HDX Download area

Hi R2,

There is no requirement as to folder structure within the Downloads directory.  All that's needed for the music to show up in nServe is for the folders and files to be acceptably named and tagged, and for the server to have indexed them.

As for naming and tagging, be sure to use only basic alpha-numeric characters.  Non-Engllsh language characters (such as vowels with accents) and certain other characters such as the > symbol are not compatible.  The same is true for the tags used on/in the files themselves.

As for indexing, the server must re-index your Downloads share before the music will show up.  My uServe sometimes does this on its own right after I add new music, but not always.  Sometimes I use nServe for OS X to force a re-index of the Downloads share.  Once the re-index is done, the music will show up.

This is really all that's required!

Thanks for your replay Bart. Unfortunately, I don't use Windoze or Mac devices as being a retired IT specialist I favour Linux and Android over Microsoft and Apple. Subsequently I cannot use nServe or even the Naim Client! My access is via the HDX front panel and the identical interface that pops up in a web browser on the same network. I have searched the HDX reference manual but I see no way to force a manual refresh of the index.

What I have is the HDX downloads directory and under that a directory of "Claire Martin" and under that a directory of "Time Place" - so that's the Artist and Album. Inside that directory I have the 11 track files named as they came from the download site such as "01 - My Ship.flac". I also placed the png cover file and the pdf booklet in the same place.

I checked the system settings on the HDX and the Downloads area is "enabled" just like the main store is. But I don't see any settings that relate to when or how often a re-index is triggered. The files were placed in Downloads last night and they are not searchable yet... :-(

I got a Galaxy2 tablet (Android) for my birthday last week. So I am reluctant to bin it and inform the giver that I need an iPad instead. I live in hope that Naim will eventually see sense and release an Android version of nServe/Client... but I won't hold my breath.

R2

Your HDX is a hard disk player NOT a streamer. The new Naim app controls the streaming devices listed in your post. The app for controlling the HDX is n-serve which is Apple only at present.

n-Serve for OS X *or* the DTC (desktop client) for windows.

There is an nServe for iOS, but it is not as full-featured as the OS X or Windows controllers.  

R2, you own a device that requires control software that runs on windows or OS X to use some of its functionality.  (Many of these functions are NOT accessed via the front panel display.)  Your options are clear; you may want to swallow your pride and/or hold your nose and buy a laptop.  Such will not earn you an excommunication from the "retired IT specialist" club.

I do know that you are absolutely right on all counts. It just annoys me that after paying 5k for a product, I am unable to fully use it until I buy another device. Taking this to it's logical conclusion its like buying a car and being told, you will need to buy a steering wheel as well because the supplied tiller is a bit naff. 

Lets be honest the HDX comes supplied with a £400 remote which cannot be used unless you are 6 inches from the touch screen! What's that all about? I may as well reach out and just touch the screen! If it needs an iPad to work properly, then perhaps Naim should stop shipping the provided remote and instead just supply an iPad. They are about the same price after all.

Amazon have just supplied me with a fruit based device for £192, so that was even less than the supplied remote. The writings on the wall and it says: "Stop promising Android, you know it will never happen".  :-) I'll post again tomorrow when the Amazon Prime drone arrives.

Okay, a 7 inch Apple iPad later, and I can now use the HDX properly! Seams to auto find all the music sources including the HDX main store and it's download area, and the two similarly named areas on my QNAP-412 NAS. HDX Backups appear to be working daily at 4 a.m. although they appear to be incrementals. I'm hoping there is a full backup at some stage, else I will have to save every incremental for ever more!

It is much nicer to scroll through the album covers like you would on a shelf. However I file mine by artist so I expect all albums by the same artist to be together. Any chance of showing albums sorted by artist instead of album name? Also there is a large cluster at "A" and another at "The" which could do with some work... ;-)  Don't know about anyone else, but I would like definite and indefinite articles excluded from sort algorithms.

The music is excellent though and the Studio Masters even more gorgeous! Thanks for all the help guys, I am a happy bunny.

1.  Your dealer ideally should have explained how to use the HDX and been able to demo it, very likely with an iPad.  And informed you that you likely want to buy an iPad for full enjoyment.  It does 'cry out' for more than the remote and the little front panel display.

2.  Naim does now have an Android app.

3.  The first backup is full, and the subsequent backups only change what has changed.  At any given time, the latest backup is indeed 'everything'  as far as I know and can tell.  I do not see any need to backup more than the latest backup.  (I do highly recommend backing up the backup!  I put mine on an external usb drive plugged into the nas where my primary backup goes.)

4.  You can chose to sort by Artist, or Album, or Genre, or Newest Added, etc.

5.  Yes, when the faffing about is over and the music is playing, it IS great isn't it?

HDX requires n-Serve app and that is not available for android yet and according to the posts, has been "imminent" since 2011... :-( I'm not holding my breath.

Are you using digital output from the HDX, or using it as a UPnP server?  I assume the former, as if the latter you can use software that controls the player (such as the Naim app if it's a Naim player).

I am not sure if i saw the answer but anyway, on advantage of the HDX over the smaller boxes is that, there is an integrated interface.

So, to force indexing the "download folder", proceed so on the HDX inerface ->

Main screen -> System -> Network Share -> Manage Shares -> Put your finger on the share you wish to refresh -> put your finger on "Refresh" on the screen.

Few minutes after, you should find your files on Nserve.

Cheers

Thanks Bart, yes I use the HDX as source storage and streamer via the Analogue DIN into my SuperNait2. The Naim Android app is for Streamers only and the HDX is not included. Only n-Serve can be used with the HDX (Confirmed with Naim) and that is not Android yet. Hope That Helps.

Thanks Ikoun, that's exactly what I was looking for all along. Now why can't that be put in the PDF operating manual document... ?

Well you know, all these companies tend to think that we are all "geeks"... Most important is that now, you know what to do when a refresh is needed without to run after a computer