If you decide to join  the sosiaty of sound, and you do not use the downloader they have, you download a zip file  that must be unzipped before you copy the files to the hdx. Basically create the folder structure for the album on the mac and then copy the folder over to the hdx.

My guess is that the upnp specification has this folder structure as a requirement, if so other types of media should be stored in these folders.

Claus

If you browse to the network using Finder on your Mac you should find the HDX on your network as a device - if you then open that device in Finder you should see two folders - Downloads and Music ... Music is where the HDX stores its rips and Downloads is where you can place your own files.

Cheers

Phil

They are for our future use...

Cheers

Phil