Mac acting as a streamer with ipad control?

When talking about "streaming," we mean UPnP streaming.  In such a setup, playback is controlled entirely from the client -- NOT the server.  So if you are running a UPnP server on a Mac, you then need to focus on the player, and the software you'll use to control the player.  While you will need to access the Mac to set up the server, and add files (if you are also using the Mac to store your music), you will not be accessing it to control playback from the UPnP server.

There are a variety of players on the market with iOS based apps to control them, including the Naim players and nStream.  The mythical "500-series streamer" would add to this list of players.

The mythical "reference Dac" like the current Naim Dac would very likely NOT be network connectable, and thus you could not stream to it.  Maybe like the new V1 it will be asynchronous USB compatible, and thus connectable to a Mac, but that is not what we call "streaming."

I hope that this makes a start for you . . .

Ok, let me get this clear. So i can easily locate and download a UPnP server software and install it on my Mac and set it up as a server but could i not also have some playback software coupled to it in the same Mac...then use an app to control playback remotely on an ipad with an app?

http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?board=31.0

it is in Alpha build now.  But this will rock your Mac world.

If you are not looking to send out your music over an ethernet network, how about just using iTunes, optionally with a third-party plug-in (BitPerfect, Audirvana, Amarra, etc.) and controlled by Remote or a third-party app from your iPhone / iPad?  Output via usb to a usb dac, and then on to your preamp or active speakers. 

Many folks here on the Naim forums do just this.

MacMini as UPnP server using Plex  - Asset UPnP (either Windows version -bootcamp or crossover-Mac or beta version Asset UPnP for Mac : still flakey though -minimserver ( efficient but still work in progress) Twonky (still wonky IMHO) - rest avoid.

For stability - run Asset under bootcamp or Plex under OSX.

As a standalone use Audionirvana or plain Itunes with remote. JRiver Mac may well be the future but still very beta and quite buggy. Plex will run with server/client using its superb IOS/Android client as remote.

Tog

Patrick what is that programme offering for 50 bucks that say plex or xbmc are not for free?

It looks bloody awful on a mac, but acknowledge that they are sorting out the reliability before the pretties, but still, its not doing anything particularly well so I am wondering why you get so wet about it?

Some words on Media Center 18 for Mac mentioned by pcstockton. in my opinion this will be the total killer app for audio in the near future. amazing streaming capabilities, an amazing interface (which is extremely customizable) plus fantastic audio quality.

BUT - one should recognize that it the app is at ALPHA stage with beta, release candidate, final release (plus updates) coming – the approach JRiver has taken to open pandora's box at such an early stage is cool but dangerous at the same moment. while you see many people at the RJiver forum that understand what alpha means other are turned away by bugs, missing feature or non-mac-like-features (or look) at the moment. In my opinion their current alpha version (and they release every few days) is much, much better and much more stable than many other final versions. Still a (long) way to go – but worth the wait (at least for me).

Cheers, Lorenz

The interface is not particularly amazing, XBMC and PLEX offer at least as good if not better, both will happily stream via DNLA/UPNP both will happily trawl the net for artwork and data etc etc. But they don't cost 50 bucks.

I am just trying to understand why I would pay 50 bucks. XBMC has a new audio engine offering bit perfect output fo rinstance, so this is not a selling point at 50 bucks.

Besides an awesome audio engine, NOTHING compares to Media Center's database handling (FAST!!!), tagging and video replay.  The "Theater View" (10' interface) is very nice. The UPNP/DLNA features and robustness are unparalleled.

I have installed XBMC at least 6 times.  It was uninstalled within the hour every time.  Not intuitive.  Takes forever to find things.  There is no "Standard View" as you get with any other media player.  I relly dislike it.

Plex is a joke.

If $50 is too much for you then try XBMC.  That said, you can try MC for 30 days to see if you like it.  I would not try it until it is Beta though if you are not just going to buy it at the outset.

I would pay $500 for it if that tells you anything.

Cheers,

patrick

http://wiki.jriver.com/index.p...ntly_Asked_Questions

Play around in here to see everything MC can do.  It is actually overwhelming to try to list everything it can do that others cannot.

Why is plex a joke? I have only recently installed after a long pause on it and am actually very impressed with the total integration, access to everything every where, integrated video queues of youtube etc, very robust server on openmediavault.

All in all very happy after a few weeks of playing, excellent for the price.

You still have not really said what media centre does that free stuff does not? If I add a video to plex it automatically catalogs it in under 30 seconds. How quick do I need it?

UPNP unparalleled, could you expand on this?

I am not being a pain, if it has a redeeming knock out feature for fifty bucks I may consider it. But right now they want 28 bucks for an alpha release, which kind of takes the piss especially in light of the fact on the face of it, it offers nothing free options aren't giving for like free.

Or to make it easier, what can it do that others can not that makes it worth 50 bucks? A quick scan of the A to Z is not offering any knock out features other products that are free are not offering.

Well for my money I would install plex on a server somewhere, if you look at the forum you can see what can act as a server. I have found it to be a quite fantastic option for free.

I have been out on the road quite a bit lately and being able to play all my home content from my ipad or mac is excellent. Also the ability to queue youtube etc from your browser and it just appear on any of your plex clients is again excellent.

There are various scraper options in the server interface to maximise its ability to find stuff but so far I don't think its been thrown, and it details music artists nicely.

It has its issues, a client on my TV for instance has some sync issues with voice which is being worked on, but otherwise an excellent solution and you can keep your money in your pocket.

Plex sounds perfect for you.  Dont waste the money on MC.

So in essence you are not willing to discuss why MC is awesome to the max, only that it is so nerner.

Thats fine. No I won't be spending 28 bucks on an alpha release.

Not with someone who has seemingly made up their mind and haven't even downloaded the FREE trial to see for themselves.

-Patrick

I throw out a totally different solution

To me it sounds like you want to get music from your mac (digital files) to powered speakers (which need an analog signal)  For $100 you can buy an airport express.  Your mac will stream your digital files to the airport express (AE).  This is through the AE software and then can be controlled with the remote ap on ipad or iPhone.  The AE also will convert your files to analog.  Run a cable from AE to speakers....3.5 mm plug on AE to whatever input your speakers take.  Assuming they are RCA the cable from AE would end in 2x RCA plugs which can be extended if needed.  Free iTunes software you already have.

It is interesting that our discussions over the past two years have been hampered by the complete lack of servicable UPnP servers for OSX; now there is a wide choice of alpha, beta and "mature?" releases to argue over.

Plex is superb at managing video and rapidly improving in its handling of audio. To my mind it has a fantastic control point and is highly intuitive. Development is rapid and I'm looking forward to the time it can transcode flac to wav24. I pay for the product via PlexPass since i use it so much - works out much the same as paying for JRiver but Plex is quite mature now and feels like a high quality product. 

Minimserver can handle audio transcoding quite well but the interface is unpleasant and cover art handling a mess. Asset Mac looks promising but is still very buggy with an equally basic interface that may improve witth time. Both are beta products generating a lot of interest.

JRiver has a fantatical following and the Win version is certainly pretty. As Patrick points out it is still alpha and many features are still understandably unavailable. It may turn out to be a great product on the Mac but from my experience it still has a long way to go - the next 12 months will be interesting.

Linn have a new UPnP server - which I haven't tried yet. I wish Naim would develop something like their Songcast Airplay clone or introduce Airplay itself - it would just make life a little easier.

At the end of the day I still go back to my Vortexbox, miniDLNA / Bliss server which works so well day after day - mind you I also have another copy of plex on that server too so who knows?

Tog

What benefit to you is plexpass tog?

I looked at it but did not see anything beyond local download to ipad before hitting the road.

Hi Gary - It gives slightly better access to forum details - early availability of new developments and local sync.

Probably not the best value but at the time access to the private forums helped me solve some niggling issues. I may not renew later in the year but I'm quite happy to pay a little towards supporting what has proved to be a very stable and effective bit of software. Eventually I can see them charging for premium features _ I don't think I would blame them.

Meanwhile still trying to get Asset UPnP Mac to recognise a folder full of flac files! 

Tog